Stern

Metallica (Premium)

Pinside Rating

This game received 629 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.684 _/10

8.684

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks 1st in the game group "Metallica". The group itself ranks #16 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.673

Artwork: 8.619

Sounds/Music: 8.508

Other Aspects: 8.71

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 6 of us have rated this game.

9.049

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This title is part of group: "Metallica"

Metallica
(Pro)

Metallica
(Premium)

Metallica Master of Puppets
(LE)

Found 333 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 333 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 6 of 14.

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10.000/10

7 years ago

PTE

WizWiggy

Inactive member

Concord, CA

7y 57,400 101 5 9

When I first heard of Metallica pinball, I was excited....big time. Being a huge Metallica fan for 25 years and a pinball fan for even longer, the expectations were big.

When I first got the opportunity to play the game, over 2 years ago, I wasn't immediately hooked. Early code and a snake spitting SDTM were big issues.

Fast forward 2+ years and things have changed. After experiencing the code changes, and playing on a few different Premiums and Pros, this is my all time favorite. If you play on a dialed in Premium/LE , no doubt it's better than the PRO, and the light show is a huge difference why.

The Borg/Lyman combo is something special, TWD is very high up in my rankings as well, you gotta love a game where there's a steep learning curve, but that learning experience pays off incrementally the more you play.

Long story short, TZ was going to be my first pin purchase without a doubt, but Metallica stole it!! Happy new owner for a month, Cheers

WizWiggy currently owns this game.

4 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.700/10

7 years ago

DAD

dlmunch

Pinside member

10y 29,250 1 5 8

Fast play. Superb call outs. FOUR cool toys. Mix of easy/challenging multi-ball modes. Truly one of the great games to play over and over.

dlmunch currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.220/10

7 years ago

???

Nikonokin

Inactive member

Grand Rapids, MI

9y 46,050 268 6 9

I don't even like Metallica, the pin is so damn good it doesn't matter. Fun, interactive, and I love the sound of the ball riding those steel ramps, super satisfying. Prob Stern's best music pin, and definitely one of Stern's best pins ever. Every time I see one in the wild, I've gotta play it.

9.440/10

7 years ago

VNO

Vino

Pinside+ Addict

8y 168K 6,152 59 3

After nearly 2 years off playing a route one finally get a first Stern as this code developed. Couldn't take it anymore ...A-mazing ....and went all in with a PREM. Personally value the lights and hammer.
Excellent pinball machine. Hard to argue as one of Sterns best -great balance and ruleset something for everyone. Newb can bash, and more established players can venture
deeper toward EOTL.
I suppose you could nitpick aspects like cab side art (could have been detailed like the brilliant DD playfield or translite) or nitpick the band theme overall- but frankly it's trivial vs great pinball.
At this stage MET is just a flat out keeper.

*edit for recent 1.8 code which rounds it to classic status as more of game is exposed to a variety of skill levels.

Vino edited previous rating on November 22, 2018.

9.960/10

7 years ago

SAM

Samerica

Inactive member

7y 19,650 11 6

This is by far one of the best pinball games I have ever played! So much fun! Love the music, the flashing lights, the challenges and oh yeah different MULTIBALLS!! Grave! Sparky! Coffin! Snake! Crank It Up rocks too!.
I first played this game at a friends house and fell in love with it. I was blown away by it. It was so much fun I saved up the money for 6 months and now own one myself.
When people come over they love playing it as well, everyone has a great time on this pin. A really fun game for everyone!

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.630/10

7 years ago

CSJ

pcprogrammer

Pinside member

7y 102K 2,368 35 1

This game is a blast to play. Gets your adrenaline going.

pcprogrammer edited previous rating on December 29, 2021.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.272/10

7 years ago

MIK

bonzo442

Pinside+ Frequent

Naples, FL

14y 74,550 985 6 18

This game hits on all cylinders and really gets the blood pumping. I thought about the pro but glad I got the premium. I think all the differences between the two are minor except for the lighting which alone makes the prem worth it.

bonzo442 edited previous rating on January 30, 2018.
bonzo442 has owned this game in the past.

