Pinside rating

This game received 113 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.306 _/10

8.306

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks 2nd in the game group "Black Knight: Sword of Rage". The group itself ranks #34 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game design: 7.998

Artwork: 8.732

Sounds/Music: 8.055

Other Aspects: 8.195

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.

9.06

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This game is part of a group

Note! There are multiple versions of this game!
This is "Black Knight Sword of Rage (LE)".
The other versions are: Black Knight Sword of Rage (Pro) (regular version), Black Knight Sword of Rage (Premium)

Ranking history

An overview of this machine's ranking over the last years. Lower is better.

Rating history

An overview of this machine's rating over the last years. Higher is better.

Found 47 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 47 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 2.

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Ratings sort order Type of ratings to show in list Exclude ratings flagged as "bogus" Keyword or username search

7.568/10

39 days ago

DAD

SWfan

Pinside member

Newport Beach, CA

1y 48,150 142 1 53

The upper playfield seems off to me. Obscures a lot of the playfield and doesn’t really fit with the lure fan layout and flow ball below.

9.340/10

76 days ago

MEA

Wopmike2001

Pinside member

Little Elm, TX

<1y 34,150 17 9 18 1

Didn't think this game was great at first. Then started to play it more and just got the LE and updated the new code. Should be in the top 10 for sure.

Wopmike2001 currently owns this game.

9.636/10

3 months ago

LSR

Ninja_Ryno

Pinside member

Fair Oaks, CA

<1y 17,250 7 13

Maggot!

Ninja_Ryno currently owns this game.

9.200/10

3 months ago

SMT

shadski

Pinside member

Burnsville, MN

3y 28,650 18 2 6

This game does not get the credit it deserves. The pro is lacking. Especially if you played the pro before any of the code updates (you couldn’t even defeat the creatures in the early code). The premium and LE models are wayyyyy better than the pro, and the game should not be experienced otherwise in my opinion. Best video of any Stern game ever. Awesome music and callouts. “You’re mother wears army boots.” Awesome art and theme. Plays quick and fast. It’s got that right balance of tough, but not impossible. Lots of unique shots and concepts. I personally can’t think of a bad thing to say about this one.

8.112/10

4 months ago

DAV

ShrinerDave

Pinside member

Green Bay, WI

1y 29,500 3 12 11

This is a good fun game. After playing this game I sought out the other Black knight games.

7.547/10

5 months ago

RAP

RyanStl

Pinside member

St. Louis, MO

6y 78,050 1,690 1 93

I was able to find an LE on route. This is a really cool looking game and when looking at it it looked like it would be super fun. I dig the theme and haven't had a chance to play the earlier game this is based from. However, it's a fan layout that I don't like.

9.660/10

5 months ago

LGN

Loganpinball

Pinside member

3y 75,800 559 34

I dont get the dislike? The game is fun and shoots well. The artwork is great on all three models. I played the pro and bought the Le. Both are fun, but black knight without a upper playfield is just wrong. My only complaint is the virtual ball save on left outlane. Should be kickback for the price of le or premium.
Updated: i had to up my rating. I have had it for a few weeks now and it is my favorite Stern machine they have ever made to date. It is just amazing with the topper and a great game.

Loganpinball edited previous rating on October 04, 2020.

9.192/10

5 months ago

BEN

benjocat

Pinside member

South Lyon, MI

6y 31,750 2 10 14

Very fun game the call outs are funny music is great theme is cool it’s shots are tough the graphics are really sweet the optional topper is fantastic really adds to the game play

benjocat currently owns this game.

9.436/10

8 months ago

JRM

Mato

Pinside member

Perth

8y 61,150 2,686 5 87

Ritchies finest - Never okayed the original but the new one is amazing, I have the stern topper as well which I must say is probably one of the best toppers ever made.

Hopefully another code drop soon will make this pin jump another level!

Mato has owned this game in the past.

9.128/10

10 months ago

DJS

Swoods5688

Pinside member

Bay Village, OH

3y 63,900 212 11 28 2

Similar to the Premium this game is better with the upper playfield. I don’t think this title ever got the day in the sun it deserves. It is a very exciting and challenging game with lots of things to do and definitely needs some strategy to blow up scores. The animations are great and the black knight trash talking you it a great add. Definitely a game with one more game feel on it. Code as definitely come a long way to improve this one and I know Tim will keep this code updating continuing to make this a awesome game

10.000/10

10 months ago

NJM

NeilMcRae

Pinside member

Woking

9y 131K 3,154 35 16

an amazing game, tough, fun but oh do you want just one more game. LE/Premium is the one to go for because of the upper playfield, when that black knight music starts kicking off though b00m! its so amazing!

