Pinside rating

This game received 330 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.957 _/10

7.957

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks 2nd in the game group "The Walking Dead". The group itself ranks #19 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game design: 7.941

Artwork: 7.911

Sounds/Music: 7.447

Other Aspects: 8.165

Rating comments

There are 160 rating comments for this game.

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 5 of us have rated this game.

7.739

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This game is part of a group

Note! There are multiple versions of this game!
This is "The Walking Dead (Pro)".
The other version is: The Walking Dead (Premium/LE)

Ranking history

An overview of this machine's ranking over the last years. Lower is better.

Rating history

An overview of this machine's rating over the last years. Higher is better.

Found 160 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 160 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 7.

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8.630/10

28 days ago

MEH

MEuRaH

Pinside member

Essex Jct, VT

3y 41,150 132 1 15

I was a huge Walking Dead (AMC) fan when this show first came out. This pin came around the same time as my peak interest in the show, so I was a big fan when I walked up to the machine.

The Bad:
-- The music, or lack-there-of. It's forgettable.
-- Where's all the cool toys?
-- The animations would be better in color. Come on, Stern. Stop skimping!

The Good:
-- Layout is awesome.
-- The rules are great.
-- Sounds & Lights work together very well.

Given what the designers had to work with, I think this is a very fun pin. It has me coming back every time. It's fun to play and anyone can play it. The sounds are great and when paired with the lighting and shaker motor, it really immerses you into the game. The downside is that there's no cool toys, so there's nothing that makes you turn to your friends and say "watch this!" There's also nothing stuck in my head after I play it, nothing that makes me hum a tune or anything.

It's fun to play, it's reliable and hardly needs maintenance, cleaning is simple. It's a little bland overall, but it's just fun enough to make me come back every time I'm around it.

9.900/10

40 days ago

MMH

mannymasy

Pinside member

Málaga

5y 40,300 189 3 13

Beast game

mannymasy currently owns this game.

9.740/10

44 days ago

JAS

jetmechinnc

Pinside member

1y 44,400 294 12

Here is a game that gets the same amount of plays as my Iron Man, which is saying a lot. I don't know about the old coding, but my pin came with 1.60. Great code! Plus after adding the sound callouts from the TV show, game is perfect. Yes it is a gruesome looking pin, but that is the point, it isn't supposed to be bright like guardians of the galaxy or iron maiden. Having so many leader boards in one game means you can compete for multiple top spots with your family and friends. If you are remotely a fan of this show, the one must mod you need to do is add the new sound code with the TV show call outs. Without this sound, the game falls a little short, but the music is still there. With the sound, you'll snicker at times with callouts from the cast members including Negan! Best of all, my wife is a huge fan of the show and this pin is her first go to pin now.

9.660/10

72 days ago

???

noob-a-tron

Pinside member

Melbourne

1y 13,500 2 1 7

would own this if i had more space

noob-a-tron has this game on the wishlist.

7.571/10

89 days ago

LMS

Tranquilize

Pinside member

3y 42,550 329 27

I have a love/hate relationship with The Walking Dead, and it mostly has to do with Stern's consistency in build and how it affects game play.

__________________________________________________
DESIGN
__________________________________________________

-- This machine has two pretty good toys - fat-boy and the magnet shack
-- Center magnet bashes are often annoyingly random, but they allow a workaround in code
-- The playfield has an original design and some cool shots - love the x-ball shot
-- The ramps have strange physics to them, which is really cool
-- The bumpers are interesting and accessible

__________________________________________________
THEME/LIGHTING/SOUND
__________________________________________________

-- I'm not a huge fan of licences, and this one is no exception. It is done well though
-- The animations of zombies getting killed never get old
-- Lighting is typical for this era of Stern: the bare minimum but functional
-- Sounds are good

__________________________________________________
GAMEPLAY
__________________________________________________

-- The rules on this game are strange at first, but different ends up being good
-- The focus on the drops is both good/bad
-- Newbs can smash the shack and fat boy and still have a decent experience
-- I enjoy smashing fat boy, but not the shack
-- It's tough to get going, but when you do, this game has great flow
-- Because of the tougher rules (modes), I find this to be a player's pin

__________________________________________________
CRITICISMS
__________________________________________________

-- Stern seems to have had an inconsistent run on this at the factory
-- If geometry is off at all on this game, it can suck big time. Bumper drains anyone?
-- Same goes for levelling - if it's off just a little, hello SDTM
-- The drops are hella-dangerous, which makes playing this on location less desirable
-- The shack malfunctions on quite a few machines
-- Half ramp SDTM is pretty common on the copies I've played

In the end, The Walking Dead would be a pretty good machine in a home environment as it is touchy with regard to setup. I've also found the copies to be inconsistent to the point of almost being different games, which reminds me the occasional Addams Family. When I see this title on location, I usually pass unless I'm in the mood to get my ass kicked, sometimes fairy, others not so much.

