Williams

High Speed

Pinside Rating

This game received 371 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.957 _/10

7.957

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #93 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.089

Artwork: 7.6

Sounds/Music: 7.198

Other Aspects: 8.298

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 5 of us have rated this game.

7.512

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Found 190 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 190 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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8.964/10

17 days ago

GER

Herbie21

Pinside member

Ermatingen

5y 22,150 7 4 8

Love this game this how a pin should be, fast, good shots and reachable red light/multiball for an average player. Kickback nice.
Less rules makes it to compete with friends who can't play the game at home every day. The new pins are with this deep rules sets are very individual, a-social thing. Pinball is designed for amusement and its more fun to compete with others, not you playing against the machine on your own machine in a basement somewhere!

Only one negative when your ball drains quickly there is no free ball.

I played this game in the arcade +1000 time, for nearly free, as being a good player with the adjustable free play score, i needed only one coin per session. Also I like that when you run a red light and some how you cant shoot the ramp to get away after some time th pin lets you get away in the hole to th right.

Important for all pins is the condition, flippers should be firm and the shoot off should go up the ramp 99% of the time, it is recommended to use the strong black spring, this is essential.
I play this game every day!

Herbie21 currently owns this game.

8.749/10

42 days ago

JJW

JWilberdog

Pinside+ Addict

Nashville, TN

<1y 32,550 57 7 17 3

Love this and HS2. Not sure if it is the Steve Ritchie design, the cool back story of porsche 928 @146mph getting chased by the CHP,the thrill of playing the speed and flow at steep angle but this game just works for me.

Not as deep as HS2 and no “toy factor” but just as fun. I owned HS2 and probably will buy again, along with HS and NO Fear (which is basically HS3). Always end up playing on location and dig the vintage vibe and call outs. I lived, drove and raced sports cars in So Cal for 20+ years and although you don’t play the artwork, I bundle it into the whole package.

When set up and you can hear the call outs its the entire package.

They made quite a few and they show up for sale often. A great “tweener” game…not too old, not too new and priced right!

JWilberdog edited previous rating on April 08, 2024.
JWilberdog has owned this game in the past.

8.061/10

46 days ago

???

EntityClay

Pinside member

1y 28,900 79 2 12

High Speed is a classic and absolutely worth playing in 2024. One of Steve Ritchie's best, this game is fast and quite brutal when in good condition.

Qualifying the red light is a challenge in itself, running it and escaping is wizard mode. I love the police siren and radio chatter that play once the chase begins. The music is excellent for the era and can really get your adrenaline rushing.

Who doesn't like ditching the cops?

EntityClay edited previous rating on March 04, 2024.
EntityClay has this game on the wishlist.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.179/10

7 months ago

DRD

DrDrain

Pinside member

9y 42,900 57 159

High Speed is an absolute classic.

The layout is certainly old but there is a lot of flow despite only having one loop and one ramp. The ramp and the scoop next to the upper flipper are the most satisfying shots to make.

The rules are simple but that's to be expected by a game from 1986. The multiball is the highlight of the game. Hearing that "He got Away" and then having the awesome score set in is one of the most beautiful moments of any game for me.

For me this game is quite difficult to play which increases the replayability.

The artwork looks quite good and I especially enjoy looking at the backglass.

All in all, this is a classic game which is still a lot of fun and a challenge to play. Anyone who can enjoy older games will love this machine. I think this is a good game to improve your skills on too.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.092/10

8 months ago

PIE

SilverballGamer

Pinside member

4y 57,650 29 5 87

High speed was a game I didn’t necessarily “get” until recently, but upon playing a copy that was set up perfectly and played like it was brand new, I now see where the love for this game comes from.

Pro’s:

When this game is set up right, it plays fast and tough in a very good way. Probably the first game to truly have “flow”.

Rules are good. While the side ramp is easily the most important shot in the game, and could make this a one shot game, it is a tough shot, and the rules know this. This makes it so a lot of the game is built around set up, and to have other mini objectives like orbit values is also nice.

Backglass is nice, and really conveys the story very well.

Light show is excellent, and really the first of its kind to use the lighting to convey a story.

The amount of innovation gameplay wise, sound wise, and visually is astounding.

Con’s:

I do find the sound to be a bit annoying and lacking in variation, but it still is way ahead of its time, along with being leaps and bounds above everything that came before it in this department.

I find the playfield and cabinet art to be bland, though not bad by any means.

I can see the game getting boring if you owned it for a long time considering the simplicity nowadays.

Overall, a true classic. Glad to see people still appreciate it to this day.