NeilMcRae currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders flagged this rating/review.

7.684/10

11 months ago

RPS

Horrorpins

Pinside member

Hebron, KY

1y 21,900 18 2 9

Had to redo my review. I’ve learned to love this game. Once you can hit your shots, it changes the entire game. I have a love hate relationship with this one. The music is awesome but too repetitive. I love the taunts. Not many toys unless you count the shield where you lock balls and the ramp spinner. I do like the cannon lock on the upper p/f.

Horrorpins edited previous rating on October 19, 2020.

7.236/10

11 months ago

MRO

MEROPARIS

Pinside member

Paris

9y 46,250 4 146

Better than pro

8.420/10

11 months ago

TOM

pinballinreno

Computer Extreme

6y 121K 9,048 29 2

Awesome reboot of the black knight series.

I was impressed as to how they made the game modern and it still feels like black knight!

9.840/10

12 months ago

HSH

turbo2nr

Pinside member

Richmond, VA

2y 55,550 386 17 9 1

Just got my topper from stern for my LE and love it! This game is probably my favorite pinball to date out of 50 I have owned and 150 that I have played. Great job Steve Ritchie and Stern!

I love the upper playfield! Hitting the loop over and over is a great way to score while being safe. Hitting lock target help defeat monsters. Locking balls is easy enough to do fill-up multiple times each game for me. Love the lower playfield and the 3 various ways to get multi-ball. The retro multi-ball is awesome to experience! Topper integration is the best. Love the new code with more sounds and voices. What a total package!

turbo2nr edited previous rating on March 04, 2020.
turbo2nr currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders starred this rating !

9.760/10

1 year ago

RAF

PinBiz

Pinside member

Orlando, FL

8y 48,300 326 17 8

Great game! Another Steve Ritchie classic.

8.580/10

1 year ago

JEF

SpinnerAddict

Pinside member

4y 46,050 308 6 32

A very fast, extremely fun pin. Artwork and animations are some of the best I’ve seen lately and right up my alley. Music is awesome, callouts are decent. Code could use another update but as it sits is a very entertaining and challenging pin. Most fun I’ve had since maiden.

SpinnerAddict edited previous rating on January 11, 2021.
SpinnerAddict has owned this game in the past.

8.394/10

1 year ago

REW

woody76

Pinball Marketing

Nashville, TN

5y 133K 5,016 10 95

Finally got to put some time on this one and it is super fun! Great toys and shots.

8.968/10

1 year ago

JHJ

JustinJohnson

Pinside member

1y 31,900 53 1 58 1

I have only played the Limited Edition, that being said this game rocks! Love the code and having the different modes and shots each is a little different and the game play and flows works great for it. The upper play field is a lot of fun. I think the most satisfying shot of almost any pin I've played lately is the upper catapult shot, I feel like a god when I can nail 3 of them in a row on my 1st ball. There isn't one thing I can think of to change on this game. Its great as it is. Nicely done! Also with the last code update I love all the different mode champion scoring, makes for great bragging rights at the barcade!

Update its become more or less a one shot game backhand R flipper to the lock shot.

JustinJohnson edited previous rating on December 27, 2020.

8.500/10

1 year ago

NEO

Neo_781

Pinside apprentice

Lille

1y 13,500 7 9

A very good (last ) steeve ritchie signature. Thank Mr Ritchie for a lot years of pinball passion !

8.880/10

1 year ago

DDS

Shubbydoo

Pinside member

Melbourne, Fl 32934, FL

2y 30,650 5 7 43

BKle is an amazing game. Steve Richie hit it out of the ball park again. Its a tough game. If you don't make the shot your going for there is a good chance the ball will rocket back at you so quick you will hardly be able to react. I'm not a fan of upper playfields but this one is different then most. It is similar to whitewater but has more shots. The only thing I don't like is the upper playfield is made of a plexiglass type of material and it is going to get scratched over time. I already have minor scratches after 100 games and its only going to get worse. It is an easy changeout for a new piece though. Also, the game is a right flipper heavy game. I wish the game was a little more balanced. That said, the artwork, lighting, and rules are awesome. I love playing against the monsters and the multi-balls are intense. Great game from a first-class designer. Good job Steve.

Shubbydoo edited previous rating on January 03, 2021.
Shubbydoo currently owns this game.

