Riverboat gambler is a sadly underlooked game, but I do see why.
Pro’s:
I do think the art is really well done, though maybe a tad over sexualized for theme?
Sound is pretty awesome, with some classic rag time. Second game to be made to have lyrics in the music! In particular, Main Theme, multiball, and Jackpot collected stand as being just plain great.
Layout is actually very solid in my opinion, with many great shots (really hope they didn’t fumble the utilization).
Jackpot hype is one of the best out there when it comes to light show and audio accompaniment.
Really cool skill shot I’ve not seen replicated. Would love to see a variation on it.
Con’s:
Surprise surprise! The game boils down to left ramp spamming and praying to the RNG gods. What a shame.
Idea of spelling casino, forcing you to play all the various games could have been good, but they made it a 2 million reward. Meanwhile, you can spam the left ramp and collect jackpots with a minimum of 3 million, so that rule falls flat on its face. My suggestion to fix this would be to make it so that roulette luck (or luck in all the games) to make winning skill based, as well as putting a much lower cap and starting value on jackpots (suggestion would be a minimum of 500,000 and max of 3-4 million). Yes, this would make the game a little more like High Roller Casino, but it’s still an improvement. The rest of the game outside of the rules makes it seem like it’s destined to be a pinball classic, but this really kills a lot of the fun factor.
Maybe a bit too much moaning in the pop bumpers? Kind of annoying and weird.
Overall, a game that could have had a lot of potential, but sadly has some elements that being it down to being forgotten.
Pinside rating
This game has received 43 approved Pinsider ratings. 7 more approved ratings are needed to get a rating and for it to be eligible for the Pinside Pinball Top 100 ranking.
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
Found 25 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 25 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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9.032/10
1 year ago
Wilkes-barre, PA
I played this game a ton in the early 90s while in the military at the base bowling alley. I recall it being fun and blast to play. Fast forward 30 years and I purchased one. The game is everything I remember and then some. Owned for a year and the enjoyment factor is still high. Even though I can accomplish CASINO about 1 in 5 games it’s still a challenge. The pin got me back into pinball and I research locations to play pins whenever I travel.
7.535/10
2 years ago
Bergen
This is a good and challenging game with a non complicated ruleset. RG has the most important thing; fun and appeal.. The music is cosy but itches in your brain after a while an the callouts are over middle cheesy.
I will not sell mine, but you will propably not choose this game to be in your collection if you are limited to a small collection .
I will not sell mine, but you will propably not choose this game to be in your collection if you are limited to a small collection .
7.880/10
3 years ago
Victoria, BC
It’s not a deep game, and it’s not even close to being one of the greatest games ever made...
And that’s why I sold mine.
So why do I think about it all the time and regret selling it so much?
Because what it does, it does right.
It has that one more game thing going for it on steroids.
I should never have sold it. I could play it over and over and over.
One day I’ll own this game again.
And that’s why I sold mine.
So why do I think about it all the time and regret selling it so much?
Because what it does, it does right.
It has that one more game thing going for it on steroids.
I should never have sold it. I could play it over and over and over.
One day I’ll own this game again.
7.154/10
4 years ago
This pin is straight forward fun, the rules are simple and if you enjoy an old style casino set up this pin has it. Like others have said scores can be made or ruined based upon the luck of the roulette wheel, that's gambling. You win some times and you loose as well.
6.829/10
5 years ago
Riverboat is a decent sys 11. Not the best nor the worst. Some people say that it is pretty deep, but it just isn’t. Gets boring pretty fast. Just because the music gets stuck in your head doesn’t mean that it is good although I do like the jackpot music. Call outs are pretty annoying. I just feel like there isn’t enough going on although some people will probably disagree with me. Not a fan of the rules considering you work up to a jackpot that is completely random and I know that it coincides with the theme, but it is disappointing to work for something that is completely random. You work hard to spell “CASINO” and you get really nothing. You can light multiball by going over a inlane? An ok game that can be fun sometimes, but not a game that I kept long.
Lenna
7.539/10
8 years ago
this game makes me feel like im am gambling ,it has nice flow smooth ramps ,easy to learn and fun to play, it seemed all the points wer on the left side of the playfield and got repetitive but all machines are...no dmd needed, the back glass art is sweet,not many out there, very different game play and a very nice job williams !!!
6.639/10
8 years ago
Found myself wanting to learn the rules on this one...played it many times and enjoyed the game play. Found the rules to be easy to pick up and the roulette was a nice touch.
Not the worlds biggest challenge but provides some nice entertainment. Theme and art are well done.
Not the worlds biggest challenge but provides some nice entertainment. Theme and art are well done.
Zagreb
8.884/10
9 years ago
Game plays and feels like being in a casino. Play blackjack, roulette, and hit the slot machine for the big payout. I had one in excellent condition, only to sell it to make room for my holy grail.
5.050/10
9 years ago
This pinball is underrated. It is a fun game and I like it. Choosing the colors with the buttons is something different.
9.137/10
10 years ago
This is a fun game. At first glance the backglass isnt that interesting. I love the gambling aspect and the shots are fun.
Bateau Bay
9.177/10
15 years ago
First pin I bought and it will be in my collection for ever also. Never get tired of playing it and guessing the roulette wheels color as it spins! Rare to find machine.
There are 25 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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