Spooky Pinball

Total Nuclear Annihilation

Pinside Rating

This game received 476 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.208 _/10

8.208

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #59 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.905

Artwork: 7.667

Sounds/Music: 8.767

Other Aspects: 8.312

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 4 of us have rated this game.

7.619

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This title is part of group: "Total Nuclear Annihilation"

Total Nuclear Annihilation

Total Nuclear Annihilation
(CE)

Found 224 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 224 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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9.698/10

2 years ago

SC

Stagio

Pinside member

Pooler, GA

4y 46,150 74 18 11

Initially I heard a lot of good things about this game but with only a handful made it was difficult to get my hands on one and play.

To summarize the game is extremely different from any of the newer pins I’ve played and it’s diversity works in a home collection of newer pins. The theme plays extremely well from the BG to destroying reactors on the PF. The step level change in difficulty from one reactor to the next is just enough.

In this day and age it is amazing how a pinball machine without a known / licensed title was released and so successful. You just don’t see company's take that approach in today’s market so kudos to the team in being confident the product will sell itself.

I truly enjoy the storyline in the development of the game and how it came to be. It’s EM like feel in a modernized (very FAST) format is cool. Layout is great with a purposeful upper PF that is an essential piece of the story. The sound tracks (and variation from reactors) are second to none.

Overall the light / sound / shaker integration is amazing and I would say best (self proclaimed) I have ever seen in any pin. In addition, I added a sub which elevated to another level as parts of the room rattle when ball goes SDTM and that bass drop hits.

Lastly, the designers active participation in the threads to help owners along just speaks passion that clearly correlates to end product.

I felt the focus here is perfecting simplicity while staying off the mainstream vibe of what all manufactures are producing today. With that said, thank you for the experience. #Crushed It

Stagio has owned this game in the past.

4 Pinsiders starred this!

9.524/10

2 years ago

TAY

jonest3

Pinside+ Frequent

Collierville, TN

4y 43,550 17 6 6

I can’t get enough of this game!

Simple layout and easy to understand rules. Music and sounds that are the BEST in pinball. Amazing light show.

Probably one of the best modern day multiplayer pins.

My wife said it’s never leaving… that warrants a high grade on its own

jonest3 has owned this game in the past.

8.831/10

2 years ago

ACH

ahunsche

Pinside member

Peace River, AB

3y 33,750 2 10 20

Honestly.. the most simple game.. but that's what's awesome. Love it. Great sound system.. music and lighting.

8.820/10

2 years ago

FUD

MutterFudder

Pinside member

Goffstown, NH

12y 61,050 312 30 23

I can't stop playing it. It's so "simple" but yet so difficult that the simplicity of the rules make it fun. There's enough area for improvisation with the scoring and multiball to keep things interesting. Co-op is great. Music is amazing. One of if not the best light shows in pinball. Almost everyone who comes to play at my house ends up gravitating to this over the other games we have. I only wish the display/animations tied me in to the game a bit more -- they're too abstract at times to make much sense. Bolted to the floor.

MutterFudder currently owns this game.

9.483/10

2 years ago

VEE

Veemonroe

Pinside member

London

2y 55,550 205 7 176

This may be the best pinball machine I have ever played (on free play). It is like an early solid-state machine, if it was speeded up 10x and had thumping music and a shaker.

Unlike a lot of modern machines, it’s all about the speed and the shots. Completely nails the retro 80s neon vibe, as well.

Simply perfect.

UPDATE: Put my money where my opinions are and have ordered a TNA 2.0. I play TNA every time I go to Pinball Republic in Croydon, UK. It is one of the best five pins I’ve ever played and a pure gameplay pin.

The rules are simple: you just need to fill the grid and shoot the reactor. However, this is harder than it sounds because this pin is FAST and furious. Like simple arcade games, the simple rules and difficult gameplay give it a strong ‘one more game’ feel. To add to the overall appeal, it has a cooperative mode for fun gameplay with friends. The thumping music and disco lighting is also amazing and adds to the Adrenalin-pumping atmosphere. It’s a game that appeals to people who like a challenge and who enjoy banging their head against a wall in the hope of succeeding next time. So, Shovel Knight fans should apply :)

TNA has no toys and barely any theme and, as such, it is unlikely to appeal to ‘collectors’ (which may explain the lower ratings on Pinside). However, if you’re a player, rather than a collector, try to play a TNA on location. I would suggest trying to buy one, but Spooky are making this very hard.

Veemonroe edited previous rating on September 11, 2022.

8.612/10

2 years ago

SAH

onemilemore

Pinside+ Frequent

San Marcos, CA

4y 80,050 1,052 4 18

I feel like the art ratings might bring down the overall number on this one, but TNA is a freakin' blast! For being such a simple gameplay loop it really suckers you in with the increased difficulty of each reactor. Crank the tunes, add a friend and some beer, and you're in for a fun night.

onemilemore edited previous rating on May 17, 2022.

