Pinside rating
This game received 159 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.305 /10
Top 100 ranking
This game ranks 3rd in the game group "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". The group itself ranks #21 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.434
Artwork: 8.038
Sounds/Music: 8.121
Other Aspects: 8.418
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 2 of us have rated this game.
This game is part of a group
Note! There are multiple versions of this game!
This is "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Standard)".
The other versions are: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (LE), Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (CE)
Found 69 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 69 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 3.
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7.588/10
21 days ago
Ipswich
Killer Lawlor layout and visually gorgeous machine with great features. But I didn’t grow up with this film (grew up with the Depp version) so the theme doesn’t grab me as much as it would some, and I struggle to get excited about scoring tens to hundreds of thousands for things rather than millions, wish they’d inflate the scores on these!
9.384/10
48 days ago
Cushing, MN
A great machine, fun and replayability are off the charts. The only knocks are for a modern machine it is not well lit out of the box. It benefits heavily from aftermarket lighting. The SE has an overly basic cabinet. The loop coming out of the left through the pop bumpers is frustrating due to the need to make the shot during some modes and being rewarded for success with a SDTM. Nudging if possible into a pop bumper sometimes helps.
Buenos Aires
9.605/10
3 months ago
By far JJPs best game when it comes down to true pinball not flashy LEDs or hype. The code is excellent, layout is one of best ever being designed by a true veteran and not some snarky ego rookie. Wonka as a theme I wasnt to sure of but its made the game have a adventures magical feel to it. The game does have dark GI lighting so if your a dark room player pinstadiums were ment for this machine. The playfields do have issues with pooling and chipping unfortunately but thats normal with JJP unless you own a Hobbit. This game has grown on me so much its slowly creeping up to my number 1 of all time for me, MMr!
4.117/10
4 months ago
Pros: Colorful. Bright playfield. Sharp graphics. High quality sound. Tons of mods available to improve the visual experience. Cute animations. Average shots.
Cons:
- Awful theme integration.
- Unimaginative "toy” - there is no innovation in a spinning gobstopper.
- Annoying, repetitive sounds.
- Why is there only one Oompa Loompa?
- Why did they only license a single image of Gene Wilder, airbrush him until he had the smooth soulless look of an influencer, and then paste it everywhere? I love Gene Wilder, but I can only take so much of this monstrosity staring at me.
- I’m surprised that no one has crotched themselves or had a child hurt their face on the pointy shooter rod on the collector’s edition.
- Lots of flyaway balls (for example, the one that broke off the plastic Oompa Loompa during the official release party).
I love Dialed In. I love other Lawlor games. I adore the movie and was so excited about this machine, but I cancelled my order after seeing/hearing gameplay. I’ve played it in several arcades since then but it is a discombobulated mess. This is a bland and uninspired use of a brilliant movie. I don’t regret my decision. Heartbreaking!
Cons:
- Awful theme integration.
- Unimaginative "toy” - there is no innovation in a spinning gobstopper.
- Annoying, repetitive sounds.
- Why is there only one Oompa Loompa?
- Why did they only license a single image of Gene Wilder, airbrush him until he had the smooth soulless look of an influencer, and then paste it everywhere? I love Gene Wilder, but I can only take so much of this monstrosity staring at me.
- I’m surprised that no one has crotched themselves or had a child hurt their face on the pointy shooter rod on the collector’s edition.
- Lots of flyaway balls (for example, the one that broke off the plastic Oompa Loompa during the official release party).
I love Dialed In. I love other Lawlor games. I adore the movie and was so excited about this machine, but I cancelled my order after seeing/hearing gameplay. I’ve played it in several arcades since then but it is a discombobulated mess. This is a bland and uninspired use of a brilliant movie. I don’t regret my decision. Heartbreaking!
7.178/10
5 months ago
Surrey, BC
I love the theme, and the integration seems like the effort was there, but it just did not come together as cohesively for me as something like Wizard of Oz for example.
Definitely a technical achievement, of light effects.. interesting shots, but didn't quick 'click' for me.
Definitely a technical achievement, of light effects.. interesting shots, but didn't quick 'click' for me.
8.140/10
5 months ago
I wish I could rate this game higher, because I do think it is an excellent player, perhps one of Pat Lawlor's best, but the theme is just not my cup of tea, which makes it very tough to even try to be subjective. Re-themed, I think this could be a fantastic pin, but as it sit's can only truly be appreciated by those who enjoy the theme.
