Earthshaker

Williams

Earthshaker

Pinside Rating

This game received 302 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.832 /10

7.832

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #115 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.



Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.967

Artwork: 7.844

Sounds/Music: 7.135

Other Aspects: 8.011


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.

7.37

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Found 154 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 154 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 3 of 7.

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8.796/10
6 years ago
Earthshaker is one of my favorite games. It really makes you want to keep playing. The shaker inside of it is awesome and when it yells out Earthshaker! Some people don't care for the side art, but I love it! Awesome game!
8.024/10
6 years ago
Not much to accomplish besides getting the multiball, but still a very fun game to play.
8.027/10
6 years ago
Earthshaker isn't ever going to be a maven's game because of a couple of scoring faults -- you can basically run up the score by hitting the center ramp shot over and over again, one which can be made from either flipper. So from that perspective, despite loop shots, quick multiball and a nice three-ball multiball, and the gimmicks (a tower going up and down, a map of California and Nevada splitting, the first real shaker motor), it may not rank terribly high.

But as a pure Fun Quotient game, this is great. For the era, it's got a few funny sound effects, and the theme of the earthquake -- complete with shaker motor -- combined with the ubiquitous Pat Lawlor / Williams obsession with highways, entrance ramps, and getting around by car in general -- is original, unusual, and cute. More to the general point, kids love it right away, and it's not so complicated as to be inaccessible. A great bridge between eras, and a very good game room machine.
9.853/10
6 years ago
This machine stands the test of time. It is my all-time favorite pin, and the skills shots are awesome. Max out the miles to max out your score! If you see it, play! You will love it!
8.160/10
6 years ago
This goes in the category of fun because of difficulty. It keeps me coming back, and keeps me frustrated with its strange shots. I always look forward to this one in tournament play.
8.561/10
6 years ago
Driving around to get some spare parts for my first owned flipper I get the chance to play many different machines. Just fell in love with that piece!!! So much fun to play, definitely the next one for my beginners collection :)
8.458/10
7 years ago
So I'm a bit biased, but ES is my favorite pin from BITD. I looked for one for many years, and finally managed to snag one.

Sure, there's not a TON of depth, but what there is makes up for that -- it's fast, it's fun, you can literally play it all day and not get bored. There's something magical about the cabinet shaking and the callout, "EARTHSHAKER!!!". Makes me happy.

I was lucky enough to get one with a sinking institute (just like the one I remember playing on), so that definitely adds another dimension to it aesthetically. If you can't find one of those early 200, then get a sinking kit. Either way, it's great fun.

Just about the best back glass in pinball, I'm sorry, it's awesome.

I'll agree with others that there are a few deeper and more "powerful" sys11 games out there (this one's cousin Whirlwind comes to mind), but for my money ES is still the best.
6.966/10
7 years ago
Earthshaker is surprisingly agile considering its crowded playfield and numerous loops and ramps. The skill shot is fun (like PIN*BOT), but it might take up too much room. The VUK is a nice touch to change momentum and, of course, the shaker motor fires up for multiball, which adds to the thrill of the game. If it weren't for some of those little touches, the game would fall flat and be a run-of-the-mill late SS, but there's enough going on to keep me wanting to shoot a few more balls. Not addictive, but not repulsive.
8.173/10
7 years ago
This machine really makes me feel happy when i play it. I suppose its more of a nostalgia thing. I find myself humming the music from time to time. It's a very straight forward game, which makes it easy to understand for beginners.
9.331/10
7 years ago
This is a very good playing game, rules are not too complex. The artwork back glass and playfield artwork still "pop".
7.975/10
7 years ago
"Earthshaker!!!" (Screaming LOUD voice)

One of the pinnacles of the System 11 machines of the era.
Outstanding artwork package by Tim Elliot.
Strong gameplay and ruleset design by Pat Lawlor.
Chris Granner masterpiece on the music.
If you own a Whirlwind, you have to partner it up with its sibling here, Earthshaker.
The shaker motor used long before it was popular today.
Backglass is an ACTUAL backglass with FULL mirroring, which was becoming more uncommon at this point in pinball history.
If you are going to buy an Earthshaker, make sure you go find one with a prototype sinking Earthshaker institute (or kit from Mark Davidson) and the proper Nevada/California split assembly feature.

An example of a machine that holds up well against most modern games of today.
You do not need fancy "doohickeys" to make a great game, just a great design.

Pay attention Pat Lawlor fans to my statement here.
The final trifecta of disaster pinball machines is coming soon!
6.024/10
7 years ago
Pros:
Nice original theme
Good shaker integration

Cons:
My main beef with Earthshaker is that I do not any satisfying shot. The clunky right ramp is the worst. The playfield is cramped. The center ramp is repetitive and seems to be the most valuable shot in tournament mode. Skill shot is not interesting. Not a big fan of artwork…
8.232/10
7 years ago
Fun game, great action on the playfield and the shaker is fun. I could play this game all day.
7.796/10
8 years ago
Part one of the Lawlor natural disaster series.

Good:
The theme is great.
A really cool skill shot.
The through-the-pops orbit loop is fast!
The rules are the standard system11 fare - which I enjoy.
A fault line toy that directs the ball to lock when the quake is active.

