wtuttle's ratings

For me, this has the "one more game factor". I work at an investment bank, so it is the perfect theme for our group. Naturally, I installed it in my lunch room at work, and I see it being played by a variety of folks, from the curious to the gamer-geek. Most folks consider it "difficult ", which to me adds to lastability.

I have not yet managed to hit the 50k bonus shot. Love the old school chimes. Look forward to learning how to maintain an EM on this example.

Really fun game from Elwin & Co. Can't wait to play a Premium.

The "grouped mission" idea for shark hunts are great, as are the skills shots, which are true skill shots.

Have played two Pros in two locations, and both shot smooth as butter.

Nothing negative I can think of. Enjoy--pinball is so fun!!!

I have mixed feelings about this pin. First, what I love, is the simplicity and homage to Attack from Mars by Brian Eddy.

But...and it could be all the Elwin pins we've all played of late, but I almost think it calls for a 3rd flipper halfway up the playfield, like Godzilla. Feels like a phantom limb flipper is not there, but should be!

I enjoy the theme, and the purple/blue playfield and lighting. Probablybest to park this bad boy in a collection with 6+ pins.

Feels like Monster Bash meets Scared Stiff with modern rules. In other words, I love it. The four, count 'em, four ball locks are awesome.

Only have about 50 games on my Prem, but am very happy with the purchase. Hitting the crypt and getting smack-talked by some of the characters is hilarious.

Lyman's last gift to us. Pinball perfection.

And hey, even my wife likes the "art work" ;)

Excellent pin. The best music pin there is, if you ask me. Only Metallica could come close.

Love the layout, the shots, and especially THE TUNES! Insider Connected is fun with this one.

Hope to own one day.

Pretty darn innovative if you ask me. Could rate ahead of Mediebal Madness in my eyes. So fun, especially the jump rope gimmick. Not "politically correct" cultural stereotypes today. Can't knock it for its era.

Love this pin. Kudos to Stern for finding a way to release an original title and not a license.

TAUNTING! Love it.

Pro > Premium, IMHO.

My least favourite Spike 2 game. Crowded playfield, blah everything. To be fair, I am not a fan of the theme, franchise, but this is the type of pin I would sell if I won one in a contest.

Time has not been kind to this pin; anyone who bought one is massively underwater. Forget about replacement parts. Good Riddance, Andrew et al.

There is not much else that needs to be said about this poor pin. So, so sad. Very sad. It should have been put out of its misery at the Whitewood stage... but I doubt they built one.

This is just bad pinball. Shame.

Played this on location in Calgary. Flippers weak. How is that possible for a new game?
Didn't love the layout, nor the lighting which was very, very dark, mid-playfield.
Hope to re-visit this review in 2020 as I love Dialed-In.

Love the layout; can't get past the theme. Find the code a bit mind-boggling. Would prefer to play Black Knight - Sword of Rage on location ahead of this game.
Enjoy all three ramps. One Stern where I'm just as happy to play the Pro.

Loved the Pro so much I knew I'd have to have a Premium. Played one game on a Prem, and bought one after a summer of saving. Very happy with my decision.
Disco loops are super fun, as is the Chimichanga orbit shot. Great game to have in a home environment so you can hear all call-outs.
Hope some enterprising soul makes some R-rated code sometime.
My favourite animation is the zombie-unicorn. Freaky.

Other than that, I took off a notch for the variation of call-outs. I hear one in particular too often when hitting the SabreTooth: "Aren't you the guys who tune-up the X-Men's joint in Westchester?". Or something to that effect. Minor annoyance. Also took a notch off for lighting as it could be brighter in the middle of the playfield. Good candidate for PinStadium or something of that ilk.

As with other Premium owners, I bought this version because I prefer the 'blue' cabinet art.

Love the pin--great design, Mr. Gomez.
Tanio, please keep the code coming! As many high-score tombstones as possible please!

So fun. Colour DMD adds a great deal to the playing experience.
Some of the best flow in pinball. A top-5 game for me, all day.

2023 edit.
Played this recently and did not find it to be as stimulating as I had in 2018.

