Oktoberfest

Pinside rating

This game received 185 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.880 /10

7.88

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #105 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.



Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.035

Artwork: 7.433

Sounds/Music: 7.582

Other Aspects: 7.938


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 99 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 99 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 3 of 4.

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5.998/10
4 years ago
Wanted to like it. Theme a bit corny to me. Flow not great. Ramp shots seem unusually difficult, although that may have been a problem with game setup. The art on this and Houdini are nice, but the game just feels clunky. Ball times also too long. Meh.
7.606/10
4 years ago
I enjoy playing this game when I encounter one. The code has come a long way since it was first released. The animations have improved too, but remain the weakest link overall. Lots to do and explore, I don't tire of it quickly.
7.496/10
4 years ago
This pin title is "unique" in its own way. The pin is funny and interesting to play. It made me laugh several times. I'm not sure how long it would last in a collection. Its a really good effort from a fairy new pinball manufacturer. Keep the interesting original titles coming American Pinball
7.720/10
4 years ago
I don't like the theme of this game, as I only socially drink about 2-4 times a year. So I am biased against the theme for this game. However, I do really enjoy this pin. I like its sense of humor and its sense of fun. I also like how its not afraid to sex things up a little bit, and it does so in a tasteful and playful manner. The backglass and playfield have pretty women adorned on it, and the sling plastics do as well. The art is very well done in a pseudo realistic yet exaggerated manner. I like the art. And the art itself is imbued with the same sense of cheeky fun in it as well. And really it all comes together, the beer, the women, the ducks, the kegs, the steins and it is a rally cohesive theme. While I may not like the theme, it certanly all comes together nicely and forms an amazing looking pinball machine.
The toys are pretty cool. You have a stein you can shot a ball into, a big keg that's atop a ramp. And speaking of the ramps you got a really cool corkscrew ramp and a 180 ramp as well. Crazy, crazy layout, and lots of magnets.
The one thing I don't like. Its a crazy layout, but I feel it might take awhile to truly learn how to play this game and certain shots don't really flow. I know they help you out with the magnets. But, the upper flipper ramp shot is a bit tricky to nail. And I think the code or game might be too deep and rely on entering the tent too frequently. As a casual fan. Its just not worth it to find out what each stein does, and then having to select the modes. Its a bit of a crapshoot if you don't know what you're doing.
Now, with that said. I really do like playing this game. The ramps are super fun to hit. The callouts have a nice cheeky sense of humor. Love the female voice that does the callouts. I also like the animations. They're basic, but they don't need to be super articulated. They work great for what pinball animations should be.
As for the music. Its about what you'd expect from a pin of this theme.
So my thoughts about this pin... I don't like the theme sure... But, I like a lot of things that are in it the sense of fun, the sex appeal. Its a very nice looking pin, and it plays good, and I think for a home market it is so deep that you'll be mining it for a long time... I also think it could work on location if its a bar or brewery. I think that fits the theme. And I think it'd make people put more money to just try out some of the modes they probably never get to.
But, I don't think this is a pin I'd ever want to personally buy. Just not my cup of tea, or rather stein of beer.
9.800/10
4 years ago
Went out of my way to go to a barcade yesterday to play Willy Wonka, but ended up spending more time with this game. It is fairly well balanced, has a bunch of interesting shots, and the lighting/animation actually helps you understand what's happening. The dropping ramp, the different "tents" and the kick back which drops to expose another ramp are all very cool. I went in thinking I would love WW and probably get one some day and left thinking that about this game instead!
6.301/10
4 years ago
Finally played it a few days ago and was blown away by the awesome and unique playfield design. Lots of great shots and some cool magnet tricks as well. Unfortunately I was even more blown away by the poor playfield artwork and terrible animations. It's an absolute deal breaker in terms of something I would own. The music and sounds would drive me crazy in a home environment. Small doses on location is bearable. Overall, I did enjoy the gameplay very much despite the games artistic shortcomings.

