Gottlieb
Big Hit Pinside Rating
This game received 22 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.973 /10
Big Hit
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.078
Artwork: 7.682
Sounds/Music: 3.766
Other Aspects: 8.212
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
Found 18 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 18 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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9.127/10
3 months ago
Hamilton, ON
I played a very nice tuned example in New Jersey a few weeks ago, and wow is it a fun player. I do like the wider playfied, missing the plunge shot doesn't bother me at all since 99.8% of pinball games have one, so there!!! Not to many games have the big flippers on top, El Dorado for example are your standard 2" flippers. Ok I read how some pinsiders don't like how the drops reset after each ball? well I think the Gottlieb staff nailed it right on to do so...it's a player friendly game, and with the bigger flipper paddles on top you should be able to hit most of the drops on every ball, so by resetting after every ball is a brilliant way to make Big hit a challenge. I also like how the pop bumpers could be in the way of the vari targets, once again making it a challenger and risk/reward shot. But if you do go for the big smack on the vari target and manage to pin it all the way for the homerun and 5000pts, it's always a tough task, rewarding but also feels nice!!! Great colours, nice cabinet art, cool backglass. I also like the two scoring rule set, a good way to win replays and hearing the knocker go nuts. By hitting down all the drop targets it does lite up the special at the top corner rollovers, to me those are the hardest ones to hit, so for me a real skill shot with awesome reward if you make it. I recently just bought one this week. I changed all the rubber bands, gave it a nice tune up, adjusted contact blades accordingly and rebuilt the flippers. Yes for me it's so much fun. My only complaint about this version is, I find it a bit to easy, I bought it, and the transformer is on high tap, so I will put it on regular tap this week. The flippers are a bit to powerful on high tap also making it alot less challenging. The version I played in New Jersey is Vic Camps! So, yes the game was perfectly tuned. His was on regular tap, and this game will also be on regular tap.in the near future.
5.889/10
5 months ago
Waunakee, WI
I don't understand why this one is rated so highly. Owned it for awhile so have plenty of experience...
The playfield resets after every ball, which takes away one of the major benefits of a single player game. There is no plunger, which removes the possibility for any skill shot. The playfield is symmetric. The bell is nice, and scoring runs is unique, but it's not enough to overcome the basic layout and mediocre replay value. I could see this being great for someone that has lots of baseball nostalgia but otherwise I don't get it.
Backglass art is pretty, I will give it that.
The playfield resets after every ball, which takes away one of the major benefits of a single player game. There is no plunger, which removes the possibility for any skill shot. The playfield is symmetric. The bell is nice, and scoring runs is unique, but it's not enough to overcome the basic layout and mediocre replay value. I could see this being great for someone that has lots of baseball nostalgia but otherwise I don't get it.
Backglass art is pretty, I will give it that.
8.265/10
1 year ago
Our family went to Ocean City Maryland every summer and in the late 1970's this was the first game I sought out in the Sportland arcade. I loved it! Part of that love was because it was fun to play, but another part, I must admit, was because it was so easy to beat. (And for a 15-year-old boy, "beatability" was a HUGE plus as quarters were limited. The only game easier to beat was Bally's Aladdin's Castle.) And because you were awarded replays for scores and runs, you could easily win twice as many games.
Now that I'm collecting pinball, I've thought about buying this game. But I realized it is different from most of Gottlieb's wedgeheads which have progressive gameplay (meaning you have to complete a series a tasks in order to reach your goal). Big Hit is not really progressive - you simply do the same thing over and over. Runs are most easily scored by rocking the targets, and the upper flippers are set up in such a way that it's relatively easy to complete a target bank with just a couple of shots. That will light up the Home Run rollover (also an easy shot) and eventually special, and reset the targets. With each ball, the tasks are essentially the same. Far different from the classic wedgehead progressive gameplay of Atlantis, El Dorado, Abra Ca Dabra and Jacks Open.
Aladdin's Castle was the first pinball machine I bought when I began collecting 4 years ago. I was in Heaven - for a couple of weeks. But it was so easy to beat and so repetitive, that I sold it after 3 months. I'm afraid that if I bought Big Hit, the same thing would happen. So I'm going to just let it live in my memory.
Now that I'm collecting pinball, I've thought about buying this game. But I realized it is different from most of Gottlieb's wedgeheads which have progressive gameplay (meaning you have to complete a series a tasks in order to reach your goal). Big Hit is not really progressive - you simply do the same thing over and over. Runs are most easily scored by rocking the targets, and the upper flippers are set up in such a way that it's relatively easy to complete a target bank with just a couple of shots. That will light up the Home Run rollover (also an easy shot) and eventually special, and reset the targets. With each ball, the tasks are essentially the same. Far different from the classic wedgehead progressive gameplay of Atlantis, El Dorado, Abra Ca Dabra and Jacks Open.
Aladdin's Castle was the first pinball machine I bought when I began collecting 4 years ago. I was in Heaven - for a couple of weeks. But it was so easy to beat and so repetitive, that I sold it after 3 months. I'm afraid that if I bought Big Hit, the same thing would happen. So I'm going to just let it live in my memory.
7.544/10
4 years ago
The dual scoring (runs and points) is brillant. It's a perfect match for the theme. Also having no shooter lane, and instead launching the back from the "home plate" is brillant. Such a unique, fun EM.
7.198/10
5 years ago
Was not sure what to do at first without a plunger. . . but soon enough the ball was "pitched" into play.
Really liked taking out the large banks of drop targets at the top of the playfield -- need to have good aim from the lower flippers and definitely tried to take advantage of the uppers when possible. Classic EM chimes and bells, yet a unique enough game to set it apart from its peers.
