Pinside rating

This game received 159 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.949 _/10

7.949

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #82 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.141

Artwork: 7.462

Sounds/Music: 7.695

Other Aspects: 8.016

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 3 of us have rated this game.

7.979

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Found 77 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 77 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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8.864/10

68 days ago

???

Pinchild

Pinside member

Eagle, ID

3y 50,550 565 20 36

Wow what a steep ramp.

This is an absolute pleasure to play uniquely different from many pinballs.Knocker add on is cool.
Will keep longer than most.

Pinchild currently owns this game.

8.324/10

4 months ago

???

Many people hate this game but even though the artwork is somewhat weird (some would say ugly) i find it fun and original. It's so refreshing from time to time to have something different from licensed games. The soundtrack fits the theme and the callouts with the fake german accent and somewhat raunchy humour at times are excellent. The game is fun to play with interesting and challenging shots plus some interesting innovations in the use of magnets or the "drunken" mode where your flippers are delayed when pressing the buttons just like you would have a lack of reflexes being under influence. Epic !

3 Pinsiders starred this!

9.000/10

10 months ago

JMO

PinDaddyDrain

Pinside member

Unknown

1y 25,500 1 54

This is such a fun table! The rollercoaster, the bumper cars, the beer!

7.331/10

10 months ago

WXW

Lawlor_and_Order

Pinball 518

5y 81,400 38 109

I have finally gotten a chance to play this game in extended sessions, and I'm going to call it a great miss.

There's a lot to like here. The fun wire forms, the incredible array of shots, the solid feel to the whole thing, the unusual original theme, the variety of things to go for.

But there's a couple of fatal flaws here that keep it from being an actual want-to-own machine and a few that make me want to limit my playing time, despite the fact I kind of like the whole thing as a package.

The first is the insane side ramp, discussed much elsewhere. I have never, not once, managed to get the ball up this thing. I don't mind hard shots; absolutely physically impossible shots, they look like cigarette burns in the Mona Lisa. I mean, great picture, but there's a burning hole in the middle of it, and it gets distracting and finally takes over your whole experience of the thing.

Related but equally tragic: the Rollergames like magnet/stop at the spinner just above the side flipper, perhaps put in to help make the impossible shot possible? I don't know, since it doesn't help. But what it does do is kill flow all too often.

Then the mode choice - it's great that you can pick any mode, including doing more than one at once, but OTOH not having this auto-picked is also a flow killer. You have to page through the list of modes and select one, and there's no enforced diversity here, and this is also at the cost of tempo and flow.

I still have a sneaking admiration for American here in trying to break the typical design mold, and the clever mechanicals and things like the unusually nice curved standup banks on the lower playfield (which add elegant arcs to balls I haven't see anywhere outside of early 80s widebodies, which were too slow) create a really nice array of shots and pleasing ball play.

Until you get to the point of the stop and go magnet and the impossible hill and taking five minutes to pick a mode, and it just gets a little depressing.

A- for concept; B for effort; C for playtesting feedback loop.

9.600/10

11 months ago

WIZ

wizard1

Pinside member

Burgdorf

13y 51,150 25 46 32

Prototyp backglass is so much better, but overall it‘s so funny

wizard1 currently owns this game.

8.004/10

12 months ago

CJK

ChrisPINk25

Pinside+ Frequent

4y 67,150 729 10

After learning the basics of how ducks, food and steins multiply scores the opportunity score big opens up! It is not just the two main multi-balls.

8.812/10

1 year ago

???

Pizzaman13

Pinside member

Bethesda, MD

3y 39,800 187 12

Not your run of the mill, flowing pin game play but what a captivating game. Games upon games within one pinball machine. The game play never gets old or repetitive. So many different ways to play and score.

I’m not one for deep rule sets. This game manages to throw a lot at you but as I player I’m never confused as to what to do next.

Is the theme a little kitschy? Yup, it sure is. But it’s so much fun.
Tough ramps? Yup, sure are. But how rewarding when you make them.

AP makes an incredible, solid as a rock machine. And if anything does go wrong or if you have nothing more than a question, their customer service is second to none. They respond quickly, call if they have to and are always active on Pinside with assistance and suggestions.

