Williams
Black Knight Pinside Rating
This game received 328 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.713 /10
Black Knight
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.876
Artwork: 8.057
Sounds/Music: 6.739
Other Aspects: 7.82
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 5 of us have rated this game.
This title is part of group: "Black Knight"
Found 181 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 181 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 2 of 8.
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7.002/10
2 years ago
Encinitas, CA
Black knight is a classic game that was unique in several ways at the time so I commend it for that. With the black knight speaking, the magna save feature, and the multi level playfield, it was pretty cool for the time. I however think the game is pretty bland and it doesn't really keep me coming back. Taking down the timed drop target banks gets boring quick and the sounds of them timing out get annoying very very fast. The multiball lock is cool, and building up a bonus is kinda fun, but overall it gets stale really quick for me.
9.591/10
2 years ago
This is the layout of my childhood, except I played it on a Commodore 64 as "David's Midnight Magic", one of the first ever video pinball games.
DMM is easier than Black Knight, but at least on Black Knight, the ball can be trapped and stopped. Playing DMM, the ball hops and juggles around like it's made out of mosquitoes.
DMM is easier than Black Knight, but at least on Black Knight, the ball can be trapped and stopped. Playing DMM, the ball hops and juggles around like it's made out of mosquitoes.
7.928/10
3 years ago
What can I say? This one had SO many innovations... it simply raised the bar with pinball! When one uses the word "classic," in regards to pinball, The Black Knight should be on that list! I would love to have an original or one of the others in the Black Knight series! It's simpler than BK2K and much simpler than BK:SOR but it holds it's own even though it came from a simpler era! Don't pass on the opportunity to play one just because it's an original!
8.474/10
3 years ago
this is one of the most fun games I have ever played .while its not new it has stood the test of time.the playfield could use more light,compared to new games its pretty basic but it was ahead of all other games at its introduction.if you have a chance to own one they are fairly priced and you get a lot of bang for your buck
Mundare, AB
8.219/10
3 years ago
1st pinball game I ever played. Love everything about this game. Will be adding it to my collection at some point.
8.583/10
3 years ago
I’m loving this game!
This is my first “Early Solid State” game and there is a lot going on in this game.
3 Ball Multiball
2 Levels
Spinner
Bell
12 Drop Targets
Voice!
The rules of the game are simple but it is hard (for me) to achieve the goals. There are 4 banks of 3 drop targets. Complete one 3 bank before the timer runs out. After knocking down the first target you will hear “hurry up” beeps. Complete both 3 banks on the top 3 times each to light the extra ball on the left ramp, the same for the bottom level. This sounds easy but trust me it’s challenging. The right inlane lights a short timed super spinner, while the left inlane lights the center ramp mystery value. Start a multiball by locking 2 or 3 balls in the upper playfield lock. Lock the 3rd ball up top to start a 3 ball multiball or lock a ball in the top and hit the center green multiball level on the lower level to start. The loop on the lower level increases your bonus multiplier which can be significant.
If find I spend most of my time trying to keep the ball up top. Knocking over targets is easy, but knocking them over before the target banks reset is hard. If the targets and inlanes were not timed, this game would be super easy, but the timers on everything make the game super challenging.
Many of these have trashed playfields as they were very popular, but an outside edge hardtop is now available and CPR makes a very nice playfield, backglass, and plastics set. I was lucky enough to get one with already rebuilt/reflowed electronics, and would recommend going that way from the start if that’s an option for you. The art on this is “meh” to me but I love the sound. I am adding some titan and retro warm white LEDs to mine.
Great game! I would strongly recommend this as a first early Solid State to add to your lineup if you have been only a DMD and modern game guy.
This is my first “Early Solid State” game and there is a lot going on in this game.
3 Ball Multiball
2 Levels
Spinner
Bell
12 Drop Targets
Voice!
The rules of the game are simple but it is hard (for me) to achieve the goals. There are 4 banks of 3 drop targets. Complete one 3 bank before the timer runs out. After knocking down the first target you will hear “hurry up” beeps. Complete both 3 banks on the top 3 times each to light the extra ball on the left ramp, the same for the bottom level. This sounds easy but trust me it’s challenging. The right inlane lights a short timed super spinner, while the left inlane lights the center ramp mystery value. Start a multiball by locking 2 or 3 balls in the upper playfield lock. Lock the 3rd ball up top to start a 3 ball multiball or lock a ball in the top and hit the center green multiball level on the lower level to start. The loop on the lower level increases your bonus multiplier which can be significant.
If find I spend most of my time trying to keep the ball up top. Knocking over targets is easy, but knocking them over before the target banks reset is hard. If the targets and inlanes were not timed, this game would be super easy, but the timers on everything make the game super challenging.
Many of these have trashed playfields as they were very popular, but an outside edge hardtop is now available and CPR makes a very nice playfield, backglass, and plastics set. I was lucky enough to get one with already rebuilt/reflowed electronics, and would recommend going that way from the start if that’s an option for you. The art on this is “meh” to me but I love the sound. I am adding some titan and retro warm white LEDs to mine.
