Stern
Black Knight Sword of Rage (Premium) Pinside Rating
This game received 156 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.267 /10
Black Knight Sword of Rage (Premium)
Top 100 ranking
This game ranks 2nd in the game group "Black Knight: Sword of Rage". The group itself ranks #50 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.015
Artwork: 8.539
Sounds/Music: 8.162
Other Aspects: 8.179
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.
This title is part of group: "Black Knight: Sword of Rage"
Found 60 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 60 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 2 of 3.
List options
Midlothian, VA
8.796/10
3 years ago
In my opinion a very under rated and un appreciated games. This game should be higher on the lists. The rules are easy to I understand and very enjoyable to play. Nostalgia is a big factor black knight first pin I ever played. And SOR first pin I ever owned and was the gateway to my new world of pinball
9.220/10
3 years ago
Underrated game. But it can be challenging and frustrating. I can understand the polarizing ratings!
Santo André
8.160/10
3 years ago
Fast, brutal, and hard.
Much, I mean like 100000% better than the pro. Not even close. The upper playfield is fun and engaging. It makes the ramps , lanes, and targets much more fun.
It is brutally fast. Lightning fast. Yet you can learn how to control the ball. The targets are tight. There doesn't seem to be any room for error at all. Miss at all and it's slamming back at your flippers at lightning speed.
The catapult is a cool target. The knight is a cool toy.
It is definitely fun tho. Much better than any other BK game out there.
If you play, make sure you've warmed up your eyeballs and reflexes first!
Much, I mean like 100000% better than the pro. Not even close. The upper playfield is fun and engaging. It makes the ramps , lanes, and targets much more fun.
It is brutally fast. Lightning fast. Yet you can learn how to control the ball. The targets are tight. There doesn't seem to be any room for error at all. Miss at all and it's slamming back at your flippers at lightning speed.
The catapult is a cool target. The knight is a cool toy.
It is definitely fun tho. Much better than any other BK game out there.
If you play, make sure you've warmed up your eyeballs and reflexes first!
8.640/10
3 years ago
Mississauga, ON
This pin is really a blast to play. The speed, flow, graphics, player/pin interaction, integration of the software with the past Black Knight. The sound track and call outs are also very well done. The intensity and quickness of play can frustrate, but it always cries out for one more game.
I find the layout different from past Steve Ritchie games, nonetheless, is is very well done. All in all the design team really out did themselves. I am sure that there are many hours of enjoyment to come with this fantastic pin.
I find the layout different from past Steve Ritchie games, nonetheless, is is very well done. All in all the design team really out did themselves. I am sure that there are many hours of enjoyment to come with this fantastic pin.
10.000/10
3 years ago
The fact that this is not in the top 10 is mind bending to me... I can not stop playing it. I have over 20 games in my collection and I literally go to this all the time...Addams Family is rated higher than this.....Like really???? Game is stellar, callouts are the best in pinball and it is just plain fun!
8.816/10
3 years ago
This was the first machine I bought for my home, and it is still one of my favorites. I think it's a drop-dead beautiful game, and the sounds, music, and call-outs are all absolutely first-class.
I like the game play, and have learned most of the tricks of progressing through the modes. One thing I figured out early on is that the upper playfield and the main ramp are the keys to making it through the various monster modes. You can follow the flashing lights and make all the shots that are supposedly required to defeat the enemies, or you can just shoot the ramp over and over and get all the hits you need up top. It does get a little repetitive--lock balls behind the shield (which is cool and satisfying in and of itself), then get up to the upper playfield and stack on the catapult multi-ball and build points.
I still get excited by achieving the "retro" modes. There is something really cool about engaging the original BKs from the classic games.
Despite the criticisms mentioned above, I find this a satisfying and really fun game to play. This is a tough table, and it will force you to learn ball control. Just banging the ball around will not work for long. Casual players seem to get frustrated by it quickly, but the better players find it intriguing.
I had a weird glitch involving the fuctioning of the shield, but posted a query on the Pinside forum, and quickly received a helpful message from Tim Sexton, the software guy at Stern who programmed the game. I was impressed that Tim jumped so quickly to help me out--makes me feel good about Stern as a company.
I also found that the little black screws that hold the plastic trim pieces in place needed a little blue loctite, and the same was true with the fasteners that mount the spinning flail. And I had to unplug and re-plug the connectors to the under-field node boards to correct a crazy lighting issue. But it's all good now, and with about 1000 games on the machine everything is working fine.
I like games with unlicensed themes, although I suspect we won't see many more from the makers, and I think this is a really neat theme. Bottom line--I don't think I will ever get rid of this game.
I like the game play, and have learned most of the tricks of progressing through the modes. One thing I figured out early on is that the upper playfield and the main ramp are the keys to making it through the various monster modes. You can follow the flashing lights and make all the shots that are supposedly required to defeat the enemies, or you can just shoot the ramp over and over and get all the hits you need up top. It does get a little repetitive--lock balls behind the shield (which is cool and satisfying in and of itself), then get up to the upper playfield and stack on the catapult multi-ball and build points.
I still get excited by achieving the "retro" modes. There is something really cool about engaging the original BKs from the classic games.
Despite the criticisms mentioned above, I find this a satisfying and really fun game to play. This is a tough table, and it will force you to learn ball control. Just banging the ball around will not work for long. Casual players seem to get frustrated by it quickly, but the better players find it intriguing.
I had a weird glitch involving the fuctioning of the shield, but posted a query on the Pinside forum, and quickly received a helpful message from Tim Sexton, the software guy at Stern who programmed the game. I was impressed that Tim jumped so quickly to help me out--makes me feel good about Stern as a company.