Blows the Pro out of the water if you ask me. That hammer trick is one of those "a-ha" moments in Pinball that get rarer the longer you're in the hobby. This moment happened for me in Buffalo in November 2018.

Terrific pin. I especially love the powerplant pop-bumpers. So cool. Colour DMD is a beauty on this one.
I seek this out wherever I can.

Beautiful Blue!

I love the Premium, can't abide the Pro when I see how much they took out.

don't know why, but I'm not the hugest fan of this one. It is ambitious and has stood the test of time, so I suppose I should give it another shot.

Played this at FlipOut in Vancouver. Really enjoyed it. Different playfield layout. Kudos to Spooky for keeping it weird!

Edited six years later:

Just weird.

What a pin! Jack & team can be proud of this one.
This one ticks all my boxes. I especially like the flipper area; they 'feel' right.

At first I thought the 'theme' was a little off, but now I see if is really about jamming up 'Big Brother', and not about a cellphone. Fitting theme for the times we live in.

This is worth the price. Best new release since I've joined the hobby. It sounds militant to say so, but I daresay that if a person doesn't like this game, they probably don't like pinball. So fun!

11-05-2018--UPDATE:

PS: four of you beauties somehow 'flagged' my rating, presumably for the comment above. Eat a fresh one is all I can say. Freedom of expression and 'figure it out, son'--this is an OPINION!!!

This pin is a treasure. I love the hologram, the steep ramps, everything. Cool back-story too, with the 'Trudeau Gap' and such. I knocked off one notch on 'bash toys' due to the fact that the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man doesn't feature more prominently in this one. Hard to argue with Slimer though.

The last DMD game from Stern. Remember this one.

I received my Domino's pin this week. This is an early review that I suspect will be revised, but I can say that I am impressed. First, the game comes with a real back-glass, not the plastic thing you get from Stern. I really like the powder-coating/finishing on the legs and armour for the game. Looks great.

Other than that, I'm also told by Mr. Adam Gacek (Domino's lawyer/loyal Pinsider) that a code update is forthcoming. That could turn this game into a sleeper and a gem. Right now, I find multiballs come kind of easily/randomly. I also find the pop-bumpers (2) are a bit under-used. But hey, it's early!

For me, it is fun to try to make shots and figure out what Charlie was 'inspired' by when he designed certain shots. For instance, the 'Oven' is 'Stugots' shot on Sopranos. The skill shot is Congo. The Noid bash-toy/area is the ghost/minion shot on his own 'America's Most Haunted'. The tight loop is from 'Theatre of Magic' (around the box). There are undoubtedly others I am missing or have yet to relate to an existing pin; my knowledge is not as extensive as that of Kevin in Colorado (legendary Pin-rater "Caucasian2step", from Westminster, CO.

I really like the 80's sounds. Well done.

This is a great value pin, made by cool people, I think. The back-glass is terrific. The colour DMD is a bonus.

For the operators out there, this could be a decent earner if placed in a Domino's location.

At this point, I'd say if you don't own a Spooky-affiliated pin, your collection is not reflective of the modern state of pinball. Cheers to Charlie, Kayte & Co.

Seems like a fun pin. My review is based upon approximately 30 games on a pro on location with the call-outs turned up nice n' loud. Has that 'One more game factor' (ask my fiancee, she begged for another loonie to play a final game herself).
I really enjoy the 'Love in an Elevator' multiball as it is a challenge to get. The bash-toy is excellent, and the launching of the ball into the Toy Box is a new thing for me. This worked perfect on the Pro I played and it blew me away even after a few hours of play.
Code seems fairly advanced for a few months post-release. Really enjoyed my time on this, notwithstanding the fact that I am not an Aerosmith fan at all.
Bottom line for me: I enjoy this pin and will feed it when I see it on location. Well done, Stern.
Pinball is fun, and this is a fun pin to play.