Great game! I would strongly recommend this as a first early Solid State to add to your lineup if you have been only a DMD and modern game guy.
7.464/10
3 years ago
Great ramps, drop targets, artwork, and overall game design. What else can I say? It's a classic.
8.008/10
3 years ago
This is the machine that made me a Williams lover! Previously, I preferred Bally and then Gottlieb machines. Actually, I didn't like Williams at all.
But this machine, this Black Knight, changed everything for me. Multi-ball, Magna-Save, two levels, speech, a cool and fun game to play -- all of this in 1980! I know it wasn't the first with speech or multi-ball, but it was the first to have all of it.
I bought Black Knight Sword of Rage (Premium) because of my fond memories of the original Black Knight. I would like to have one in my collection at some point.
But this machine, this Black Knight, changed everything for me. Multi-ball, Magna-Save, two levels, speech, a cool and fun game to play -- all of this in 1980! I know it wasn't the first with speech or multi-ball, but it was the first to have all of it.
I bought Black Knight Sword of Rage (Premium) because of my fond memories of the original Black Knight. I would like to have one in my collection at some point.
8.545/10
4 years ago
Still remember when Black Knight came out in the arcades. It raised the bar in so many ways: multi-level, multi-ball, Magna-save (couldn't believe it the first time I saw it), and that screaming bell on a replay that made everybody stop what they were doing to look. Even the 'bonus play' for the winner of 2+ player game was unexpected and fun. It also forced you to improve your pinball skills, I found it a really challenging when I first started playing (first plunger shot rewarded me with an unexpected lightning fast drain straight down the middle). When I finally started to get the hang of the game, I really felt like I had accomplished something. Only criticism I have (and perhaps a bit unfair this far in retrospect) but the seemingly constant sound-effect when you drop a target on one (or more) of the banks is very annoying over time. I wish they had been able to utilize and rotate several different sound effects so it was not so repetitive. This game deserves its place in pinball history.
9.240/10
4 years ago
Brockenhurst
Great for its time...needs good flipper power to play as designer intended. Great art and sound for an early ss.
6.548/10
4 years ago
Very loaded for a 1980 pin. Has enough different rules, satisfying shots, and playfield gimmicks to easily match plenty of pins 5 or 6 years newer. A landmark machine in a lot of ways, and the upper-playfield is very fun to shoot. Speaking of the upper playfield, the ball-lock shot from the upper left-flipper is very satisfying, and the sneak-in shot from the upper right-flipper is still nice too.
Really nice design from Steve Ritchie. I'm amazed at how much ball-action he got out of a single pop-bumper. That being said, the 25v flippers mean the only real way to get back up top is on the fly. No cradles up to the ramps. But when the ball does get moving, it can really rocket around.
Magna-save is very fun, and once you get the muscle-memory for it, you'll start trying to phantom-press it on lots of other machines! Also, a surprising amount of customizability in the service menu. You can tweak a lot settings just to your liking. For example: setting the locks to carry over from ball to ball really does a lot to make it feel like a more modern machine.
CONS: 1. It is very level-sensitive. If you don't have it just right, then the saucer-kickout/cave is an instant drain, and a lot of shots won't work smoothly. 2. Can be frustratingly-mean. You can easily go from a 1.5mil game to a 70k game. And I find I just get tense trying to beat or re-achieve a high-score, and I can't focus on having fun. 3. BIGGEST ISSUE, and it somewhat relates to #2, but the LASTABILITY of the pin is not good. Its fun to learn all the ins and outs of the rules, but once you do, and once you crack 1 or 2 mil, or the high-score, then there's not much to keep you coming back. It has a lot of broad, but shallow rules compared to modern pins. The satisfying shots are too hard to consistently make, so you can't just play and enjoy the flow. It lasted about 6 weeks for me, before I decided I wanted to let it go. But I only can fit in 2 or 3 machines in my space, so YMMV.
Final Thought: Landmark game, with a lot going for it, but probably won't last in a small collection.
Really nice design from Steve Ritchie. I'm amazed at how much ball-action he got out of a single pop-bumper. That being said, the 25v flippers mean the only real way to get back up top is on the fly. No cradles up to the ramps. But when the ball does get moving, it can really rocket around.
Magna-save is very fun, and once you get the muscle-memory for it, you'll start trying to phantom-press it on lots of other machines! Also, a surprising amount of customizability in the service menu. You can tweak a lot settings just to your liking. For example: setting the locks to carry over from ball to ball really does a lot to make it feel like a more modern machine.
CONS: 1. It is very level-sensitive. If you don't have it just right, then the saucer-kickout/cave is an instant drain, and a lot of shots won't work smoothly. 2. Can be frustratingly-mean. You can easily go from a 1.5mil game to a 70k game. And I find I just get tense trying to beat or re-achieve a high-score, and I can't focus on having fun. 3. BIGGEST ISSUE, and it somewhat relates to #2, but the LASTABILITY of the pin is not good. Its fun to learn all the ins and outs of the rules, but once you do, and once you crack 1 or 2 mil, or the high-score, then there's not much to keep you coming back. It has a lot of broad, but shallow rules compared to modern pins. The satisfying shots are too hard to consistently make, so you can't just play and enjoy the flow. It lasted about 6 weeks for me, before I decided I wanted to let it go. But I only can fit in 2 or 3 machines in my space, so YMMV.