I also found that the little black screws that hold the plastic trim pieces in place needed a little blue loctite, and the same was true with the fasteners that mount the spinning flail. And I had to unplug and re-plug the connectors to the under-field node boards to correct a crazy lighting issue. But it's all good now, and with about 1000 games on the machine everything is working fine.
I like games with unlicensed themes, although I suspect we won't see many more from the makers, and I think this is a really neat theme. Bottom line--I don't think I will ever get rid of this game.
6.271/10
3 years ago
Owned this game for 6 months and have no regrets letting it go. This is a great game to play on location, but not good for home use. It is just too repetitive. The music and callouts are super fun and the Topper is the best (would rate it as a 10). But the gameplay and lack of shots are what brings this game down. Modes do not feel at all unique. It is the epitome of shoot the flashing lights. With the upper playfield stand up that spots a shot, there is no reason to hit anything but ramp, stand up, ramp, ball lock. Seriously, it makes this a 3 shot game. The throw back modes are great, but once again, there is no clear objective once you start it. Hearing the BK2K music every few games is not worth owning. If you love the theme, I would recommend owning either BK or BK2K or both instead of this game. So disappointed. I really enjoyed this game on location, but couldn't wait to get rid of it from my home.
8.328/10
3 years ago
Great game. Very harsh but oddly fun. When you're nailing your shots, this is an incredible game. If you're bricking every shot, this game is infuriating.
8.280/10
3 years ago
The music is epic and the artwork is stellar. I love the theme too, but I'm not sure if it has that "one more game" appeal for me.
9.080/10
3 years ago
Black Knight Sword of Rage (Premium) reminds me fondly of the original game of 1980. The music (I use the alternate soundtrack), the colors, the lighting, the call-outs, the game play -- this game has it all.
This is one of the few times where I think the Premium is worth the extra money. Maybe it wouldn't be worth it for the extra playfield, but it is worth it for the extra multi-ball option.
I think the design of the game is great. The only problems I have is with some production issues. I have had numerous plastic pieces come loose, and the playfield is experiencing excessive dimpling.
This is one of the few times where I think the Premium is worth the extra money. Maybe it wouldn't be worth it for the extra playfield, but it is worth it for the extra multi-ball option.
I think the design of the game is great. The only problems I have is with some production issues. I have had numerous plastic pieces come loose, and the playfield is experiencing excessive dimpling.
8.454/10
3 years ago
I think I let to many of the bad reviews when this first came out put me off about this game. I finally got the chance to own a premium and I must say WOW. Now i didn’t grow up playing the first two so i had no preconceived notions on this one or what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised when i started playing this how much fun it is and how good the code seems. It definitely is a game where if you don’t know whats going on or what to shoot for if could be boring. But man when you even semi learn the rule set this game comes alive.
The upper playfield gets some hate and i agree having the 2nd flipper would have put it over the top but i have learned to play that rubber and actually grown to love the upper playfield. It has some fun harder shots and in some of the modes that spot target can become quite valuable in helping complete it quickly.
The animations are on par with the theme and extremely well done. I just get drawn into this game and really feel like i am in a battle with the black knight. It is definitely not the greatest game ever made but it sure is fun and exciting and gets that blood pumping.
The addition of the 2nd sound track option is very nice as i can only take so much of the original sound track in a night. I love the call outs but that can get to be repetitive but none the less some great one liners.
Im not sure if you consider the black night a toy or not but either way he sure is fun and help adds to drawing you into the game. Having him fight back is a cool feature and oddly enough the shield shot when open is oddly satisfying.
All in all a great game option to be had, i couldnt imagine having the game without the upper playfield it just adds another level (no pun intended) to the gameplay and helps keep things wild and crazy.
The upper playfield gets some hate and i agree having the 2nd flipper would have put it over the top but i have learned to play that rubber and actually grown to love the upper playfield. It has some fun harder shots and in some of the modes that spot target can become quite valuable in helping complete it quickly.
The animations are on par with the theme and extremely well done. I just get drawn into this game and really feel like i am in a battle with the black knight. It is definitely not the greatest game ever made but it sure is fun and exciting and gets that blood pumping.
The addition of the 2nd sound track option is very nice as i can only take so much of the original sound track in a night. I love the call outs but that can get to be repetitive but none the less some great one liners.
Im not sure if you consider the black night a toy or not but either way he sure is fun and help adds to drawing you into the game. Having him fight back is a cool feature and oddly enough the shield shot when open is oddly satisfying.
All in all a great game option to be had, i couldnt imagine having the game without the upper playfield it just adds another level (no pun intended) to the gameplay and helps keep things wild and crazy.
7.615/10
4 years ago
I rated the Premium version of this game a little bit higher than the Pro for the upper playfield & ball lock its not the greatest upper playfield for sure but it adds something that makes this one play different
8.479/10
4 years ago
This is a really fun game to play 3 or 4 times with a group of friends at a bar. It's challenging and fast, with perfect music and callouts. The knight toy with the rotating mace is really unique, fun, and intimidating.
This is one of the few games actually gets my heart rate up!
All that said, I don't get a "one more game" vibe from this table..it plays fast and drains fast, and it's just running 10/10 the whole time. But I always put a few quarters in when I see it.
This is one of the few games actually gets my heart rate up!
All that said, I don't get a "one more game" vibe from this table..it plays fast and drains fast, and it's just running 10/10 the whole time. But I always put a few quarters in when I see it.
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