Pinside rating

This game received 134 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.143 _/10

8.143

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #51 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.901

Artwork: 8.074

Sounds/Music: 8.567

Other Aspects: 8.061

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 2 of us have rated this game.

7.655

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Found 51 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 51 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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7.811/10

6 months ago

RHS

SLAMT1LT

Pinside member

Caerphilly

11y 56,650 408 40

I worked on this machine but my review is honest and fair. Theme is out of this world (of course) and is the perfect choice for a pinball game. Audio design is exceptional, LCD animations are exceptional, artwork is ok, but the artist was restricted by licensing BS. The layout originated from Nordman's great creative mind, later adapted by a new designer. Lots of interesting shots and combinations to discover. The alien toy is a neat feature, but can get old pretty quick. Planting the LCD in the playfield means the player never misses a thing and it actually draws them into the experience.

A game that delivers in all areas except reliability. I wouldn't own the original one if offered for free, but the remake might actually be worth a look.

8.476/10

1 year ago

DA

DanielL

Pinside member

5y 16,250 3 6

During the christmas holiday, I visited a quite large Arcade with ~80 pins. Some old favourites and some new ones.
Afterwards, the one that really stuck in my memory was Alien.

I think I've never experienced a pin that captures the theme so well. At times, it was downright scary. The shots had a good variation and the screens with clips from the movies was very well integrated.

I experienced the playfield as quite dark, which added to that thriller movie feeling but also made it hard to see what was going on with the ball from time to time.

I'll definetley play this game some more when I get the chance!

5.795/10

1 year ago

BAD

Diospinball

Pinside member

Joliet, IL

3y 73,300 1,336 9 75

I have played this game quite a few times at Galloping Ghost Pinball. I know its super rare, but I am afraid I find this game SUPER BORING to play. It also breaks quite a bit. But, I've played it more than a few times when it was working 100%.
The game just to me is ho hum. Sure the cab looks good, what little backlass is acceptable, and the playfield art is decent. Lots of toys and sculpts, and one of the coolest ball lock mechs in all pinball... That might be the coolest thing about this game is the ball lock.
But, it just everything lacks energy. I make a shot, start a mode, mb.... Who cares.
I like the movie, I love Vasquez, but I don't love the movie. Other sci fi and action movies I like better, but I do like the theme. And even the clip utilization is just boring in this game. Just a snoozefest for me. I don't know why that is, its just I don't ever have a desire to play this game, and sometimes when I am at GG I don't play it at all, and I couldn't care less if it is extremely rare game and that's my only place I could ever play it at. I rather play AFM or Black Knight, or insert literally any other game just about.
But, even the art package on this. Its just nice, it doesn't pop. Nothing truly pops. The rules. I won't lie and say I understand the rules. But, I do know there is nothing about the rules that really stood out and made an impression on me.
If you like this theme and you like the game. That's great. To me this pin just hasn't clicked with me. If my opinion on it changes I will alter this review. However, I've played many games on it, and I just don't enjoy it. And that to me is the most important thing about pinball. Enjoyment.
So would I ever own one. Not even in a collection of 50 pins would I want one of these. Too expensive, too much hassle and just no thank you. But, one of the coolest ball lock mechs ever.

8.596/10

1 year ago

FBR

Faust

Pinside member

Rijswijk

7y 55,300 331 6 42

I've played this pin at the Dutch Pinball Open before now finally buying it in 2019.

It is too bad the company went bankrupt. Heighway never made the transition from a prototype to flawless working production machine.
It could have been perfect if they would have done some thorough testing with 10 beta type machines before moving to production.

That said, the pinball community here has a small but solid fanbase for this pin that doesn't mind some fixing & modding.

The pros:
-great playfield layout. The mini screen is great and useful (because no time to look at the backbox on what to do when paying attention to gameplay)
-Widebody layout done well with the third/fourth flipper.
It has kind of weird shots...
-Theme & integration well done.

The cons:
-I dont like the cabinet that much. But at least it's something different.
-The build quality (no manuals also or schematics) and not that robust. EDIT: really, really bad build quality :)
Redid all to have it working.

Faust edited previous rating on May 05, 2020.
Faust has owned this game in the past.