Final Thought: Landmark game, with a lot going for it, but probably won't last in a small collection.
7.643/10
4 years ago
So this is a game that is either fun to play or just completely garbage. Because, only a handful of black knights I have ever played in the wild have proper flipper strength. With proper flipper strength the game is actually pretty fun. It has one better upper playfield layouts in the history of pinball, and in my opinion might be the best upper playfield game ever made. I might rank Hardbody over this game only cos I LOVE the theme of Hardbody so much more.
On the topic of theme. There are no toys in this game, as for the toys and gimmicks... I think there are no toys, but two gimmicks. The first gimmick is the magna save, and that is awesome. One of the coolest features in all of pinball. Really nice way you have to unlock them, but can be frustrating to a newbie if you don't know the rules. The 2nd gimmick is the extra ball time you can win in this game. not really necessary and just confusing and doesn't do much.
For the rules. The game is not deep, but it has a lot of cool simple rules. The first being you need to complete the drops within a certain amount of time after the first hit activation or they reset and you get basically nothing(small points). But, if you do complete a drop then you get one magna save activation. You complete the bank... That is something as well, but honestly I forget... And if you complete the upper drops thats a type of special or reward you can get, and the same for the lower... Doesn't really matter... That I forgot. The important thing in this game in the rules is the multiball. You don't need to light the locks, but if the ball drains before you activate MB, then you have to relock the balls in the next ball. They don't drain, but they'll kick out until you lock them again.
I really like how the playfield scoring multiplier in mb works. Basically its x times the number of balls you have in play. So you drain to 2... You get 2 x. MB is fast, but can really be lucrative if you hit the right shots.
Game also has some hurry ups. Might be one of the first games to have hurry ups. Right inlane I believe lights the spinner for the left ramp. Left inlane lights the center ramp shot. These points can be big and add up. Especially the spinner rip.
Game is pretty hard and brutal. Even with a strategy. But, I believe is pretty fun to play. Not the most fun I've ever had, and I might get bored with it after 15-45 minutes. But, I know each time I see one, I wouldn't mind a few games on one. Always worth the challenge.
And as for having in a home collection... One day I might want one in my home. Right now I don't have the space for one. But, I do like the speech in the game, and the callouts. There are not a lot, but it works and its fun. The other sounds are okay. The artwork to me is good, but not great. The cab looks nice, the playfield nice, and has a cool but not amazing backglass. If you love medieval knights and who doesn't its a cool theme. No toys as I said before. But, this game doesn't need toys. Its a good shooter, with a classic and unique layout, with good rules. Game will kick your butt more often than you will kick its... But, that's part of the charm. I mean the game's titled Black Knight, and no one defeats the black knight.
On the topic of theme. There are no toys in this game, as for the toys and gimmicks... I think there are no toys, but two gimmicks. The first gimmick is the magna save, and that is awesome. One of the coolest features in all of pinball. Really nice way you have to unlock them, but can be frustrating to a newbie if you don't know the rules. The 2nd gimmick is the extra ball time you can win in this game. not really necessary and just confusing and doesn't do much.
For the rules. The game is not deep, but it has a lot of cool simple rules. The first being you need to complete the drops within a certain amount of time after the first hit activation or they reset and you get basically nothing(small points). But, if you do complete a drop then you get one magna save activation. You complete the bank... That is something as well, but honestly I forget... And if you complete the upper drops thats a type of special or reward you can get, and the same for the lower... Doesn't really matter... That I forgot. The important thing in this game in the rules is the multiball. You don't need to light the locks, but if the ball drains before you activate MB, then you have to relock the balls in the next ball. They don't drain, but they'll kick out until you lock them again.
I really like how the playfield scoring multiplier in mb works. Basically its x times the number of balls you have in play. So you drain to 2... You get 2 x. MB is fast, but can really be lucrative if you hit the right shots.
Game also has some hurry ups. Might be one of the first games to have hurry ups. Right inlane I believe lights the spinner for the left ramp. Left inlane lights the center ramp shot. These points can be big and add up. Especially the spinner rip.
Game is pretty hard and brutal. Even with a strategy. But, I believe is pretty fun to play. Not the most fun I've ever had, and I might get bored with it after 15-45 minutes. But, I know each time I see one, I wouldn't mind a few games on one. Always worth the challenge.
And as for having in a home collection... One day I might want one in my home. Right now I don't have the space for one. But, I do like the speech in the game, and the callouts. There are not a lot, but it works and its fun. The other sounds are okay. The artwork to me is good, but not great. The cab looks nice, the playfield nice, and has a cool but not amazing backglass. If you love medieval knights and who doesn't its a cool theme. No toys as I said before. But, this game doesn't need toys. Its a good shooter, with a classic and unique layout, with good rules. Game will kick your butt more often than you will kick its... But, that's part of the charm. I mean the game's titled Black Knight, and no one defeats the black knight.
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