TO THE TWO PRECIOUS PINSIDE BABIES THAT GOT THEIR FEELINGS HURT AND FLAGGED THIS REVIEW - GO SHOVE A COUPLE OF STEINS UP YOUR ASSES. FLAG THAT!
7.093/10
4 years ago
I enjoyed playing, but the shots are tight.
9.100/10
4 years ago
A really fun game once you learn the rules. Huge variety of modes and different shots to keep it all interesting. The third flipper shot up the side ramp is an absolute beast but gets a little easier once you figure out the sweet spot on it. Like this one much better than Houdini and think AP keeps growing and making great games. Integration with the knocker during game play is a neat feature that adds some pop to certain modes. Shaker integration needs to be better but overall a really fun game to shoot.
5.203/10
4 years ago
this is a great theme gone bad. long ball times and the worst animation. i'm not a stern or jjp fan boy, but look at this compared to those games. its not acceptable. when i played it a few times, it kept breaking.
9.676/10
4 years ago
This game is great. A ton of fun. My only complaint is a small complaint. 1. When I think of Oktoberfest in Munich I think of big breasted women in Drindls. Perfect opportunity for that old school pinball feel of large breasted women ala Mata Hari, Pool Sharks, etc. Wasted opportunity. 2. The woman that they do have on the back glass, her face looks weird. The art is weird, she almost looks like a transvetite. Otherwise one of my favorite games, hands down
9.216/10
4 years ago
Love this game! The beer theme is great, along with the carnival atmosphere. Lots of shot variations . Don’t like the music, it is boring and annoying. I love this machine, but live in the KC area and the local dealer is heavily into Stern. So I bought a Jurassic Park LE instead. But I enjoyed playing the Oktoberfest more. Highly underrated!
7.944/10
4 years ago
2 code changes have fixed many issues and it’s getting better and better.
6.782/10
4 years ago
After a code update this game has gotten much better. Rules are deep, but easy to follow. I enjoy shooting it now. Still don't like the magnets that toss your ball about randomly, and the music can get grating, but much improved.
9.420/10
4 years ago
Build quality is almost par with JJP. The left ramp is so steep it almost touches the glass. For that reason alone the pitch has to be set at 6 degrees. Anyone who has played this game and complains that the ramp shots are impossible, its probably pitched too steep. The back legs have to literally be as low as possible to make the ramps consistently. That being said with the back legs all the way down it makes the game feel "floaty" at times which isn't horrible.

Code update strengthens the lower right flipper automatically when the corkscrew ramp is lowered which is innovative and necessary. On location people would think the flippers were broken when they chose Stein Race on handed mode. New code makes you acknowledge entering one handed mode by pressing both right flipper buttons. Smart.

Last Call mode is confusing if you don't catch the instructions on the screen prior to starting it. It's an earned ball save opportunity that simulates being drunk and adding a flipper delay..you have to spell sober on the standup targets to save your ball and its super challenging and fun. Not a big fan of the beer pouring video mode..hopefully it improves with new code.

I liked Houdini despite being pooped on for its tight shots. Oktoberfest is way more fun, the cheesy animations actually fit the theme and make me laugh. The Weiner Dog on the slide is stupid funny. Overall one the most innovative, fun, all around best machines out there. Perfect for a man cave or home use. Would love to have one at home but might be best in a bar setting.
9.940/10
4 years ago
My brother has this game. Finally got to spend a lot of time on it might be my new favorite game of all time brilliant layout tons of variation I thought nothing would touch dialed in but this does. I would put this in my top 5 of all time. Don't believe me. Play it learn it. Love it
9.140/10
4 years ago
I rated it previously with no comments, but will add them now. I absolutely love this game. It is hard, fun, and unique. There are tons of modes, boosts, fun call outs, catchy music, and with the new code better animations. This is a player’s pin, meaning a casual person who just wants to mash flippers will have no idea what is going on. The rules are very deep, and there are too many combinations of things to ever be boring. American hit a home run with this and I am glad to be an owner. This game and Iron Maiden are my top 2 games of all time. I find myself dying to make time and press that start button again.
In full disclosure, I am a distributor for American Pinball, and that has zero bearing on the comments above. The game for me is epic....I have zero negatives at all.
7.539/10
4 years ago
This would be a fun game to play at a pub after pounding a few. I played it sober and after being told it's pricetag I said 'nein danke'!
9.056/10
4 years ago
This is obe of my favorite newer games to have come out over the last few years.
Pros: Great shots, sounds, and callouts. Very nice artwork, good toys/gimmicks, lighting, and i love the video integration.

Cons: the rules can be too deep for the casual player or someone just playing on location. I like the theme, but i could see how others might not.

All in all, a fun and unique game.
9.145/10
4 years ago
This game will never get old. It is loaded with so many shots and modes it will never get old. The shots are skilfull and the vareity of things to do are endless. The best part is how it is a fun theme without the preconcieved movie or band to tie it down. Let your imagination run wild. In germany its called gemutlichkeit!
9.408/10
4 years ago
fun game great concept
i don't have one but the updates are on the way and I will get one one then...... or when I figure out how to use the top magnet.

Update: still don’t know how to use the magnet. I am getting one tomorrow to figure it out.

New: update

Ok, magnab is easy! It appears you get more by hitting ramp next to magnanimous location. The steep ramp is not difficult either. The games that I’ve played previously were set up wrong. Apparently the proper angle of the play field is built in to the cabinet. So, when I the game is setup the legs must go on flat. Who knew? Software increases flipper coil strength on flippers when certain ramp is deployed.