8.260/10

2 years ago

OHM

OhmEye

Pinside+ Frequent

Corning, NY

4y 31,400 119 2 11

A pretty unique pin, not a lot of shot variety but based more on a progression repeating the same goal for each reactor. The split playfield is well integrated with the rules, using each playfield area for different tasks to complete. Not a "flow" game for me but take advantage of feeling the need to complete one more reactor. The rules are not complex but are fun, the art is simple but colorful, the music is fantastic.

8.689/10

2 years ago

CUB

pinballwhiz

Pinside member

San Francisco, CA

4y 29,500 4 3 22

Good rules, fast play. Hard enough to be challenging but not discouraging. Definitely enjoy playing at home more as the ball times can be short as you learn the game.

Scoop shot is only design issue IMO. Can be tricky to get ball to stay down / get n trough.

pinballwhiz has owned this game in the past.

7.452/10

2 years ago

EJH

ehex9

Pinside member

Saint Albans Town, VT

3y 46,650 5 7 179

Really cool innovative game with great lighting. Only played it a few times but I liked it. The only drawback for me is the game plays incredibly fast almost to fast at times.

9.304/10

2 years ago

DAV

ShrinerDave

Pinside+ Frequent

Green Bay, WI

4y 50,450 25 16

This game is fast. I have played this on freeplay all but once. As a freeplay game it is freaking amazing. The theme is easy to understand the goals are easy to understand. The shots are hard and fast. The jam bumper on the side makes things unpredictable. As a game you have to pay to play I chose others because I want to get my dollars worth. Everytime this is on freeplay I will sit at it for hours. It is hard fast and fun. It is am amazing game to have in your home collection. It is also amazing for after league play and you start playing for dollars. Your not waiting forever for the game to finish up.

Edit - I did buy this machine and added it to my collection. For newbees they tend to gravitate to it largely because of the music and lights. Real easy game play -fill the grid, shoot the scoop get up top to wreck the reactor, rinse and repeat.
On Co-OP mode (which is amazing) we have gotten up to reactor 7. Must keep practicing.

ShrinerDave edited previous rating on May 11, 2021.

4.962/10

2 years ago

AJC

DeprivedFallacy

Pinside member

3y 20,150 23 7 14

Don't understand this game played it an moved on fast very boreing playfield I found an it's an old layout I believe an just not up to standard with other new games cool El panel lighting on the side trims but lil mods ain't enough not a good machine for small collection would want about 10machines to wandering from an to

6 Pinsiders flagged this. 2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.898/10

3 years ago

WAB

FlySlyde

Inactive member

3y 19,750 57

Any game with a alphanumeric display in the playfield deserves praise

FlySlyde edited previous rating on April 12, 2021.

7.194/10

3 years ago

OGA

Cabal73

Pinside member

Mckinney, TX

5y 31,500 6 3 18

I finally got to play this one over at Arcade 92 in McKinney Texas. You may wonder why I rated it 'excellent' on fun factor but average to below average on everything else. Well, thats because this is one of those pin that is more than the sum of its parts.

I was dissapointed with many aspects of this pin, primarily its lackluster art design which seems like it was designed by a 7th grader. Sorry, but considering the quality of art that's out there is just no excuse. Also not sure why Spooky placed a single pop bumper on the right. It's placement is better than Rick and Morty I feel, but you might as well not have pop bumpers at all.

I did enjoy the upper part of playfield and the scoop is cool. Lower playfield is a bit open but that really allows you to hit drop targets quickly with little to get in your way. Also lighting and sound really make the overall experience.

Bottom line; first few plays I was super critical of it...then an hour and a half later I found myself still wanting to keep going...which is where the fun factor is high.

I don't feel this pin is worth what it fetches on the open market, though. Probably because of its limited production but I wouldn't spend over 3k on it.

-OGA

8.440/10

3 years ago

RSC

rschultzie

Pinside member

3y 21,250 2 12

Great layout really enjoyed the the shots

9.364/10

3 years ago

???

Mattmz1

Inactive member

Unknown

3y 10,000 27

This machine is strangely addictive. It is very hard, I wish I had a location where it wasn't a buck per game. You really have to master the unique lane ball save. While it is simple it is incredibly addictive where you want to just keep running it back. Sounds and art are amazing. I think its uniqueness as an original modern machine that is so simple and different from the Stern licensed superhero and band machines makes it great.

9.012/10

3 years ago

SJ

Spagano314

Pinside member

St. Louis, MO

9y 61,300 306 7 16

I think Scott Danesi really went for something completely different with TNA and it paid off. It’s not just the music and the lighting. It’s the entire package that makes it one of my favorite games to play. It’s conceptually simple, but brutally hard. The first time I played it was shortly after it launched and I was blown away. I figured that feeling would die down over time and it hasn’t. I purchased a TNA a couple months ago and everyone said I would tire of it in a home collection and I haven’t. I wish more designers would think outside the box of conventional pinball. Well done Scott and Spooky for making this one happen.