9.789/10

9 months ago

???

splattii

Pinside member

1y 34,650 223 12

It knows what it is and does it well, doesn't pretend to be a video game like modern machines, instead it plays fast and hard. 3 great spinners, killer sounds, a ramp shot that never gets old and some of the best buildup/music cues I've heard in pinball. This should be top 100. Might not be deep, but it's a great stress reliever and sometimes you don't want or need a deep ruleset, you just want to play. I used to think Cyclone was the best System 11 game but since brining one of these home Cyclone hasn't been getting as much play.

8.358/10

1 year ago

GEO

Agent129

Pinside+ Addict

Delta, BC

1y 26,900 9 5 8 1

A classic 80's game that gets better every time you play. Simple rules, a nice challenging ramp shot. Running a red light has never been this fun. Definitely belongs in the top 100. A great machine to start with and learn about minor repairs and how machines work. Love this game.

Agent129 currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

9.176/10

1 year ago

DAD

imnitguy

Pinside+ Frequent

2y 36,900 39 7

High Speed is what got me interested in pinball machines when I was 14 in 1986, and most likely why I own 8 of them today. What I enjoy most about this game is, when you're completing the goals - lighting the red light, running the red light, hitting the ramp to escape from the cops is that the siren/light show and flasher combo would entice anyone else in the room to come see what you were doing. Awesome theme, awesome sounds (OK, it was the first System 11 give it a little slack). I'm partial to it due to nostalgia to some degree but I just picked up a beautifully restored example from a fellow Pinside pinhead (thank you Jason!) and it will sit beside my CQ restored Funhouse for the conceivable future.

8.361/10

1 year ago

JJP

Pomz

Pinside member

Buffalo, MN

5y 35,150 36 3 39

Update: this is an iconic game that saved pinball. This game plays fast and is great full of nostalgia. The pros are the sounds, Callouts for the hideout, Backglass, Theme and pure fun.

The Cons are the sounds get repetitive, the points are unbalanced, after Jackpot your left twiddling your thumbs to do something, on location a lot of ramp shots are impossible because of weak flippers and it can be a nasty drain monster

This is really my first pinball I ever liked. It was at a vacation place we stayed at and we played it a lot. The simplicity of the game made me like it I didn’t realize how punishing this game was one bad shot and the ball flew all over the place. Basically you just want to go around the ramp and it the side flipper to go the hide out. I remember when it came to get the jackpot you’d hear them say they ran a red light over. Some after you’d be in a multi ball trying to hit the side flipper shot to getaway and get the jackpot. Maybe my favorite jackpot in all of pinball the lights would go dark and flash. The playfield to me is a little boring but the sounds and jackpot make this game a lot of fun. After the jackpot though the game is a little boring.

Pomz edited previous rating on March 31, 2024.
Pomz has this game on the wishlist.

7.980/10

1 year ago

DJH

adtxyz1

Pinside member

Conception Bay South, NL

7y 24,400 2 3 6

My favorite system 11 game. The flow is really good and the objectives clear. The call outs are great for the era. The excitement of a police chase and the red light topper. A great game to add to a collection. Its not deep but it has an enjoyment factor that never gets old.

adtxyz1 has owned this game in the past.

3 Pinsiders starred this!

10.000/10

1 year ago

ZOG

Zog

Pinside member

Unknown

12y 29,550 84 2 9

Simply one of the best.

Zog currently owns this game.

7.094/10

1 year ago

GTX

gdonovan

Pinside member

7y 185K 13,206 70

It's a fun game that seems to be like Firepower and Space Shuttle- You work your ass off to get to multiball and.. there is nothing else to do.

Great flow and great theme but no long term prospects here. Take it for a spin time to time.

10.000/10

1 year ago

RRM

Rock-Pin-Roll

Pinside member

3y 32,050 112 9 1

One that everyone has to have in their collection. Play great and the call outs never get old. Lastability and fun factor is only matched by pinbot in my opinion. When ya get the multi ball there's nothing any better except more multi balls. Do yourself a favor and find one if you can.

8.042/10

1 year ago

CMS

arubial1229

Pinside+ Frequent

Gulf Breeze, FL

2y 26,400 8 4 7

The worst thing you can say about this game is it’s not as good as The Getaway, but that is one of the best games of all time. It’s the first System 11 game and therefore belongs in every collection.

8.589/10

1 year ago

JWB

raidershane2

Pinside+ Frequent

Reading, PA

3y 31,800 10 3 6

classic

raidershane2 has owned this game in the past.

8.000/10

1 year ago

???

dosbox40000

Inactive member

Unknown

3y 17,000 1 10

It's a okay table. The goal is to outrick the police which is not easy. The game is one of the fastest for pinball. It has a factor of hard and medium. The trick shots require timing usually around on the 3rd or 5th game. It's like a bump and jump to other places. It's not easy riding the ramps on this one. A good fast paced state.

