Pinside rating
This game received 109 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.288 /10
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.544
Artwork: 6.775
Sounds/Music: 7.112
Other Aspects: 7.241
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 6 of us have rated this game.
Found 60 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 60 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 3.
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København
8.462/10
2 years ago
Gold Coast
I played this on site , by the second game I was hitting everything it suited my shitty pinball style , lots of different shots toys and gimmicks , the theme is ridiculous, this would be a good machine to convert to something with a better theme , the green on it screamed matrix . Anyho if I find a cheap one I’ll def buy it .
7.136/10
3 years ago
Nottingham
Recently found this game In an amusement arcade and everything actually worked on it, had a good hour of gameplay on it and enjoyed it, The ball lock is a good feature and I really liked the pop bumpers with the continued camera flashes and with the LED flashes on top of each bumper, the effect was really good, would buy this game if I had plenty of space but I haven’t, enjoyed playing it and would certainly play it again.
8.146/10
3 years ago
Bremerton, WA
Bought this game for my wife, it is the only pinball I’ve seen her actually enjoy. I have never played the game before I bought it and I must say I am really impressed with it! I can’t believe it’s rated so low! I just don’t think many people have played it! It is a really fun game with really fun toys! One of those games I wish I bought earlier for me.
7.596/10
3 years ago
Need some more time with it but here are my thoughts so far, I think there are alot of shots to keep you busy. I do agree that there was a missed opportunity on the rules, i think it could of been alot more in depth trying to solve different murders/modes. But its not a bad thing to have simple rules. I think the toys are excellent and work well. Iv read a few people saying the play field art is a cut and paste disaster, its not perfect but i wouldn't call it a disaster. I look forward to spending some more time with CSI.
Update... I just want to add, my csi already had a shaker installed. If your thinking about installing a shaker in CSI...don't... it only goes off when you hit a jack pot...probably not worth it.
Update... I just want to add, my csi already had a shaker installed. If your thinking about installing a shaker in CSI...don't... it only goes off when you hit a jack pot...probably not worth it.
8.520/10
5 years ago
I’ve owned this one for just over a year now, and we still really enjoy this change-of-pace pin. This game was designed by Pat Lawlor and John Borg, software by Lyman Sheats and others, and music and sound by David Thiel. So, there is definitely craftsmanship and talent in this pin. I like the all-star team that built this for Stern, I like the crime theme, and I like the unique layout of the playfield. I noticed that many people said this game is underrated, and is quite fun. Most of the low ratings were from people who said the game wasn't deep enough, or was too stop/go. I don't mind stop/go games like POTC or WOZ. I enjoy games with several clear modes, goals and easy to understand rules. The callouts, sounds and lights on the playfield direct you very well. As everyone on here has said, there are 3 multiball modes, and each is easy to start. However, each is hard to complete. They get increasingly difficult. Also, there are 4 "mini" modes to complete. These are mostly timed modes, including suspect shakedown, fingerprint frenzy, DNA and ballistics. The upper left flipper is actually important because it shoots directly into the morgue, where the skill shot, extra ball, special and other rewards can be earned. It also allows you to hit 2 of the bullet standup targets, necessary for ballistics mode, a very lucrative mode. IMHO, there is plenty to do here for the average player and collector. If you are into very fast games (like a Steve Richie Spider-Man or Star Wars) you may not enjoy the slower, busier playfield Lawlor has designed. But the toys are interactive and fun, the skull ball lock is great, and I love the centrifuge! The playfield is colorful and attractive if LEDs added. The backglass is boring and by-the-numbers, but it's based on a t.v. show. Overall, I was thrilled to discover this somewhat rare game. Because it is ranked so low, I picked one up for less than half the cost of a new Stern. Just a really nice surprise and eye-opener. It is super easy to understand and play but difficult to master and beat. Isn't that what pinball is about?
7.364/10
6 years ago
I enjoy CSI more than most, but it's far from being a perfect game.
The layout is very very unique, and has lots of great shops including the microscope, centerfuge and skull ramp. The placement of the bumpers also allows for obit shots and shots from the upper flipper which is great, but then again Pat Lawlor did this one so not surprising. The ruleset is what lets this game down because, much like 24 and Big Buck Hunter, it's all about multiball. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - Bram Stoker's Dracula is the same, but the emphasis on multiball doesn't leave the game with a huge amount of lastability as there isn't much else to see. Fingerprint Frenzy and other small aspects of the rulsets are nice additions but don't offer much in terms of points and fun. The art isn't terrible but it's all just photoshop so nothing great to look at. Sound is notably very good. All in all, a fun game to play on location to see those toys in action, but not one you'd want to own unless you had a large number of games.