7.792/10

4 months ago

BAD

Spiderpin

Pinside member

Tabb, VA

<1y 32,050 278 12 7

I owned this game over three years. About 5 code updates. I liked it at the start and it keeps getting better with every code update. I'll keep this pin. I put so color LED's (Green) for the walkers, (Red) for Blood Bath. To dress it up and make it easier to spot walkers. This is just a fun game.

Spiderpin currently owns this game.

9.744/10

5 months ago

EMB

wxforecaster

Pinside member

Pittsburgh, PA

5y 61,800 1,541 14 30

If you played the game initially and haven't lately, do so. The ruleset and coding updates have revolutionized this game. There are several Pinsiders which have contributed to ROM updates making for an AMAZING music/callout integration. That aside, this game has great shots that are difficult, yet rewarding. ColorDMD is a must given the awesome animations. While I'm not a fan of the crossbow in the premium/LE, there is a large scoring difference between the two games owing to the spinner contribution to switch-hit based modes as well as the lockdown button for cashing in "bombs". Replacing the stock lighting with reds/warm whites really makes a difference, and there are some phenomenal functional mods to integrate the TV show more into the playfield (tower, CDC ramp, prison, flame bulbed barn, etc).

wxforecaster currently owns this game.

6.954/10

5 months ago

W*W

Lawlor_and_Order

Pinside member

1y 60,400 21 80

The way I feel about this game has oddly mirrored the way I feel about the series that inspired it. At first, I was really interested in the premise and impressed with some of the odd twists. Then the structural flaws and lack of plot consistency started to get a little annoying, but still I came back for more because I was hooked on the characters. Then a certain sameness started to take over, and I got bored and just turned it off and didn't think in the end I had missed much.

In terms of the gameplay, this translates as follows. First off, I've never played a Walking Dead that didn't have some tuning or mechanical problem, usually relating to the barn magnet or the right outlane leading to too many drains not associated with player skill or lack thereof. The theme only follows the first three seasons of the show, and the modes seem to place outsize emphasis on parts of the show that weren't, in the end, that memorable. I love zombies, but I found "Scared Stiff" and "Monster Bash" a lot more campy fun for the monster hunt, and "Dracula" creepier as a pin.

The one thing that oddly the designers got right, IMHO, was the black and white stark color scheme in the artwork and design. This glare adds a little uneasiness, which reflects the theme well and adds a little player anxiety. That may not be the best formula for getting somebody to put more quarters in, of course, but it's a striking change from the usual incredibly overbusy splotches of vivid colors on Sterns.

And, the rules -- while somehow not terribly compelling -- at least make for a good tournament game, that is, if everything works.

6.352/10

5 months ago

LEW

sleepygtr

Pinside member

Hudson, OH

8y 32,150 63 9 19 1

Love the show and really want to like this game but the sewer zombie is just too damn big and the game is a not your fault drainer which I hate mainly because 30% of your shot area is consumed by the stupid bash toy…

8.505/10

6 months ago

MRB

XxindiCAddictxX

Pinside member

Fontana, CA

<1y 17,250 4 11

This game requires alot of nudging do to the poor layout ...you better hope the tilt control isn't sensitive!

XxindiCAddictxX edited previous rating on February 09, 2018.

7.972/10

8 months ago

PPD

Boat

Pinside member

Calgary, AB

1y 65,050 389 4 67

I really like the sounds and the theme. Most games played on this are alot of fun. Enjoy the bash toys and the magnet. Killing zombies is always a good time.

9.700/10

8 months ago

???