9.640/10
5 months ago
Amazing pin, one of the most fun I have ever played and it keeps me coming back. If you like the theme, this one is a keeper and will be a hit with kids of all ages and skills. Only "complaints" (super minor) are: 1 - backglass lighting is only across the top; there are kits that you can easily "remedy" this, but it just looks like the machine has lights that are burned out on the sides and below the monitor. 2 - sound quality lacks punch from lower frequencies; again, this is something that can easily be "fixed" by adding an external or internal subwoofer. The SE does have a fairly empty and dark spot at the top left of the corner where the Wonkavator sits in the other editions, but this is to be expected at this price point (and you can inexpensively add lights and toys / mods to that area to give it some interest). Finally, the balls drain easily on the outlanes, but that ALSO can be "fixed" with the included additional post on the left (and adjustable post on the right). Drains down the middle seem fair to me and are not excessive (but of course they happen, it's pinball yall!). Overall for the money I couldn't be happier with this game and plan on keeping it for life. Really is almost like having a beautiful museum piece of art that you can also play!
9.147/10
5 months ago
All around great game. Huge Gene Wilder fan, and I grew up with this movie, so I’m definitely a little biased on theme. The rule set, flow, and all around play is amazing. This is my first JJP. No issues so far after playing it heavily for a few weeks now, but I did have some problems out of the box. The sound quality is also pretty bad imo, and there are no mixing adjustments in the software to make it better. For the price, I expected more here. I’m more of a player than collector, and I have young kids, so I recommend the SE to anyone on the fence. I don’t think the upgrades really add anything significant enough to justify the hefty $2-4k more, and I highly recommend using your savings to add a subwoofer. A relatively cheap and easy upgrade that takes this experience to a new level more than any toys/other mods can. That said, if money were no object, I’d have a CE all day...:) An underrated pin for sure. Wonka fan or not, give it a few spins and I guarantee you’ll agree!
9.468/10
6 months ago
This is one of those games that will grow in popularity the more people get a chance to play it. This game has it all with great shots, flow and mode depth. Not crazy about the cabinet art and they could have done more with theme integration with the video display.
9.720/10
7 months ago
Seriously such a pretty game and looks awesome love the bigger lcd and still wonder why other manufacturers aren't following suit. The game play is so good and reminds me of the movie constantly. Top 5 pinball for sure imo.
9.268/10
9 months ago
Update 2/22/21:
6 months in or so, WW has become one of my top 3 or 5 games all time. It’s wonderful and fun and unique, blah blah blah. It’s truly awesome!
I think there will be code updates that iron out some of the scoring issues - many mini modes just aren’t worth playing through - and hopefully make it easier to get deeper into the game. Frankly, does it matter how well you perform in various modes if you can’t cash in on that success in a Wizard mode you’ll never play?
But that said, the game fires on all cylinders and is a real masterpiece of pinball.
++++++++++
Just got it. Loving it. Have played probably 200 games. “Just one more” is common, but it can also be exhausting. When you’re done for the day you’re ready to be done.
It is waaaayyyyyyy better than I expected. Layout is great and it shoots super smooth. Rumors of Pat Lawlor’s demise are extremely exaggerated. I’m not really even a Lawlor guy, so for me it might even be his best shooting game.
Rules are robust and can be chaotic, but in a good way. So much can be going on at once. You need to pay attention. Hard to grasp and often frustrating, but really addictive as you start internalizing them and playing with more intention (but less thinking, if that makes sense).
I can see that scoring can seem unbalanced, but in truth, the player is in control of that. You control what the multiplier is and when you collect it. Play better!
The theming is controversial. I appreciate that some people want the movie to come more to life. But there’s a lot of movie in this pin. A lot of Willy Wonka. Clips and callouts galore. It’s just presented in a different way, which frankly works just fine for pinball. The game is creative and inventive. It’s really a scoring game - think ACDC - more than a mode based game. It’s less a journey than a series of creative - often difficult - challenges. I haven’t sniffed any wizard modes yet, so maybe it can get more “modey” (?). I’ve scored 6 million points - a decent score I think - but haven’t ever even gotten two Golden Tickets. This could become an issue.
There are a lot of reviews on this game that I think are misguided or perhaps misinformed. This game is unique. It’s truly different - a spectacular sensory experience - compared to any game I’ve ever played or owned. JJP makes a truly sensational pinball machine and experience. It makes me happy seeing it my game room. It just hits harder than other games. :-)
Is it perfect? No. What is? It’s pinball! And damn good pinball at that!
Will add more details after I‘ve played it longer.
6 months in or so, WW has become one of my top 3 or 5 games all time. It’s wonderful and fun and unique, blah blah blah. It’s truly awesome!
I think there will be code updates that iron out some of the scoring issues - many mini modes just aren’t worth playing through - and hopefully make it easier to get deeper into the game. Frankly, does it matter how well you perform in various modes if you can’t cash in on that success in a Wizard mode you’ll never play?
But that said, the game fires on all cylinders and is a real masterpiece of pinball.
