Gottlieb
Abra Ca Dabra Pinside Rating
This game received 75 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.485 /10
Abra Ca Dabra
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.36
Artwork: 8.852
Sounds/Music: 3.312
Other Aspects: 8.514
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 1 of us has rated this game.
Found 51 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 51 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 3.
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Crofton, MD
9.074/10
1 year ago
My first pin, so biased. Everything I want in an EM drop targets, building a bonus. This game is very difficult which is a plus. Still haven’t gotten the full bonus. Love the theme just need some Steve miller band playing in the background
8.995/10
1 year ago
Overall a really fun game with a great theme..very cool concept and beautiful artwork..the game will be a keeper if I can find one to buy..its really enjoyable for an em of its era.
Ramstein-miesenbach
9.301/10
2 years ago
I drove halfway across Nebraska to buy this machine from a nice older couple who had it in their home for more than 25 years. And man, am I glad I did! I am privileged to own a bunch of very nice EM machines, and this one has quickly become my personal favorite.
I did a mild functional restoration of my game after bringing it home, and in the process learned the importance of using a bit of lubrication on the cams that drive the switches on the drop targets. One of the drop target 5-banks was sluggish, and I thought I would need to rebuild them with new springs. Turns out they were just really dry. A little dry lube sprayed on the mechanisms, and tiny dab of synthetic lube on those cams--now they drop perfectly with no more hang-ups!
The hype surrounding this game is fully justified. Abra Ca Dabra is truly a great pinball machine.
I did a mild functional restoration of my game after bringing it home, and in the process learned the importance of using a bit of lubrication on the cams that drive the switches on the drop targets. One of the drop target 5-banks was sluggish, and I thought I would need to rebuild them with new springs. Turns out they were just really dry. A little dry lube sprayed on the mechanisms, and tiny dab of synthetic lube on those cams--now they drop perfectly with no more hang-ups!
The hype surrounding this game is fully justified. Abra Ca Dabra is truly a great pinball machine.
10.000/10
2 years ago
Probably the best pin i have ever played. Stunning artwork and nice combination of targets. Its a classic, everything you could want from a 70’s machine. There isn't much to say about this game as it lives up to the hype. The machine is a true piece of art. This machine is worthy of any collection. If could only have 1 pinball machine it would be this one.
there is one thing that sucks about his game, Finding one is hard.
Good luck.
there is one thing that sucks about his game, Finding one is hard.
Good luck.
8.537/10
2 years ago
Abra Ca Dabra... is one of my two favorite 70's pins. The chime box (if tuned properly) is the best of what 70's pinball was when I was 15 years old. The 70's IMHO is what pinball was all about! Game play speed had improved, shot options were becoming creative, and drop targets, bonus points and ball captures/multiball was discovered. This is a hard but fair and playable pin... if you see one, play it... History at it's best!
9.860/10
3 years ago
Ottawa, ON
Abra, IMO is one of the Best Wedgeheads ever made, the game is addictive, you can play it for hours shooting at targets and advancing the bonus scoring, for it's time it plays fast, keeps your reflexes in check at the flippers, always highly sought after when ever it comes up for sale, if you find one do not hesitate to purchase, they hold their value to say the least, Great Game!
8.972/10
3 years ago
Top EM from Gottlieb. Per my review of Team One (which I prefer), this is a very close second!
Much better artwork than TO! Fun is there for "just play me one more time to drop all the targets, please"
Grab one and hold onto it!
Much better artwork than TO! Fun is there for "just play me one more time to drop all the targets, please"
Grab one and hold onto it!
9.060/10
3 years ago
What a wonderful game, like how you have to work at building up your special bonus feature. Like how the drop target special bonus creeps up from 1000pts to 5000pts in 1000pt increments as your complete 1-4 rollovers or you knock down all the drop targets and hit center bullseye to creep up the bonus. I must say hard to get the 5000pts bonus. Once your value added bonus builds it's challenging to hit the lit drop target to score the value bonus, alot of times you miss it and settle for the typical 500point per drop target. Playfield art is colorful and pops, backglass stands out aswell. This pinball should also be on everyone's top 5. A great example of e.m of the 70s.
10.000/10
4 years ago
A lot has been said about this game already - and it's all true. It's one of Gottlieb's best wedgeheads!
What I find amazing is that it's two games in one: 3-ball and 5-ball and each one has a different strategy. Set to 3-ball, the focus is on the targets: drop them all down and hit the center target and you advance two spots, halfway to 5,000 and then special. But if you're playing 5-ball games, you need to shoot for the rollovers first and foremost - cause there's no way you're going to knock down all the targets 3 or 4 times. Also, in 3-ball play, you can really rack up the points with the bumpers, since they light up for 1,000 with every other hit.
In 3-ball play, you have the opportunity to really rack up the specials - that is if you can keep the ball in play, which isn't always easy. In 5-ball play, you have more opportunities and can make up for those balls that go SDTM.
Without a doubt, one of the all-time great EMs!
What I find amazing is that it's two games in one: 3-ball and 5-ball and each one has a different strategy. Set to 3-ball, the focus is on the targets: drop them all down and hit the center target and you advance two spots, halfway to 5,000 and then special. But if you're playing 5-ball games, you need to shoot for the rollovers first and foremost - cause there's no way you're going to knock down all the targets 3 or 4 times. Also, in 3-ball play, you can really rack up the points with the bumpers, since they light up for 1,000 with every other hit.
In 3-ball play, you have the opportunity to really rack up the specials - that is if you can keep the ball in play, which isn't always easy. In 5-ball play, you have more opportunities and can make up for those balls that go SDTM.
Without a doubt, one of the all-time great EMs!
8.884/10
4 years ago
I love the artwork on this game. Imagine putting it next to a mata hari, TOM, and a Houdini. Wow! Great drop targets that require pin point shooting accuracy. Great bang for the buck!
7.932/10
5 years ago
What else can you say that hasn’t already been mentioned..great art on the back glass, Playfield and cabinet..drop targets that reset..she’s a classic wedge head for sure! Give yourself time to understand how to get big points..simply the most fun em I’ve owned/played!
9.074/10
5 years ago
The only draw back on this style of Em is that they are one player games. If Abra Ca Dabra was a 2 or 4 player game, i think it would be rated higher . Also like Centigrade 37 it is hard to find one to play (and works) The shots are great. It is hard to get to the Red 5000! If you like drop targets----- this is the ONE!
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