This is an excellent game. Lawlors best. Jjp best.
If you like the theme, you will be hard pressed to exclude it from a three best pins ever.
It's right up there with medieval madness and stern jurassic park.

The shots and flow on this game are great, however the overly repetitive music and lack luster call outs really put a damper on the experience. The artwork is okay, but nothing more than what feels like a photoshop collage.

I've had the opportunity to own a Wonka LE for nearly 2 years now. Slowly I've come to realize that Wonka LE is my favorite of the JJP games that I've owned. The layout is fantastic with a lot of unique shots to hit. This is a 4 flipper layout with no upper playfield and at the same time Pat Lawlor managed to squeeze 3 ramps in there. There's really nothing else like it out there when I think about it.

The rules took a while to grow on me. Initially I expected the game to have a lot more story based modes where you are hitting shots as scenes progress on the screen. There's some of those (4 of the Factory Modes) but I've now realized that what's there is more unique and interesting then just hitting lit shots timed to movie clips. For example Kid Multiball has so many layers to it, from collecting and completing characters to playing the mode itself. That one mode is almost like 5 modes in one. Overall the game offers a very unique and in depth ruleset. The hook of collecting Golden Tickets is amazing and keeps you coming back for more. There's just so many ways to play this game.

As far as mechs goes Wonka has a lot of them. It's funny, when Wonka was first announced myself and others thought it looked a bit empty. Compare it today's games and it looks loaded. There's the moving Gobstopper toy with the rotating gobble hole shot, 6 mini magnets under the playfield, a physical kickback, the mini LCD toy (best JJP LCD IMO), and the large physical Wonkavator ball lock on the backboard which IMO is one of the coolest physical ball locks in pinball. The game is pretty loaded.

If you haven't had a chance to own a Wonka I would highly recommend it, it's an game that will never leave my collection.

This was our first pinball machine, and it was the most magical purchase! Every time I play it I feel like I am 12 years old going into a candy shop with all my dreams coming true! Pat Lawlor nailed the theme and integration. The game play is smooth and buttery, making it such a fun and rewarding game. Love how the machine begins goes crazy as it builds up in scoring. The shots are very satisfying. Great variety of multi balls and various modes. Willy Wonka office is just like the movie! Love the Gene wilder quotes throughout the game. Super magical! This will stay in our collection for many plus years.

I love so much about this game except the problem that effects me just about every game. Coming down the left side out of the pop bumpers is just too easy of a drain. I love the multiplier and the fact that you can really rack up your score in the pop bumpers, but that really can have a disproportional impact on your score. Hey, that's just the ruleset, you you live with it, and you go for it!

This machine was not even on my radar. A guy offered me a trade and I took a chance. Very fun love the Pat Lawlor design.

Love the layout on Wonka, playing the top portion of the playfield is very rewarding and quite a unique experience!

I've been playing WW LE for a month now and it epitomizes the a true Pat Lawlor design. Smooth buttery shots, seemless flow, great rules, lots of shots and good depth. The video/graphics are beautiful, build quality is great, the light show is well done and the playfield is very nicely done. The game play is straight forward and always keeps me saying "I have to play it again and I can do better the next game".

I wasn't quite sure how Jersey Jack/Pat Lawlor could integrate this movie into a pinball machine, they've done a great job. Whenever I finish playing it, I always leave with a smile on my face. It is light hearted and a lot of fun to play. ..whole day wasted.

Love the theme! Hope to own one someday.

A Jersey Jack pin that really feels like a more modern Stern, the flippers and speed of play is a lot different than the floaty feeling a lot of them typically have. I love the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film, but something about these visuals and icons feel too childish to me. And once you've had your photo taken once on the leaderboard, I kind of grow to hate the gimmick. This is a really fun pin that got a little too safe and boring on the use of the theme. The clips, sounds effects and music work but all the original stuff added just feels kind of terrible in my opinion. But again, really fun and I look forward to playing it more when I come across them.

I've owned this game for a little while now simply put its a blast. Its a really good Pat Lawlor design and next to my Twilight zone it compliments it perfectly. I love Pat Lawlor games and this one is amazing it flows amazing and sounds great this beautiful game really brings Gene Wilders Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory back to life.

First off, this theme does nothing for me at all. That said, it's a pretty fun game.

I have probably put 20-25 games on Wonka and it shoots well with great flow. Rules are pretty straight forward. Cabinet and playfield are beautiful, so many toys and mechs. Music and call outs kind of kill my enthusiasm for the machine though, they are ok but don't excite me. Great game to play on location but not one for the basement.

Not the worst JJP game, but definitely the most disappointing for myself as a fan of the original Gene Wilder film. Game just suffers from all the normal jack problems like bloated code, bad lisa frank lightshows, excessive ball times, too many multiballs, and spongy flippers.

Worst of all it just looks and sounds like a slot machine. Layout is okay, but not special. Such a missed opportunity.

Good game and lastability JJP pinballs are fun

Great machine with a highly integrated theme. Not sure why the videos dont have then matching sound. Maybe a licencing thing. Shame Candyman song isnt included. Fully decked out with vuks, pops, magnets, ball save etc etc. Complex rules that might be bit off putting for some.

Played this recently at a show and couldn’t help think what could have been with such a great license. The mechs / toys are a miss given how special that could have been. It shoots well and the quality of a Jersey Jack cannot be denied. But well short of the potential.

Fun game with decent shots. There's a lot going on in this one and I haven't figured it all out but definitely a solid game.

