Stern
Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro) Pinside Rating
This game received 368 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.215 /10
Guardians of the Galaxy (Pro)
Top 100 ranking
This game ranks 2nd in the game group "Guardians of the Galaxy". The group itself ranks #57 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.111
Artwork: 8.397
Sounds/Music: 7.786
Other Aspects: 8.226
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 2 of us have rated this game.
This title is part of group: "Guardians of the Galaxy"
Found 155 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 155 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 5 of 7.
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10.000/10
5 years ago
Málaga
It is the second time that I buy this machine, this time I decided on a new one in the box. This machine undoubtedly improves significantly with the Cleland code, I love the animations, the design, the toys and what I like the most is the design of the furniture and board arts, very colorful and with many details. the game is challenging enough to keep the desire to play but enough for people to play and have fun, this machine is in my top 3.
7.895/10
5 years ago
Prosper, TX
The layout is very derivative, but offers lots of fun shots. The ramps are steep (but very makeable and fun to hit), the orb shot is very tight and the mode scoop is challenging shot. The code is actually pretty good and there are lots of strategies to blow up the score. Setting up multipliers on the right shots and getting into one of several multi-balls at the right time is a fun challenge. The Cherry Bomb mini wizard mode is very achievable and it's a really fun multi-ball to play with a cool light show and awesome music. Getting to the final wizard mode is a decent challenge that's very achievable for good players. The toys are all fun but unoriginal. The artwork is very colorful and perfect for the theme. This is actually a pretty stunning machine to look at.
The movie clips that play over and over can get a bit repetitious and they seem to lack integration into the gameplay. However, they are entertaining and serve the purpose of being used more as mode timers. Paying attention to the audio/video can let the player know how much time to finish the objectives of each mode. The upgraded sound package is a must on this game and actually turns this into the best sounding superhero pin, IMHO. I never get tired of the great classic rock soundtrack.
Overall, this is a very fun game. The layout and gameplay don't break any new ground, but the fun factor is very high.
The movie clips that play over and over can get a bit repetitious and they seem to lack integration into the gameplay. However, they are entertaining and serve the purpose of being used more as mode timers. Paying attention to the audio/video can let the player know how much time to finish the objectives of each mode. The upgraded sound package is a must on this game and actually turns this into the best sounding superhero pin, IMHO. I never get tired of the great classic rock soundtrack.
Overall, this is a very fun game. The layout and gameplay don't break any new ground, but the fun factor is very high.
8.680/10
5 years ago
With the 1.06 code and the Cleland sound mod this game is better then ever. I stayed away from this game for so long cause I thought the game was basic and not fun, but now I think this game rocks! If your a mode lover then this game is for you. If I had to list the low points, they would mostly fall with the quality from Stern not the game or play itself. There was to many small issues to tweek this game to play right, from the orb lock problems to the magnet. These issues are more of a QC issue from Stern and should not detour anyone from owning this game. I don't understand why this game is rated so low on the list but for sure is a top 20 game.
Glasgow
Abbotsford, BC
7.474/10
5 years ago
Played this on location and just... couldn't really get into it. There are some good things here, though, too.
So I will do my usual. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.
The Good:
1. Playfield layout is actually good. Not the best, but definitely good. It plays reasonably well. Smooth, for the most part. Not a lot of clunk.
2. The LCD animations with movie clips and all... this was very well executed. This is probably Stern's best direct movie/video clip integration to date - and that includes Munsters - which has some cheesy photoshopped containers around the Munsters clips.
3. The theme integration - especially with the Groot head - is great. I have to hand it to Stern on this. They've become experts at this lately. So much better than they used to be. And frankly, they are ahead of Jersey Jack even, when it comes to really using the license to its fullest.
4. Sound and Music was great. Nothing super special, but didn't annoy me at all, and complimented gameplay well.
The Bad:
1. The playfield art is off, and looks like a quick photoshop job. I saw this pin sitting right next to a Deadpool pro, and the difference was night and day. The beautiful hand-drawn look of the Deadpool vs. the photoshopped cheesy look of the GotG... Stern, if you read these at all... go with more hand-drawn stuff going forward. It works waaaay better than this. It really turned me off to the machine.
2. It felt a lot like Metallica - with which it appears to share a lot of layout decisions. This isn't ALL bad, mind you. Metallica is a good game. But if you want more variety... meh. It's too much like some other Sterns. It would probably make a good pin for someone who doesn't have any other Sterns in their collection, and is a GotG fan. But I don't see this lasting in a larger collection.
The Ugly:
1. Frankly, IMHO, there are better new (or new-ish) pins out there for the same money. If you really like GotG and can get over the cheesy photoshop playfield art, it may be good, provided it doesn't feel too similar to any other Sterns in your collection.
