Pinside rating
This game received 355 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.864 /10
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.131
Artwork: 7.477
Sounds/Music: 7.238
Other Aspects: 8.093
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 176 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 176 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 8.
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9.280/10
4 months ago
Marion, IN
For some reason I cannot stop playing this game!!!! The loop ramp is satisfying to hit. The center lock changes 3 levels and is strangely satisfying. I enjoy the music in the game and the call outs are a little creepy in a good way. I think Dr who was a TV show but I've never seen it so it's definitely not a dream theme for me. Having said that, I want to own this game.
7.924/10
6 months ago
I found this game to be surprisingly fun. I cannot speak much for the music and sounds, as the I could not hear it over the venue's music. Fans of this era of Bally machines will find this a great addition to their collection.
8.340/10
7 months ago
Central Coast
Even though I was never much of a fan of the show growing up, I'm developing a greater respect. The time expander is an awesome toy and the dalek callouts add greatly to the theme. Hitting the w-h-o combo requires ninja-like accuracy and is crucial to score big points. I like being able to choose which doctor to play as during game play, based on their individual benefits. All in all, it's a fun game to play.
7.210/10
10 months ago
This game if fun to play, but has only 2 simple scoring strategies. Either play for multiball or the W-H-O combo and playfield multiplier. There are a few other things to be seen like the video mode, but other than that it's pretty simple. The rising ball lock mech is definitely cool and unique. The highlight of this game for me is definitely the side ramp shot. Looping it repeatedly is very satisfying, and completing the W-H-O combo is fun but gets kind of old. This game is alright, but sits below other Bally/Williams of the era to me.
8.940/10
10 months ago
There are a lot of fun things to shoot for in this game. Not too hard for beginners, and multiple opportunities to build up high scores for experienced players.
8.000/10
1 year ago
Kind of a one-trick pony, but it's a great trick! Very much its own machine, and the time expander on a working model is so cool.
Pros: The Time Expander takes the whole "center target" trope and does it one better. I love how each of the three levels requires more shots and more precision. Doctor selection feels pretty innovative for the time, and I think the theme and playfield are a lot of fun.
Cons: The center, while cool, is kind of the whole show. The other goals feel like they pale in comparison, and going from one baddie to the next doesn't change the goal much. I'll get through Davros and then not want to play again.
Pros: The Time Expander takes the whole "center target" trope and does it one better. I love how each of the three levels requires more shots and more precision. Doctor selection feels pretty innovative for the time, and I think the theme and playfield are a lot of fun.
Cons: The center, while cool, is kind of the whole show. The other goals feel like they pale in comparison, and going from one baddie to the next doesn't change the goal much. I'll get through Davros and then not want to play again.
7.635/10
1 year ago
I got this pin in a trade and I planned on selling it, but it was surprisingly hard to get rid of. It has really good toys, call outs, and music. I'm not a fan of the artwork, but that doesn't distract from the fact that it's a great game. It reminds me of an upgraded pinbot.
7.608/10
2 years ago
I find this game to be very addictive, even though I'm not really into the theme. The ball elevator is very unique and memorable in pinball, and a lot of fun to cycle through the various stages. The upper playfield is also a lot of fun. The original lighting scheme is very dim, but when upgraded with LEDs, it comes back to life and stands up well to more modern pins. Fun to play!
8.956/10
2 years ago
I've been playing a lot of Doctor Who lately. While there aren't modes to tie you over, the strategies available to you as you move through Doctors provide enough depth and call to shot mastery that it keeps me coming back time and time again. It's all about the score chase, and this game is a great one to do it with.
I think the Time Expander may be the best toy in pinball. I think with even more exposure to the community, the game would be rated even higher as the shots available on the game all feel really great to make. If you are a Doctor Who fan, you'll love it. If you aren't, some of the sfx and vo may get repetitive.
I got this game with the intention of rotating it out and getting a more modern stern. At this point I have a hard time seeing it leaving. It's not complex, but the demand for execution to get great scores make it hard to beat.
I think the Time Expander may be the best toy in pinball. I think with even more exposure to the community, the game would be rated even higher as the shots available on the game all feel really great to make. If you are a Doctor Who fan, you'll love it. If you aren't, some of the sfx and vo may get repetitive.
I got this game with the intention of rotating it out and getting a more modern stern. At this point I have a hard time seeing it leaving. It's not complex, but the demand for execution to get great scores make it hard to beat.
7.196/10
2 years ago
Wiener Neustadt
positive:
- 3 Flipper - very nice upper ramp shot
- open playfield with 3 level mini playfield
- video mode (getting easy after a few tries)
neutral/negative:
- repetitive sound effects (Daleks, Davros) getting annoying over time,
- don´t like how the ball is transported from the shooter lane to the playfield (takes quite some time as it gets shot in the Tardis and from there via VUK and ramp on the playfield)
- going for multiball is quite repetitive
- 3 Flipper - very nice upper ramp shot
- open playfield with 3 level mini playfield
- video mode (getting easy after a few tries)
neutral/negative:
- repetitive sound effects (Daleks, Davros) getting annoying over time,
- don´t like how the ball is transported from the shooter lane to the playfield (takes quite some time as it gets shot in the Tardis and from there via VUK and ramp on the playfield)
- going for multiball is quite repetitive
8.158/10
2 years ago
I'm not the biggest fan of newer DMD games but I'll always put a few quarters in this one at the arcade - another one we're lucky to have there. The Daleks are a blast. I'd wonder about this game's appeal to people who aren't fans of the show (I am). Non-fans may get a kick out of how all the doctors have different "powers" that affect the game, but these are so minor I hardly notice them unless I take the game I'm playing seriously. At least none of them seem unbalanced, but I'll admit I've never paid strict attention.