Rush2112

Pinside member

Dover, PA

4y 34,400 239 2 10 1

Though our entourage doesn't follow The Walking Dead episodes, this title/theme & gameplay is pinball at it's finest. Actually, this machine is quadruple AMAZING!!!
When approaching this machine, the challenging mode objectives coincide w/ The Horde (mini) wizard rule. In order to achieve horde, one must light all six weapon inserts to advance. Doing well is a must w/ Bloodbath, Well Walker, Bicycle Girl & The Modes to achieve one of the greatest most intense sub wizards of all time. Your excitement & adrenaline will surge w/ Horde achievement. But doing well throughout will be the challenge, as this machine is tough from beginning to end.
The modes are very well done in coalition w/ the dark theme. Barn, Riot, Arena, & CDC are all great in their own way, but Tunnel is another over the top thrill that separates & makes this machine shine!
Prison is another facet that will frustrate & fascinate w/ determination, but to totally complete is a long shot ~ S-O-O-O-O-O- Good Luck!
Well Walker is Multiball is definitely the easiest to accomplish of all the mini's & when stacked w/ Blood Bath, the entire playfield just explodes & lights up w/ anticipation.
I personally have not made it to Last Man Standing & to be honest, I really do not need to. Because to make this Saturn Planet Quest would be quite epic & extremely rare.
I need to emphasize that the theme induced ambiance & phenomenal gameplay make this title a winner! This incredible machine actually has my wife playing pinball. > What A Miracle!!!
As others have stated many times > Frustrating, Challenging, Difficult, etc.... But my personal spin on a typical gameplay experience is ~ This is a machine that will unconsciously force Mother Mary To Cuss!!!
Ball control & hitting your shots precisely is the only way to progress within reason. But to make each individual quest is another motivation to Keep Going.... As the silver ball goes, the question is > Will your Temper/Frustration overwhelm your conviction to progress further into this challenging pinball journey??? I wish you well in your pursuit YOUR pursuit of the perfect machine.

8.676/10

8 months ago

JIM

Tungs10

Pinside member

San Marcos, CA

1y 21,900 31 1 7

Tough game that just has you pressing start over and over to get further in it. Love this game.

Tungs10 currently owns this game.

4.633/10

9 months ago

STE

SDanowski2000

Pinside apprentice

Unknown

<1y 11,750 1 6 8

I played this machine for about a half hour in Gatlinburg this summer. A half hour only because it was the only pinball in the arcade, else Id've only played it once. The constant 2-ball multiball is probably ok for the truly walking dead, though maybe you become the walking dead if you play this long enough. The ruleset became ruined by the fact that your turn is over when you lose just one of the 2 balls.

5 Pinsiders flagged this rating/review.

8.475/10

9 months ago

RAK

rkelley17

Pinside member

Jeffersonville, IN

6y 37,400 198 3 13

Love how intense this game is!!!

rkelley17 currently owns this game.

9.060/10

9 months ago

WWW

Shadrac

Pinside member

2y 36,300 224 3 19

Pros: Best code ever created for a pinball machine, great layout, hard game but very addictive.
Wizard modes are excellent, Horde is epic, and scoring on modes is very well implemented.
Animations are the best i seen on a dmd.
I love musics and callouts, and don't find them annoying like others pinsiders.
I think it's the best effort by Stern for now. Game is epic like LOTR but in a different way, you can play 5 short games and do nothing and play another and bam! Huge scoring and intensity like no others pins.
Many things to do, many ways to attack the game.
I think it's a masterpiece and one of the best pin for PLAYERS

Cons: stock lighting is too white, you have to change somes leds for more warm colors, red, yellow, orange.
The flow of the ball sometimes is not smooth a the ramps exits and the game is really too hard on stock settings.
The ball can spend too much time on the bumpers area, but it's not really important.

I really don't understand why this game have no better ratings, there's more collectors than players here.

Shadrac edited previous rating on May 19, 2018.
Shadrac has owned this game in the past.

7.161/10

10 months ago

ERC

Ericc123

Pinside member

Pittsburgh, PA

2y 60,400 628 5 15

So I played this game while on vacation for the first time. I found a bowling ally with TWD, GOT, and SM. First night I played all three, second night TWD and GOT, and on the third night I was all in on TWD. Most fun of the three by far. Admittedly not my favorite theme as I don't watch the show and am not a huge zombie fan, but it was just such a sweet shooting pin with a deep rule set that kept me coming back night after night. I can't stress how much I enjoyed playing it but I don't know that I'd ever own one.

8.400/10

10 months ago

SAG

pinballprincess

Pinside member

2y 29,550 51 12

Like the graphic novel and show it's themed after, The Walking Dead can be a brutal, intense game. No one shot can be called "safe" - a failed shot on the steep ramps can easily go screaming down the middle; the right orbit feed is highly variable, where the ball can drip out to aim perfectly, again, straight down the middle; the two main bash toys are precariously positioned to make every hit's rebound precarious. Furthermore, perhaps because they seem to be rather steep, the ramps have been responsible for some amazing airballs. I have seen a ball go flying up the right ramp, jump over to the descending habitrail of the left ramp, and make its way up that, around, and down the left ramp. The ball feels wild and is incredibly difficult to get under control.