Love having this game in my collection.

7 Pinsiders starred this!

7.070/10

1 year ago

MJW

DakotaMike

Mike's Pinball Repair

Beresford, SD

2y 90,800 1,846 1 26

NOT A GOOD LOCATION GAME--AVOID IF ROUTING

What can I say about Oktoberfest? It's got a lot of positives, but ultimately I would say that the game is a miss. It never clicked with me, even though I really tried to like it. I actually enjoy the festival/carnival/beer theme, but just don't have a lot of fun playing Oktoberfest.

The game isn't particularly fun to shoot, and while I like the freedom of choice in the rules, I'm never really pulled in or heavily invested while playing. I do really like the physical knocker integration--it's a lot of fun when it goes off for bumper cars or duck hunting. That's honestly probably my highlight. While Okfst is certainly not a bad game at all, it's not really something that I would ever own again, or probably even play again on location.

Speaking of location, this game is a router's nightmare! I'm a hobbyist router with a couple games at a local arcade, and Okfst by far gave me the most headaches of any game. The software is sorta buggy, with occasional freezes and lag. Which isn't a big deal at home, but on location if someone puts money in and the game locks up mid-game, that's a problem. AP also doesn't have any game adjustments for disabling mechs/features. This is a huge, huge problem, as I had a lot of trouble with the ball locks, and there's no way to disable them and switch to a notional/code lock. If you need new lock switches (proprietary), then all you can do is turn the game off until new ones come in the mail. Compare this to my Stern Beatles, where almost every single mech/target bank/feature can be disabled in the software, while still keeping the game playable.

Plus, Oktoberfest doesn't even have pricing card slots. I literally had to tape in a pricing card to the apron. Also, the DBA pinout was wrong from the factory, and the service bulletin to correct the mistake was also wrong! I had to get my meter and punch-tool out and re-pin the DBA connector manually. Not hard, but certainly annoying. Speaking of annoyances, it literally takes something like 5 mins for the game to turn on. You can switch the game on, and then go make a cup of coffee before it's ready to play. More annoying than you'd think. Particularly if the game is acting up and you need to restart it.

So sadly, even though it's not awful, I'd say give Oktoberfest a miss. I will add one last positive, which is that AP's staff are very responsive. They're frequently on Pinside, and AP's Tech Support is very good.

DakotaMike edited previous rating on December 02, 2021.
DakotaMike has owned this game in the past.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.084/10

1 year ago

JEF

bossk4hire

Pinside+ Member

6y 51,550 382 21

Just picked this up yesterday and have really been enjoying it. It's a fun theme and the call outs are hilarious! The corkscrew ball lock and then multiball is a lot of fun, great light show. The shots are a lot of fun and satisfying. It's a low scoring game so for those spoiled with an easy billion on many games will be disappointed. It's a bit slower than most games but then surprises you when the magnets grab the ball and slings it. Love the center post.

bossk4hire edited previous rating on September 15, 2021.

3 Pinsiders starred this!

6.796/10

1 year ago

EJH

ehex9

Pinside member

Saint Albans Town, VT

2y 44,500 1 8 178

Played this a few times on location. It was ok!

3 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.292/10

1 year ago

SKL

Scoot

Pinside+ Frequent

Highgate, VT

4y 88,050 1,035 11 15

Boy do I love this game! If you are looking for a game with great flow, you are reading the wrong review. This game is all about accurate shot making. If you are up to the challenge, then you will be rewarded with some of the best gameplay you can possibly have in a pinball machine. This game is loaded with so much fun I don't know where to begin. Scoops, vuks, magnets, toys, leds, ramps, drop targets, shaker motor, knocker, spinners... you name it this machine has it. But it's not put together hap hazardly. This pin has a great layout, with open shots and tight ones too. It also has some of the best rules and coding that I have ever experienced. And with over 16 game modes, two different physical lock multiballs, and a guy named Otto, there is enough gameplay to last a lifetime. I have owned this pin for a few months and every day I want to explore this pin more and more. Yes the theme is about beer and boobs, which will definitely turn off a few people but if that is not a concern, then you need to play this game now. And I have to say, American Pinball has the best customer service I have experienced. Other companies should take note. I am going to finish this review now and go play another game. If you will excuse me...PROST!

