Gottlieb
Genesis Pinside Rating
This game received 95 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.243 /10
Genesis
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.621
Artwork: 5.928
Sounds/Music: 7.111
Other Aspects: 7.486
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 2 of us have rated this game.
Found 55 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 55 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 3.
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9.120/10
6 months ago
Evansville, IN
Another under-rated and under-appreciated Gottlieb game from the 80s. I just added this along with Robo-War to my line-up with TX-Sector.
I think this game is right there with Robo-War (which I think is a little more fun than TX-Sector). Some people remark about there being no speech. I'm not missing anything. The music is good enough and varies enough that speech is not needed. And then there's that strobing effect when you lock a ball for multi-ball... it's right out of a Frankenstein movie.
The backglass is pretty hideous. I put in the alternate, and I think it fits the game theme nicely.
I think this game is right there with Robo-War (which I think is a little more fun than TX-Sector). Some people remark about there being no speech. I'm not missing anything. The music is good enough and varies enough that speech is not needed. And then there's that strobing effect when you lock a ball for multi-ball... it's right out of a Frankenstein movie.
The backglass is pretty hideous. I put in the alternate, and I think it fits the game theme nicely.
7.238/10
1 year ago
At first glance this game doesn't look fun with its strange ramps and awful translite. But, it's a pretty fun game. It does a great job making you play the entire playfield to collect all the body parts to assemble the robot. Seeing the window light up and the cover rotate to reveal the robot is really satisfying. Definitely an underrated game.
7.015/10
1 year ago
Charlottetown, PE
It's an ugly game, but has a fun and simple ruleset. If you see one, don't be scared away by the art package, give it a few games, you might like it.
9.227/10
2 years ago
London
Played on vPin and in real life at Pinfest 2022 (sneakily, in the competition area).
I must admit to absolutely loving this pin. The back-glass is hilariously bad (there are alternatives), but it is the definition of easy-to-learn, harder-to-master.
The game is about shooting the body parts of a robot to assemble it and, when it's finished, the robot flips over. I'm sure if I was a great pinball player, I could finish the robot, but - as it is - I had the pleasure of some very smooth ramp shots and the brilliant retro "zip-zip" sound effects and light show every time I scored a part.
Very easy rules, but great gameplay. An underrated classic!
I must admit to absolutely loving this pin. The back-glass is hilariously bad (there are alternatives), but it is the definition of easy-to-learn, harder-to-master.
The game is about shooting the body parts of a robot to assemble it and, when it's finished, the robot flips over. I'm sure if I was a great pinball player, I could finish the robot, but - as it is - I had the pleasure of some very smooth ramp shots and the brilliant retro "zip-zip" sound effects and light show every time I scored a part.
Very easy rules, but great gameplay. An underrated classic!
8.013/10
2 years ago
Annecy
So much fun this machine. Simple rules, music is amazing. Family keeps playing and playing to make the robot born again. Back glass and cabinet on their side are… well they are what they are, maybe that makes this pinball so particular!
For me it is a keeper
For me it is a keeper
7.192/10
3 years ago
Sure, the backglass is rough, but the rest of the game is pretty decent. The rules are simple - spell out different words to build your android. Gameplay is pure arcade action - you'll want to keep trying until you build the android.
The playfield artwork is good, the music sits with some of the best chiptunes out the 80s, and all around a good, underrated title.
The playfield artwork is good, the music sits with some of the best chiptunes out the 80s, and all around a good, underrated title.
7.104/10
3 years ago
Once I got past that backglass, I was able to enjoy the game. Completing the body parts is pretty cool! It's not a standout and it's definitely not a dog! From a casual (to this game) player's perspective, it's worth a couple of games but I couldn't see me owning this one (at least not unless I changed out that backglass!)
7.871/10
3 years ago
Genesis is often overlooked because of its terrible backglass art. This can be remedied by replacing it with an alternate translite which I highly recommend doing if you hate that art as much as I do. The game itself is simple and fun. Shots mostly feel good, but the ramps are a little flimsy and often break or need to be reinforced. This can also result in some air balls that hit the glass. I recommend seeking out ramp replacements or reinforcing upon purchase. I have a great time with Genesis every single time I start up a game. The music is some the best the system 80s have to offer, and it has a lot of variety, changing throughout the game. The lighting effect before multiball starts is one of the slickest lighting effects I've ever seen on a table from this era. In my opinion, this is the strongest system 80 game. The shots are simple, but fun to do. Genesis can get very repetitive, but that was how these system 80s were, and compared to something like a Williams system 11, sure this isn't going to stand out as much. It maybe won't get as much play from guests, but personally I enjoy it a lot. I find it very challenging to complete the robot, and it has that "one more game" factor for me. I don't think this would be a great table to pick up if you can just have one table in your game room, but for the right price and in a line up of at least 3 games, I think this is a good addition.
