Found 6 ratings (with comment) on this game

I've had the pleasure of owing a Cleopatra since 2013 in my small home collection. I had played one at a show in 2012 or 2013 and had to have one.

The center drop target position and narrow lanes to return the ball to the top are what makes this game so difficult. Add in the high ball speed and this game is punishing. You cannot beat the ball around and hope for the best on this table. I've had a few pins at home and played tons at shows but this Cleopatra will never leave my small collection as I'm addicted to it.

I have mine set on a 3.8° angle with several coats of wax. The game is not high tapped. The upper left or right pop bumper is capable of shooting the ball to the flipper and drain if your reactions are not quick enough. This table is that fast.

And then you have the great artwork package.

Yes the SS version does not restrict the back glass art like the EM version. And the EM version cannot accurately keep score at times due to the high ball velocity.

The rollover and drop targets reset with each extra ball earned. So it’s possible to earn limitless extra balls and bonus scoring. But far easier said than done.

I bought this 30 years ago as a machine that had been on route then used for parts etc. Cut my teeth on repair and troubleshooting on it. As far as the rating, this machine was a blast! Family and friends used to play this for hours, super engaging where you didn't want to stop. I had to sell mine years ago due to a move, but if you have a chance to buy one, don't hesitate. I keep looking but haven't found one yet. EDIT: I did find and buy a solid state version, but it's just not the same, the cadence of the score motor and reels contribute to the overall game IMHO. What can I say, my first pin holds a special place in my heart ;)

Another really interesting and unique theme with underrated gameplay. Buy it before people find out about it and raise the price!

Same basic review I gave the Cleopatra SS machine, with a slightly lower mark for the EM backglass which hinders the art, grouping the reels in the top right corner. Simple little game with great shots.

Where Cleopatra really shines is it's artwork. The backglass in particular is stunning, and flanked with four large electromechanical score reel units, this game doesn't mess around. The playfield is a little less stunning, perhaps even a little dull, with light green and yellow dominating the color scheme.

Perhaps the best feature of the game is it's main gameplay strategy. The player must match colors on the bonus unit by rolling over corresponding rollovers and hitting the drop targets. There is a significant amount of risk/reward strategy--the most valuable targets are not only the hardest to hit, but also the most dangerous, but the player MUST hit both targets of the same color to score the bonus value, otherwise, no score is awarded. The way the bonus is "scanned" at the end of each ball is really neat. Very reminiscent of games like Royal Flush.

My only gripe come from the symmetry of the playfield layout. It'd have been nice to have some asymmetry to make the game a little more diverse, and shots back up to the top rollovers are often stifled by a poorly placed post. Still, the game is mostly fair, and very fun, especially when playing against others.

I had the opportunity to play this machine at the Pinball Expo Sydney Nov 2014. I guess the game name conjures the image of greatness. Whether the machine lives up to this image is another thing. Good design & great appeal with gameplay that is interesting but in my view not a keeper. But late 70s Gottlieb EMs are an engineering masterpiece for the era.