2. The cabinet and backglass art - to me - was just too much. Too busy. And this is weird, because Deadpool's backglass art was super busy as well, but somehow didn't bother me. I think it's just the fact that they couldn't seem to pick a color to focus on. Part of this may just be par for the course with the GotG license requirements and not Stern's fault, per se. But yeah... too much going on.
3. Rules were difficult to understand and (maybe?) buggy. BUT I do not know what game code version the machine was running, so it's possible all that was cleared up already.
To me, it was a smooth-playing machine with great use of the LCD, but otherwise just too busy/cheesy in terms of artwork. Your mileage may vary, as my beefs were mostly aesthetic, save for the fact that it REALLY reminded me of Metallica. Like... a lot.
So I will do my usual. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.
The Good:
1. Playfield layout is actually good. Not the best, but definitely good. It plays reasonably well. Smooth, for the most part. Not a lot of clunk.
2. The LCD animations with movie clips and all... this was very well executed. This is probably Stern's best direct movie/video clip integration to date - and that includes Munsters - which has some cheesy photoshopped containers around the Munsters clips.
3. The theme integration - especially with the Groot head - is great. I have to hand it to Stern on this. They've become experts at this lately. So much better than they used to be. And frankly, they are ahead of Jersey Jack even, when it comes to really using the license to its fullest.
4. Sound and Music was great. Nothing super special, but didn't annoy me at all, and complimented gameplay well.
The Bad:
1. The playfield art is off, and looks like a quick photoshop job. I saw this pin sitting right next to a Deadpool pro, and the difference was night and day. The beautiful hand-drawn look of the Deadpool vs. the photoshopped cheesy look of the GotG... Stern, if you read these at all... go with more hand-drawn stuff going forward. It works waaaay better than this. It really turned me off to the machine.
2. It felt a lot like Metallica - with which it appears to share a lot of layout decisions. This isn't ALL bad, mind you. Metallica is a good game. But if you want more variety... meh. It's too much like some other Sterns. It would probably make a good pin for someone who doesn't have any other Sterns in their collection, and is a GotG fan. But I don't see this lasting in a larger collection.
The Ugly:
1. Frankly, IMHO, there are better new (or new-ish) pins out there for the same money. If you really like GotG and can get over the cheesy photoshop playfield art, it may be good, provided it doesn't feel too similar to any other Sterns in your collection.
2. The cabinet and backglass art - to me - was just too much. Too busy. And this is weird, because Deadpool's backglass art was super busy as well, but somehow didn't bother me. I think it's just the fact that they couldn't seem to pick a color to focus on. Part of this may just be par for the course with the GotG license requirements and not Stern's fault, per se. But yeah... too much going on.
3. Rules were difficult to understand and (maybe?) buggy. BUT I do not know what game code version the machine was running, so it's possible all that was cleared up already.
To me, it was a smooth-playing machine with great use of the LCD, but otherwise just too busy/cheesy in terms of artwork. Your mileage may vary, as my beefs were mostly aesthetic, save for the fact that it REALLY reminded me of Metallica. Like... a lot.
8.016/10
5 years ago
I like the updated code which evens out the scoring. I like the variations in game play based on which characters you choose and find you can really play completely different styles based on those choices, which keeps the game fresh every play. I've really grown to like this game after not liking it at first.
9.747/10
5 years ago
Love this game. I did not play it with the older code. Enjoy the variety of shots, not too easy and not too difficult. Just right in my opinion. Artwork is awesome. The video clips from he movie are great. Only downside, is that the voices used for the characters are not of the actors in the movie. Bummer. I'm sure it would cost a lot of $$ to purchase the rights to each actors voice.
7.852/10
5 years ago
Just purchased this NIB last week. Great machine with the Cleland sound MOD. It's so much better without the fake voice acting that comes stock. Very fun machine to play, great rule set, replayability and beautiful lighting.
9.421/10
5 years ago
Sao Paulo
Code 1.04
The Mettalica layout with the aerosmith rules and video/music integration better than any other machine that a played to date.
Pros
The groot and Orb mutiballs are great as you can lock balls and unlock as you play
great artwork on the playfield and cabinet, colorful.
The pro has about the same game as the premium, making it one of the best pros out there.
Groot toy is really nice and fun, kind of the castle from MM.
Layout, sames as metallica and everybody seens to love that one.
Rules, reminds aerosmith with the different shoots to choose as you start.
Music, not a rock band theme but the music from the 70s are really nice.
Overall, great layout, great rules and great music.
Cons
Guardians are not famous as other super hero moves, not for everyone.