I have owned this game for a year and a half- It never gets old for me- Feels and shoots like a classic lawlor- I do love the theme having grown up watching this movie a lot. This is an approachable game for novices and children to shoot without knowing and caring about the rules- Having owned the game for a while, I am deep into the rules and trying to get the 5th golden ticket. Its not a quick game for me, so when I do fire this game up I am usually playing multiple games and on it for over an hour. Layout and feel are great to me- the ruleset is super deep and a little complex. Overall this is a very fun game for me and the family and will more than likely remain in my collection for a very long time- Awesome light shows- this game really goes into overdrive when you start to blow it up. Mini wizard modes are great- oompa loompa and wonkas office are a blast-

I've been owning this gem of a game for 2 months now. A pinball should be fun and exciting even when you don't know the ruleset, Willy Wonka is just like that. Genius geometry and shots design, smooth as butter, super combos, the best game that Pat Lawlor ever created IMHO. When you learn the extremely deep/fun/well integrated/almost impossible to beat ruleset, now we're somewhere else. Built quality is thru the roof, this is not a mere toy, this is a serious piece of amusement equipment and the theme is perfectly integrated.

I found the lower flippers to be a little too soft for my taste so I changed (+6) their strength. With the default settings, ramps were pretty hard to make. Now it's all good. There is a couple spots were airballs got caught up (beside the Wonkavator elevator, behind the Oompa Loompa) so I needed to add some plastic posts at these critical spots to solve the problem. Otherwise the game (late 2021 built) have been very reliable with no issue at all.

Since this is a 4 flippers design, be prepared for a lot of action. Every shots is satisfying. You always have something to shoot for no matter where the ball is.

The orchestral musical score is perfect and beautiful and fits the theme to perfection (it's the soundtrack from the movie). The sounds effects are extremely well made and not tiring by any means. This is a game about dream, wonder, youth, excitement and fantasy ... the sounds effects reflects that extremely well. There is not a single moment that this game is not exciting, you have to think when "to blink" because it might be too late when you do :). This might be a family theme, but the game can be really brutal. You'll have to bring your A game.

Lighting effects (flash and inserts) are magnificent but the GI is lackluster. You "can't" play this game in a dark environnement. Ambient lights needs to be on. I installed some Pinstadium's Neo Atom Fusion on it and ..... OMFG !!! Game changer !! ... it's literally a "new" game now, colors are vibrant, we see everything, and the flashers effects of the Pinstadium's Neo Atom Fusion are a sight to behold and puts Willy Wonka on a whole new level.

You can have cheap drains from the pops, that's been said over and over and that's 100% true. I prefer the "free pops" design that bring speed, danger and excitement to a boring "trapped pops" design like Medieval Madness or Theater of Magic (I own both) where the ball is hit by the pops but always comes out of the zone slowly without any challenge at all. Pops have to be "free" to bring excitement to a game, not trapped. There are some mods out there that cure the problem of cheap drain if it's something you prefer. To each is own.

It takes some time to get use to the upper right flipper as some shorter people might have a harder time seeing it but once you're used to it, that's not a problem at all. Slingshots are on the "soft" side even at their highest settings but some may find it a "blessing" as the game is so brutal anyway.

There is 6 magnets on the playfield that affects the direction on the ball in certain modes. They're arranged in 2 clusters of 3 magnets. On this game, even the "empty space" can add speed and unpredictability/excitement. It's not overdone but when it's in action, better stay focused as the ball can go in any directions at the most unexpected moment.

Sound quality is pretty good out of the box but not great, the high/midrange seems a little "muffled" ... this is not a "bass heavy" soundtrack pinball but you can really hear/feel some bass there if you install the Pinwoofer JJP super kit, which I did. Now, the dynamic is way better and everything is much clearer.

I've been collecting pinballs since 1993, this is the best one I've ever owned and the more fun I've ever had. It's not bolted to the floor, it's welded.

Update March 22 2024 : Just changed the original I/O board for the newest version. What a game changer !! Everything coils/magnets related is 15-25% snappier/stronger which makes for an even faster and more exciting game. Game never gets "tired" even after long play session. At only 400$ at Pinballife, this is a no brainer for those like me who consider Wonka a keeper.

Excellent theme works done and excellent lighting in RGB

Wonka is an excellent game all around. I am not personally connected with theme, but I feel that it is extremely well integrated and fun for all ages. It shoots great and has good rules. The callouts are not great, in fact I feel they are the worst aspect of this game. The CE has much better callouts overall with the addition of Veruca Salt.

I’ve played many pinball machines and once you’ve played enough you will begin to understand and appreciate how good this game is. For me, the theme is awesome and was a childhood favorite movie.

The layout and geometry of shots is what makes it so much fun.
Having 4 flippers allows the player (and Pat) to use the whole playfield and make the for unique combinations.
I enjoy the animations and how the movie is so neatly tied into the gameplay; the kids, golden tickets, ommpas, wonka bars……..the list just keeps going.
The light show is awesome and how the coded the office and the boat ride add to the nostalgia.

If you like Pat Lawler games you will find this to be one of his best, if not the BEST.

This is a beautifully presented game and very good quality. Gameplay is smooth and flowing but I find the deep rule set quite difficult to understand. I enjoy it, but when I have a really good high scoring game, I’m not really sure what I did to deserve it. Candyman song is notable in its absence. Display has a little too much going on and like the gameplay; can be a tad confusing. One day…many years from now, I will reach ‘pure imagination’.

I've played this machine many times and it is certainly on my list of games I would love to own. The complexity of the rules and difficulty of the shots make you want to come back for more. The Lastability is probably the most important factor for owning a game. The theme is of course, perfect for a pinball machine. It is somehow sinister, wacky and horrifying, like Funhouse.

Excellent, deep game that will keep you coming back for more punishment. The only negative I have is the pops. So many shots lead into the pops - some of them should return to the flippers instead.