This game is just ok, was a game I played if I wanted a multi-ball bash. Skill "shot" is video mode based which is lame and takes too much time to complete when you just want to get the game moving. Much like many Segas of that era, they are multi-ball heavy and were designed to be rather simple for location. This game could possibly last in a very large collection. It does have rather good flow with the ramps.

The alien heads are almost beat to shiit on all the games I have seen over the years so if you chose to put yourself through the pain, make sure its in good shape because it will impact play. I was fortunate enough to have one in decent shape which I reinforced and touched up.

If you insist on a game of this era and platform, go with ST or even X-Files.

I picked this game up because it was a cheap DMD and I am glad I did. It is just plain fun to play. I don't care for the theme or the art work at all. The rule set is ok at best, there is a couple modes and some nice combo rewards but it still feels like it is lacking a little something rule wise. This game is fast paced fun and I seem to have pretty consistent ball times not a lot of cheap drains. Overall I describe this game as fun not going to be a long term keeper for me but glad that I have it for the time being.

I enjoyed it for a while but found myself always worried I was about to break the Alien Head toy. Really great cast of characters.

Playfield is quite dark in the middle running stock (im sure you could add spotlights or something)

Cool Alien eyes behind flippers.

Worth a try but not a keeper for me

I really enjoy this pin. I like the simplicity of getting Multi-Ball, the ramp shots, and look looking PF. It not be the deepest ruleset but I love that my non pin friends go to this game first and stay on it awhile.

ID4 really caught me off guard. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much at first. And then came the FLOW! Properly cleaned and waxed, this machine is FAST!!!

It is a competitive players machine with emphasis on combos and some pretty hard to hit ramps.

I am no big fan of the movie ... however the music and sound effects are awesome on this one. I get the tunes stuck in my head even after one game. And they don't get annoying.

The main Multi-Ball forces you to make almost every major shot in the the game to get big points. (Did I mention those tight ramps are a nice challenge). They also implement Add-A-Ball really well too ... and the "Go,Go,Go,Go!" call-out on ball-adds gets me excited every time.

It might not have the deepest ruleset ... but it more than makes up for it with stellar flow, intense techno score, and intelligent scoring. Also a good candidate for LEDs. Most sci-fi games are.

For a Sega pin, this one isn't bad. The one major thing that seems to get negative attention is the lack of depth of gameplay and rules. Having to repeatedly hit the center shot over and over can get a bit repetitive, but it doesn't detract from some of the really cool shots on the table. The ramps are tons of fun and it makes this game a lot more approachable for novice players. Kids love it because of the theme. Loud jet sounds and aliens all over the place. If this machine can be had in the $1,000 to $1,500 range, I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. Especially if you have a sci-fi or movie themed game room.

Independence day is a VERY fast and fun game when properly maintained.

The Pros:
A really nice layout with multiple shots from the upper flipper and LOTS of flow. Possibly the fasted Sega pinball game ever made. It's up there with Shadow, No Fear and JM. For real. Great shots are all over this PF. Multiball is where it's at with this deck.

The Cons:
Sub-standard rules make sure that if your game lasts more than 3 minutes... you're gonna be bored. The bash the alien head toy is prone to failure after being pummeled on location. The art package looks like it was applied with mud on a stick. The sounds and dots are OK, but nothing impressive.

The Takeaway:
A entertaining and simple game based on a summer blockbuster movie from Sega... who would have guessed?

Update:
I got a chance to really session out a nicely tuned version of this game and I have to say that I like it more than I remembered. For a relatively low production #, this game (when properly maintained) is FUN! Banging the alien face can get old, but at least it isn't a huge target. The shots on the PF really come together well and many details that I originally looked over, like the eyes lighting up from under the flippers on the PF... really add to the ambiance of the deck. The lights under the alien saucer look fantastic and all the clear plastic on the ramps add a really great look to the effects when the lights catch them. The game is all about multiball and cashing in on lots of jackpoots. Hurry-ups are always fun... but multiball is where it is at! JP multipliers during regular multiball. Area 51 multiball is fun when you build up the jp value as well. However, more than anything else, this game is a great layout with lots to shoot from from all flippers. As a pure multiball skills game, it's solid. A good, solid, fun to play pinball game. Imagine that. Scores updated accordingly.

Update v2: A prime example of what happens when a great layout is spoiled by a painfully sub-standard ruleset. I really want to like this game, but the rule blow, donkeys. Did Sega test their games on location? Can the 1 way gates be removed from the top arch to keep the balls from dropping into the pops? Jets to F-15 hurryup collect? Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawnnnnnnn... Mystery programmer, where are you? We need you to write new rules for this game, STAT!

I use to own this game (for about 1 year). This is a pretty underrated game in my opinion. It is a very fast game with 3 ramps, the speed and the way the ball moves on the ramps/rails is nice. I liked the movie and so I liked the theme. The voices are from the movie so that is cool. The game is not deep at all, its more of a fast good flowing game. I think it is fun and would own again.

Very fun game! A poor man's AFM. I liked the movie a lot, so I love the theme of this game. Lots of ramps to shoot at, cool alien head to lock the balls in. I also like the virus shot, so that when the virus gets 100% loaded you get the laughing death's head, like in the movie, a great touch. The pixelated play field is a detractor though. The main dislike I had about this machine was the pop bumper area, which seemed to lack sufficient rebounds to be any kind of fun, as opposed to games I've had such as T2, and JP. Like the pops need viagra, or something. Overall I feel this game is a great game to own if you can find one in good shape.

This is one fast machine!!! I like the shot layout and the quick flowing action. This is a vastly underrated machine. Looks great in LEDs and is an exciting one to play. Pretty rare so if you see one out give it a chance and if you like fast pins you will probably love this bad boy. May not be the deepest but it is fast and furious with some really fun shots.

I don't understand why this pin gets such little love. It has many things going for it, theme, sound, shots.... I have one that is like new condition and it is really impressive. While it doesnt have the "wizard mode" so many point out, this pin is just fun. It is very similar to Elvira and the Party monsters in that your scoring comes from hitting the ramps and the jackpot. Yet Elvira is rated much higher. Truth be told, ID4 has more shots, and they are more challenging. And I have both and can tell you ID4 plays better, faster, and is visually more stunning.

This is a great pin... don't pass it by just because it has a four letter s word on the backbox.

Still trying to decide if this machine stays in the collection. I think if my machine was in better condition it might stay, but as it sits it will not stay in the collection.

Weak, weak effort by Sega on this one. Love the movie, I actually sought this one out for quite awhile....I shouldn't have bothered. Had it for a month, played probably 50 games on it and don't care to ever play it again. There are those that will rag on Sega's in general, I am not one of those as the only other one I have played is Frankenstein and I love it. Independence Day is not good pinball...

Good looking machine and well tie in with the movie. Not the deepest game though. And did i mention it plays super fast when shopped out?