RyanClaytor's ratings

I'll admit, it took me playing about 2 or 3 games on this title before I "got it", but the enjoyment of the game was well worth the initial learning curve.

There are a number of different ways to win (achieve replays), from getting a runner on each base (4 trap holes) to sequence to points to score. There are a lot of possibilities to keep track of, and thankfully so, in case one or more of those ways to win are no longer available. For example, if you start by trying to land a ball in all four trap holes and you drain the first two balls, then there's no way to beat the game using trap holes. Then you'd wanna start trying for sequence, points, or score. And of course you can win using multiple methods to replays...if you're skilled enough.

However, this layout and ruleset is so challenging and rewarding. I've played this game a good number of times and most plays I could get RIGHT UP TO the replay threshold (the reward for achieving the aforementioned goals) but NOT QUITE achieve it. Because of this, it has a wonderful replay value to it. Neyens and Gottlieb must have playtested the heck out of these games because they're JUST the right amount of challenging and borderline beatable.

If you see a Hit 'n' Run, I'd urge you to give yourself a few games to get familiar with this interesting and nuanced ruleset. I'm sure glad I did.

An instant classic, this title deserves it's place in the Pinside top 20. I can't think of a better overall sound package, from the Steve Richie inspired butt-rock composed by David Thiel (that gets me pumped on every game) to the hilarious and plentiful J.K. Simmons call-outs, the sounds keep this game fresh and action-packed each time you press the start button. Rules are fun, challenging, stackable, and keep you coming back for "one more game". Playfield layout is a high-water mark for Steve Richie flow. A+ game!

Set-up well, this game is fast and furious. Gaping-wide out-lanes and lots of lateral ball movement make for a dangerous combination. Thankfully there are chances to save your ball in each outlane (a kicker and a return gate to the shooter-lane) as well as an up-post between the flippers. Despite all these safeguards, Swinger is both a brutal layout and an addictive "one-more-time" type of player.

The playfield artwork leaves a lot to be desired, but the backglass is campy goodness. As Caucasian2step mentioned, the fellow in the lower-left the the backglass is not to be missed.

I recently finished a (slow and methodical) complete teardown and restoration on a former barn-dwelling, landfill-bound, Swinger. The rebuild was worth the wait and I'm happy I could save an example of this great player.

I think this game is largely misunderstood because of the "Pac-Maze," a feature which essentially amounts to a very early video mode. While video modes can be a polarizing feature, what better theme to incorporate a video mode than Pac-Man, an early hit of the classic video game cannon. The controls on this primative video mode can be challenging to understand at first, but I liken it to the Johnny Mnemonic vid mode; difficult to master, but fun when understood. It's a 3 flipper game, one of the hardest skill shots in all of pinball, and an enjoyable single ball game (no multiball).

I'd be hard pressed to think of a better designed, integrated and executed toy in all of pinball. Rudy tracks your ball with his eyes, calls out individual players' names, and heckles you during gamplay. That's not even mentioning the ability to bash Rudy on the pf, put him to sleep (the snoring is a sight to see), lock balls in his mouth, and the eventual ball-belch and manic scream. On top of all this, there's a dream team of designers who conceptualized everything from layout to rules to sounds to mechanics.

The Good: Artwork and theme-ing is hard to beat. In that regard this machine is a total package. It's also a good DMD game to explain easily to newcomers, as the rules are pretty simple. This is one of the rare reasonably priced DMD's (in comparison with CC, MB, etc) that my wife actually likes. So there's that. :)

The Bad: In a small collection, I can see the shallow rule-set becoming stale. The first time I walked up to it, I also remember feeling as though the central circular ramp took up a lot of real estate. ...like it was difficult to see much of the playfield due to the coverage of the ramp.

Fun, challenging, and rewarding center feature (a captive ball/newton's cradle/horseshoe...THING). When all five balls are moved to one side of the center feature, an extra ball is rewarded. Particularly fun to play with two players because as you move more balls to one side or the other, you are essentially hindering the other player. Another interesting feature are the two kick-outs at the base of the flippers. Each of them propel the ball toward the opposite side of the newton's cradle, but their location also means that the player is unable to hold the ball, which keeps the game moving and requires quick thinking to master. Inventive and interactive captive ball unit in conjunction with the flipper base kick-out holes more than make up for an otherwise sparse playfield.

Backglass is in the upper echelon of Christian Marche's body of work, despite having playfield and cabinet art that feel a little phoned-in.

A really unique and narrative twist to a well themed pinball machine. The slot machine is a fun toy and combining a classic murder mystery puzzle with a pin-theme is well executed. My only slight is that after several plays it seems as though you can just haphazardly choose the culprit and get it after a couple tries.

A classic, yet invovative, pinball machine that will stand the test of time. The ramp structure is brilliant, the multiball start is unlike anything I've ever seen, and the use of playfield magnets is inspiring. The toys are a magical part of the experience too, as the Genie is a great custom-molded addition, and the spinning lamp does a fantastic job of varying the shot angles so things never get boring.

Artwork is a big garish, but the toys (pinball muching T-rex, Raptor kick-back), sound, and layout more than make up for the art package.

Supercharger loop is a hoot and shifting (on the plunger) while playing can be fun and challenging. A great revisited theme from the flow-mastah!

One of the best art packages in pinball. Flow and play be damned, I have never seen a more gorgeous machine. Three cheers for Paul Faris.

In my opinion, Pat Lawlor (the designer of Whirlwind) is all about fun, and this title definitely reflects that. From the spinning playfield discs to the backbox fan to the elegant ruleset, this pin is good, clean, accessible fun, and great on long lasting entertainment.