8.000/10
3 years ago
It's a simple design, humorous but scary theme.
Doesn't really play into the Metropolis themed translite that I see out there, I think of it more like a poor man's Bride of Frankenstein.
The shots are just difficult enough, and the artwork looks good for the theme.
It's one of those games that I cannot explain just why I enjoy as much as I do - because Pinside tells me I should not - but it's a simple and fun game that works for me.
Doesn't really play into the Metropolis themed translite that I see out there, I think of it more like a poor man's Bride of Frankenstein.
The shots are just difficult enough, and the artwork looks good for the theme.
It's one of those games that I cannot explain just why I enjoy as much as I do - because Pinside tells me I should not - but it's a simple and fun game that works for me.
6.176/10
4 years ago
I never played this game before owning it. I got really hyped up watching videos of this game as it looked to be an amazing nugget of 80s nostalgia. Collecting body parts and the robot reveal is a really cool idea and is amazing when it happens. However after owning the game, my excitement quickly wore off. My friends all agreed this is the worst game I ever owned. Mine was a maintenance nightmare which I've heard is a common problem with gottlieb games of this era. It had new boards and many new parts but I was always dealing with finicky switches that constantly needed adjustment. Nothing is more frustrating than finally getting the robot reveal and then the feature doesn't work because the switch is slightly out of alignment again! Also this game is really tough, the ramps are especially hard to hit. I rebuilt the flippers and was still having trouble getting the ball all the way up the ramps unless I hit it perfectly. The robot reveal is too hard to accomplish, casual players would probably never see it. I do however enjoy the sound package in this game and the way it sounds like an 80s video game, which is very fitting for the rediculous theme. I would like to play this sometime in pristine condition just to see if all games play as rough as mine did.
8.105/10
4 years ago
Tough rating this game because I partly need to rate it for how the game WAS, but my example has these modern upgrades that I can't discount either.
Game is very clever yet simple. My upgrades include new clear ramps, alternate translite, premium led's & led flashers, & purple rubbers. Having these things available is such a massive upgrade as these address a couple of the major issues people have had with this game in the past.
I did rate the game poorly for backglass & cabinet because that is what is fair even though it isn't an issue for me personally. So maybe I gave the game a little bump in a couple other areas because I think my game is deserving of a 8/10 score.
Rule set seems solid to me, balanced & easy to figure out. One setting that I found important was to have the 1-2-3 drops spot a letter in each body part (instead of just 1) since they need to be hit in order & it isn't the safest shot. You hit the wrong one & you have to knock them all down to try again. Now it is worth going for. Otherwise I just don't think it is fair that a single lifeforce shot rewards the same thing as the drops. So I'm glad they included that optional adjustment in the dips.
& I love that lifeforce shot. An EM throwback shot & it is great that you get a greater reward the cleaner you hit it. & it absorbs the ball so it doesn't come flying back at you. I've really come to dislike shots (mainly newer games) that fire the ball back at you whether it is a stiff stand-up target or kickback.
I feel multiball is done well here too as it is not a vital part of the game, rather just a nice extra feature, 2 balls to amp things up for a bit. Scores are multiplied during multiball but it has no impact on achieving robot reveal. For that you simply need to hit your shots. That's the game.
I'm a huge fan of the sounds. I was surprised at the quality & I even have a little bass despite just the 2 speakers. No speech, which I could care less about in 2019. I suppose in 1986 people may have cared as it was still a new-ish thing. It really just isn't needed on this game. Music is catchy, it will change up a bit here & there. Awesome "zapping" sounds & light effects as multiball is ready to achieve.
I like the playfield art & wish repro plastics were available. Under my new clear ramps, I have pink led flashers which look great. Cool white LED's with a couple purple near/under the ramps. That & color matched feature lamps & purple rubber really make the game pop.