This would probably be a better as a home game than in an arcade setting. But it's always fun. Before the newer reboot Doctor Who was pretty obscure for us US fans. At general sci-fi conventions the Trekkies would point at Whovians - "wow, those guys are nerds!" So I'm glad the show got such a well-developed game.
*Wife approval* "Ha ha ha! Yay!" - whenever she gets the Daleks going for multiball. This is one of her favorites.
This would probably be a better as a home game than in an arcade setting. But it's always fun. Before the newer reboot Doctor Who was pretty obscure for us US fans. At general sci-fi conventions the Trekkies would point at Whovians - "wow, those guys are nerds!" So I'm glad the show got such a well-developed game.
*Wife approval* "Ha ha ha! Yay!" - whenever she gets the Daleks going for multiball. This is one of her favorites.
8.960/10
2 years ago
As a fan of the television show this game had been on my radar for some time.
While you do not need to be a fan of the show to enjoy the game, I do think it helps to pull you in and enhance the experience. This is probably most directed at the sounds and music. Being familiar with the show intro and sounds of the Tardis I think the audio package adds to the game rather than take away from it. On the flip side I can easily see how they could be repetitive and annoying to the casual player.
Cabinet and translite artwork. . . blah. I think the playfield is well designed and while I could care less about toppers on most games the motorized Dalek is a must have on this one. I understand this game is based on the doctors and time before the reboot of the series; I would love to see a "modernization" of the game to include art/audio of the more modern doctors too. . . at least up to Capaldi. :)
Playfield is rather engaging. The Time Expander is the centerpiece and justly so -- a brilliant piece of engineering that is a joy to target (when it is working correctly!). Ramps are fun to hit/loop. Mastering the "WHO" combo is still something I'm working on. I do miss the drop targets and spinners that I love on other games, but there absence does not take anything away from this one. Video animations are ok but I'm indifferent to them in general -- I'm wanting to play pinball, not a video game!
Three things I really like about this game: 1. A fan of the show can relate the theme well. 2. Time Expander Mech is cool. Or should I say its clever? 3. A motorized Dalek topper -- while it has nothing to do with game play -- really pulls you in and makes it feel like you are really battling them in multi-ball.
Even if you know nothing about the show play one if you get a chance. . . I think you'll like it!
While you do not need to be a fan of the show to enjoy the game, I do think it helps to pull you in and enhance the experience. This is probably most directed at the sounds and music. Being familiar with the show intro and sounds of the Tardis I think the audio package adds to the game rather than take away from it. On the flip side I can easily see how they could be repetitive and annoying to the casual player.
Cabinet and translite artwork. . . blah. I think the playfield is well designed and while I could care less about toppers on most games the motorized Dalek is a must have on this one. I understand this game is based on the doctors and time before the reboot of the series; I would love to see a "modernization" of the game to include art/audio of the more modern doctors too. . . at least up to Capaldi. :)
Playfield is rather engaging. The Time Expander is the centerpiece and justly so -- a brilliant piece of engineering that is a joy to target (when it is working correctly!). Ramps are fun to hit/loop. Mastering the "WHO" combo is still something I'm working on. I do miss the drop targets and spinners that I love on other games, but there absence does not take anything away from this one. Video animations are ok but I'm indifferent to them in general -- I'm wanting to play pinball, not a video game!
Three things I really like about this game: 1. A fan of the show can relate the theme well. 2. Time Expander Mech is cool. Or should I say its clever? 3. A motorized Dalek topper -- while it has nothing to do with game play -- really pulls you in and makes it feel like you are really battling them in multi-ball.
Even if you know nothing about the show play one if you get a chance. . . I think you'll like it!
7.172/10
2 years ago
Takes a while to learn how to play. The gimmick is the “the time expander,” which offends Dr. Who purists because it was never a part of the TV series. You can rack up big scores if you can keep multi-ball going long enough to reach Davros.
The knock on this machine is video mode. I usually don’t mind video modes in pinball, but this one dominates a lot of gameplay. It’s not terribly hard and you can get a lot of points and extra balls, but it does get boring. (Hint: always jump into the TARDIS at the end for a little bonus.)
The knock on this machine is video mode. I usually don’t mind video modes in pinball, but this one dominates a lot of gameplay. It’s not terribly hard and you can get a lot of points and extra balls, but it does get boring. (Hint: always jump into the TARDIS at the end for a little bonus.)
7.499/10
2 years ago
This is a pretty cohesive game, the package, albeit a time capsule of 90's Dr. Who, is a well thought out and complete game. From the unit I've played, I feel like the machine instantly demands the player start making shots, so it's kind of relentless shot-making without the lucky chaos of other games of the era. Losing control of the ball doesn't really end well. The programming, and modes are deep, and would be perfect for someone who really wanted to get into the game. However, a few tricks and ramp shots are obviously the key to all the points.
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