8.530/10

7 years ago

TOE

zappedhavok

Inactive member

Warrington

11y 18,250 1 34

Very lucky that my local arcade has this pin on location played it loads and love it more and more each time. Cool how the hammer bangs the pinball into the coffin under the playfield love beating up on sparky, the only drawback for me is i'm not a metallica fan but who cares it's still a top machine.

8.768/10

7 years ago

JJH

JJHLH

Inactive member

Fort Worth, TX

8y 67,300 664 2 8

I'm not a huge fan of the band, but their music is growing on me after playing this game. This machine has a lot going for it: fun layout, beautiful hand drawn art by Dirty Donnie, rocking music, and deep gameplay.

This may be John Borg's best design. The hammer ball lock is super cool. I always prefer physical ball locks to virtual ball locks since the balls exit the scoop as opposed to the shooter lane. Some people say the hammer partially blocks their view of the upper playfield, but I haven't found that to be the case. The in-line drop targets are reminiscent of something that might be found on an EM game, which is a good thing. It's a nice blend of old and new. A big part of pinball is the tradition, and celebrating that is always appreciated. Sparky has to be one of the coolest toys in pinball. I like games with magnets and this game has 3!

Lyman Sheets did a masterful job with the code. He apparently has a deep affection for this game and it shows with his work on it. Lots of different multiballs available: Cross, Sparky, Coffin, Snake. Crank It Up modes are very rewarding.

It's easy to see why this game is so highly rated.

JJHLH edited previous rating on April 29, 2017.

9.676/10

7 years ago

BOZ

Blakester

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 84,550 449 55

The ABSOLUTE BEST pin for a party scene--the opportunity for each player to choose his/her music, the light shows, sounds of Sparky and the Hammer, plentiful multi-balls all add translate into OUTRAGEOUS fun! It's certainly fun playing solo, but the more the merrier. (Note that I was not into Metallica at all--didn't even consider this pin because of the theme. That'll change too!).

Blakester edited previous rating on May 05, 2020.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

8.520/10

7 years ago

FAD

DrDQ

Pinside member

Easton, PA

7y 67,550 273 6 31

Fun game to play. Many rewarding shots that tie in very well to the music and theme.
Very cool ramps and Lots of toys; Magnet Hammer, Electric Chair Sparky, Snake grab and shoot back..

DrDQ edited previous rating on November 18, 2018.
DrDQ has this game on the wishlist.

9.136/10

7 years ago

HAR

daveremixed

Pinside member

Portland, OR

8y 21,250 1 2 10

This is a great pinball machine with a nice ruleset, and if you like Metallica, its awesome. If you like old school Metallica but you think that they have sold out and Lars is a little bitch, it's still pretty damn good, and even a few tunes from before Jason Newstead took over bass.

9.298/10

7 years ago

PAV

PavBall

Pinside member

Lake Charles, LA

9y 75,300 460 79

A great game but it does show its age a bit now compared Stern’s more recent offerings.

PavBall edited previous rating on April 17, 2022.

9.660/10

7 years ago

DLE

ILMPINZARD

Backyard Arcade

Hampstead, NC

7y 38,050 1 16 10

I have played many different Pro versions, but I got a chance to play a premium version and now this is the version I want to own. I enjoy the hammer and underplayfield coffin ball lock. It adds alot to the playability of a already great pin. Can't wait to add it to my collection.

7.621/10

7 years ago

PSG

PeterG

Pinside member

8y 88,300 2,144 65

The rockstar theme is not my thing but I like this game. Sparky is a great toy and the snake head looks good. The multiball modes are great. There is some great flow in the machine. Nice machine, i like to play it. Just not for my home.

