Bally
Champion Pub Pinside Rating
This game received 416 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.923 /10
Champion Pub
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.977
Artwork: 7.921
Sounds/Music: 7.431
Other Aspects: 7.896
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 8 of us have rated this game.
Found 208 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 208 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 9.
List options
Murrysville, PA
8.648/10
46 days ago
this game is just sooooo frigging unique and sooooo frigging cool and just sooooo perfect for a garage or a bar or a man hang out area (really trying to stay away from the word man cave) the toys are just unbelievable and its such a simple yet fun game for all people of all ages. love it! fun factor a million, other aspects good too.
5.832/10
3 months ago
Neuwied
I really love this game but the pinball gameplay is simply not that enjoyable.
GAMEPLAY: Stop & Go
Try to halt the ball, aim and shoot. Not much flow.
PROS
+ This game has some of the coolest gimmicks and theme execution I've ever seen.
+ Jumping rope and speedbag mini games are amazing and fun to play.
+ Multiball lock feels very satisfying
+ The skillshot feels good and is unique.
+ Smart Punches feel satisfying.
+ KO combos feel incredibly rewarding.
+ Fun music and call outs
+ nice playfield and backglass, they really go hand in hand aesthetically.
CONS
- Sadly there isn't much to shoot and even worse is that the code doesn't want you to shoot anything apart from the middle anyways. The game really is that linear.
- This game didn't need a multiball as you cannot control it anyways. It feels really meh.
- The green ramps on the sides that lead the ball to the punching bag or your opponent are shaped in a way that they tend to make your ball go straight down the middle.
- It's hard to keep a ball in play. At least there is the pin in the middle for some time. It seems to me like they knew that too many balls go straight down the middle and tried to 'fix' it.
- It's hard to control the bottom section.
- Shooting the right targets is just an open invitation for the right outlane to swallow your ball.
- Losing to an opponent throws you back big time and is very frustrating. If the machine is on free play that's the moment you start over again.
- The stereotypes of countries used in this game are questionable.
- Collecting spit in a cup is one of the weirdest ideas for a video mode.
- The music can get really annoying.
GAMEPLAY: Stop & Go
Try to halt the ball, aim and shoot. Not much flow.
PROS
+ This game has some of the coolest gimmicks and theme execution I've ever seen.
+ Jumping rope and speedbag mini games are amazing and fun to play.
+ Multiball lock feels very satisfying
+ The skillshot feels good and is unique.
+ Smart Punches feel satisfying.
+ KO combos feel incredibly rewarding.
+ Fun music and call outs
+ nice playfield and backglass, they really go hand in hand aesthetically.
CONS
- Sadly there isn't much to shoot and even worse is that the code doesn't want you to shoot anything apart from the middle anyways. The game really is that linear.
- This game didn't need a multiball as you cannot control it anyways. It feels really meh.
- The green ramps on the sides that lead the ball to the punching bag or your opponent are shaped in a way that they tend to make your ball go straight down the middle.
- It's hard to keep a ball in play. At least there is the pin in the middle for some time. It seems to me like they knew that too many balls go straight down the middle and tried to 'fix' it.
- It's hard to control the bottom section.
- Shooting the right targets is just an open invitation for the right outlane to swallow your ball.
- Losing to an opponent throws you back big time and is very frustrating. If the machine is on free play that's the moment you start over again.
- The stereotypes of countries used in this game are questionable.
- Collecting spit in a cup is one of the weirdest ideas for a video mode.
- The music can get really annoying.
7.992/10
5 months ago
Alright, let's step back into the ring with "Champion Pub," the pinball champ that packs a punch! It's like going toe-to-toe with a heavyweight boxer—thrilling, challenging, and full of surprises.
Now, let's talk strategy. Once you've cracked the code and become the undisputed champ, the game's challenge can start to feel as worn out as a boxer's gloves after a hundred rounds. That pesky pop-up post between the flippers? It's more of a nuisance than a worthy adversary, practically handing you victory on a silver platter with just a few flicks of the flipper.
But fear not, my fellow contenders, because "Champion Pub" has more tricks up its sleeve than a seasoned fighter. With its lineup of playful toys and interactive features, there's still plenty of fun to be had in the ring. From the punching bag that packs a wallop to the jump rope that tests your reflexes, each toy adds a layer of excitement to the gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.
And let's not forget about the side-splitting callouts that keep you chuckling between rounds. Who could forget the fly buzzing to signal the launch button or the hilarious sight of a redneck spitting into balloons like it's the county fair?
