Pinside rating
This game received 300 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.798 /10
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.944
Artwork: 7.79
Sounds/Music: 7.121
Other Aspects: 7.976
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 9 of us have rated this game.
Found 151 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 151 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 7.
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Leawood, KS
5.716/10
9 months ago
London
Played at Pinball Republic, Croydon, London.
I’m sure the positive ratings for this pin are driven by nostalgia (and maybe that it was the first (?) pinball machine to feature a shaker motor) because it is not good.
The artwork is functional, the playfield is poorly visually signposted, and - thus - the rules are incomprehensible upon walk-up to the pin. I played it, didn’t understand it, watched three tutorials on YouTube after returning home… still didn’t understand it. I’m someone who, on the same trip, played TWD, GoT and multiple other modern Sterns.
Then, I read a rules sheet and realised that I simply had to hit the lit shots and then hit the side ramp - and that was it. So, the fact that I didn’t manage to work out what I should be doing while I was on site was a clear demonstration that it’s not well laid out or visually signposted by today’s standards.
The only fun thing on this pin is the shaker motor and, to be honest, to a modern player it’s a bit ‘meh’. So, in total, not a great pin in 2022.
I’m sure the positive ratings for this pin are driven by nostalgia (and maybe that it was the first (?) pinball machine to feature a shaker motor) because it is not good.
The artwork is functional, the playfield is poorly visually signposted, and - thus - the rules are incomprehensible upon walk-up to the pin. I played it, didn’t understand it, watched three tutorials on YouTube after returning home… still didn’t understand it. I’m someone who, on the same trip, played TWD, GoT and multiple other modern Sterns.
Then, I read a rules sheet and realised that I simply had to hit the lit shots and then hit the side ramp - and that was it. So, the fact that I didn’t manage to work out what I should be doing while I was on site was a clear demonstration that it’s not well laid out or visually signposted by today’s standards.
The only fun thing on this pin is the shaker motor and, to be honest, to a modern player it’s a bit ‘meh’. So, in total, not a great pin in 2022.
8.476/10
9 months ago
Honestly a great system 11. I got to play it at an arcade locally and I have to say it’s pretty fun, the getting the multiball and shooting the jackpot feels great but after you do that there is nothing much more to do beside maybe extra ball Etc. fun game and worth giving it a play.
7.571/10
12 months ago
Classic system 11 game. The shaker and fault line are great. I added the sinking institute, which was neat, but does not impact gameplay. I wasn't good enough to consistently exploit the center ramp shot, but if you are really good, that could potentially ruin the fun. At one time I had Earthshaker, Taxi and Whirlwind. Taxi is a very different game, but Whirlwind is pretty similar. As much fun as I had with Earthshaker, Whirlwind was more fun. Since they are similar, Whirlwind stayed and I let Earthshaker go.
7.298/10
1 year ago
Earthshaker goes hand in hand with Whirlwind, but I think it's the worse of the 2. They are both disaster themed, and have similar goals. Both have a multiball where you collect a jackpot from the upper ramp shot. They both have awards to collect as a second goal as well. I think that the layout of whirlwind is a tad better, but both are fun. The California and Nevada fault line is a fun feature in the back. The art and music are also good too.
8.495/10
1 year ago
If I had the money, my collection would be filled with all the System 11 games I could get my hands on. I love this era - the art, sound, and music are so charming. Earthshaker is no exception, presenting an exaggerated cartoon of 1980s California.
If you're playing for multiball, there's a good variety of shots to aim for, and the game makes it clear where you need to be shooting. One feature I find annoying is that you can shoot the side ramp to spot a different zone, removing the need to make some of the more risky shots like the captive ball to progress toward multiball. This feature makes sense for location play, since if one switch was not working, the player would be unable to get multiball. In the home environment, it makes the game considerably easier because it's pretty simple to stage a ball for the upper left flipper to make the side ramp shot.
Still, it's a fun game to shoot. Not my favorite from Pat Lawlor by any stretch, but it's fun in its own right.
If you're playing for multiball, there's a good variety of shots to aim for, and the game makes it clear where you need to be shooting. One feature I find annoying is that you can shoot the side ramp to spot a different zone, removing the need to make some of the more risky shots like the captive ball to progress toward multiball. This feature makes sense for location play, since if one switch was not working, the player would be unable to get multiball. In the home environment, it makes the game considerably easier because it's pretty simple to stage a ball for the upper left flipper to make the side ramp shot.
Still, it's a fun game to shoot. Not my favorite from Pat Lawlor by any stretch, but it's fun in its own right.
7.362/10
1 year ago
Earthshaker is a fun Pat Lawlor pin, but not as good as some of his later games. I'd strongly recommend a Whirlwind for just a little bit more.
With that said, the main toy in this is the first shaker in a pinball machine. As such, major props for an innovation that is now optional on most machines.
The game itself is a number hunging game. Shoot the lit numbers, lock the balls, go for multiball, and repeat. There is really not that much to do. Additionally, the game has some exploits for good players that makes this poorly suited for experts. If you can nail that center ramp you can hit it over and over and over with little to no risk.
Don't get me wrong, it is a fun game, but not a long term keeper for me.
I personally have mine set up steep with wide open lanes to make it more difficult, but that easy center ramp is a huge turnoff for me.
With that said, the main toy in this is the first shaker in a pinball machine. As such, major props for an innovation that is now optional on most machines.
The game itself is a number hunging game. Shoot the lit numbers, lock the balls, go for multiball, and repeat. There is really not that much to do. Additionally, the game has some exploits for good players that makes this poorly suited for experts. If you can nail that center ramp you can hit it over and over and over with little to no risk.
Don't get me wrong, it is a fun game, but not a long term keeper for me.
I personally have mine set up steep with wide open lanes to make it more difficult, but that easy center ramp is a huge turnoff for me.
Keremeos, BC
9.184/10
2 years ago
Earthshaker is a great game. It has some Pat Lawlor signature shots, out lanes, innovative toys/mech.
What I like about it is how much thought went into its design. The mirrored backglass is gorgeous. Shaker motor is great (pretty sure this is the first pin to incorporate a shaker motor)
What I don’t like is... well I honestly can’t think of anything to dislike about it per say. I guess maybe the cabinet art is a bit boring? Hardly a reason to thumbs down a pin though.
Bottom line is, for a system11, this is a great game. Great lastability in any collection.
One downside is that most of these are worn right out but that’s because this game gets played a lot.
What I like about it is how much thought went into its design. The mirrored backglass is gorgeous. Shaker motor is great (pretty sure this is the first pin to incorporate a shaker motor)
What I don’t like is... well I honestly can’t think of anything to dislike about it per say. I guess maybe the cabinet art is a bit boring? Hardly a reason to thumbs down a pin though.
Bottom line is, for a system11, this is a great game. Great lastability in any collection.
One downside is that most of these are worn right out but that’s because this game gets played a lot.
7.599/10
2 years ago
I had a really nice copy of this game for awhile & I kind of miss it now , one of the best system 11's "AFTERSHOCK!!!"
6.408/10
3 years ago
This is a game that seems right on the precipice of greatness. It's an overall pretty damn good game, but something about it doesn't really get the juices flowing. maybe a differing theme or slightly better artwork would have added to it. Extremely playable but not high up there on favorites or wishlist material.
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