Williams
Taxi Pinside Rating
This game received 438 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.917 /10
Taxi
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.087
Artwork: 7.601
Sounds/Music: 7.252
Other Aspects: 8.152
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 6 of us have rated this game.
Found 226 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 226 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 2 of 10.
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8.129/10
2 years ago
Berlin, CT
What else can be said about this classic, that hasn't already been said?
This game exemplifies pinball. Fast. Goofy. Comical. Challenging. Fun!
A surprising amount of ways to attack this one, considering it's age. This isn't a "one shot" game. Having trouble locking a ball and starting multiball? Attack the ramps and light the million shot. Can't do that? Pick up passengers and light the jackpot.
This game has a surprising amount of depth and nuance to it's rules considering it's age. The timed jackpot shot and fastlane pickup are amazing, and really get the blood pumping as the music increases in intensity as the timer counts down. Soooooo satisfying when you hit a jackpot. And of course, the accompanying bell chiming, the music changes, and the lightshow all add to that.
Great game, classic, easy to pick up and tough to master. Pinball perfection.
This game exemplifies pinball. Fast. Goofy. Comical. Challenging. Fun!
A surprising amount of ways to attack this one, considering it's age. This isn't a "one shot" game. Having trouble locking a ball and starting multiball? Attack the ramps and light the million shot. Can't do that? Pick up passengers and light the jackpot.
This game has a surprising amount of depth and nuance to it's rules considering it's age. The timed jackpot shot and fastlane pickup are amazing, and really get the blood pumping as the music increases in intensity as the timer counts down. Soooooo satisfying when you hit a jackpot. And of course, the accompanying bell chiming, the music changes, and the lightshow all add to that.
Great game, classic, easy to pick up and tough to master. Pinball perfection.
8.635/10
2 years ago
Taxi was what got me interested in pinball in my childhood. The game play was fast, the cast of characters as riders was interesting, and the callouts and sounds were memorable. Everything just tied together to make it one great game experience. Who can forget that jackpot bell? It was both exciting and scary at the same time. Wasn't sure if I broke the machine when I first heard it. It's a top 5 pin for me...a classic.
Klagenfurt
9.185/10
2 years ago
Taxi is always validating because of the bonuses and multipliers that happen with every plunge. It's a hard game, but rewarding. I'd love to park in front of this game for a couple of hours on free play somewhere and really get the hang of it.
8.146/10
2 years ago
Taxi is unique and iconic! Gorbachev, Pinbot, Dracula, Santa, and of course Marylin (Lola)! Simple game rule set, you always know what to do, shots are easy, yet difficult if the machine is setup properly. Game play is fun, ramps, fast pop bumpers, sounds are great, call outs awesome (although a couple more from each would have been even better) love the bell ringing, it's just a fantastic great with lasting re-playability... like someone said... Great Pin! My Fiancé' and I chased a couple and finally got a great deal from Will Snodgrass in IL. Thanks Will... it will likely always be a part of our collection.
8.871/10
3 years ago
This rating is based upon other system 11 titles in the late 80's, not against modern pinballs.
Easy to understand, fast & fun! Great skill-shot that allows you to go for big points OR try to pick-up a passenger (likely Pin*Bot, who is a harder passenger to pickup). Depending on how large the Jackpot is, you can choose the best strategy for points.
Low Jackpot Value? Loop around the airport Arrivals & Departures Ramps several times and lite up the Million Point Shot.
High Jackpot Value? Pick-up the 5 passengers (easier said than done) and lite up the Jackpot Shot.
Already done both of those? Lock a ball then shoot the left ramp to start multi-ball. During Multi-ball, lock the balls in the Express Lanes to activate the Airport Ramp(s) special scoring. Don't forget the amazing cast of unlikely passengers (Santa, Gorbie, Dracula, Lala & Santa!) and all of their callouts too. The music fits the game well and the gameplay matches the theme perfectly! It has that one more game feel and can play really, really fast when set up well.
A couple of drawbacks. First, it isn't very attractive and the mostly grey playfield doesn't do it any favors either. The cabinet is bright yellow (just like an old Taxi Cab would be) and kind of obnoxious, but it does serve the theme well. Second, the rules are fairly shallow and the game does get feel a bit repetitive at times.