++++++++++
Just got it. Loving it. Have played probably 200 games. “Just one more” is common, but it can also be exhausting. When you’re done for the day you’re ready to be done.
It is waaaayyyyyyy better than I expected. Layout is great and it shoots super smooth. Rumors of Pat Lawlor’s demise are extremely exaggerated. I’m not really even a Lawlor guy, so for me it might even be his best shooting game.
Rules are robust and can be chaotic, but in a good way. So much can be going on at once. You need to pay attention. Hard to grasp and often frustrating, but really addictive as you start internalizing them and playing with more intention (but less thinking, if that makes sense).
I can see that scoring can seem unbalanced, but in truth, the player is in control of that. You control what the multiplier is and when you collect it. Play better!
The theming is controversial. I appreciate that some people want the movie to come more to life. But there’s a lot of movie in this pin. A lot of Willy Wonka. Clips and callouts galore. It’s just presented in a different way, which frankly works just fine for pinball. The game is creative and inventive. It’s really a scoring game - think ACDC - more than a mode based game. It’s less a journey than a series of creative - often difficult - challenges. I haven’t sniffed any wizard modes yet, so maybe it can get more “modey” (?). I’ve scored 6 million points - a decent score I think - but haven’t ever even gotten two Golden Tickets. This could become an issue.
There are a lot of reviews on this game that I think are misguided or perhaps misinformed. This game is unique. It’s truly different - a spectacular sensory experience - compared to any game I’ve ever played or owned. JJP makes a truly sensational pinball machine and experience. It makes me happy seeing it my game room. It just hits harder than other games. :-)
Is it perfect? No. What is? It’s pinball! And damn good pinball at that!
Will add more details after I‘ve played it longer.
6.058/10
10 months ago
Maybe (I think so) the one I played wasn't a good example. I was looking forward to trying this pin. Not a Wonka fan, but as a pinball fan. This game kinda sucked.
The lighting is horrible. I mean bad so you can't see the back of the playfield. Start the game and you have no idea where you ball is coming from, can't see it. The entire back half is dark. Not dim.... DARK.
The one I played the flippers felt like rubber. No feel to them. No consistency. Sometimes it would fire a hard shot, other times it would just roll and float.
Shots are NOT laid out well contrary to what some ppl say here. The rules are NOT clear. The lights flash all over and it's hard to tell where to hit the ball. The only clear slot is the screen that says "hit it here".
I never got the hang of the upper flippers, but again, I think they just sucked.
Scoring is about as low as you can get. Not once did I get a multi all. Hitting the ramps did nothing. You have to use just the right place to drop a locked ball or it bounces off.
Very weird game. Not well executed as a pinball machine. Every other JJP is better, and it's not even close.
I'm hoping one day I play a WW that wows me and I'm like now this is how it should be. Haha but as of now, this game sucks.
The lighting is horrible. I mean bad so you can't see the back of the playfield. Start the game and you have no idea where you ball is coming from, can't see it. The entire back half is dark. Not dim.... DARK.
The one I played the flippers felt like rubber. No feel to them. No consistency. Sometimes it would fire a hard shot, other times it would just roll and float.
Shots are NOT laid out well contrary to what some ppl say here. The rules are NOT clear. The lights flash all over and it's hard to tell where to hit the ball. The only clear slot is the screen that says "hit it here".
I never got the hang of the upper flippers, but again, I think they just sucked.
Scoring is about as low as you can get. Not once did I get a multi all. Hitting the ramps did nothing. You have to use just the right place to drop a locked ball or it bounces off.
Very weird game. Not well executed as a pinball machine. Every other JJP is better, and it's not even close.
I'm hoping one day I play a WW that wows me and I'm like now this is how it should be. Haha but as of now, this game sucks.
8.800/10
11 months ago
This is a great looking game, but for me the shots are really hard, making it not as fun as it should be. I just could not progress throught the game. Maybe in a home use environment this would give a lot of pleasure to learn all the shots, but for me on location it doesn't pull me in.
9.860/10
11 months ago
I really love this game. I wish I could afford it so I could have at home. I travel 35 miles to play it at least once monthly.
This is my favorite Jersey Jack machine and one of the most faithfully perfect-licensed pins out there. Designers are quite obvious huge Willy Wonka fans because if there was a real chocolate factory this pin would be sitting there, awaiting visitors to play.
A big thank you to Jersey Jack and I hope to someday add one to my home pin collection.
-OGA
This is my favorite Jersey Jack machine and one of the most faithfully perfect-licensed pins out there. Designers are quite obvious huge Willy Wonka fans because if there was a real chocolate factory this pin would be sitting there, awaiting visitors to play.
A big thank you to Jersey Jack and I hope to someday add one to my home pin collection.
-OGA
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