That said, when you do manage to get control, the shots are incredibly satisfying to make. Hitting a shot repeatedly to progress a mode, because of the game's speed, is a rewarding experience with each success. The sound effects add drama to each shot, as well; hitting the Well Walker bash toy is all the more satisfying with the deep bass boom that accompanies each hit, for example. The prison toy can be frustrating, both due to the magnet which holds the ball when you start qualifying for Prison Multiball and the tendency of the prison toy to become unresponsive, but the multiball start sound animation is worth it.

The rules are not terribly complicated, and the multiballs are rather obvious, which makes this somewhat accessible to the novice player. However, the wildness of the ball makes this game rather difficult. It seems like an ideal game to practice nudging on, especially big nudges and slide saves, considering how frequently the ball goes towards the middle. This can be frustrating, but making a big save is rewarding, so a player with good recovery will have an advantage. (Then again, the lack of control could mostly be my play style, though it seems like every TWD I've played has some amount of the wildness to it for everyone.)

Overall, it's a fairly fun game.

7.076/10

10 months ago

BIL

KingBW

Pinside member

3y 74,650 1,353 59

I never watched the show (don't get that cable channel) so the theme and back story I don't follow in the game. However, they probably did a great job with theming. The artwork fits the theme. It seems like you just keep hitting the same targets/toys over and over again to get anywhere in the game. That is just it - most games are that way, but this one gets monotonous with that. I would play a few games on location every time, but I would not want to own it. The LE plays better than the pro because there is a little more action and a couple more things to shoot for.

9.080/10

11 months ago

STV

MrSerious

Pinside member

Kansas City, MO

1y 22,650 3 19

I have played the bejesus out of this game. It was the first pin that I really had to shake around to keep the ball in play, and boy do you have to shake it. The game is really difficult, but it keeps you coming back for more. If I were to purchase a machine, I might choose TWD. Its deep rule set and variety of strategies have yet to become tiresome for me, and I've dumped at least 50 hours into the thing. Which is to say that getting good at this pin is the equivalent of running with a backpack full of rocks. I've found other pins to be much more forgiving after spending a good deal of time with TWD.

9.015/10

11 months ago

BAF

tutbrandon

Pinside member

Kansas City, MO

1y 14,750 1 1 35

my favorite skill shot.

tutbrandon edited previous rating on May 05, 2018.

9.180/10

12 months ago

BJS

waspinat0r

Pinside member

1y 54,550 1,243 7

The gameplay is phenomenal. There are very few pins out there that will provide such a challenge and have such lastability. However, to really shine, it needs a voice mod package, as the stock music and sounds are kind of cumbersome. Otherwise, my favorite pin as of yet.

waspinat0r has owned this game in the past.

8.832/10

1 year ago

QUY

FatPanda

Pinside member

1y 85,050 2,079 22

A love/hate game for a lot of people, but for me personally, more love than hate. This game is challenging, and you have to know that going into it. This ain't no buttery smooth combo after combo shooting game. This game requires shooting skills, ball control skills, and nudging skills. Because of this, there are a lot of people that don't like the game. This game is meant to drain you, and 99% of the drains in this game can be prevented with better shooting, nudging, and ball control. This is probably one of the furthest away from a "flailing" machine where you can randomly flip balls and good things happen. Randomly flipping balls in this game will result in a drain!

With that said, this is one of the most fun games I've played. The modes, multiballs, rules, dots are all exceptional. Two musts for this game, the Cleland sound package, and a small subwoofer. I downgraded the stock sound package. If Cleland's sound package came stock, it would get full marks.

The PF artwork is mediocre at best. Still looks like the photoshopped variety, which is a bit disappointing. The cabinet looks nice, and the zombies on the PRO backglass are just eh. I would have preferred hand-drawn art as opposed to what they used. I'll probably get one of the several alternate translites one day, but for now, I'm going to be killing zombies...

FatPanda edited previous rating on September 13, 2017.

9.900/10

1 year ago

???

Nath1977

Pinside apprentice

Unknown

1y 9,000 30

very fun and difficult, awsome.

9.452/10

1 year ago

JDS

JohnnyPinball007

Pinside member

Mableton, GA

1y 17,000 5 11

This is a very fun game.

JohnnyPinball007 currently owns this game.

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The Walking Dead (Pro) (Stern, 2014)

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Rating history

Found 160 ratings (with comment) on this game

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