Bally
Doctor Who Pinside Rating
This game received 363 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.839 /10
Doctor Who
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.112
Artwork: 7.457
Sounds/Music: 7.237
Other Aspects: 8.051
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 7 of us have rated this game.
Found 191 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 191 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 6 of 8.
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Fort Mill, SC
7.742/10
10 years ago
I'm not a big fan of the theme so I avoided this game for awhile. I was pleasantly surprised when I played it. To me it was sort of a one trick pony (lock balls, hit the targets, start multiball) but the multiplier ramp added another challenge to get a better score. Overall a decent game but not one of my favorites.
Update: a lot has changed and I updated my ratings to reflect those changes. Not only have I gotten into the show Dr. Who, this has become one of my favorite pinball machines. Between multiball, video modes, W-H-O combos, and ramp loops/sonic booms, there are multiple ways to play the game and score. The game is punishing and rewards accuracy. The Time Expander is a great you that doesn't seem to get old for me. Great theme integration and gameplay combine to make DW and underappreciated classic.
Update: a lot has changed and I updated my ratings to reflect those changes. Not only have I gotten into the show Dr. Who, this has become one of my favorite pinball machines. Between multiball, video modes, W-H-O combos, and ramp loops/sonic booms, there are multiple ways to play the game and score. The game is punishing and rewards accuracy. The Time Expander is a great you that doesn't seem to get old for me. Great theme integration and gameplay combine to make DW and underappreciated classic.
8.152/10
10 years ago
I remember playing this game for the first time and thinking it was a horrible game, but over time as I became a better player I found it to be an incredible game with a solid ruleset. It has a similar feel to BSD in the since that you have to setup game features in order to pull off big scores, specifically the multiplier and MB shots.
Personally I think the game has amazing flow. Shooting the W-H-O shots for sonic booms is incredibly satisfying and can be worth a ton of points(Multiplier!). I can't think of another game that flows as well as Dr. Who that includes an upper flipper shot except maybe STTNG and the famed Picard maneuver. Just shooting the H shot and hitting a ton of loops is incredible fun and satisfying by itself.
The lock mechanism and MB is an ingenious feature and an innovative design. Lock the balls and the entire mechanism raises to reveal a bank of round targets. Shoot the targets and complete the grid shown below the target bank, similar to pinbot, and it raises again! Very cool.
Lastly each Dr. corresponds with a different playfield feature. This part of the game has a lot of potential but some of the doctors are essentially useless. If the game is setup for tournament play, you might say even fewer doctors have their use since extra balls are turned off.
This game is overlooked and dismissed quite often I think. The game must be working well and the side ramp shot be consistent and smooth in order to really get a fell for the game. If you wrote this game off previously like I did give it another shot. Play it until you like it because I'm sure you will!
Personally I think the game has amazing flow. Shooting the W-H-O shots for sonic booms is incredibly satisfying and can be worth a ton of points(Multiplier!). I can't think of another game that flows as well as Dr. Who that includes an upper flipper shot except maybe STTNG and the famed Picard maneuver. Just shooting the H shot and hitting a ton of loops is incredible fun and satisfying by itself.
The lock mechanism and MB is an ingenious feature and an innovative design. Lock the balls and the entire mechanism raises to reveal a bank of round targets. Shoot the targets and complete the grid shown below the target bank, similar to pinbot, and it raises again! Very cool.
Lastly each Dr. corresponds with a different playfield feature. This part of the game has a lot of potential but some of the doctors are essentially useless. If the game is setup for tournament play, you might say even fewer doctors have their use since extra balls are turned off.
This game is overlooked and dismissed quite often I think. The game must be working well and the side ramp shot be consistent and smooth in order to really get a fell for the game. If you wrote this game off previously like I did give it another shot. Play it until you like it because I'm sure you will!
9.100/10
11 years ago
With some adds to lighting (like maybe led upgrade), this game should/would be rated higher. I would definitely own one if one of my best friends didn't already have it. Don't like to duplicate machines among friends. Overall, a great theme and a great machine - well worth owning.
Bundaberg
7.456/10
11 years ago
Had this machine for about six months and sold it. Shot variation is limited and maintenance on mini playfield is needed pretty often to keep it running smoothly, thus the reason I sold it. A pretty fun machine, but theme is a little odd.