I've owned Taxi for more than 2 years now and it is likely staying in my small collection long term (I have space for 4-5 pinballs). Works great as a single pin or in a small group. Family friendly. Very approachable pinball for new players. For the price it is a great value and offers strong replay-ability. When compared to other system 11 games, this one is an easy top 5 for me.
Easy to understand, fast & fun! Great skill-shot that allows you to go for big points OR try to pick-up a passenger (likely Pin*Bot, who is a harder passenger to pickup). Depending on how large the Jackpot is, you can choose the best strategy for points.
Low Jackpot Value? Loop around the airport Arrivals & Departures Ramps several times and lite up the Million Point Shot.
High Jackpot Value? Pick-up the 5 passengers (easier said than done) and lite up the Jackpot Shot.
Already done both of those? Lock a ball then shoot the left ramp to start multi-ball. During Multi-ball, lock the balls in the Express Lanes to activate the Airport Ramp(s) special scoring. Don't forget the amazing cast of unlikely passengers (Santa, Gorbie, Dracula, Lala & Santa!) and all of their callouts too. The music fits the game well and the gameplay matches the theme perfectly! It has that one more game feel and can play really, really fast when set up well.
A couple of drawbacks. First, it isn't very attractive and the mostly grey playfield doesn't do it any favors either. The cabinet is bright yellow (just like an old Taxi Cab would be) and kind of obnoxious, but it does serve the theme well. Second, the rules are fairly shallow and the game does get feel a bit repetitive at times.
I've owned Taxi for more than 2 years now and it is likely staying in my small collection long term (I have space for 4-5 pinballs). Works great as a single pin or in a small group. Family friendly. Very approachable pinball for new players. For the price it is a great value and offers strong replay-ability. When compared to other system 11 games, this one is an easy top 5 for me.
8.400/10
3 years ago
Classic 80's! Upper playfield shots can be tricky, thus making for a challenge getting the multipliers. Great sound effects and speech, music a bit repetitive (not as bad as Comet, though). I love hitting the ramps over and over. Well balanced game!
8.126/10
3 years ago
It's not the most complex game ever, but it is still a good bit of fun with an easy to understand scoring\jackpot loop with a good mix of shots.
8.392/10
3 years ago
So overall this is just a great, simple games. I tend to like deeper games but this is by far my favorite "simple" game. The rules are just so tight and obvious and satisfying. A really surprising amount of re-playability. Whirlwind used to be my favorite from this era but I think Taxi is my favorite now.
Here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
Rules - Simple but satisfying. I thought I would not like that you reset your passengers every ball but I kind of like it. Really solid.
Shots - Great simple layout. I like the ramps and the Gorbi shot. I also like Drac. The Carry Passangers is tricky but do-able. Good variety.
Call-outs - Quality is okay but they don't get old and really help keep track of what you need to do and what is active.
Skill-shot - This is probably my favorite skill shot. It has a real press-your-luck aspect but it is tricky to master. Also, it can really matter to your score.
Cons:
- Jackpot Reset - You have to build your Jackpot back up and it can make your next game kind of pointless. There is no setting to change this but you can make it build faster.
- Scoring - The scoring is pretty unbalanced. You really need the $4m jackpot + another jackpot to get a good score. The rest is just a bonus
Art - I like the art but it is "of its era". Very bleak 1980s New York. Particularly on the back glass. Probably a love it or hate it thing.
If someone had a medium budget and wanted something with a lot of replayability, this would be a great pick.
Here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
Rules - Simple but satisfying. I thought I would not like that you reset your passengers every ball but I kind of like it. Really solid.
Shots - Great simple layout. I like the ramps and the Gorbi shot. I also like Drac. The Carry Passangers is tricky but do-able. Good variety.
Call-outs - Quality is okay but they don't get old and really help keep track of what you need to do and what is active.
Skill-shot - This is probably my favorite skill shot. It has a real press-your-luck aspect but it is tricky to master. Also, it can really matter to your score.
Cons:
- Jackpot Reset - You have to build your Jackpot back up and it can make your next game kind of pointless. There is no setting to change this but you can make it build faster.