Really liked taking out the large banks of drop targets at the top of the playfield -- need to have good aim from the lower flippers and definitely tried to take advantage of the uppers when possible. Classic EM chimes and bells, yet a unique enough game to set it apart from its peers.
7.651/10
7 years ago
I played this relatively rare game for the first time at a local pinball expo. That was a lot of fun. I came back several times for another game. No shooter lane, the ball launches from between the flippers. You can get a special by scoring points or runs. 4 flippers and a target rich environment provide plenty of entertainment. For the vari-targets you need to take good aim otherwise you hit the bumper.
I was lucky that the game I played on was for sale. Bought it on the spot and took it home.
I was lucky that the game I played on was for sale. Bought it on the spot and took it home.
8.920/10
8 years ago
The coloring and artwork etc are very nice on this late 1977 wedgehead and are pleasing to the eye. This game is player friendly and extremly fun to play. The ball doesn't go out to often and having both 3" flippers at the top of the playfield and at the lower playfield make for some wild and powerful smacks with those big 3" flippers,especially at the top of the playfield.
I do not recall too many other Gottlieb wedgeheads or Gottlieb EM'S games that have the 3" flippers located at the top of the playfield except for Jumping Jacks and Jack in the Box. If a player has great eye and hand reflexes they could have an easy but fun time smacking down those nicely colored labeled drop targets at the very top of the playfield which is a wider playfield because of the cool right flipper kicking out hole action of the ball being shot into the playfield (instead of the manual spring loaded ball shooter). I really like the vari-targets and even though they aren't directly in line with the flippers to be hit. It makes the game more challenging where the vari-targets are located. If set correctly the vari-targets do not need much power to push back and pin the metal lever for a home run. There are other ways to make a home run on Big Hit but none better with a power flip pinning that vari-target all the way to the top of the vari-target. Also i like the pop bumper arrangement and find it to be quite differnt then the normal. When this game is pitched slightly higher on its back legs tilting the playfield forward the game plays very fast and quick making it more challenging and fun to play with some not so often seen flipper action. If you are into player friendly games and want a nice Gottlieb wedgehead drop target game then Big Hit should be on your want list. How can you go wrong with shooting for specials at the very top arch corner rollovers of the playfield which can be made with the bottom or top set of flippers. What a skill shot!
I do not recall too many other Gottlieb wedgeheads or Gottlieb EM'S games that have the 3" flippers located at the top of the playfield except for Jumping Jacks and Jack in the Box. If a player has great eye and hand reflexes they could have an easy but fun time smacking down those nicely colored labeled drop targets at the very top of the playfield which is a wider playfield because of the cool right flipper kicking out hole action of the ball being shot into the playfield (instead of the manual spring loaded ball shooter). I really like the vari-targets and even though they aren't directly in line with the flippers to be hit. It makes the game more challenging where the vari-targets are located. If set correctly the vari-targets do not need much power to push back and pin the metal lever for a home run. There are other ways to make a home run on Big Hit but none better with a power flip pinning that vari-target all the way to the top of the vari-target. Also i like the pop bumper arrangement and find it to be quite differnt then the normal. When this game is pitched slightly higher on its back legs tilting the playfield forward the game plays very fast and quick making it more challenging and fun to play with some not so often seen flipper action. If you are into player friendly games and want a nice Gottlieb wedgehead drop target game then Big Hit should be on your want list. How can you go wrong with shooting for specials at the very top arch corner rollovers of the playfield which can be made with the bottom or top set of flippers. What a skill shot!
7.893/10
9 years ago
I have 10+ ems. My perspective comes from comparing this machine to my other 70's drop target wedgeheads.
This game differs in many ways, and for those reasons it is a keeper in my collection (gotta have variety). Four 3" flippers - drop targets reset after each ball - center turret (no plunger) - 2 vari targets - lower pop bumpers (think AbraCaDabra) - two ways to play/win (point total AND runs scored).
Vari targets don't come into play as much as one would think, but are a fun aspect of this already unique game. Keeper.
This game differs in many ways, and for those reasons it is a keeper in my collection (gotta have variety). Four 3" flippers - drop targets reset after each ball - center turret (no plunger) - 2 vari targets - lower pop bumpers (think AbraCaDabra) - two ways to play/win (point total AND runs scored).
Vari targets don't come into play as much as one would think, but are a fun aspect of this already unique game. Keeper.
8.843/10
9 years ago
One of the last single player drop target games from Gottlieb (king of drop target games in the 70's)Not just another baseball-themed pinball. Does have the overly loud gong 5 inch bell to announce runs scored. Also lacking slingshot kickers, but mine plays very fast anyway. Drops reset between balls, or if the special is collected. That gives it some lastability. Wasn't sure I would like this game, but was surprised and pleased with it's gameplay.
9.184/10
10 years ago
I miss my Big Hit. Without question it's my favorite baseball-themed pin! The game is pretty much what-you-see-is-what-you-get, and it's a ton of fun! It's nice that you can track runs and your pinball score - it's almost like having two games in one because you can change your strategy based on which score you're using!
Great game!
Great game!
6.806/10
10 years ago
ok! I can comment on this one!!! I just sold it here in Florida last month.My one and only em. Its gone! but enjoyed it for the 7 years I owned it, neet how it had that center ball launch. ding ding ding....dong dong ding....kinda miss it...
8.749/10
10 years ago
Got a Big Hit EM Gottlieb game for Father's Day. Nice wide open playfield, due to lack of shooter lane. Good looking game with a beautiful playfield. Love the drop targets, which are fun to shoot from the flippers all the way to the top. Bumpers work great, with good action. Also like the revival of the old Gottlieb vari targets, which give a nice, satisfying feel when you hit them.
A winner I might keep for a while.
A winner I might keep for a while.
There are 18 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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