Stern

Transformers (Pro)

Pinside Rating

This game received 171 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.372 _/10

7.372

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks 2nd in the game group "Transformers". The group itself ranks #119 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.298

Artwork: 7.39

Sounds/Music: 7.151

Other Aspects: 7.257

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.

7.989

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This title is part of group: "Transformers"

Transformers
(Pro)

Transformers
(LE)

Found 117 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 117 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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6.269/10

11 years ago

AJD

bailorgana

Pinside member

Culver City, CA

11y 47,900 313 2 15

Ball routinely stuck in multiple places, Rollovers are too confusing.

7.484/10

11 years ago

D T

dinot

Pinside+ Frequent

Eldersburg, MD

20y 77,300 733 8 25

I went into this game with a negative attitude. So many people bash this game. I almost begrudgingly played it.
After my first game, I played it again. And again. And again. I could not get enough of this game.
I was lucky enough to be able to play a Pro and a Combo LE within a couple hours of each other. I played about an hour on the LE and about 90 mins on the Pro. I can't believe I am saying this but if I had to choose, I would play the Pro.
I like the ramps much better on the pro. They just flow. I like the right loop better on the LE. I like the drop target on the LE but I could live with it. Also, the lighting on the LE is better, but that is easily rectified by adding some spotlights.

Honestly, I can't get over all the bashing of this game. I do not like the artwork on the PF. Way too busy. I like simpler art like Iron Man.

I think I have found what my next machine will be. I hope people keep bashing it so that I can get one cheaper.

dinot edited previous rating on May 31, 2021.
dinot has owned this game in the past.

7.073/10

11 years ago

DB

whisper

Inactive member

Melbourne

11y 80,550 1,680 6 67

Just came back from playing this game for the first time,and had a blast.thought the game was really cool,couldnt get all the rules being on location,but realized its sort of 2 games in one being autobot right and decepticon left,loved the toys and the speech,couldnt find all the characters on the playfield,but sure if i played it more i could figure it out,the playfield seemed a little dark though,and the machine i was playing on must of had a glitch,coz it took way too long to realise the balls sometime,and we would walk away then they shoot out,would definatly consider buying one,if the price is rite,over all my opinion,very fun game,highly reccomend,would love to play one thats in a more quiter enviroment,and been shoped out,probaly wouldnt get off the thing!!!!Edit. After playing this game abit more I didn't like it as much, its still good, toys seem to brake and hard to see on the dark playfield, its still a good game in my opinion but noticed if its in line-up im playing whats next to it, I love the theme, and the game is good,but definatly don't need to own it.

whisper edited previous rating on April 07, 2014.

8.912/10

11 years ago

YAR

Gangplank

Pinside member

11y 32,900 86 4 23

This is a fun pin, it goes well with the theme and the multi ball is awesome, but I just feel it lacks something

7.812/10

11 years ago

DAV

PersonX99

GSP mods

Manchester, NH

12y 87,550 1,102 16 36 1

The Good: Fun, Fast, easy to follow game play. Dots are amazing. Sounds GREAT!

The Bad: Playfield is unusually flat for a recent game (I still like it). Too much PF art makes the PF look a bit "messy".

The Ugly: Although smacking Optimus Prime in the nethers seems entertaining. I wonder how long the figure will hold up??? Not enough Wheelie & Brains!!! :)

5.760/10

11 years ago

???

kazak_35

Inactive member

Drummondville, QC

11y 19,150 21 13

not the best machine i've played

7.300/10

11 years ago

ZUL

Caucasian2Step

Evil McBooty

12y 163K 1,455 51 1011

Transformers is a game that just feels like a work in progress. We shall see how this all comes along.

The Pros:
The art package is solid. I usually don't like the photoshop composition look, but this game is alright with the theme/movie aesthetic. Lots of shots to make. The ramps have a Johnny Mnemonic feel to them. This is great for the flow. Mode, switch frenzy, bumblebee multiplier and multiball stackability can make for sky high scores.

The Cons:
The selection of the autobot/decepticon well presented, but it just feels like voting for a republican or a democrat as you relate to one better than the other, but ultimately, the rules are still very similar and overlap as the game progresses. Just so you know...I used to be a decepticon. I now play autobots first. Has a definite Monster Bash feel to it, why does this not surprise me? Modes are not that different from each other. Megatron/ Optimus Prime multiball is too valuable and unbalancing. Once again... Monster Bash feel to it.

The Takeaway:
A good game that could use a revision or three of code. So far the team has been doing this, but I get the feeling that what should have really happened is that the LE version is what George really wanted to do in the first place. Will see what happens with later iterations of code. Could it be the next LOTR? Probably not, but it still could be a better than it already is.

Update:
After more play, I'm upgrading the play for this table and downgrading it for the LE versions. The toys on the LE version just seem to get in the way of the game and flow.

