WizardsCastle's ratings
Pinsider WizardsCastle has rated 18 machines.
This page shows all all these ratings, and forms WizardsCastle's personal top 18.
Rating comments
4.348/10
4 months ago
Toronto, ON
One of the most disappointing games I've ever owned. I was excited because I grew up watching Scooby, but this game is truly a dog.
First off, the tech issues with this game are staggering. I literally had to invest a hours upon hours to finally get it running after troubleshooting various issues, including having to take the upper playfield off three times.
Then when I finally got it running, it was just such a disappointment. The flippers have no life to them, there isn't a single shot that's satisfying, and the upper playfield covers all the shots, so you almost feel numb playing.
I'm a half decent player, and over 19 years in this hobby, I've had the opportunity to own some of the best games out there, so I feel like I definitely appreciate a good table.
But this game does nothing great... Actually not even good. I own a R& M, so there's no hate on here for Spooky.
I just think this game is one of the worst games made in the last few years.
Fanboys will hate this review, but I think anyone who gets sufficient time on one of these machines will see where I'm coming from.
First off, the tech issues with this game are staggering. I literally had to invest a hours upon hours to finally get it running after troubleshooting various issues, including having to take the upper playfield off three times.
Then when I finally got it running, it was just such a disappointment. The flippers have no life to them, there isn't a single shot that's satisfying, and the upper playfield covers all the shots, so you almost feel numb playing.
I'm a half decent player, and over 19 years in this hobby, I've had the opportunity to own some of the best games out there, so I feel like I definitely appreciate a good table.
But this game does nothing great... Actually not even good. I own a R& M, so there's no hate on here for Spooky.
I just think this game is one of the worst games made in the last few years.
Fanboys will hate this review, but I think anyone who gets sufficient time on one of these machines will see where I'm coming from.
9.204/10
5 months ago
Elvira's House of Horrors (Premium Edition) Stern, 2019
I owned this game for a few months, and I felt this was like a modernized 90s B/W pin. For me, that's saying a lot because MM and AFM are among my favourites.
My only sort of gripe was that it was a little bit easy to beat. I'm an alright player, however I don't play a lot, and I found myself completing it 4-5 times in the first couple of months.
What the game does have though, probably more than anything else out there, is personality! Elvira is awesome, and Lyman's brilliant code just makes it all click.
I had to let mine go to bring something new in, but I certainly did enjoy it while I had it here.
My only sort of gripe was that it was a little bit easy to beat. I'm an alright player, however I don't play a lot, and I found myself completing it 4-5 times in the first couple of months.
What the game does have though, probably more than anything else out there, is personality! Elvira is awesome, and Lyman's brilliant code just makes it all click.
I had to let mine go to bring something new in, but I certainly did enjoy it while I had it here.
10.000/10
6 months ago
Jurassic Park (Limited Edition) Stern, 2019
Keith Elwin's masterpiece. Godzilla is fantastic, Maiden is a blast, but JP is pretty much perfection.
I've never rated a game a perfect 10, but going through each category, I just couldn't find anything to take a point away from.
I've owned the game since launch, and just finally got to Escape Nublar this week. I figured it was an appropriate time to rate it.
For me, this game has it all. The shots are super satisfying, a good balance of flow and challenge. The code is deep yet clear, and there is a sense of adventure that is reminiscent for me of LOTR (another personal favorite).
The only area I could find fault with is Toys & Gimmicks, because I've owned two JPs, and the T-Rex was finnicky on both. But the toy is still amazing, and the truck and Raptor pen are cool, so to me, it still deserved 5/5.
If there's such thing as a perfect pinball machine, iny opinion, this is it!
I've never rated a game a perfect 10, but going through each category, I just couldn't find anything to take a point away from.
I've owned the game since launch, and just finally got to Escape Nublar this week. I figured it was an appropriate time to rate it.
For me, this game has it all. The shots are super satisfying, a good balance of flow and challenge. The code is deep yet clear, and there is a sense of adventure that is reminiscent for me of LOTR (another personal favorite).
The only area I could find fault with is Toys & Gimmicks, because I've owned two JPs, and the T-Rex was finnicky on both. But the toy is still amazing, and the truck and Raptor pen are cool, so to me, it still deserved 5/5.
If there's such thing as a perfect pinball machine, iny opinion, this is it!
9.180/10
10 months ago
Dialed In Jersey Jack, 2017
If someone tells you this game isn't good because of the theme, just tell them they're a moron and pants them. The theme is exactly what pinball should be - super corny and campy. It's not the greatest idea ever, but it fits well. Although the story might be a bit muddled, the rules and your objective is very clear. I love that it makes you play and complete modes of you want to see the end, and I think each disaster mode is unique enough to make you want to play it over and over. There are two gripes I have with this game, and it's not what most people complain about. Firstly, I really wish the final wizard mode had an epic finish. When you fight the boss, it's a pretty awesome battle, but when it ends, there's literally nothing! The other thing is that the MBs don't really do anything, and there are times where I end up purposely draining balls just to get back to the main gameplay. Lastly, I wish the letters didn't disappear when you drain. I get that you can change this in settings, but on location, you can't. It's such a buzz kill to work for all these modes, and then lose everything on a drain.