I really enjoy this pin and think it could be ranked higher than, say ACDC. Lovely execution on the theme for the era. Video modes are fun enough that I find myself going for them hoping to get to play, as opposed to other pins where a player might play the video mode begrudgingly.
Caveat: the example I put my 30 or so games on did not seem to have a working lower-playfield, nothwithstanding the fact that I scored 1,400,000,000 and took the GC spot...maybe my moderately good game is why I like the pin so much?!

I love this game. Moreover, I love finding this game on location. It is everywhere in Paris, for some reason. There is one in Western Canada. In any event, if it was good enough for Leonard Cohen (Google it), it's good enough for me. Cheers to Shawn from Pinball Vancouver for explaining some rules to me.

The 'loop' shot really impressed me when I first got in to pin. This can be fun. The one I had access to had many mechanical issues, so perhaps I'd alter my review if I were playing on a better-maintained machine.
It's in the Buffalo 'Turdament' for a reason...

Decent pin (for a pin about a car). Not my favourite theme, but I'll play one if I see one.

It has taken me several encounters to appreciate this game. I think the theme is well done and really enjoy the flow. The left ramp shot, which looks juicy, can be surprisingly tough to hit under pressure (aren't they all!?).

I was in a room with 8 pins, including a Game of Thrones LE, Addams Family, Star Trek Next Generation and this pin is what I played for 2.5 of the 3 hour session. Enough said!

I really like this pin. In fact, I probably like it more than Medieval Madness, because it is so deep. I have never gotten close to finishing the entire set of modes. I've not come close, and I embrace the challenge.

One admission/caveat to this review: I love the macabre and spooky themes, such as Addams Family and America's Most Haunted. So this title is right in my wheelhouse.

My favourite little quirk to this one is the ceramic pinball. So neat when it comes out.

I would own this in a heartbeat if one presented itself.

Was fortunate enough to play about 100 games on this one over a couple of days at 'Comic University' in Fullerton, California. Amazing game. Everything that's wrong with the 'Pro' seems better here--less drains from the pop bumpers, more variation, everything is great. Had so much fun playing.

This is an excellent pin. Full disclosure: I have a soft-spot/bias for 'indie' pins that are not licensed.
This is the best of the lot. Tough multiball and a really cool shot for an extra ball when you can get it. I have played approximately 150 games and I have not yet plumbed the depths of the rules, which is a good thing. Cheers to the team that worked on this and those who still appreciate it. Would own one in a heartbeat.

Didn't know about this pin, but stumbled upon one on location at D & D Pinball in Tucson, AZ. Of the 30 pins there today, this was my 'pleasant surprise of the day'. Super cool backglass, and neat shots. Oddball theme--not politically correct today, but a neat one in any event. No multiball, but I didn't notice that for the first 10 plays or so. Really enjoyed this, and would buy it if I came across one.

Excellent game, and so much different/better than the Pro. This is an excellent pin. Not my favourite due to the theme--I am not a huge AC/DC fan. However, if this were re-branded as, say, a Red Hot Chili Peppers pin, I'd be over-the-moon for it.

I've played this one about 20 times. I quite like it. Heaps of cool ramps. Code is definitely better than usual at the outset for Stern. Very nice. I enjoy the dragon and battering ram shots. Really nothing negative I can say about the actual gameplay--it is great. The back glass is not-so-amazing.
The Pro I have access to on location has a cool feature for 'advanced' game play. This is a no-brainer for a pinhead. When it receives enough ratings, I imagine this will quickly crack the top 50 at least.
Cheers Steve Ritchie.

Edit: May 2018:
Amazing game. I was fortunate enough to play an LE on location in Vancouver. These guys are not fooling around; they know good pinball.
But...at the same time, this is somehow not so satisfying. Not sure why.

What I like:

1. It's the newest game out there (not for long!);

What I don't like:

1. The theme;
2. The lack of control over your ball due to the spinner, the 'wrestling ropes', and the plunge.

The place I play has machine #33 of 400. I play this generally when I need a break from Walking Dead or Sopranos...or any other pin they have.

A players' game.

What I like:

1. The challenge of spelling 'FILM';
2. The theme, which is awesome;
3. The attractive female on the backglass being held by the Creature; and
4. The payoff of striving so hard for a two-ball multiball. Seems like such a real treat, compared to, say, easily getting an 8-ball multiball in Indiana Jones (Stern, 2008).