Update v.2:
Software updates make this game MUCH more interesting and offer better stackability options. Me likey! Keep up the good work Stern, it comes a bit late, but... I'll take it. Scores adjusted accordingly.

Caucasian2Step edited previous rating on June 07, 2013.

7.828/10

11 years ago

JLM

jlm33

Pinside member

Villejuif

11y 152K 5,892 7 169

Played at an Arcade, with sound nearly off and bad light. Despite that, given that there were other sterns around, I ended up playing that one more often than not. That was not my initial choice as I do not like the theme and found the backglass ugly. But the more I played it, the more I liked it.

jlm33 edited previous rating on January 29, 2013.

7.963/10

11 years ago

ATE

AdamTheGamer

Pinside member

11y 56,150 270 2 133

Gotta Be A Gomez Game...I actually like this one, but I can admit, I doubt I've have it long if I owned it. I get replays on almost every game, and I'll admit that there's something to be desired at times. The "pro" Transformers is not Gomez's best outing, I'd give that to Johnny Mnemonic personally, but I feel it's a fun game that's worth throwing a few quarters to.

8.436/10

11 years ago

JMG

drbond

Inactive member

14y 62,400 1,473 7 85

Transformers is a fun mash-up of Gomez's best designs (Monster Bash, Johnny Mnemonic, & latest rule features from Batman). In a way, this is to Gomez...to what Steve Ritchie was his game, No Fear. Transformers is a love letter to fans of the franchise, going back to Generation 1. Fans will dig the remixed "more than meets the eye" theme music used, while newer fans will like the art and sound effect package (Peter Cullen soundalike is tolerable) used from the Michael Bay movies. Pro model has a strong art package, similar to the combo LE, dividing up the cabinet in two. The decision to split up the entire playfield down the middle into factions, was a nice touch. The decision to allow the player to initially choose their starting faction (requiring different rollover triggers) and chase different objectives (per faction; ie destroy Megatron or Optimus), is extremely original. Watching Megatron's tank form (from the Michael Bay movie) fire balls is pretty cool, though his transformation mechanic in the LE model is missed here. Optimus Prime bash target brings forth memories of hitting Frankenstein in Monster Bash, while saucer shot on the left is similar to MB's Creature Feature shot. Bumblebee captive ball shot is cool, while making the back-to-back ramp shots reminds players of Johnny Mnemonic. The rules rely on heavy multiplier use, mode time extensions, and add-a-ball (Mudflap and Skids) ala Batman Dark Knight...making for some fun & frantic precision shooting. Very fun game with good flow (fast game with the absence of Ironhide or Starscream LE gimmicks). Certain portions of the game requires repeated hits to trigger certain characters to advance, and drags the game down a bit (could do with a more fun animated progress animation on dot matrix, at the least). With some more updates, this game has definite promise. "Roll out!"

drbond edited previous rating on July 15, 2013.

5.282/10

11 years ago

MSO

Nibbles

Pinside member

12y 82,800 2,183 63

Crap, all around a bad pin...really tried to give it a chance and wanted to like it, but after each play it just felt uninspired/boring/half-assed. So much wasted potential, it hurts to think this was the best they could do...

6.813/10

11 years ago

SCC

mrgone

Pinside member

Casper, WY

12y 119K 5,181 4 54

i played this game at a movie theater. they also had ironman and batman dark knight.
the game is clean and everything works as it should. the game play is good.not great but good. the ramp shots are cool and not to hard to hit. the ball lock that fires the ball back at you at lighting speed is very cool. the only real problem i had with the game was that the ball got stuck behind the right ramp a couple of times and i had to really nudge it to get it out of there. overall its a fun game. if you are a transformers fan you should really like it. if you are not give it a play or 3. its not a game i would probably own but its worth a play when i find one on route.

9.180/10

11 years ago

JFP

jfp2673

Inactive member

Granbury, TX

15y 18,250 6 13 31

Great game with two different rulesets depending on picking autobot or decepticon at beginning of game. Definitly a keeper pin to have.

5.749/10

11 years ago

NML

NickBuffaloPinball

Buffalo Pinball

Buffalo, NY

13y 98,550 1,465 18 53

I've tried this game many times, but just can't get into it. It's not exactly clunky, but it's not smooth either. The playfield is unattractive as it has this rustic/metalic look (the LE is different and looks better playfield wise). The music and sounds do nothing for me. The rules don't provide anything interesting to the game.

It's not that Transformers is a bad game, but with recent Sterns such as IM, Tron, and AC/DC, this game just seems like work in comparison to the fun and excitement those others games provide.

NickBuffaloPinball edited previous rating on August 13, 2013.

7.844/10

11 years ago

MAK

teachp8

Inactive member

13y 57,800 146 2 97

I really enjoy playing this game and seriously considered a NIB before opting for Tron instead. Subsequently played this a little more and, whilst I am pleased I went with Tron, I would happily go for one of these in the future. Fun game, good layout, modes a little samey, I find, and a little too dark with the GI but that could be where I played it.