Spagano314 currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.680/10

3 years ago

???

Pinballogist

Pinside apprentice

6y 25,150 60 20

Best music of any pinball machine I've ever played, by far

9.608/10

3 years ago

EBC

EDUB919

Pinheadz

Eugene, OR

5y 48,400 194 14 13

Sound quality/intensity and lighting is second to none. When the bass is kicking and the ball is flying around between the slings puts you on the “edge of your seat”. The speed of this game makes me feel like a cat being tormented with a laser pointer, my head going side to side vigorously.

Don’t buy this game for it’s code depth. Don’t buy this game for an “only pin”, especially if you want to play for hours and never see the same thing twice. This game is repetitive in a magical way. It’s uncontrollable for even the most experienced players. Playing out of control takes me out of my comfort zone but is necessary in an era of cookie cutter fan layouts that get copied and pasted by the company that releases half a dozen titles per year.

Spooky as a company takes risks, not to pad their pocket books and cater to the masses but to add flair into the game which I truly believe the entire Emery family genuinely loves. They could make a Pee Wee Herman themed game and so it in such a way that even the most chiseled masculine dude would love to have in his lineup.

Scott Danesi has made the purest form of pinball satisfaction one could ever ask for in TNA. One of a kind in every way. When they make the next 2.0 run of these machines put your name on the list ASAP. Support the last of a dying breed of family owned and operated companies, making their own dreams become our reality.

I have not been compensated for this review, maybe someday. ;-) I blew up my own Alice Cooper up by accidentally reversing the polarity hooking up the topper. They have been nothing but helpful throughout the whole trouble shooting process as if it was their fault. Charlie offered to find a repairman and send him to my house and fix it 2,000 miles away. Gary or Jack might not do that...who knows.

EDUB919 currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.619/10

3 years ago

JP

SpacelySpliffs

Pinside+ Frequent

3y 60,550 216 9 26

The music and light show are amazing! The game play is simple to understand, but hard enough to master for this game to be fun for a long time. My family loves playing Co-op mode together against the machine. So happy I took the time and energy to track this machine down and bring it home!

SpacelySpliffs edited previous rating on June 14, 2021.
SpacelySpliffs has owned this game in the past.

10.000/10

3 years ago

TNA

flip17000

Pinside apprentice

La Rochelle

3y 24,500 1 85

great flip thanks to scott danesi

flip17000 edited previous rating on April 16, 2021.

8.705/10

3 years ago

BMA

Mechulus

Pinside+ Frequent

Atascadero, CA

4y 36,900 41 3 12 1

Perfect game in any medium sized collection. Fast fast fast, but never unfair. The easy to understand rules and somewhat repetitive gameplay will likely get a bit tiresome if in a small collection. This machine would perfectly complement a slower, longer play game like WoZ or Hobbit. There’s nothing terribly innovative here except perhaps the great music, but it has little to apologize for if you appreciate it for what it is: a fast, engaging, modern shooter with a retro futuristic 80’s vibe.

Mechulus has this game on the wishlist.

7.080/10

3 years ago

PO

pat4race

Inactive member

Unknown

3y 19,000 1 73

Has the look of an older machine, and the gameplay seems a little more old style as well. Worth trying when you see it, quick paced, but just didn’t get in to this one.

8.040/10

3 years ago

DAD

SWfan

Inactive member

Newport Beach, CA

4y 48,150 142 1 56

This is basically a better version of The Beatles in terms of layout. I really appreciate that is is unique, and like the pop bumper on the right and the awesome ball lock mechanism. However, this playfield, like The Beatles, could really use a ramp or two to allow for a clean and satisfying shot that the game is otherwise lacking (except for the orbits).

7.576/10

3 years ago

TMR

sliprose

Pinside member

4y 36,300 83 9

This game isn't really my thing, but I do enjoy putting a few quarters in when I see it. Gameplay is fast and furious, with driving music and sounds that make the experience intense. The playfield is just a little too sparse for my liking. I appreciate the retro layout, but I feel like a ramp and some sort of toy/feature would make this game more appealing.

7.609/10

3 years ago

CWD

Teamhex

Inactive member

Rosenberg, TX

4y 34,150 135 2 12

This one is fun. The first thing that jumped out to me as I walked up to it was the size. It's smaller than most pins. I almost thought "What is this a 3/4 sized machine or something?".

I wish there were a bit more going on with it, but over all it's a fun pin. I love the 80s neon colors and over all theme of it. The game is fast...I mean this thing moves sometimes. There's not really any toys or crazy ramps to hit...which is why I think the price is high for what it is. It's cool...but I don't see how it's worth what it goes for. It's still a very solid pin with a good theme and fun gameplay. If you have the chance to play it, I definitely recommend dropping some money in it.

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