Data East
Jurassic Park Pinside Rating
This game received 465 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.890 /10
Jurassic Park
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.96
Artwork: 7.634
Sounds/Music: 7.42
Other Aspects: 8.172
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 7 of us have rated this game.
Found 253 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 253 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 3 of 11.
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4.984/10
4 years ago
Naperville, IL
Don't know why I don't like this one more. Something about the playfield lay out. The T_rex multi ball function is great. The T-rex head is great. The music is decently well done. But usually into my 1st, 2nd, or 3rd game and i'm bored.
9.740/10
4 years ago
Such a killer game, don't ever let the name DATA EAST scare you away from this pin, Jurassic Park is action packed from the second you hit the start button. Lots of modes, a great skill shot by pulling the trigger on the gun to try and shoot T-Rex on the dmd screen, sound effects and music from the movie is spot on, this theme nails it in every aspect of the movie! And maybe one of, if not, the greatest toys in all of pinball, the T-REX that moves side to side and comes down to eat and swallow your ball! So cool! This is a game that suits all genres of players, and is just an all-out fun game you can enjoy with friends and family, including the kids. I played a lot of Twilight Zone, and although yes, an amazing game, I have just as much fun, if not more, than twilight zone, and that game is ranked in the top 5! I personally think Jurassic Park is way underrated, and deserves to be atleast in the top 50, if not better.
Now I'd say every pinball has something you could pick apart, and on this one, I'd have to say the cabinet is pretty plain and boring but still stays true to the Jurassic park theme, and the original lighting on the playfield is pretty weak and some upgraded LEDs is a must.. But other than that, it's a very good game that will continue to go up in value as more people come realize just how good this game is.
Now I'd say every pinball has something you could pick apart, and on this one, I'd have to say the cabinet is pretty plain and boring but still stays true to the Jurassic park theme, and the original lighting on the playfield is pretty weak and some upgraded LEDs is a must.. But other than that, it's a very good game that will continue to go up in value as more people come realize just how good this game is.
Elermore Vale
8.368/10
5 years ago
Jurassic Park is a clunky game that is loads of fun to play and one of the best games for kids.
Pros:
1. Best toy in all of pinball. Watching the T-Rex eat the ball never gets old.
2. Great layout. Complete ripoff of Whrilwind (compare the upper right quadrant)
3. Raptor kickback is a cool feature that is smoothe as butter.
4. Theme integration is excellent here.
5. Love the trigger ball launch skill shot.
6. Good integration of smart missile.
7. 6 ball multiball with auto launcher.
8. Animations are fantastic for the time, and varied.
9. Fun game. Great for kids!
10. Not everyone agrees, but the backglass is cool and I like the blinker bulbs.
11. Cabinet art is good (just a giant JP logo, but very appropriate).
12. Topper is awesome, and blinker lights are incorporated up there.
13. This pinball machine is huge! It seems like there is more room on the playfield.
Cons:
1. Very Clunky
2. Not always obvious what to shoot for (loopback combo mod can help with this)
3. Playfield artwork is busy, and a low quality print.
4. Sounds terrible, but may be par for the course for the time. The recorded audio sounds good, but the music sounds like it is coming from a cheap midi synthesizer.
5. Machine is so heavy it is actually difficult to nudge. At 325 pounds, it is 75 pounds heavier than a normal machine.
If you want a cheap(er) machine to practice on, like smoothness, and want to get better at pinball this machine is not for you, (look at a World Cup Soccer, Fish Tales, T2, etc).
If you want a machine that "looks cool" to have in a home theater, or as part of a small collection that kids will love, this is perfect. From a kids perspective, it has, 1. Dinosaurs 2. A trigger launch device 3. Great animations 4. Did I mention dinosaurs?
As I know a lot of people read these reviews when considering purchases, let me warn you that this machine is both heavier and taller than a normal machine, even without the topper. It is built like a tank at 325 pounds and is a few inches taller than a standard Bally/Williams.