Scoot edited previous rating on May 11, 2021.
Scoot currently owns this game.

4 Pinsiders starred this!

8.352/10

1 year ago

DAN

Wizkid93

Pinside member

1y 37,650 56 2 7

Honestly this is a game I seem to keep coming back to at shows or in the wild, I aspire to own one someday, lots of steins to collect, challenging beer lock, modes are pretty fun, and I don't think anyone can do a better game with same theme.
Marvelous game.

Wizkid93 has this game on the wishlist.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

9.040/10

1 year ago

LAU

chatplume51

Pinside member

Chalons En Champagne

8y 30,300 105 3 19

this game is so fun !!
it's a very different game i love that,it's very surprising with touches of humour well found.
It 's not a hard play so you can keep on playing and there so much tings to do that pleasure is here.
Thanks for that American pinball

9.180/10

1 year ago

CAH

ReadyPO

Pinside+ Frequent

4y 168K 3,994 113

This game is very deep with a lot of modes and things to explore. It is all in on the theme, I always enjoy playing it. I think it would be more fun at home in a quieter environment, and if $$ was no object... But it is and you have to trade off between a deep pin with an unlicensed them, or a licensed theme that is recognizable and fast playing. Build quality is great, and American Pinball is engaged with its customer base with good support and frequent code (and hardware) updates. Will probably end up with this pin at sometime, maybe after I master Houdini...

3 Pinsiders starred this!

9.458/10

1 year ago

???

alexander5815

Pinside member

Wien

2y 21,500 41

extremely underrated pin. so many challenges and good ideas in this machine. ramps, nice shots, the rollercoaster, and so much more. a lot of pinball for a fair price. i love all the API pins! the flow is also quite good. i think the theming makes people a little bit sceptic. definitely a keeper!

4 Pinsiders starred this!

8.604/10

1 year ago

GNS

GNStevens

Pinside member

Munster, IN

1y 24,650 1 5 16

Very entertaining! Makes me want a pint of pilsner every time I see the artwork!

9.640/10

1 year ago

TNT

TNTpin

Pinside member

1y 17,900 4 11

Recommended game, not sure I understand why it's ranked where it is(think it should be higher). it has lots to enjoy with the different tents (games), some very challenging, but it drives you to want to come back. The quality of the game has been great since owning it and AP customer support fantastic. Having Fun with Oktoberfest! - Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Hoi Hoi Hoi

TNTpin edited previous rating on January 26, 2021.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.488/10

1 year ago

MAH

PinsMH

Pinside member

Media, PA

2y 21,250 1 15

was short on time so it was quick - would like to play this one some more

7.843/10

1 year ago

CB

Broohaha

Pinside member

4y 37,800 111 7

I feel this is a game that I need a LOT more time with. I've only played on location: less than 20 plays. You can definitely shoot around and make progress, but I didn't find it intiuitive. I love the theme. I love German beer. I should like this game more than I do... Artwork seems mixed between live models and artwork. I'll update when I get some more time on it.

8.824/10

1 year ago

CHW

Graal33

Pinside member

2y 15,750 6

Oktoberfest was my second Pinball from American Pinball. After I bought Houdini and was really incredibly enthusiastic about this Pinball, I wanted to have an Oktoberfest too.

I personally like the Oktoberfest theme. I think many people don't really like the theme, which can be a problem. Oktoberfest is a very good pin.

The different tent mission are genius! Every mission is very well done. The missions really make sense and were thought up and programmed with great love!
The different multiballs are also great! The playfield is very nice and there are a lot of shots on it!

I also love the idea with the steins as power ups! This makes the gameplay really interesting and tactical!

I personally enjoy the music. It fits the theme and really lets you dive into the Oktoberfest feeling.

What I miss at the Oktoberfest and what makes Houdini and Hot Wheels so unique is the variety.

I have super mission and multiballs and then there is the food stand but that's it. At Houdini there is the mission, prison breaks, combo mission, multiballs. Hot wheels has monster battles, epic features, multiballs, car collections, the race.