9.620/10

1 year ago

AQU

Aqua1122

Pinside member

Attleboro, MA

2y 29,400 12 4 10 1

Awesome Game! Loved playing it! Super fun! Best Toy I’ve seen on a game in a very long time! The heavier music by Scott Ian is incredible and definitely to my liking. Additionally, I really think the upper play field is a must have! Can’t imagine playing this game without it. Lastly, regarding the Topper that will be coming out for this. It has to be the best Topper I’ve EVER seen on a game, period. Can’t wait to see it in person.

Aqua1122 has this game on the wishlist.

8.520/10

1 year ago

WAZ

pinwaz

Pinside member

Clackline

8y 50,050 137 39 12

Awesome package if your a Steve Ritchie and Black knight fan

pinwaz currently owns this game.

8.624/10

1 year ago

BHL

snowy_owl

Pinside member

2y 83,300 817 26

Well, I'm not the most skilled pinball player but I think I can say that this game plays fast and tough. I think I can also say that this is a really fun game. Of the three Black Knight games, I think that this is my favorite.
The thing that annoys me is that the Pro model does not have an upper playfield, which is stupid because the ones that came before it did. I think Stern probably did that for two reasons:
1. Because it's cheaper to only have upper PFs on two of the three models.
2. Because they didn't have enough extra features to make a significant difference between the Pro and the LE & Premium.
Anyway, the first thing I notice about this game is the overall colors: red, orange, and black. If you do not like those color combinations, you should not play this game.
The second thing I notice is the upper PF. There is basically two things you do up there: get your skillshot at the beginning of your ball, and get catapult multiball. There is also a loop up there, but it's not very important in my opinion. One problem with the upper PF is that the ball tends to get stuck behind the flipper and is difficult to free without a tilt warning. Also, this may just be me, but I find it surprisingly difficult to hit the lock shot.
Okay, moving on. On the normal PF, not much has changed. There's a drop target in front of of the far left shot and the center ramp...sorry, ahem the ONLY ramp...goes to the upper PF.
As for the magna save...it's okay, but is not the strongest or most reliable, and I can't even manage to relight it (I assume that's possible).
Lastly, the music and animations are the strongest point on this game in my opinion. I love the black knight music and the animations...are just really cool.
So, nice job Stern, keep up the good work!

6.500/10

1 year ago

WOZ

PanzerFreak

Pinside member

11y 106K 9,677 10

As a fan of the original Black Knight pins I had high hopes for Black Knight Sword of Rage. After playing a handful of games on an LE I walked away disappointed. Is the game bad? No. Could it have been much better? Yes. First off I found the main music track to be extremely repetitive and coming across as always being at 100% heavy metal versus having a build up as any main track should. A track like that would have been much better suited for a specific mode (or hurry up) but as a main track it becomes mind numbing in my opinion.

As far as the layout goes I was expecting more. There's only 5 main shots on the lower playfield and 2 on the upper playfield. The layout overall feel's very generic, too safe of a design, and the upper playfield feel's uninspired compared to Black Knight 2000's large sprawling upper playfield with a motorized target bank. If the upper playfield was larger, had a couple more shots, and featured a detailed 3D mold of the Black Knight's castle versus an unappealing piece of metal with flat plastics as the ball lock then I could see BKSOR being the ultimate Black Knight pin...sadly that isn't the case here.

In terms of toys I'm impressed with the interactive Black Knight toy. The toy has a moving metal flail and a moving shield that reveals an additional shot. However, beyond that the game is a bit lacking in features. Whereas Black Knight 2000 had a larger upper playfield with a motorized drop target bank + a physical ball lock the upper playfield on BKSOR features a large piece of metal with a few plastics screwed into it to represent a ball lock. For $7,500 - $9,000k depending on model there's no reason why the ball lock shouldn't have been built around a detailed 3D mold. Besides shooting around the ball lock there isn't anything else to do on the upper playfield. The virtual kickback also hurts the game as it makes it feel less feature packed compared to the last pin in the Black Knight franchise that was released 30 years ago.

The playfield artwork on Black Knight Sword of Rage is stunning and is a throwback to Black Knight 2000. As far as the cabinet and backglass artwork goes I found it to be too busy and prefer the more simpler artwork on Black Knight and Black Knight 2000. In terms of music I just don't find the extremely heavy metal soundtrack to fit the Black Knight theme and much prefer the rock theme used in Black Knight 2000.

Finally, the heavy metal soundtrack, muffled and bass filled Black Knight callouts, and frequent insult callouts thrown at the player make the game come across as taking itself too seriously. As I said Black Knight Sword of Rage isn't a bad pin, and I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it. I was personally just hoping for more of classic rendition of the theme with a modern twist (with some comedy tossed in) over the cyber knight + heavy metal take.

2 Pinsiders flagged this rating/review.

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