All in all it is a fun game that pairs well with a flowier game. It is very stop and go.
I highly recommend this game from a coolness point of view and family friendliness, but if you are getting 1 machine for your basement to get better at pinball, there are better options out there.
Pros:
1. Best toy in all of pinball. Watching the T-Rex eat the ball never gets old.
2. Great layout. Complete ripoff of Whrilwind (compare the upper right quadrant)
3. Raptor kickback is a cool feature that is smoothe as butter.
4. Theme integration is excellent here.
5. Love the trigger ball launch skill shot.
6. Good integration of smart missile.
7. 6 ball multiball with auto launcher.
8. Animations are fantastic for the time, and varied.
9. Fun game. Great for kids!
10. Not everyone agrees, but the backglass is cool and I like the blinker bulbs.
11. Cabinet art is good (just a giant JP logo, but very appropriate).
12. Topper is awesome, and blinker lights are incorporated up there.
13. This pinball machine is huge! It seems like there is more room on the playfield.
Cons:
1. Very Clunky
2. Not always obvious what to shoot for (loopback combo mod can help with this)
3. Playfield artwork is busy, and a low quality print.
4. Sounds terrible, but may be par for the course for the time. The recorded audio sounds good, but the music sounds like it is coming from a cheap midi synthesizer.
5. Machine is so heavy it is actually difficult to nudge. At 325 pounds, it is 75 pounds heavier than a normal machine.
If you want a cheap(er) machine to practice on, like smoothness, and want to get better at pinball this machine is not for you, (look at a World Cup Soccer, Fish Tales, T2, etc).
If you want a machine that "looks cool" to have in a home theater, or as part of a small collection that kids will love, this is perfect. From a kids perspective, it has, 1. Dinosaurs 2. A trigger launch device 3. Great animations 4. Did I mention dinosaurs?
As I know a lot of people read these reviews when considering purchases, let me warn you that this machine is both heavier and taller than a normal machine, even without the topper. It is built like a tank at 325 pounds and is a few inches taller than a standard Bally/Williams.
All in all it is a fun game that pairs well with a flowier game. It is very stop and go.
I highly recommend this game from a coolness point of view and family friendliness, but if you are getting 1 machine for your basement to get better at pinball, there are better options out there.
7.480/10
5 years ago
The first Data East pin I ever owned. This is a good game. Considering the era, early 90's, and Data East not being the powerhouse that Bally and Williams were at that time, this is a very nice machine. The playfield artwork is my only real complaint. The theme is excellent, and I have hoped for years that someone would make a new JP pin. I still do. Until then, this is a very playable machine, with one of the best gimmicks/toys ever - the ball-eating T-Rex. He always ate the balls perfectly on my machine, and it's always fun to see. This would be a very expensive feature on a modern Stern machine, I would think. The rules are fairly simple - 10 or so modes with various shots and goals - Feed the T-Rex, Electric Fence, Bone Busting, etc. It has a 2-ball multiball and a main 3-ball multiball. The game also features a special smart missile button on the ball-launcher gun which you can use anytime during your game, but only once. It's often saved until your 3rd ball, then employed to start 3-ball MB. The cabinet itself is just black with the JP logo. Simple, but attractive. The original translite features the big T-Rex, but also a bunch of photoshopped people and smaller dinosaurs beneath him. It's not great. There are fantastic alternate translites for $100 or so.
This pin is REALLY fun to mod. The powered gate that opens is just awesome, although it only opens during one mode (Bone Busting) and the Wizard Mode. So it's not heavily employed. It has a captive ball you can replace with a white ceramic "egg" ball. Add a powered external sub speaker and the sound booms. The music is very familiar, but not exceptionally high in sound quality. Still very immersive when you crank it up! The playfield art is laughably sloppy. Literally looks like an 8th grade art student drew it. I've seen bad (Indiana Jones Pinball Adventure, Tales from the Crypt, etc.) but this one takes the cake. But that's the only real negative. The game is fun to shoot, with lots to do. 3 scoops, 2 orbits/loops, 3 flippers, a cool ramp with diverter, a very dangerous kickback shot right up the middle (the raptor shot), and more. And, of course, T-Rex looming over everything, waiting to swallow your ball!