5.195/10

11 years ago

RUS

RUS7T3

Inactive member

Narre Warren South

11y 11,900 64 2 7

Just played this at the local bowling centre & didn't think much of it at all.
definately wouldn't add this to collection.

7.351/10

11 years ago

ERC

Paisley_Pinball

Inactive member

Paisley

11y 51,650 85 47 56

I was not expecting much from this table, I dont really like transformers and I had heard all the negative 'Stern is rubbish' chat that had been going around.
Well, the table looks amazing and plays great. Lots of fun with frantic modes and cool gadgets. Well worth a play and I'm glad i have one.

Paisley_Pinball edited previous rating on September 21, 2012.
Paisley_Pinball currently owns this game.

9.700/10

11 years ago

BCP

beachcitypinball

Pinside member

11y 41,400 4 2 13

Update: 7/15/13 -owned this from it's release date and have no plans of letting it leave my collection. Fantastic and Challenging, even the PS Staff have it at 8.8!! -love you nay Sayers who pop a few quarters in at the arcade and then rate it poor with 2 whole words in your comments -This is a complicated pin folks with a strong rule set!! You can get very little very little out of it if you only play a few times. This is for home owners private collections

Original Comments:
My opinion might be a bit clouded as I was a huge fan of the Transformers when I was a kid and whereas the movies could have been written better this themed pin has really grown on me. It's hard to own multiple modern machines by Stern.. game-play and design tends to be so similar to one another. Yet, I find myself flipping the switch to play this daily and when I'm done I step back for a moment just to watch the light show. Except for the translite, this is much better than the typical "cut n' past" artwork Stern's been putting out. Good game flow with minimal toys, which is a great thing judging by the cheese Optimus Prime. Once folks get to know this machine it's really going to climb the ladder.

I need to ad that after reading the newer mixed ratings from folks who haven't owned but 1 or 2 pinball machines yet rate 40+ of them only after popping a few quarters in a game at the corner pizza parlor... take some more time getting to know these pins, God bless freedom of opinion but when you (no names) rate LOTR a 5.9, DM 3.0 or AFM at 4.7 and leave a five word comment somewhat racy in nature with no comprehensive explanation as to why so harsh, it really doesn't help people form a proper opinion.

beachcitypinball edited previous rating on July 16, 2013.
beachcitypinball has owned this game in the past.

2.573/10

11 years ago

MJN

mickthepin

Inactive member

Brisbane

12y 64,400 2,333 2 25

Played this today and it sucked

3 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.959/10

11 years ago

ANV

captainadam_21

Inactive member

Sioux Falls, SD

12y 74,150 3,104 46

Fun and fast game. Call outs could be better since I am confused what to do most of the time. The animations stink and the toys look cheap (mostly broken on the one I play in public). But overall it is pretty fun. Good variety of shots. 4 ball multiball is intense and fun.
I personally think it feels like Iron Man but with more crap on the playfield.. but that is not a bad thing.

captainadam_21 has this game on the wishlist.

7.637/10

11 years ago

DEN

britrex1

Inactive member

13y 49,800 213 58

The pro version is fun but it's missing features and modes that make it a great game. The other problem is the programmer is either incompetent or just lazy so the rules don't exactly make sense and are incomplete. All in all it's still a pretty fun machine to play

britrex1 edited previous rating on August 08, 2012.

8.280/10

11 years ago

???

stevebighead

Inactive member

Medford, OR

13y 40,400 382 9 16

Much better than I expected. I had read a lot of bashing about this machine, but really had a fun time playing it. It was sitting right next to a Tron and I played them equally and found TF almost as fun as Tron. Would buy one (pro) at the right price.

6.149/10

11 years ago

JJS

jonogo

Pinside member

12y 75,300 2,987 1 51

Over all I really liked this machine. I did think the playfield seemed VERY "flat". The ramps didnt go up as much as I'd expect out of a newer machine. The playfield was also VERY dark. At first I Assumed that some GI or other lights were out, but during attract mode, this was proven false, as all the lights turned on. We ended up determining that the OP had RED standard bulbs on the right out lane, probably because of the red plastics on that side, but all it did was make that area super dark and nearly impossible to track the ball properly.

6.740/10

11 years ago

SOK

DrLeon

Inactive member

Kangaroo Point

12y 25,250 2 28

Nothing overly amazing, but quite fun to play. One of the better Stern games in my opinion. I'd definitely play it again.

DrLeon edited previous rating on October 03, 2012.

5.762/10

11 years ago

DON

Donnyman

Pinside member

Tempe, AZ

18y 68,400 1,323 2 35

I just found it Okay, I was hoping to see an autobot transform like on the teaser video they made before the machine launched. The gamplay was just ehhh Ill pass on buying one.

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