But bang for buck, I don't think there's a better game out there. This thing is stacked! I've owned Twilight Zone and this game is very reminiscent of that. I might even say it's better!
But bang for buck, I don't think there's a better game out there. This thing is stacked! I've owned Twilight Zone and this game is very reminiscent of that. I might even say it's better!
8.520/10
10 months ago
Avengers: Infinity Quest (Limited Edition) Stern, 2020
Really fun game to shoot like all Elwin games, but this one falls apart a bit for me with the overcomplicated rules. I like a deep set of rules, but this one almost had too much going on. I actually gave up on trying to fully understand it, and just played it with the rules that made sense to me. In the end, when something new around, and something had to go, it was this over other games in my collection. Don't get me wrong, it's better than most modern games, but there are other games out there that offer more fun for me.
8.312/10
11 months ago
Foo Fighters (LE) Stern, 2023
After 3-4 months, i was finding the game a little stale. I hope the finished code will add some more excitement to this game, because currently, just playing through cities feels very repetitive. I like many of the shots, but the code just makes every shot feel sort of the same.
I think there's a lot of cool stuff in this game, but at almost $20K Canadian, I just couldn't justify it to myself. When you have it sitting beside games like JP and GZ, it just doesn't seem to be in the same league.
Hoping code shapes up, and adds more depth (though at 0.96, I doubt much is changing) as I may come back around and try a premium if I find a good deal.
I think there's a lot of cool stuff in this game, but at almost $20K Canadian, I just couldn't justify it to myself. When you have it sitting beside games like JP and GZ, it just doesn't seem to be in the same league.
Hoping code shapes up, and adds more depth (though at 0.96, I doubt much is changing) as I may come back around and try a premium if I find a good deal.
7.946/10
11 months ago
Total Nuclear Annihilation Spooky Pinball, 2017
Reminiscent of old school single level games, but modernized to be different. In a collection, it's a really nice addition, especially if you have longer playing games. I always need one fast and furious game, and this one really filled that need. I love the idea of trying to get to the 9th generator, and the beacon on top was always a joy to see. Music ramps up as you progress deeper, and it all really comes together. The game is a bit clunky, and it's the usual flat feeling Spooky flippers, but this game is one of the few I kinda regret selling.
7.342/10
1 year ago
Alien (Limited Version) Pinball Brothers, 2021
Unique game with very cool theme integration. The coverrd habit trails is a bit annoying, and the hypersleep ramp is really tough to hit, but aside from that, it's a cool game to shoot. Not the deepest game, but the modes are fun to play, and I like that there are 3 wizard modes.
9.860/10
1 year ago
Attack From Mars (Remake - LE) Chicago Gaming Co., 2017
The great debate for me is trying to decide if I like Medieval Madness or Attack From Mars more. They're both timeless classics, and in many ways, the same game. But I've found them fresh and unique enough to own both, side-by-side, for years. And after all this time, I still can't decide. One days it's MM, the next, it's AFM. I love the extras that the remake LE includes, and this game will like never leave my collection.
9.940/10
1 year ago
Medieval Madness Williams, 1997
As I was going through each category, trying my best to be as objective as possible. But I kept finding myself selecting 6 points for each. The only category that I could bring myself to deduct a point on was cabinet art, and even there, i think it just did it to try to appear critical. When you rate a game like this, it's challenging with all the great modern games that have come after it, but it still holds up, despite all these advances and great ideas. The game is almost perfect in every way. It shoots amazingly well, the rules are fun and challenging, the sound is awesome, the theme is perfect original, and no matter how many times you play it, it's still always a blast. I've owned a remake LE and original, and for my the original just feel better. This is the first game I ever bought, and I will probably never sell it. It's also probably the best introductory game in pinball. It's the only game my wife will play!
5.510/10
1 year ago
Guns N' Roses (LE) Jersey Jack, 2020
Likely the biggest disappointment I've had in my collection. The game is stunning to look at, the sound is great, but the gameplay and the code is just really weak. The flippers feel spongy, the shots are clunky and unexciting, and the code does absolutely nothing for me. I would rarely ever play two games in a row on this table. I put under 100 games on it, and couldn't wait to move it along. I lost a lot of money selling it as well, which I accept, but it will very likely be the last JJP I purchase.
8.336/10
2 years ago
The Simpsons Pinball Party Stern, 2003
I appreciate that they put a tonne into this machine. The layout is very unique, but after a while, it loses it's charm a bit, and shooting it becomes a bit mundane. The center garage shot is cool at first, but then gets boring. A lot of stop and go. To me though, the fatal flaw of this game is the overcomplicated code of Dwight. I love a deep game, but this one almost goes too far. Beating this game is reserved for like 10 people in the world, so as an owner, I don't see the point. You can put an hour into this game, and not even get half way through the objectives. This one didn't last long in my collection as I no longer wanted to put in a big chunk of time to feel like I did nothing. Cool game in a large collection, but for me, in a small collection, it just got old quick.