I always have the feeling at Oktoberfest I can only play the mission and multiballs. There is nothing else to do like collecting something or combo missions or whatever :)

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.012/10

1 year ago

DID

didier64

Inactive member

Donneloye

2y 7,000 62

sympa mais un peu grossier dans sa conception

9.320/10

1 year ago

OPA

Filimurz

Pinside+ Frequent

Eden, UT

2y 29,050 30 3 6

Since the 20.09.23 update most of the annoying niggles to this game have been resolved. It has so many different ways to score points, including a “one handed play” option that keep you hanging on for just one more game. Tech support from American Pinball is world class and the quality of build and artwork make Oktoberfest a keeper.

Filimurz currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

9.480/10

1 year ago

MAC

Martyac

Pinside member

13y 25,500 5 20

Personally I feel you should not rate a game that you haven't put at least 100+ games on. It takes a while to really understand the game play and the ruleset of a game. Nothing annoys me more than someone who rates a game after playing it a couple of times on location....

Let me first state, I own this pin, I love the artwork, I love the use of the knocker throughout the game play. (shooting ducks).
This game shoots well, is super smooth, has awesome ramps, sounds fantastic with the 6.1 sound system.
Here in Australia we celebrate Oktoberfest (think a of a carnival with lots of beer, food and music) and I feel this pinball machine captures the feel perfectly.

I think the Oktoberfest pinball machine gets a bad wrap due to people not knowing much about Oktoberfest in general. Considering the low build numbers, the quality of the game play and the fact I love the artwork leads me to believe this machine will be in my collection for a long time to come.
BTW buying this pin NIB it came with a glass stein! Suits the game beautifully...

9 Pinsiders starred this!

7.337/10

1 year ago

RAP

RyanStl

Pinside member

Fenton, MO

7y 95,300 3,101 1 93

I had problems with this game. The game play was slow and it had shots I just could not seem to hit. The games I play are always on free play, and I didn't really want to spend much time on this one. I love beer and hoped for something better.

Update: I tried this game again and the layout looks to be right up my alley. I should love this game. I figured out what bugs me so much about this game. It's just slow. You hit the skill shot and you are just waiting to get the ball back. This wait just keeps happening. Also, I wonder that the thought was behind the face of the woman on the translight. She reminds me of the foreign lady that was in Dodgeball.

RyanStl edited previous rating on November 11, 2020.

9.400/10

1 year ago

MWP

FtrMech

Pinside+ Member

Liberty Township, OH

9y 74,300 422 17 16

So, my first impression of Oktoberfest is I like it, I like it a lot...it provides a great deal of fun and I am really enjoying this title. The build quality is superb, the code is deep with lots to do...API made it simple to understand what to shoot for by giving a detailed description prior to the start of each mode coupled with a decent delay before starting to allow time to understand what is going on. 3 flippers add to the fun...I am really enjoying the "Bier-Barrel" multi-ball and magnet action...a very makeable shot not unlike the the Warp Ramp shot on Stern Star Trek or Williams Next Generation. The rollercoaster multi-ball is cool with its shaker motor integration and timed release of each the 3 balls down the Corkscrew wire-form. I do have one criticism, that upper left pop-bumper gets a beating from a fast ball coming from the left flipper...not sure if this was mentioned before...those pop-bumper skirts/mechs aren't really designed for straight on shots so this will be an item to keep an eye for periodic maintenance. Although Oktoberfest, the event, seems pretty much focused on the beer, it is also about music...there is so much Oktoberfest music out there, it would have been nice to add some of that to this machine...no doubt a licensing issue but the background music for this title could use a bit more variation. Anyway, for me, as it stands...this game is a keeper...maybe it is the newness factor but I find myself playing Oktoberfest much more than my Elvira HOH...(another outstanding game). Given this, I reserve the right to update my my above comments as I get more time on this game. Congrats API, I know I am late to the show but I wish to commend you on another outstanding pinball machine.

FtrMech edited previous rating on December 04, 2020.
FtrMech currently owns this game.

7 Pinsiders starred this!

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