What I don't like:

1. Not much, though it can be hard to see the back of the playfield.

Edit:
May 16, 2015:

Found a machine on location that plays clean. Really like this pin now.

WT

____________________
Hi,

It might be pre-mature to rate this game--the only one I have played is on-location, and it is not well-maintained. That said, I have poured enough cash into it to have a feel for the game...and I don't like the feeling. Too many STDMs from the middle block-peg. The one I've played on is really dark.
Hope to revisit this once I get to play on a HUO pin.

Uh, this game has it all. There is so much I love about it:

1. Thing!;
2. The flippers do the theme song at the end of some/all games!;
3. The modes are deeeeeeep;
4. Skill-level is perfect for beginners all the way up to players.

I can't think of a single thing I don't like.

Wicked pin. I wish I could give it 7/6 pins for the voices. Raul Julia and Angelica Huston do amazing voicework.

Has that 'one more game factor'...as evidenced by the jerk who monopolized the pin for three hours before I got to play. But once I did, heck, I was all over that sucker! Such a good game. Pure pin, in the realm with Medevil Madness.

So much to like that's already been said, but here are a few highlights:

1. The tricks with the bash-toy/box. Only the Shadow's dissapearing-ball trick impressed me more;
2. Flow--this game has it!;
3. Multiballs were fair; and
4. The call-outs and theme are terrific.

I can't think of a single thing I didn't love about this pin, aside from the fat dude playing on a chair for three hours ahead of me. Sour grapes.

Updated August 22, 2018.
Slight reductions on animations and music.

__________________________________________

Agree with many folks below--number one for a reason. Got to play about 15 games on it tonight for the first time ever. Approached cautiously...but then sunk that castle for the first time and just started lovin' it. More specifically I enjoy:

1. I like the callouts, which are hilarious (and about the tone of humour appropriate for pinball, I believe);
2 The variety of shots;
3. I love the trolls, because I didn't know they were there until about my 8th game; and
4. Multiballs are achievable, but still a challenge and are rewarding to get.

Only thing I'd change is the backglass, which I thought was kind of generic.

Overall, so glad I made the two hour drive to get a chance to play this! Kudos to the fine folks, Richard and Constance at D&D Pinball in Tucson for having their pin in top shape.

What I liked:

1. It's pinball. That is always fun;
2. The moving Elvis is cool;
3. Callouts are not bad; and
4. The ramps are challenging to hit.


What I didn't like:

1. The one I played, admittedly on location at an AMC (for what that is worth) had weak flippers;
2. Pop bumpers are obscured by upper playfield;
3. Ramps were overly hard to hit (possibly due to weak flippers mentioned at 1); and
4. A few too many STDM's for no apparent reason, including some off of the plunge. In my mind, that stuff shouldn't happen.

Glad to have played it though, and neat they only made 500.

Edit (April 24, 2015): machine repaired in Phoenix at Priceless Primetime. Have increased my rating significantly. Really enjoy this game. Martians shaking is fun to try to shoot. Great ramps and flow. Love the art near the slings.

_______________________Initial Review____________________
The one I played on location in Phoenix had a bad right flipper. I played 20+ games. This may have coloured my experience, but I didn't love it. The "plunge" of a button sucked. Also, I don't like 'billion +' scoring. Seems fake. Just knock off a damn zero or two already.

I know this is a pin-classic. I'd not played much since it came out circa 1992. When I played on location, it was next to an Attack from Mars. I played approximately 40 games on T2, and a mere 20 on AFM, so that was an indicator of what I liked best.

That said, there are some posts that are, in my mind, stupidly placed, and result in STDM's.

I find it fun, but not perfect. For me, the plunge with the gun is bad. I need a proper plunger to control the skill shot.

I dunno...I love that Arnie did the voice-work. I also like some of the art--it is clear the same folk who later did the Shadow did this one.

That's my two-cents.