Mascouche, QC
9.820/10
11 years ago
Fantastic Machine. At first I found the play field to be awkwardly wide open, but after playing for a while I got used to it and had a blast playing it a dozzen times or so. I'm a big Dr Who fan so the theme caught me, and I love all the little elements of the show that were put into the table. Even when you get a new ball it doesnt say "Ball 1" it says "Part 1" as if you were watching episodes of the old TV series.
The Dalek's are an awesome touch, especially the topper. The playfield is simple, but challenging. It feels like very old school pinball design. Not a ton of ramps and moving toys, but still a good quality experience.
One design flaw I found is that there is a spot just bellow the 3 bumpers where the ball can get caught very easily and stuck. It happened to me the first time I played it.
If I ever get to a point that I can afford to have my own collection of pins, this one is high on my list to get.
The Dalek's are an awesome touch, especially the topper. The playfield is simple, but challenging. It feels like very old school pinball design. Not a ton of ramps and moving toys, but still a good quality experience.
One design flaw I found is that there is a spot just bellow the 3 bumpers where the ball can get caught very easily and stuck. It happened to me the first time I played it.
If I ever get to a point that I can afford to have my own collection of pins, this one is high on my list to get.
9.044/10
11 years ago
My first rating was from a few plays. Now I own the game and it is a lot better after may plays. I even have grown to like the call outs. Such a unique layout and there is more than just the time expander. Highly recommend in any collection.
8.744/10
11 years ago
I just did a restoration on this pin - without playing it prior - so my review is essentially on a fresh, nearly perfect machine. Additionally, I read a little bio about the designer and all the effort that went into this machine - which may have swayed my review as I then picked up on all the items he was referring to.
In the end, I think this machine is brilliant. I personally could care less about Dr Who, and I think some of the doctors are pretty ugly. But from what I remember only briefly about the show, it's dead on. Not only that, the game play is just fun fun fun. Fast, outlanes are drain masters. Zipper flippers. Awesome ramps and excellent integration of the pop bumpers into the game. I mean, I want to keep sending it up around the time expander just to increase my Nx values. What other game makes you want to do that? I love how this game has different characters and they bring out different rules.
Lastly, the light show really is different that any other pin I've played. I've never seen GI lighting dance like that. It's not just all on or levels of dim... there are probably 3 to 4 separate GI circuits in there that are animated accordingly. As well, the backbox lighting is also animated and very distinct. Well done Williams. Well done.
In the end, I think this machine is brilliant. I personally could care less about Dr Who, and I think some of the doctors are pretty ugly. But from what I remember only briefly about the show, it's dead on. Not only that, the game play is just fun fun fun. Fast, outlanes are drain masters. Zipper flippers. Awesome ramps and excellent integration of the pop bumpers into the game. I mean, I want to keep sending it up around the time expander just to increase my Nx values. What other game makes you want to do that? I love how this game has different characters and they bring out different rules.
Lastly, the light show really is different that any other pin I've played. I've never seen GI lighting dance like that. It's not just all on or levels of dim... there are probably 3 to 4 separate GI circuits in there that are animated accordingly. As well, the backbox lighting is also animated and very distinct. Well done Williams. Well done.
8.404/10
11 years ago
Great game overall. 3 level mini-playfield is impressive. The 2 ramps are good. I like the theme song background music. 3rd flipper is important/functional. Great video modes. Good pace during gameplay. Has 3-ball multiball - good. Dr Who has lastability to me. Lighting good. Cabinet artwork good. Backglass artwork ok, but not impressive. Playfield artwork good.
A bit harder w/ the slightly shorter lightning flippers for the 2 lower flippers that were factory installed(more center drains / shorter ball times).
A bit harder w/ the slightly shorter lightning flippers for the 2 lower flippers that were factory installed(more center drains / shorter ball times).
8.160/10
11 years ago
A very under rated game. Nice lighting and the play field is really well laid out. Multiball is where this game shines...
9.280/10
11 years ago
This has become my fav. My wife gave this table to me for my B-Day in 2003, and I love it. This table is very challenging, and has a high replay value. My son has become a pinball fan not because of Doctor Who. I love the multi goals that this table has, and yes, this game does take a little time in getting use to.
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