For those looking to amp up the challenge, disabling the center post is like stepping into the ring with the gloves off—it's a game-changer that adds depth to the experience and ensures you'll be duking it out for hours on end.
In conclusion, "Champion Pub" may have its quirks and challenges, but like any great fighter, it's got heart. So lace up your gloves, spit out your gumshield, and get ready to go another round with the pinball champ that's always ready for a fight!
Now, let's talk strategy. Once you've cracked the code and become the undisputed champ, the game's challenge can start to feel as worn out as a boxer's gloves after a hundred rounds. That pesky pop-up post between the flippers? It's more of a nuisance than a worthy adversary, practically handing you victory on a silver platter with just a few flicks of the flipper.
But fear not, my fellow contenders, because "Champion Pub" has more tricks up its sleeve than a seasoned fighter. With its lineup of playful toys and interactive features, there's still plenty of fun to be had in the ring. From the punching bag that packs a wallop to the jump rope that tests your reflexes, each toy adds a layer of excitement to the gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.
And let's not forget about the side-splitting callouts that keep you chuckling between rounds. Who could forget the fly buzzing to signal the launch button or the hilarious sight of a redneck spitting into balloons like it's the county fair?
For those looking to amp up the challenge, disabling the center post is like stepping into the ring with the gloves off—it's a game-changer that adds depth to the experience and ensures you'll be duking it out for hours on end.
In conclusion, "Champion Pub" may have its quirks and challenges, but like any great fighter, it's got heart. So lace up your gloves, spit out your gumshield, and get ready to go another round with the pinball champ that's always ready for a fight!
9.143/10
7 months ago
Fun rumbling fight game. The gimmick of getting into a fight and knocking out opponents is super fun. The theming and play field are pretty cool.
I loved the ease of picking up the game and being able to get into the advanced modes on this machine.
I loved the ease of picking up the game and being able to get into the advanced modes on this machine.
Bordeaux
8.316/10
11 months ago
Really unique pin! The boxing and jump rope minigames are very clever, though I can never get the jump rope timing right and on the table I played, it always seemed to roll off the contact point after a single jump. It is very unique and I have to assume it blew people's minds upon discovery back when the table came out. As others have stated, there is a little ramp that makes it easier to hit the boxer, but adds some randomness to the ball when it comes back to the flippers that I find myself draining a lot, though I am not an expert. Punches are really satisfying, I especially love the little wiggle the boxer's belly makes when you strike him. Very cool pin and I am grateful that I have access to it at a local place.
9.540/10
11 months ago
I have been lucky to have a champions pub near me. It is an amazing game with some of the best gimmicks and ones hell of a game play loop. It is very easy to get a multi ball going, and some of the novel ball interactions are genuinely magical. (Jumping rope with the pinball). If you have an opportunity to play this game I cannot recommend it enough!
7.980/10
1 year ago
Update: it’s a fun game but it is a bit of clunkfest and it seems that a lot of things break on this game.
I’ve only played this game one time at a friends but boy would I like to own one. It was fun jumping rope and hitting the bag and bashing the pub fighter. Honestly this is a great game for the collection and if someone is selling one near Minnesota at a decent price let me know. I think this machine could be a keeper.
I’ve only played this game one time at a friends but boy would I like to own one. It was fun jumping rope and hitting the bag and bashing the pub fighter. Honestly this is a great game for the collection and if someone is selling one near Minnesota at a decent price let me know. I think this machine could be a keeper.
8.008/10
1 year ago
Winnipeg, MB
I played this game at a show so can’t comment on the sound. The jumping rope feature is very clever. I just seemed to be smashing the dude in the face for most of the gameplay but that being said it is fun. If I see this in the wild would play it every time.
8.896/10
1 year ago
If you are into DEEP DEEP games like Avengers IQ, Houdini, Wizard of Oz and Lord of the Rings, this may not be your flavor.
However, this is agame that I owned and regret selling. It is absolutely HILARIOUS. I love how the opponents have accents and talk crap to you while you try to blast them with a pinball. There is a Russian who sort of sounds like Drago in Rocky, There is a Irish guy, an Italian guy and even a guy who sounds a lit like Richard Simmons.... I doubt they could make this game today because the accents and characters would probably offend some "WOKE" person. I loved the humor it provides.
The cons are that there is a lot of stop and go in the game play and that it's really unlike most any other game. That said I LOVED it and will buy another one someday when a reasonably priced one comes available in my area. If you have a one or two game collection, then this might not be something you want to own because not terribly deep. However if you have 3 or more games this would be a great addition because it is so different than other games and it's approachable by novices.