Not as good:
The right ramp is really, really clunky. It's nearly a right angle, and there isn't much satisfaction in hitting the shot.
The center ramp is easy to hit over and over again, if you choose to.
The playfield is a bit cramped, because of all the area the skill shot needs up top.
8.021/10
8 years ago
another great williams classic easy game play, nice flow,shaker is sweet ,califonia and nevada breaks apart the upper playfield is classic one of a kind..upper left flipper to side center ramp not the smoothest but ok... i like this game..keeper in a bigger collection
Re edit .finaly got one ,gonna restore it, got it working good before I drop it off , it is a great game ,simple, yet fun, there are many other newer games I can have for the money I'm putting into this one....but I truly enjoy this classic, nostalgic Williams pin, having it in the line up give me a warm feeling inside that no other game does!! Seeing it in arcades in the late 80's it brings me back today!!.it is worth the money I'm spending on it to me, ..only a whirl wind nxt to it could make me happier! !
8.424/10
8 years ago
Overall a very strong game. Some call this game a one shot wonder for the sole reason that the center ramp can rack up points. The ball diverter and shaker motor make this a favorite among many. Light shows are plentiful, action is fast, and the gameplay is intense.

There are only two major flaws in the game, in my opinion: 1) The scoop shot it a tough shot to make and poorly labeled, and 2) After the jackpot has been awarded, there is nothing left to do in multiball.
8.737/10
8 years ago
I have many "A" list games , ES gets more play than any other ( especially by my wife) ES is a keeper for sure. I finally did a strip down , clearcoat, replaced everything shop out recently and it plays AWESOME! Its a great game where you could have only this one. Not too complicated, and just plain fun. TZ is a game that needs something fun beside it ,for your friends that don't play pinball often, so get an ES to put beside it for them. The right ramp is easy enough with the kick out beside it to make it fun for an intermediate player. Backglass art is great, playfield is very colorful and looks great, and nice open shots. It has the "through the pop bumpers" shot Pat Lawlor is famous for, for the spinner points.
For a game that is still reasonably affordable, its a deal. I like it better than Whirlwind, and play it 3 times more often. When buying one, check that the Cal/Nev divide works like it is supposed to when you lock your first ball up the right ramp, it should open up and stay open until the ball goes into the celler.
20 + years and still play it more than any other, says something about it. just my 2cents :-)
5.892/10
8 years ago
Bad game for tournaments because of shoot centre ramp all day strategy - after 99 miles it is worth 250K per shot.
9.560/10
8 years ago
Love Earthshaker. It has some really fun toys and gimmicks. the shaker motor and earthquake feel is classic. I have the sinking building mod like the prototype machines, but the whole feel of the game is just fun. The music might get a little old someday, but after 3 years of owning it, it is still a favorite.
6.586/10
8 years ago
I owned an earth shaker. Fun for awhile at first and the shaker motor is cool but I soon got bored. Just not a lot to do. Disaster theme is good. Callouts too repetitive. Not a keeper for me.
8.442/10
8 years ago
So, Earthshaker I owned it, I sold it and I am missing it ever since. I got a weak spot for system-11 games. They can't compete against the current overkill of excellent machines but they stood the test of time. I own a whirlwind and that will leave not so easily. (I said it would never leave but I said that for a numerous machines already which have left).

This particular title is one of those titles which was unknown to me until a year or 6 ago when I started watching Chriss Buci's vids on youtube. He is right, Funhouse, Whirlwind and Earthshaker belong together. I had a Funhouse and Whirlwind at that time and after a short search I picked up an Earthshaker for a 850 euro's (900$). I knew I had to shop it so I bought new ramps, flippers, popbumpers, cabinet decals and some other nicknags. I chased down a set of plastics but thanks to my supplier who promised to arrange me a set I got nothing. At that time CPR was out of stock as well. So thanks to that asshole at minstry of pinball I ended up with nothing. (Really people, this guy is an ass!!, I got several other complaints from customers and friends as well about this douchebag)
Because of the lack of space the machine was stationed at a friend of mine where it was played for a year or two. With no sight of getting more room in the house I lived in at that time and the fact I wanted a new machine I sold ES and one of my own. At the time I knew I would regret it and after it was picked up ... well, do I need to spell it out? It was sold with the ramps, decals and the whole shabang. I'm a dumbass I guess.

So, the game isn't that hard, complete the lights on the institute, lock the balls, get multiball, shoot some points. Rinse and repeat. I love the theme, the theme integration, callouts, the toys, layout, some hard shots to make.

The plus:
Really nice backglass
Layout
Theme
Playability

The negatives:
Easy
Repetative
Small ruleset

Personally this machine is all that pinball is all about. It tranports me back to some good memories although I have never played it at that time. It gives me a sort of holiday feeling, warm sunny days with beer, friends and nice girls along the side.

I wish I never sold it and it will eventually added to my collection at one point.
7.551/10
9 years ago
Even though this game isn't the most attractive in some aspects, it really does look great sitting next to a WhirlWind machine. I'm a huge fan of both natural disaster themes. I had to have this pin for the shaker motor and the fact it integrates so well with the theme. It's a fairly simple and straight forward pin with medium to easy shots but things can get hectic at a moments notice. You can always play it safe but that's no fun! Overall it's a great theme and I don't think I could ever part with this pin. It has something that is unique and everyone loves playing it when they come over. One of the best System 11 pins out there.
7.451/10
9 years ago
Personally I hate the artwork on this game. It is naff. The sounds are naff. In an arcade scenario it would be one of the last games I tried.

BUT the game itself is a peach. It gave a flavour of how talented Lawlor was as a designer and look at the games that followed - Addams Family and Twilight Zone.

Earthshaker rewards you for accurate shooting and has a great array of shots. The fault line is a great feature and it has the best use of a shaker motor in any pinball machine made.

One of the best, if not the best, alpha numerical games around - if you can live with the artwork
8.280/10
9 years ago
Fun game. Shaker really adds to it. Great theme.
7.174/10
9 years ago
Perhaps my expectations for this game were too high because this game was a bit of a disappointment. Review update pending...
There are 154 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 3 of 7.

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