The new updated code removes glitches and improves animations although more effort could be put into the non family version. It is clever but they self-edited too much..... perhaps a very non family version. New code or old code, I’m not sure, allows you to leave beer barrel full of however many balls are inside of it hidden so players won’t know status of locks which increases randomness of each game.

Build quality is solid but the lock bar is too tight. I think I will have this one for a while!
7.334/10
4 years ago
I have been playing this game at shows/location since it was announced. The more I play it, the more I like it. The animations do get annoying and the artwork is okay IMO. I should preface this by saying, I love the theme and the idea of owning this pin in my barcade/basement. The toys and features are very impressive and the RGB lighting works well to aid in shots and ruleset. The drawback on this one is the callouts/music are annoying. I personally like the game for the initial theme, the shots (American Pinball makes tough shooting games) and the toys/features. The drawbacks are the cheesy music and animations. But these are things I can turn down and I am looking at the playfield vs the display. I think bang for buck, a solid game. May wait it out a bit, but it also feels like the QC is getting better as American Pinball makes more games.
9.060/10
4 years ago
I own an Oktoberfest and I've played about 300 times. When I first saw the game at Texas Pinball Festival 2019, I was drawn in by the theme, the bright colors, the toys, the humor... and the fact that I liked their previous game Houdini. What I didn't realize is what a great job API did on the rules and flow in this game. To say the game is "fun" might be an understatement. Here are some of my favorite things (off the top of my head):

- When starting a tent mode, you can choose any tent mode you want (there are 14 to choose from). Even more cool is the fact that you can choose a mode that you played previously and failed to complete. It remembers your progress in each mode so you don't start from scratch. Thus you can keep at it until you turn each tent green without it feeling repetitive or tedious. It's just fun, challenging and satisfying.

- I love the way steins work. Each stein awards two benefits (it makes one thing easier and it makes something else more valuable). For example, the Engler Pale Ale stein gives you more time in tents AND boosts Juggling scoring. When you enter the Juggling tent, you'll know that you have the Juggling boost because the Engler Stein is on screen (on the entrance to the tent). How cool is that? You can increase each benefit/boost a second time, a third time, or more (depending on on settings) by collecting the same stein over again! Well done!!!

- There are many treats in the game. I like the beginning of Corkscrew Multiball as well as the beginning of Beer Barrel multiball. I'm not going to describe the events here (no spoilers). My favorite tent is the giant slide. Again, I won't describe it (no spoilers). Just be sure and visit this tent! There are mini wizard modes, uber wizard mode, ways to earn your ball back if you drain via an outlane, etc. All tremendous fun and very well done.

- I don't know if this is a formal combo, but one of my favorite "feel good" shots is a left orbit shot followed by an UR Flipper shot into the Tent to start a mode. I call it the "Side Entrance".

- Magnab is great. You have to earn magnabs. Then you can use magnabs to make tough shots a little easier (the Beer Barrel Ramp, the High Striker, the bar shot...). I'm not a huge fan of "autograbs" in the current code, where the game decides when to grab the ball for you, but the developers are still working on this.

- The use of the knocker is brilliant. It's an add-on kit, but well worth it. It goes in the bottom cabinet, near the cross bar. The "pop" when shooting targets in Target Shooting mode (or Ducks in Duck Hunting mode) is great. I haven't seen a knocker used this well since Addams Family. The shaker motor is used in things like Bumper Cars and the Corkscrew Coaster, but, honestly, it doesn't do much for me in this game. I think shaker motors are better in games with battles, explosions, monsters, catapults, etc.

I could go on and on. If "fun" is important to you, this is a great game. If you like strategy, there are an infinite number of paths to try. Rating it based solely on the categories here probably doesn't do it justice.
9.078/10
4 years ago
oktoberfest is a very fun and addicting game cabinet art could have been better.. playfield art is underated.. modes are very cool...
7.706/10
4 years ago
Played a few games side by side with Wonka and BK3 at the local festival.
This game was the most intriguing of the two.
Will update more when I get in more plays on the west coast (hope that happens!)
9.840/10
4 years ago
This game is the sixth one in my collection which includes 3 JJP games and 2 CGC games and I think it is on a par with any of the others in terms of build quality, and play factors such as rule sets, game depth, and just plain "play ability". And, it is just pure crazy fun. Much as been said about the game's music, call outs, and animations. I think the negative comments are really overstated. Could it be improved in those areas? Yes, and it has been greatly improved since TPF 2019, especially in the latest code update (6-7-2019) and I strongly believe that more improvements are coming. But as it is right now, the game is a real winner in my book and I'm glad to have it in my collection where it will remain for a long, long time.
There are 99 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 3 of 4.

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