9.540/10

1 year ago

DCA

Maurice

Pinside member

Den Haag

18y 55,300 141 4 17

Alien is a unique game that should be played in the dark with the volume loud. It’s an eary experience fighting yourself trough the Alien universe. The gameplay perfectly matches iconic scenes from the movies. The soundeffects, music and lighting is phenomenal. The game gets under your skin and puts you in the middle of the action. Great movie callouts from especially Bill Paxton put a smile on my face every time I play this game. If you fail the drop ship mode Bill says “How do I get out of this chicken shit outfit” and Apone replies with “you secure that shit Hudson!!!”
Or the start of the “Save Newt” mode or Ambush multiball with the famous Alien tracking device fullscreen on the display: just great and unmatched in any pinball experience.
Do you like gore? Play the “bug hunt” mode and make the chestburster shot....don’t look up and make sure any youngsters are out of the gameroom.
Alien is a rare, special and expensive pin. For me, who knows almost all 90’s games by heart and the majority of the Sterns after 2000 Alien is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual pin layout.
If you never played one defenitely locate one and give it a try. A well tuned in Alien is a blast to play.
Plusses:
Lcd screen in playfield and backbox.
Sound and music quality
Xenomorf toy: eats your ball!!!!
4 normal size flippers
Some rather challenging shots
Beautifull popbumpers
GREAT callouts
All modes and multiballs have different outcomes: you win or lose but they are true to the movies.
Summary: unique, great, fantastic and challenging game.

Maurice has owned this game in the past.

3.747/10

1 year ago

TIM

gamera9

Pinside member

Glendale, AZ

7y 48,050 239 13 14

Everyone I have every played is either broken or breaks down soon after people start playing. Clunky not fun. I think it has some interesting features that hopefully we will see integrated into other pins down the line. Play it, enjoy if you want, definitely not on my list to buy or play again.

6 Pinsiders flagged this rating/review.

9.900/10

1 year ago

ADM

PinDoctor82

Pinside member

2y 74,050 278 5 102

It took me years to get this game into my collection after wanting one since it was revealed. It was way beyond worth the wait and money. This game is absolutely incredible. The theme integration including the video and sounds is simply unmatched by any other game I've played, ever. Is it a perfect machine technically? Far from it, especially lacking the presence of Ripley, but it's as perfect as can be without her. Heighway cut some corners I'm sure, but I'm so fortunate that my LE is in perfect working order and I've snagged a ton of spare parts in case it needs repairs in the future, which I'm sure it will, but I still don't care the challenges involved with that - this game is absolutely astounding and worth the efforts. If you have a chance to play this game in full-working order, give it a chance! The game gets a bad rap and deservedly so in regards to how things went south with Heighway, but the game itself is way better than how it is rated here on Pinside. I literally get goosebumps playing it and I have never laughed in joy so much during any other pinball game experience - it is special.

PinDoctor82 edited previous rating on August 15, 2019.
PinDoctor82 currently owns this game.

3 Pinsiders starred this rating !

7.220/10

2 years ago

SS

Shapeshifter

Pinside member

10y 127K 9,846 15 142

Great sound and visuals.

Plays a bit slow and clunky with long ball times.

If only this had been a narrow body in a classic cabinet.

9.800/10

2 years ago

HBG

gold1

Pinside member

Unknown

7y 22,150 78 4 7

A classic already!

gold1 currently owns this game.

9.140/10

2 years ago

CCC

megaladon

Pinside member

Lynnwood, WA

15y 57,550 237 4 10

Theme is spot on. The integration is very good with the latest code. The main "gimmick" was the alien tongue and of course doesn't work on my game but it still holds the magnet and the lights go out for a great start to multiball. The ball lock is a satisfying shot even though it doesn't "lock" the ball in the traditional sense. Originally I thought that it does play "clunky" but I think it's because the shots are hard to get used to. It's challenging and rewarding when you hit them (hypersleep, chestbuster and combo around the popbumpers). Lots of games shoot the same and there are enough changes in this layout to keep you wanting more. The cabinet design isn't traditional as well but I love the integration of the lite side blades in a dark room. Such a great concept.

megaladon has owned this game in the past.

7.088/10

2 years ago

BW

KingBW

Pinside member

6y 104K 2,822 84 2

A fun game as is, but likely could have been better if the manufacturer (Heighway) could have seen this one through, finished and polished the code. An odd shape backbox, but that's not important. The video screen in the center of the playfield mirroring the back box display is fantastic. The lighting is too dark. Could have had GI flashing or pulsing lighter and still had the dark and eerie effect. The pop bumpers with their lighting are pretty cool. I played one with the Alien ball lock feature working and that gimmick is really well done. Overall, it was a fun pin to play.

8.716/10

2 years ago

OLO

Agent_Hero

Pinside member

5y 70,350 1,419 26

My game was never working 100% as the Xeno mechanism never grabbed the ball. I got it to at least be animated with its jaw moving, but either way it's similar to T-Rex not working in Jurassic Park--the game still plays. First, the sound is amazing thanks to David Thiel's work on it. The lighting is amazing. The shots are usually pretty smooth and flow well, though the upper left ramp is difficult to hit since it's hidden. I was never a huge fan of Alien and had never watched the movie before owning the pin, but I enjoyed the game and the ambience it created.

