This game is very underrated. It's nowhere near the best pinball game but it certainly does not belong in the bottom 15 of pinside's list. In my collection of four pins, this game has lasted the longest and still gets played quite a bit. I can still see myself keeping it for many more years.
The bad:
The callouts are bland and repetitive. Even though it is possible to set the amount of callouts to "low" they are still heard very often.
The music is boring and gets repetitive as well.
The scoring is unbalanced. Super jackpots can award insane amounts of points if you can collect them consistently, while some modes award much less.
For a skilled pinball player, this game can be very easy and grow repetitive.
The game hands out extra balls like candy, and it can be difficult for the player to lose the game sometimes.
When stacking multiple modes, there is often not enough time to complete them all.
The ruleset is can be difficult to figure out, so it can be difficult to optimize your score unless you read the rulebook.
The good:
The backglass art is something that I feel is underappreciated. While the oversized Shaq isn't very appealing, the constant camera flashes from the crowd is a real eyecatcher.
The art on the playfield and cabinet look alright, though they are nothing special.
The flashing lightshow on the playfield is bright and looks great.
The individual modes are good, and stacking them with multiball is very fun.
The game has amazing flow. This is something Shaq Attaq does not get enough credit for. There are very few times in the game when the ball stops moving (The ball mainly stops when a mode starts), and the big orbit shot feels both smooth and fast.
The ruleset is fun and deep once you understand it, and achieving all the hidden features feels VERY rewarding.
The moving net is a fantastic toy, and it feels amazing when you make a basket.
Multiball is fun, and can be achieved very easily.
This game is friendly to both new and experienced players, and mine often gets used more by guests than any of the others in my collection.
Overall, Shaq Attaq is a very underappreciated game that new players and experienced players can appreciate. It is an excellent beginner pinball, but can still hold up in larger collections. While many Gottlieb games of this time often receive heavy criticism, Shaq is a game that has been dragged down by its peers. There is more I can say about the game but this review is long enough already. I don't know if this game will stay with me forever, but I also can't see myself selling it anytime soon.
TL:DR
Underrated game, would recommend
Dayton, OH
Leppington
Saint-pierre
Calgary, AB
Knokke