8.280/10

7 years ago

DJB

delt31

Pinside+ Frequent

Pittsburgh, PA

8y 159K 12,579 13 7 1

Blown away by how fun this game is to play. I owned a pro and switched to premium b/c I really didn't like the virtual lock and wanted the light show. The updates to premium really do feel like the complete package. It's become one of my favorite pins. So much to shoot for and keeps you engaged throughout - just a very fun pin.

delt31 edited previous rating on April 22, 2023.
delt31 has owned this game in the past.

8.633/10

7 years ago

BW

KingBW

Pinside+ Frequent

8y 116K 3,143 102 1

See my MET pro comments. I like this one a bit better because of the added hammer gimmick ball lock. I would play this game every time on location. It may get old after a few months as a home pin, but I still like this one a lot ... especially if you find one with all the good mods installed. Mods definitely add some more fun and excitement to this pin.

KingBW edited previous rating on August 29, 2017.

7.824/10

7 years ago

KNT

Coindork

Pinside member

Cave Creek, AZ

7y 147K 4,623 20 74

There are things I really like about this pin and things I find totally annoying about it.
Seems a little overdone and too gimmicky.
Fun to play, but would never own it.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.504/10

7 years ago

MJS

Matesamo

PinballRI

Warwick, RI

7y 117K 1,292 112 1

Just an excellent game, I play it every time I see it. Everything screams Metallica and comes from their entire career from the crosses of Master of Puppets to the Fuel callouts, it is a fans dream come true.

Matesamo edited previous rating on September 28, 2016.

8.700/10

7 years ago

ROB

Guinnesstime

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 133K 5,876 20

You have to love a machine that lets you play it however you want to try to get to wizard modes, then turns the tables on you, and makes you play it the way IT wants you too. This is Metallica.

Multiballs galore: Sparky, Gravemarker, Snake and Coffin. Great toys (must like bash toys though), and a fast but fair table with great rules.

It can take a while to get to Crank It Up modes, but when you're there the feeling of completing them, trying to get the play field doubler active and then cashing in? There's maybe no better rush in pinball.

8.780/10

7 years ago

IVO

outlane

Inactive member

Zürich

7y 15,250 64 8

The early software was awfull, but today it is a very cool game, I think the best of all the Stern music-themed pins.

outlane currently owns this game.

9.000/10

7 years ago

MEH

ThePinballCo-op

The Pinball Co-op

9y 115K 1,752 40

I love this machine. I wish I owned it. I'm not even a huge Metallica fan. It's challenging without being impossible. It has some awesome gadgets. It's lit up well, the sounds are great, but sometimes I find them too repetitive.

ThePinballCo-op edited previous rating on November 23, 2020.

9.820/10

7 years ago

JON

Blacksun

Pinside member

Mokena, IL

7y 76,300 570 7 10

Just received my Metallica Premium and couldn't be happier. I was going back and forth between the Pro or Premium and SOOO GLAD I went with the premium. Game is a TON of fun and almost overwhelming with stuff going on!!! Theme, sound effects and of course music are incredible. If you are on the fence about picking this machine up, Jump off and go grab one, you WON'T be disappointed!!!

Blacksun currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.860/10

7 years ago

AJB

AJB4

Pinside member

9y 93,550 793 7 37

Great art, great theme, great shots, great rules, great music, great callouts. What else needs to be said. Borg hit a home run - clearly a crowning achievement in his great career. Only negative---> it's not appropriate for a household with young kids...

AJB4 edited previous rating on December 12, 2017.
AJB4 has owned this game in the past.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.584/10

7 years ago

JIM

Dkjimbo

Pinside member

Matthews, NC

8y 55,800 1,110 3 33

Amazing game! Not much to say that hasn't already been said. This game is top 3 overall and top 2 ever made by stern in my opinion. Excellent layout and flow, perfect implementation of theme, great challenge, about as near perfect as a game can get

Dkjimbo has owned this game in the past.

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There are 333 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 6 of 14.

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