9.420/10

2 years ago

BEN

noitbe1

Pinside member

Paris

9y 90,050 1,285 4 11

I wanted this game for a really long time and finally I jumped in on one of the last version which seems pretty reliable. I think when HP closed down the pin was ready at last. Anyway the gameplay is amazing, the theme integration is the best I’ve ever seen. It’s one of the only pin I had to force myself to stop playing.
This is the best modern game i ve played. I used to be dedicated to wpc 95 and this one make me change my mind. If you can try it, jump on it. Too bad the history behind on the other side but after though, maybe HP wanted too high for this game and didn’t realize the real price they should have sold it to be profitable. Really great game... should be top 5 for me... :)

noitbe1 has owned this game in the past.

9.460/10

2 years ago

MRK

Gilboys

Pinside member

Las Vegas, NV

2y 32,050 9 4 44

This is a must have game. Too bad they went out of business. I was in a room with 16 pins going at once and 50 plus people playing and this machine's sound and vibrations stifled them all. The video on backglass is number 1 of any machine. There is another smaller one just above the flippers so players dont have to look up for information. Great game.

9.860/10

2 years ago

AEM

ulmpharmd

Pinside member

Bossier City, LA

8y 74,300 1,334 18 3

Rapidly becoming my number 1

ulmpharmd edited previous rating on January 16, 2019.

9.120/10

2 years ago

MCH

Pinkitten

Pinside member

Williamston, MI

3y 107K 1,235 21 77

I’ve had the pleasure of playing two of these difficult to find pins. I feel the demise of Heighway as it relates to the premature termination of this pin is a terrible shame. Most of us can not afford one of these now, and unless someone buys the rights and produces more, the price probably won’t come down. I had a chance to buy one about 6 months ago for $8500, and I was very close to pulling the trigger. Only the lack of customer support and possible limitation on parts made me choose Dialed In instead. I wish I could own one of these. The theme is perfect, the game oozes Alien in every way. Sound, game play, toys, lighting, art package. Stellar job. Really fun pin to shoot too, with shots EVERYWHERE, you won’t get bored. If this pin was still being made, or if JJP or another healthy company made it, I wouldn’t hesitate. The rules are very well done, and you can choose Alien or the sequel Aliens to try to complete the modes. Excellent use of video and the lcd screens are cutting edge. This is such a great machine with so much more potential.

Pinkitten edited previous rating on January 18, 2021.
Pinkitten has owned this game in the past.

9.620/10

2 years ago

CWC

PinBackpacker

Pinside member

Aldie, VA

6y 69,150 370 17 9

Very underrated game. Theme integration is amazing.

PinBackpacker has owned this game in the past.

9.260/10

2 years ago

JTL

robojustin

Pinside member

Victoria, BC

3y 25,500 1 5 6

From an audio visual standpoint, this game is as good as it gets in my opinion. The merging of the cutscenes with the modes and play is incredible. An incredible feat of pinball technology, theming, and design. As has been said before, its such a shame that it is a greatness that never really was. I've had mine for a few months and acquired it from Nitro Pinball in Abbotsford, BC. Tommy and his crew there did an incredible job getting this thing running, updating the software, a bringing a true piece of cinema and pinball history to life. There are some shots that I've probably only made once on it, and that is a problem in some instances as it makes completing modes INCREDIBLY challenging, and i have a glitch here and there, but if you take that all with a grain of salt, what you have is a pinball machine unlike any other. A rare thing of beauty. I'm a huge Alien/Aliens fan, and always have been, so the theme couldn't be better (unless someone finally pulls the trigger on brining Jaws or Phantasm to life). This pin puts you in the films like nothing ever has. It's tense, taught, and I'm always left feeling like the aliens are in the room with me. I think this is do in large part to phenomenal sound design and speaker pairing. What a game. If you have the chance, PLAY IT....and play it in a dark room.

7.924/10

2 years ago

DEW

Damonator

Pinside member

7y 95,150 1,793 17 2

A true credit to the team that developed this game - the final product is truly exceptional. It is one of the most immersive pinball game I’ve ever played.

Pros - incredible theme/sound/animations make you feel like you are a part of the movies. The modes are difficult, well thought out and have a lot of variety in what you are trying to shoot and when. The cut scenes are well placed and highly polished. The mode instructions displayed on *3* LCD screens are very helpful. The playfield LCD is a great idea as it allows you to see some of the animations and mode directions. The Xeno head is one of the best toys in pinball. The layout is unique with lots of shots.