I enjoy this game very much. It has its pros and cons, but if Stern, or Chicago Gaming, announced a remake of this pin, exactly the way it is now, I would be excited to play it and probably own it.
This pin is REALLY fun to mod. The powered gate that opens is just awesome, although it only opens during one mode (Bone Busting) and the Wizard Mode. So it's not heavily employed. It has a captive ball you can replace with a white ceramic "egg" ball. Add a powered external sub speaker and the sound booms. The music is very familiar, but not exceptionally high in sound quality. Still very immersive when you crank it up! The playfield art is laughably sloppy. Literally looks like an 8th grade art student drew it. I've seen bad (Indiana Jones Pinball Adventure, Tales from the Crypt, etc.) but this one takes the cake. But that's the only real negative. The game is fun to shoot, with lots to do. 3 scoops, 2 orbits/loops, 3 flippers, a cool ramp with diverter, a very dangerous kickback shot right up the middle (the raptor shot), and more. And, of course, T-Rex looming over everything, waiting to swallow your ball!
I enjoy this game very much. It has its pros and cons, but if Stern, or Chicago Gaming, announced a remake of this pin, exactly the way it is now, I would be excited to play it and probably own it.
6.384/10
5 years ago
Call me crazy but I just do not like this game. It feels clunky as hell and the shot placement feels insufferably awkward. The raptor pit is one of the rudest features in of pinball as it just rockets your ball straight down the middle into oblivion nearly everytime. The sound package is annoying and just has that low fidelity DE tin can quality. Backglass looks cheap. It’s well themed but I wouldn’t ever consider owning one and I am definitely a fan of Jurassic Park. If we’re talking Michael Crighton related pins I would skip this for Congo any day of the week.
7.668/10
5 years ago
Took me awhile to like this game. After many hours I now know the flow of the game and like it very much. This game is a catch the ball and make the shot type of game. Alot of different multiballs. Game must be leveled and new flippers to be fun. The flow in this game is different then most due to lack of ramps. Great game
Boucherville, QC
8.208/10
5 years ago
This was the pinball machine that got me into pinball. It is always going to be a classic in my book, and the TREX eating the ball is always great fun. The pin isn't super challenging, but can at times be a bit frustrating with some of the shots. But the rule set is simple and once you know it, you can usually get some nice scores and longer games pretty regularly. I will say the 6 ball multiball is awesome.
7.964/10
5 years ago
Almere
Great machine, sure the art is just bad... And boring.. But the gimmicks and overall fun just makes it a very interesting pin.
Update after playing it a while....
Art is just par.. But playing it a while it has grown on me even more.
After updating to the 6.00 version it just made more sense to me. Great game.
Update after playing it a while....
Art is just par.. But playing it a while it has grown on me even more.
After updating to the 6.00 version it just made more sense to me. Great game.
9.076/10
5 years ago
What a great addition to my collection. Such an underrated game. I never thought I would own a Data East table, but I am sure glad I do. Everyone who visits us loves it. The theme is fabulous and the sound track and lighting really get you going, an immersive game that keeps you coming back for more and more and more... Definitely has that 'one more game' feel. Kids love the T-rex toy and the DMD animations. The only weak side is the art package, but the game play/music and fun factor more than make up for it. Definitely a keeper for me.
7.684/10
5 years ago
It's really hard to beat the theme, especially when there were a lot of ho hum titles at the time, like Demolition Man, Congo, Lethal Weapon 3, etc. Jurassic Park as a theme? Epic.