However, this is agame that I owned and regret selling. It is absolutely HILARIOUS. I love how the opponents have accents and talk crap to you while you try to blast them with a pinball. There is a Russian who sort of sounds like Drago in Rocky, There is a Irish guy, an Italian guy and even a guy who sounds a lit like Richard Simmons.... I doubt they could make this game today because the accents and characters would probably offend some "WOKE" person. I loved the humor it provides.
The cons are that there is a lot of stop and go in the game play and that it's really unlike most any other game. That said I LOVED it and will buy another one someday when a reasonably priced one comes available in my area. If you have a one or two game collection, then this might not be something you want to own because not terribly deep. However if you have 3 or more games this would be a great addition because it is so different than other games and it's approachable by novices.
9.396/10
1 year ago
Sittard
Champion Pub, what a knock out!! I mean this is an amazing game. Truly a gem from the B/W era. Very much under appreciated back then as well as now.
The uniqueness of the original (not licenced) theme integration is amazing. The hooks, rope jump and other training games/mechs are like a magic world under glass.
Moreover you can fight a real boxing toy.
These days very rare game, mostly in very fine condition. Otherwise they always tend to suffer at the same places.
Yeah yeah code could deeper and might get repetitive but I really could care less. Always feels like you play a decent game: train some, fight some, train more, fight more! Music and call outs could be better imo. Of course the 90’s lights need led upgrades these days (some areas are a bit dark, and overall atmosphere will benefit greatly from leds)
Conclusion: great game from b/w era which is very much underrated!!
The uniqueness of the original (not licenced) theme integration is amazing. The hooks, rope jump and other training games/mechs are like a magic world under glass.
Moreover you can fight a real boxing toy.
These days very rare game, mostly in very fine condition. Otherwise they always tend to suffer at the same places.
Yeah yeah code could deeper and might get repetitive but I really could care less. Always feels like you play a decent game: train some, fight some, train more, fight more! Music and call outs could be better imo. Of course the 90’s lights need led upgrades these days (some areas are a bit dark, and overall atmosphere will benefit greatly from leds)
Conclusion: great game from b/w era which is very much underrated!!
8.747/10
1 year ago
The 90s was a great time for pinball and this game is no exception. Until yesterday, I had never even seen this game; however, my local pinball arcade added this to their collection. This game knocks out many other games in the top 100 as far as fun, subject matter, creativity, and sustainability. The jump rope gimmick had me blown away since it was something I had never seen in any other pinball machine. The speed bag, heavy bag, and the actual fights were all great gimmicks that made me play this game for hours. The rules are very simple: hit the heavy bag and gain health upon reaching full health you will have a variety of shots to start the fight. Once the fight starts you will have a variety of shots that are various types of punches and you simply have to knock them out before they do you. The art on the playingfield is fantastic, but the cabinet side I felt was a little lacking except for the top of the pinball machine.
The only cons I have are given the ramps leading up to the heavy bag left me hitting the glass more than I do with any other game and the lighting sometimes flashes at times making it difficult to sometimes spot your ball while playing.
The only cons I have are given the ramps leading up to the heavy bag left me hitting the glass more than I do with any other game and the lighting sometimes flashes at times making it difficult to sometimes spot your ball while playing.
8.704/10
2 years ago
London
Played at the newly-opened Medway Pinball Club.
I've got to say - this is a fun pin. It just has a great pub theme, lots of humour, and the various pin-games (i.e. skipping, punching the ball) are just great. The novelty rotating boxer is also a work of genius.
I suspect it would get quite boring if it was your only pin, but - on location - I kept returning to it because it was such amazingly good fun. I imagine, if I'd played it in a pub in the 90s, I would have just been all over it all the time. Or, at least, all over it until I got better at pinball and it got a bit repetitive.
I've got to say - this is a fun pin. It just has a great pub theme, lots of humour, and the various pin-games (i.e. skipping, punching the ball) are just great. The novelty rotating boxer is also a work of genius.
I suspect it would get quite boring if it was your only pin, but - on location - I kept returning to it because it was such amazingly good fun. I imagine, if I'd played it in a pub in the 90s, I would have just been all over it all the time. Or, at least, all over it until I got better at pinball and it got a bit repetitive.
You too can add your own comment by rating this game! Click here to rate this game!
Over the years
Visualizing this game's rating and rank over the years
Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!
Donate to PinsideGreat to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