The layout is very very unique, and has lots of great shops including the microscope, centerfuge and skull ramp. The placement of the bumpers also allows for obit shots and shots from the upper flipper which is great, but then again Pat Lawlor did this one so not surprising. The ruleset is what lets this game down because, much like 24 and Big Buck Hunter, it's all about multiball. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - Bram Stoker's Dracula is the same, but the emphasis on multiball doesn't leave the game with a huge amount of lastability as there isn't much else to see. Fingerprint Frenzy and other small aspects of the rulsets are nice additions but don't offer much in terms of points and fun. The art isn't terrible but it's all just photoshop so nothing great to look at. Sound is notably very good. All in all, a fun game to play on location to see those toys in action, but not one you'd want to own unless you had a large number of games.
7.348/10
6 years ago
CSI is a little underrated, it is pretty shallow what with only 3 main multiball modes, but the layout and shot geometry is pretty unique and its a fun game providing you like the CSI theme. Definitely benefits from being part of a larger collection but shouldn't be over looked.
5.552/10
7 years ago
Paris
Some good ideas, interesting ruleset, and well-used toys. This pinball won't put a smile on your face, but it's worth a coin, or more if you enjoy its gameplay.
And the most clever thing about this pinball is how its theme relates to the way it plays: you'll have to be slow, attentive, and meticulous. Well done.
And the most clever thing about this pinball is how its theme relates to the way it plays: you'll have to be slow, attentive, and meticulous. Well done.
7.329/10
8 years ago
Skull lock is the best physical ball lock in pinball.
The theme comes through so strongly, its one of the best integrations of theme and playfield.
The voice call outs are pretty cool.
The skull ramp is really tough, surprising when you look at it.
Lots of fun to play, but it does tire after a while.
The theme comes through so strongly, its one of the best integrations of theme and playfield.
The voice call outs are pretty cool.
The skull ramp is really tough, surprising when you look at it.
Lots of fun to play, but it does tire after a while.
Praha
6.419/10
8 years ago
CSI came from that period of Stern's history that's best not talked about much.
this game is ok i suppose, the Skull ball locks look nice, and the spinning centrifuge toy is quite fun, but there's not much else that's memorable or recommendable about it. oh, and i quite liked the microscope feature that lit up either red, blue or green lights, that was a nice touch.
ordinary game, nothing to write home about.
this game is ok i suppose, the Skull ball locks look nice, and the spinning centrifuge toy is quite fun, but there's not much else that's memorable or recommendable about it. oh, and i quite liked the microscope feature that lit up either red, blue or green lights, that was a nice touch.
ordinary game, nothing to write home about.
8.756/10
8 years ago
Playfield is stunning when upgraded to LED lighting. Great layout. The skull lock is neat but the "toys" on this game are average. Not a lot of wow factor to them.
The skill shot is hard so thus is satisfying when completed. Missing on this game is the Lawlor shot through the pops!
I am convinced that combined with its scarcity, uniqueness of layout and Lawlor reputation, if this game had better code it would be a keeper for me.
As it sits, the code is bland and of what is there about 50% will only be seen once every 500 games!
The skill shot is hard so thus is satisfying when completed. Missing on this game is the Lawlor shot through the pops!
I am convinced that combined with its scarcity, uniqueness of layout and Lawlor reputation, if this game had better code it would be a keeper for me.
As it sits, the code is bland and of what is there about 50% will only be seen once every 500 games!
6.648/10
9 years ago
I liked playing this one a lot, liked the cool ball lock, like the center post between the flippers. The centrifuge is pretty neat. It did an OK job lighting up the different sections to walk you through where to shoot.
5.317/10
9 years ago
Really boring game and not very fun. No sort of target shots or anything, just a cluttered playfield with ramps. It felt like the back of the playfield was just all crammed together for the sake of it. The small flipper on the left side is pointless aswell, all it does it hits the ball off the right wall (which you can do anyway) but it can sometimes cause ball drops if not hit properly.
It does have some alright modes that go with the tv show I guess but other than that... :(
It does have some alright modes that go with the tv show I guess but other than that... :(
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