6.286/10
2 years ago
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro) Stern, 2020
On theme alone, I was expecting this one to be bolted to the floor. Borg put together a pretty decent layout, but it was all put to waste with the Dwight phoned in, completely uninspired coding. As much as I liked hitting the shots, the code sucked out the joy. After two weeks, I didn't even turn it on. Dwight needs to put more time into these games, and actually FINISH them! No more Dwight games for me. Hopefully they partner Borg with someone else for his next game.
8.484/10
3 years ago
Deadpool (Limited Edition) Stern, 2018
When I initially got this game, I thought it would be bolted to the floor for year. Awesome integration, good flow, and I personally liked the humor. But after the first or second week, I beat it. Then I beat it again, and again, and yet again... After a couple of months, I let it go. I don't play a lot of pinball, and also I'm not a competitive player, so if I can get through a game that quickly, it usually doesn't stick around. Aside from the code maybe being a bit thin, the game is brilliant in so many other ways. Definitely a super fun game to shoot.
* Adding this as I now see that Deadpool is #3 on the Pinside list which is ridiculous. The game is fun, but there are 20-30 games that are significantly better than it.
* Adding this as I now see that Deadpool is #3 on the Pinside list which is ridiculous. The game is fun, but there are 20-30 games that are significantly better than it.
8.120/10
3 years ago
Batman 66 (Premium) Stern, 2016
Owned it for a year, and just recently traded it for another game. I like think I've put enough time on this pin to give it a fair review. Everyone talks about how amazing the theme integration is here, and I have to disagree. Yes, they have loads and loads of footage, and it's used in so many awesome ways. But the playfield itself doesn't scream Batman. What does the crane have to do with anything? And although the turntable does catch your attention the first few times you step up to it, after a while you realize it just takes up a lot of real estate where something really memorable could have gone. You look at something like LOTR, and you see how the game feels like you're in that world. Batman doesn't do accomplish this. The code, although plateful, seems like it could have been better if there was a main wizard mode where you feel like you're trying to save Gotham or fight some villain. Instead, it's 3 choices of a 6 ball multiball orgy that really doesn't seem to have a purpose. It might sound like I'm knocking this game, but the reality is, I absolutely enjoyed playing it, but I just think it could have been done so much better.
8.847/10
3 years ago
The Walking Dead (Pro) Stern, 2014
I've owned this game for about 2 years, and I recently reached Last Man Standing, so I thought this was the perfect time to review. I always say I gave a love hate relationship with this game, but it's definitely more hate. This is not the game for the faint hearted. It makes you nudge like no other, your adrenaline runs wild, and you swear like a sailor. But when you have that one good game out of the plenty frustrating ones, you realize how much there is to love about this table. The shots, although tight and punishing, are really fun to shoot. The code is arguably Lyman's best work, and there are many paths and approaches. Some people complain the lighting on the pro model is basic, but I think it fits the theme. The sound isn't incredible, but again I think it fits. This is a player's game. It makes you work hard, and you become a better player out of it. I often let go of a game after reaching the wizard mode, but this one is staying. LMS gas been the most satisfying wizard to achieve, and my next goal will be to beat it (115 kills again isn't easy!). One more thing to add, there is often a debate between Pro and Premium models. I do like some of the extras on the premium, and money was not a factor when I made my decision. For me, the left ramp (one of the best shots in pinball) made the Pro way more attractive.
7.420/10
4 years ago
Spider-Man Stern, 2007
I always had fun playing this game on location, so I was excited to get one at home. After a month I became a bit bored of it. I think the rules are a bit too thin and I had no desire to play any of the modes. After getting to Super Hero, I barely turned it on again, so it was time to let it go. Although the game was not a fit for me, I do think this is an excellent game for people being introduced to pinball, or for this that just play casually and don't really care about depth in games. Smooth and fast flow on this one, but just not a keeper for me.
9.600/10
4 years ago
Lord of the Rings Stern, 2003
This to me is the complete pinball machine and experience. There are loads of great games out there, but this one just does it for me. I know people complain about long balls times, and I will agree, that often I will pass on playing this because I don't want to commit the time. But when I do, there really isn't anything else like it. I feel like the captured the adventure of the films bang on. I have been one shot away from staring Valinor, and I feel like this game sets the standard for code and wizard modes. I like that it's very difficult to get to, but not impossible. I also enjoy the journey to that point, which in a lot of games, I do not. The callouts are possibly the best in pinball, the dots are very cool and true to the films, and the lighting is excellent for that era. If I had to sell all my games, and I was lucky enough to only keep one, there is no doubt at all it would be LOTR!