Cons: The upper flipper is hard to feed - a 50% chance of dropping from the pops is the best option. Feeding it with the upper left flipper or an extremely tight shot from the lower left flipper is harder to control. The chest burster shot is too tight and is critical.

If you played this game at a show or you played an early code version, you really need to try it out again on the latest code. The aftermarket community has been phenomenal in remaking parts and shoring up some of the fragile aspects of the design.

Damonator edited previous rating on July 23, 2021.

9.720/10

2 years ago

???

colonel_caverne

Pinside member

Biscarrosse

8y 73,800 3,184 6 72

This game is near the perfection when it works perfectly. And it does for me currently.
You don’t play Alien, you are inside!
Tons of modes, great toy with xeno, some tough shots, deep rules, very challenging that keep you from coming back again and again.
I can’t believe all this waste

colonel_caverne currently owns this game.

9.940/10

2 years ago

S.F

Attackstefan

Pinside apprentice

Unknown

3y 16,250 1 11

Hello I want to describe my first impressions of the Alien LE here
As a fan of the movies I had always kept an eye on the device.
After the highway bust, I was again in doubt, then have one from the last
Get production .. what should I say did not regret it.
Rarely is a topic so well implemented.
The two displays in the field are super integrated.
The atmosphere in the game is unbeatable.
An infinite number of different shots but sometimes very difficult, combined
with the great sound and the gloomy playing field just awesome.
Of course, the sound contributes to the game and quiet is not fun.

The alien is in no way different devices.
Anyone who likes the movies and likes to flippert should test the device, you will be amazed.

2 Pinsiders starred this rating !

7.912/10

2 years ago

PVW

pascal-pinball

Pinside member

16y 91,425 1,424 234

It's so sad that the 'chestbuster' shot and 'vent 2' shot are almost impossible to shoot.

pascal-pinball edited previous rating on April 05, 2019.

9.440/10

2 years ago

TDK

TomDK

Pinside member

8y 70,800 1,294 27 1

Bought a late Alien and was surprised, out of the box fully working.
In this machine are several very good ideas for cabinet building. The technical aspect is, side by side with Full Throttle, unique ... unique means not bader than other producers.
The game itself creates a perfect atmoshere ... Alien style 100% !!
The gameplay is a mixture from well knowen shots of other pins, nothing really new expect the left outlane.
The game is fun, great sound, great light but .. be aware ... the producer no longer exists. No schematics, no manuals, no spareparts .. expect what the pinside community figures out and reproduces.
With around 200 games a keeper and collectible item. Even the producer does not exist afterall the price of this machine is rainig up.

I never say "never" on keeping a pin. Too many came and went off .. but Alien will stay a little longer. I have a gameroom with 10 games, so Alien fits perfect in the collection. If you own only one game Alien will become a little boring with the time.

There are 2 x 5 missions and 5 x multiballs plus several extra modes. Great animations, great sound but (like on PB2K) you see them repeadly.

EDIT 10/01/20: After playing several new titles and bought myself a TBL, I raised my rating up: Alien is the most wonderfull pin in my collection. The sound, lightning, etc pp ... a insolvent manufacturer but in July came a last update 1.4 with several bugfixes and a n unbelievable community supporting this game makes it to my personal #1 !

TomDK edited previous rating on November 01, 2020.

8.296/10

3 years ago

GIL

Imagineerie

Pinside member

7y 44,550 7 187

I finally had a chance to play a few games on this pin. So this review is based on first impressions and will likely get updated. So this is the first pin with a license that left me actually wanting to see the movie(s) again. The game is VERY cool in regard to theme, and design for the theme, with some cool toys and moody lighting. It is a wide body with four flippers and the upper flippers are intended for specific shots requiring those shots to be set up, which (btw) is not easy. It also features a second, smaller video screen in the lower playfield intended (I'm sure) for the player's convenience during play. This pin is clearly designed by pin-heads and it is very evident during gameplay. The one that I played launched two balls at a time. I don't know if it is supposed to do that (seemed like it was), but it was a VERY cool play feature adding to the intensity of an already fairly intense game. I was only able to achieve one of the multi-ball modes where the alien head sticks it's inner mouth out to capture the ball and launch a three ball multiball. VERY COOL! This is a REALLY cool game and I'm looking forward to play it more and dig deeper into it.

9.740/10

3 years ago

KDL

klinde1

Pinside member

Massillon, OH

10y 66,400 147 16 41

Awesome gameplay the rules the sounds the theme integration is amazing. It draws you in and you want to play it again and again. The Alien team has produced a very addicting game mission accomplished.

klinde1 has owned this game in the past.

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