STLOkie's ratings

After owning this game for a couple months I wanted to share my thoughts. This is a very well done machine, regardless of the price. It has some great flow with several looping shots that can be hit back to back. The rule set is not "deep" by todays standards but this also make it very approachable for casual players. Even with these shallower rules it's still tough to make it through the main modes and will be a challenge even for the most skilled player. The functioning T-Rex mouth shot is great and is one everyone wants to try to hit, with a 2 ball multi ball payoff. The raptor multi ball (3 ball) has a neat shift in colors making the play field slightly darker and red, simple but neat effect. The back ramp has a jump in the middle that adds some extra excitement when you make it all the way across.

As far as not so great, the lighting could have been better; being dim in some areas and a pretty limited and bland switching effect is all you get. The screen size is on the small side but not a huge deterrent in actual use.

Drop targets, multiple ramps, captive ball, moving mechanical t-rex, there's plenty to do on this. Even as a "value" pin this machine holds its own against newer games and punches way above its weight.

LW3 is a product of its era. Mid 90s action movie and pinball at its best and sometimes worst. I enjoy the fairly open playfield but always feels just short of feeling like a clean flow. The use of the gun launcher is a pretty unique interactive element. Has drop targets, nice little spinners and a big looping ramp, so you get a bit of everything on this pin. Art is a bit "cartoon" like but overall is pretty well done and works for the theming.

Things I Enjoy:
- The big looping ramp is the center piece which I enjoy each time I hit it.
- The music selection, you can to choose between three different songs to start. Nothing special now but here in it's mid 90s midi type sound it has a certain nostalgia to it.
- Gun mini games, the use of the gun shooter is integrated into several elements during the game, making decent use of it.
- The movie clips inserted to each progression of the main objective are well done. Getting to the final one is a thrill.
- I'll admit, I actually like the "okay okay okay" Joe Pesci call out.

Things I don't Like:
- The punching mini game is NOT fun.
- Back glass is a whole lot of Mel Gibson
- The general progression is almost too straight forward. Once you've one through it a few times you start to see a lack of depth in the rules and play field.

Summary:
A fun game that is really underrated, one of the better Data East pins. Has some fun and unique elements mixed into its gameplay that makes it worth a few plays. Approachable for new players thanks to it's open layout and fairly straightforward rule set.

I always enjoyed this as a kid but I remember it being very difficult and a quarter hog. Playing it many years later it feels almost the same. Fun for a few plays for sure but can be a frustrating one.

The longer I play this game the more I grow to really appreciate it's balance of depth, skill and fun. Hitting the ramp shot is not easy but that makes each successful attempt extremely satisfying especially when trying to run that red light. Easily one of the best games of this generation.