I do like to have control over the top part of the playfield with a third flipper or so. Could be a premium feature.
I will have to look for more as a play, not a lot to be honest.
Not sure how many musics are there from the Quill famous tapes, but could have some more.
As Batman, the new code completely changed this one and made it one of my favorites.
Because of the music and action during playtime (shoots/video/audio) I enjoy playing it more than Batman.
The Mettalica layout with the aerosmith rules and video/music integration better than any other machine that a played to date.
Pros
The groot and Orb mutiballs are great as you can lock balls and unlock as you play
great artwork on the playfield and cabinet, colorful.
The pro has about the same game as the premium, making it one of the best pros out there.
Groot toy is really nice and fun, kind of the castle from MM.
Layout, sames as metallica and everybody seens to love that one.
Rules, reminds aerosmith with the different shoots to choose as you start.
Music, not a rock band theme but the music from the 70s are really nice.
Overall, great layout, great rules and great music.
Cons
Guardians are not famous as other super hero moves, not for everyone.
I do like to have control over the top part of the playfield with a third flipper or so. Could be a premium feature.
I will have to look for more as a play, not a lot to be honest.
Not sure how many musics are there from the Quill famous tapes, but could have some more.
As Batman, the new code completely changed this one and made it one of my favorites.
Because of the music and action during playtime (shoots/video/audio) I enjoy playing it more than Batman.
9.080/10
5 years ago
The new code totally changed this game! What a fun game to play. One if the few games where the pro is just about as good as the premium in my opinion.
Update: 8/9/19
Finally adding this one to my collection. The Cleland sound package put a very nice polish on this game. While it has some tight shots you can still get a great flow going on this game. Of the 3 I’ll call it pick your path games this one is by far the best coded one. The quill multi ball mode is a very, who doesnt like starting a game in multi ball. This pro is my opinion is better than the premium on this title. Due to bad code off the rip i feel that this game is rated lower than it should be but that really helps to make it a diamond in the rough
Update: 8/9/19
Finally adding this one to my collection. The Cleland sound package put a very nice polish on this game. While it has some tight shots you can still get a great flow going on this game. Of the 3 I’ll call it pick your path games this one is by far the best coded one. The quill multi ball mode is a very, who doesnt like starting a game in multi ball. This pro is my opinion is better than the premium on this title. Due to bad code off the rip i feel that this game is rated lower than it should be but that really helps to make it a diamond in the rough
8.975/10
5 years ago
I wanted to buy this game when it first came out but as referenced in just about every review, the game wasn’t much more than an expensive light show. Today, I am ordering my first ever NIB machine. I generally like long ball time, mode based games. This seems to have something for everyone. A now deep rule set but fun shots/multiball for my guests to get excited about.
I already loved the theme and think the art is only second to GB.
I need more time to get a better feel but I did feel the ramps almost seem too steep to get that feel good flow like on MET but maybe just the machine/pitch I was on.
Overall it’s fast and can be frustrating but keeps me going back for one more - especially with new, deep, incentives.
This should shoot up the top 100 rankings as players revisit it with new code.
I already loved the theme and think the art is only second to GB.
I need more time to get a better feel but I did feel the ramps almost seem too steep to get that feel good flow like on MET but maybe just the machine/pitch I was on.
Overall it’s fast and can be frustrating but keeps me going back for one more - especially with new, deep, incentives.
This should shoot up the top 100 rankings as players revisit it with new code.
9.360/10
5 years ago
Really enjoyed the flow on this game. With new code, game got better. Like the theme and it was integrated well in my opinion. Shots are challenging, but not impossible. With my skill, this suits me just fine. Loved the movie which makes this fun to play.
Paris
9.259/10
5 years ago
This machine is a blast to play. The whole family agrees. Never had a machine that my wife would play by herself and she does so regularly now. With the latest code the modes are fun and challenging. Lot of depth to the game but doesn't seem impossible to get there one day. The sounds can be at times repetitive on long play sessions but you can mix up which modes you are playing easily for each game. I do wish is had a few more songs from the movies, but it's got the great ones. Overall this is probably going to be a forever machine for our family.
8.528/10
5 years ago
A really fun pin for all pinheads & beginners alike. Reminds me of a mix of: Metallica/Iron Man/Star Trek, which is a great thing! Go play one with the new code installed!
9.380/10
5 years ago
I think this is a great game. I never had any intention of buying a NIB game. Then we played this one. Ordered one the next week. We all love the game, it has some easier shots for the novice, and some harder modes for the more advanced. I think the music is great. The voice actors are ok, but there are some sound mods (Cleland) that make it that much better. I don't see this leaving the collection for a long time.
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