Theme works for me, I'm a sci-fi fan, love this sort of thing. Lastly I like that company loves the game. It sits next to a couple newer, more complicated games. While it can be hard to explain everything to do on those games, Genesis is fairly simple. So in summary, if you get one of these spend a little to pimp it out & have yourself a very unique, fun & retro game with a touch of more modern things (like 2 ramps, multiball). I don't know if its a forever keeper in a small collection, but a game that can be had fairly cheap & works great among a couple more complex games.
Game is very clever yet simple. My upgrades include new clear ramps, alternate translite, premium led's & led flashers, & purple rubbers. Having these things available is such a massive upgrade as these address a couple of the major issues people have had with this game in the past.
I did rate the game poorly for backglass & cabinet because that is what is fair even though it isn't an issue for me personally. So maybe I gave the game a little bump in a couple other areas because I think my game is deserving of a 8/10 score.
Rule set seems solid to me, balanced & easy to figure out. One setting that I found important was to have the 1-2-3 drops spot a letter in each body part (instead of just 1) since they need to be hit in order & it isn't the safest shot. You hit the wrong one & you have to knock them all down to try again. Now it is worth going for. Otherwise I just don't think it is fair that a single lifeforce shot rewards the same thing as the drops. So I'm glad they included that optional adjustment in the dips.
& I love that lifeforce shot. An EM throwback shot & it is great that you get a greater reward the cleaner you hit it. & it absorbs the ball so it doesn't come flying back at you. I've really come to dislike shots (mainly newer games) that fire the ball back at you whether it is a stiff stand-up target or kickback.
I feel multiball is done well here too as it is not a vital part of the game, rather just a nice extra feature, 2 balls to amp things up for a bit. Scores are multiplied during multiball but it has no impact on achieving robot reveal. For that you simply need to hit your shots. That's the game.
I'm a huge fan of the sounds. I was surprised at the quality & I even have a little bass despite just the 2 speakers. No speech, which I could care less about in 2019. I suppose in 1986 people may have cared as it was still a new-ish thing. It really just isn't needed on this game. Music is catchy, it will change up a bit here & there. Awesome "zapping" sounds & light effects as multiball is ready to achieve.
I like the playfield art & wish repro plastics were available. Under my new clear ramps, I have pink led flashers which look great. Cool white LED's with a couple purple near/under the ramps. That & color matched feature lamps & purple rubber really make the game pop.
Theme works for me, I'm a sci-fi fan, love this sort of thing. Lastly I like that company loves the game. It sits next to a couple newer, more complicated games. While it can be hard to explain everything to do on those games, Genesis is fairly simple. So in summary, if you get one of these spend a little to pimp it out & have yourself a very unique, fun & retro game with a touch of more modern things (like 2 ramps, multiball). I don't know if its a forever keeper in a small collection, but a game that can be had fairly cheap & works great among a couple more complex games.
8.414/10
5 years ago
Underated pin because of the cheesy artwork and the higher odds of a ball going sdtm. With that said, I think it's a really fun game to play! Music is good and the robot toy is very cool! The electricity SFX and light show when you get the multiball is fun to watch. I usually wait for a few seconds to enjoy it.
As for the cheesy translite, there is one alternate translite available that really makes this game pop and suits the theme really well.
Watching the movie that it's based on also gives you a better appreciation of the game.
As for the cheesy translite, there is one alternate translite available that really makes this game pop and suits the theme really well.
Watching the movie that it's based on also gives you a better appreciation of the game.
7.156/10
5 years ago
I have played a few of these now. LEDs really help it out. The purple ramps are an absolute disaster as they block so much of the play field the clear replacements would be a must. The play field artwork is not an appealing color. The game is fun. But the best parts of this machine is that quirky retro backglass and the oh so wonderful techno retro sound track. The gimmick of just revealing the life force is lame at best
7.709/10
5 years ago
Tight lower play field, with two extra slingshot pads(?) which make for lots of fast play. satisfying to get the ramps, often clunking on the glass as their quite steep. Brilliant music, hard to get control of the ball as big fudgey flippers only come up so high and its often moving very quickly, so makes for fast fun play, trying to make the shots on rebounds. Weird but fun backglass, good sci-fi artwork on table. clear enough rules with lights at the back making the monster. Certainly a challenge. Overall, great. One I keep going back to.
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