8.611/10

1 year ago

JRC

Jeremyczu

Pinside+ Frequent

Grand Rapids, MI

2y 31,050 10 5 28

I still can’t get over how simple yet fun and long lasting this game is. I could play for hours and still enjoy this machine. It’s such a great feeling when the light goes red, and the machine starts the siren. Getting away and triggering multiball feels really exciting. Far and away my favorite machine of the 80s.

Jeremyczu edited previous rating on January 09, 2024.
Jeremyczu currently owns this game.

9.402/10

1 year ago

JUS

jdzwir123

Pinside member

Carson City, NV

9y 45,300 504 2 7

Great game!!!!!!!

jdzwir123 has owned this game in the past.

9.162/10

1 year ago

JSA

sidetrackedbrew

Sidetracked Brewery

Morganton, NC

2y 45,800 109 8 19

Picked this one up from a random message and very glad I did. Yes, the machine is dated. It’s also in pretty rough condition, but I’m fixing it up. But the gameplay on this machine… there’s something special about it. I’m not one of those that has a nostalgic connection to this machine; I had never played it before a couple weeks ago. However, of all the machines in my collection, this is the one I want to continue to play. This is the one I’ve watched a tutorial on 50 times. And this is the one, despite its simplicity, that I have dreams of mastering. From the engine-revving lights and sounds, to the terrible (awesome) lo-fi sound effects, this machine gets into your mind and stays there. It’s timeless. It’s awesome. Play this machine, and if you ever get the chance, buy it. I will keep this one forever.

sidetrackedbrew currently owns this game.

4 Pinsiders starred this!

9.800/10

2 years ago

CCO

pinballboy

Pinside+ Frequent

3y 56,400 359 6 18

This is my #1 favorite machine ever. This machine has everything you could ever need in a machine. It has great flow, quick shots, fun music and sounds, very nice rules, great multiball and beautiful light show, especially with leds. The ramp is tough but super fun to hit and the more I play the better I get at hitting it. Also that topper is just fantastic, it really attracts people in to play. My favorite part of this machine is when you get the light red and the cops start chasing after you, it really gets my heart pumping and once you get that ball up the ramps and escape the cops its a great feeling and then the multiball starts, everything is lighting up and going crazy and that jackpot light show is just unbelievably rewarding and a very very fun shot. Well done Steve Ritchie!

pinballboy edited previous rating on May 19, 2022.
pinballboy currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

9.520/10

2 years ago

TAB

DanMarino

Pinside member

Clarksville, MD

3y 97,300 4,289 6 15

This is my first System 11 and first Steve Ritchie pinball machine and I will likely get another of each at some point. I love how this machine is loud, flashy, and flows. The orbit shots are great. The ramp shot from the upper flipper is a blast. It's a lot of fun when you hit that ramp shot twice in a row from the upper flipper. Overall it's a great them. It all works together perfectly and makes you want to keep playing it. Getting balls locked into the hideouts during multi-ball is such a fun accomplishment. I also never get tired of the knocker and police beacon/siren. My wife even likes it and mentioned that it is her favorite theme so far that has come into the house.

DanMarino edited previous rating on October 05, 2022.
DanMarino currently owns this game.

9.763/10

2 years ago

JAT

FunGuy

Pinside+ Frequent

Tampa, FL

5y 32,400 12 3 7

Awesome game

7.114/10

2 years ago

TPD

tomdrum

Tom's Pinball

Port Matilda, PA

6y 165K 7,297 16 52

Good game that will make you want to play it again. Williams build quality wasn't the best.

tomdrum has owned this game in the past.

8.736/10

2 years ago

TER

KING-HENRY

Pinside+ Frequent

3y 87,050 1,666 12 4

High Speed is probably the funnest, pre-DMD EVER MADE. Replayability is a perfect 10. Trying to outrun the cops is a pretty thrilling xp, every time. Yeah, it lacks the toys/gimmicks of other machines ( outside of the siren topper), but this game doesn’t need them-the layout, speed, flow, etc more than make up for that. Sounds, callouts, music..ICONIC. I was told that this machine was the very pin that ‘saved pinball’ back in ‘86. If that’s true, I totally believe it. Probably one of the best Steve Richie pins I’ve layed my hands on..I just wish the playfield art was made better on these back then..mine is all flaking apart (normal for this pin)..get a playfield protector if you have a nice one! If you find one in the wild, snag it up and keep it!

3 Pinsiders starred this!

9.099/10

2 years ago

ATL

Calgedy

Pinside+ Frequent

Sebastopol, CA

2y 42,300 181 4 9

GREAT classic 80's pin. Working towards the chase and extra ball features never gets old. Escaping and hitting that ramp with the upper flipper can be challenging. Rules set is not deep whatsoever. Even though there is not that much to it compared to current pins, it stands the test of time with great gameplay and theme. Fun every single time.

Calgedy edited previous rating on February 09, 2022.
Calgedy currently owns this game.

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