Truth of the matter is, if the brand was Williams/Bally, the game would be priced at $6,000+, but it would also be a different design, different code, different music, all arguably better on all fronts.
However, Data East did a good job overall with this game, despite borrowing the playfield design from Whirlwind and the rules from Addams Family.
The cabinet is great, it looks like the movie poster, so no complaints there. The playfield has pretty good art, it's busy with great color. The shots are a lot of fun, there are looping opportunities, (they are tough to pull off) though they feel great when you do. Animations are decent, nothing crazy imo. Data East recycled sounds are a weak point, they always used chaotic music and sounds, and this is a stale point with the pin.
With all that said, the ChadH code really polishes the game off nicely, not only making it harder, but more fun to play. One of my favorite things is shooting the ramp to build the T-REX Bounty, which you can get built up pretty good! and then cash it out and watch the T- Rex eat the ball.
Modes feel more diverse, and scoring is earned within those modes, making the game a solid challenge to not only get to system shut down, but a good score. Some really fine play is achieved when you get into Tri Ball, hit the jackpot and then use your smart missile, then getting all the chaos letters in multiball, to light 50 million at the T-REX- but it doesn't end there. There are big jackpots to collect at the loop and the ramp, in the unheard of and unlikely scenario that you have all 6 balls on the playfield at that point, there would be 600 million to collect at the ramp and loop! (1.2 billion!- 100 million for each ball in play)
Bottom line, it's a very good game. It gets a bad knock because it's Data East, but truth be told they did a good job with this pin overall, and the original codes shortcomings have since been corrected to reveal a very rich playing experience. It really doesn't get more epic for a pinball theme beyond Jurassic Park. I remember when I first saw this pin back around when the movie came out, and I was just in awe of the thought of owning a game like this, it was really something! A great Classic!
Truth of the matter is, if the brand was Williams/Bally, the game would be priced at $6,000+, but it would also be a different design, different code, different music, all arguably better on all fronts.
However, Data East did a good job overall with this game, despite borrowing the playfield design from Whirlwind and the rules from Addams Family.
The cabinet is great, it looks like the movie poster, so no complaints there. The playfield has pretty good art, it's busy with great color. The shots are a lot of fun, there are looping opportunities, (they are tough to pull off) though they feel great when you do. Animations are decent, nothing crazy imo. Data East recycled sounds are a weak point, they always used chaotic music and sounds, and this is a stale point with the pin.
With all that said, the ChadH code really polishes the game off nicely, not only making it harder, but more fun to play. One of my favorite things is shooting the ramp to build the T-REX Bounty, which you can get built up pretty good! and then cash it out and watch the T- Rex eat the ball.
Modes feel more diverse, and scoring is earned within those modes, making the game a solid challenge to not only get to system shut down, but a good score. Some really fine play is achieved when you get into Tri Ball, hit the jackpot and then use your smart missile, then getting all the chaos letters in multiball, to light 50 million at the T-REX- but it doesn't end there. There are big jackpots to collect at the loop and the ramp, in the unheard of and unlikely scenario that you have all 6 balls on the playfield at that point, there would be 600 million to collect at the ramp and loop! (1.2 billion!- 100 million for each ball in play)
Bottom line, it's a very good game. It gets a bad knock because it's Data East, but truth be told they did a good job with this pin overall, and the original codes shortcomings have since been corrected to reveal a very rich playing experience. It really doesn't get more epic for a pinball theme beyond Jurassic Park. I remember when I first saw this pin back around when the movie came out, and I was just in awe of the thought of owning a game like this, it was really something! A great Classic!
7.899/10
5 years ago
Adore this game.finally got one after looking for over a year and I must say it has that just one more game feeling.and if you can't go wrong with a ball eating TREX .I just wish winteriscoming would make more updated t rex mods and mine would be a 10.musy have for any collection big or small trust me
8.036/10
6 years ago
I enjoy this game and still play it on a regular basis .Sides piss me off a lot but still keep coming back for more .
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