- Scoring - The scoring is pretty unbalanced. You really need the $4m jackpot + another jackpot to get a good score. The rest is just a bonus
Art - I like the art but it is "of its era". Very bleak 1980s New York. Particularly on the back glass. Probably a love it or hate it thing.
If someone had a medium budget and wanted something with a lot of replayability, this would be a great pick.
6.464/10
3 years ago
I played a really nice condition Taxi tonight and it is a good game. It shot good, but the art and them aren't really what I'm in to. One thing I really like is how on the back glass they made a display line up with the taxi meter; nice touch.
Bergen
7.273/10
3 years ago
Taxi is one of the games I've literally hundreds of at location plays on. It's classic representation of what makes the 80s era of Pinball great. The shots, ruleset, and having a few different scoring strategies make its staying power solid. The shots are varied and depending on how well the game is maintained, it can play very quick if the flippers are strong enough to make it up the steep ramps. Chaining ramps is a viable strategy. The 2 ball Multiball has a great 2 shot hurry up. Collecting the passengers and Jackpot is always exciting.
The two glaring negatives for me are A.) I do not find the theme interesting (I tend to prefer Sci-Fi themes) B.) The jackpot does not reset in between games until collected. This ruins it a slightly for competitive play
The two glaring negatives for me are A.) I do not find the theme interesting (I tend to prefer Sci-Fi themes) B.) The jackpot does not reset in between games until collected. This ruins it a slightly for competitive play
9.057/10
3 years ago
Taxi is one of my favorite pins because of its "walk up and play" accessibility and excitement to try to get jackpot. The anticipation when jackpot is lit is the most stressful intense I've experienced in pinball. And when you finally make that shot it is the most satisfying shot I've experienced in pinball. It is has both flow and sharpshooter qualities in perfect balance. The theme is mediocre but the game itself is just pure fun and very repayable.
7.469/10
3 years ago
This game is a true classic. Fun and funny. Lots of shots. Great call outs. Pure system 11 goodness.
8.660/10
3 years ago
Might be my all time favorite - not quite sure why. I love the layout as it is all right there in front of you. Great late 1980's humor in the game. The fact that the passengers reset after each ball is maddening, as the ability to "save" them with one (for me) tough shot is brilliant. I know that there are deeper games out there but I really, really love Taxi. I sold a nice example a few years back and am now kicking myself. Will be re-joining the arcade as soon as I can get my hands on a nice example again.
7.760/10
4 years ago
Sydney
This has to one of the best 80’s games good playfield layout. There are 3 shots to make left Dracula pickup the ramp and Santa pickup and 3 on the right Gorbie pickup the ramp and the express lane plus the two banks of drop targets. Great call outs awesome lighting with leds fitted easy to understand game fast play definitely has that one more game factor
8.696/10
4 years ago
Awesome game.
For a game that really doesn't have any kind of gimmick going for it, it's surprising fun. It's got a good balance of flow and sharpshooting gameplay.
At the very beginning of the game, all three main shots to be made are done with the left flipper (Gorbie, pinbot, multiball). I think it would've been better to have a different passenger lit first so that both flippers have something valuable to aim for initially.
The multiball is great, and has fun shots to aim for. Whether it's the Express lanes or the crossing ramp shots.
The art is awesome, I love the detail in the playfield and the slightly creepy backglass.
The skill shot rarely works in this game and that is more of a design flaw than and up keep issue.
I've played a handful of different Taxis. When this game is up kept, it is really fun. Though it's not uncommon to find a clunker of a taxi which could ruin the game for you.
The callouts are very repetitive and get old quick.
For a game that really doesn't have any kind of gimmick going for it, it's surprising fun. It's got a good balance of flow and sharpshooting gameplay.
At the very beginning of the game, all three main shots to be made are done with the left flipper (Gorbie, pinbot, multiball). I think it would've been better to have a different passenger lit first so that both flippers have something valuable to aim for initially.
The multiball is great, and has fun shots to aim for. Whether it's the Express lanes or the crossing ramp shots.
The art is awesome, I love the detail in the playfield and the slightly creepy backglass.
The skill shot rarely works in this game and that is more of a design flaw than and up keep issue.
I've played a handful of different Taxis. When this game is up kept, it is really fun. Though it's not uncommon to find a clunker of a taxi which could ruin the game for you.
The callouts are very repetitive and get old quick.
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