Update: Jan. 30, 2017

Now that I've played a lot more pin, I'd say this game is far too easy. Deserves it's ranking.
Might be good for an intro pin for newer players or kids.

-----------------------OLD REVIEW BELOW----------------------


I really enjoy this pin. There is one on location in my city. I have to drive about twenty minutes to play it, but I find myself wanting to do this more frequently. I drive past a place with newer, trendier pins to do so (Walking Dead, AC/DC).

What's great? The 8-ball multi-ball, of course. But I really like the auxiliary play-field as well.

Music and voice work are excellent.

Great game to get people in to pinball. As others have written, I would suggest this pin should rank higher.

Probably the best pin I've ever played. The one I was fortunate enough to play was totally modded-out, with new back glass (sans Alec Baldwin), and all LED.
The dissapearing ball trick is amazing. Makes me think that pinball has not come far in the past 20 years of Stern machines.

This is an okay game. Pinball, so it can't be that bad. I liked the mini-flippers on the top playfield. Once I figured out how to get some multiball action, I found the game much more fun. The actual cards dealt didn't seem to matter too much. The fact that there are several versions of poker included is either a plus or a minus, depending upon how much of a Texas Hold'em devotee one might be.

I really enjoyed the ramp shot that funnels back to the right flipper. Super cool. Not my favorite theme, but the game play is silky smooth. You can tell Stern improved things with Star Trek.

The one I played on was pretty dark. I had a tough time seeing the back of the playfield, where all the action is. I also found my ball times to be low, but my scores to be artificially high. Still, I applaud Bally for one of their final efforts! I especially enjoyed the Bill Clinton-style call-outs about 'take the First Lady instead'. Hilarious.

I've played approximately 100 games in three sittings. I don't seem to score well. Maybe I am not playing recent software. But I find I have long ball times, without scoring too well. The table I play on has a replay value of 36,400,000. Seems onerous. Anyhow, I enjoy the ramps, and shooting for the headstones. The one I have access to requires 18 hits for the captured balls next to the snake head. Seems like quite a few. Fun pin.

Really enjoy this pin. Classic. I especially like the pins that are not based upon a band/brand. This one is strong enough to stand alone! The sexual innuendo call-outs are sweet.

Worst pin I've played...and I love Monopoly. The fact that Boardwalk is not given a prominent place on the backglass or playing field is bush league. Not a good pin.

Solid pin. Glad to have played it.

Edit: January 13, 2015:

Once past the Prison Multiball and Well-Walker multiball, what is one to do?
Also, it bothers me that they do not have the actual actors voices. Addams Family, for having Raul Julia, and Angelica Huston, beats this hands-down.

Original Review:

Solid pin. Lives up to the hype.

Phenominal game with shots way ahead of its time.

Has withstood the test of time for a reason. Probably the hardest pin I've ever played. Spent a good $30 on it one afternoon at the Owl Farm in Brooklyn. Good times!

Good game. Magnet gets a bit crazy, but I'm alright with that.

Really enjoyed this. Have only played a few games on a LED-convert table in Edmonton, but really like it. Great theme.

Sweet 80's fun. Prices are awesome by today's standards. 3 games for $1!

This is the 'newest' game in my home town. I quite enjoy it. The lighting is amazing. The fast play is a challenge I enjoy. A 'Klingon Multiball' is always a challenging goal, which is fun. I manage to get one about once every 15 games or so. Really enjoy this game overall, in spite of not being a fan of Star Trek.

EDIT (February 8, 2015):

The above review was for a simple Pro. I was fortunate enough to play one of the 799 machines produced by Stern and brought to Edmonton by our local pinball guru. It is, quite simply, the nicest looking pinball I can imagine. The turquoise legs are die-cut metal are amazing. Work of art. The shaker motor in the one I played was awesome. So much fun. Not a Trekkie or anything, but love the pinball so much.

I enjoy this game. I find the bumpers are a bit worn on the one I have access to, but other than that, it is a fun pin.

Review edit: October 2, 2017

Downgraded my ratings. Found the 'lastabiity' to be wanting on this pin. I avoid playing it where possible.