Jersey Jack
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Standard) Pinside Rating
This game received 164 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.273 /10
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Standard)
Top 100 ranking
This game ranks 3rd in the game group "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". The group itself ranks #24 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.313
Artwork: 8.101
Sounds/Music: 8.083
Other Aspects: 8.363
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 title is part of group: "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory"
Found 82 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 82 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 3 of 4.
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9.000/10
4 years ago
Newport Beach, CA
Super fun but difficult pin. Like the gobstopper multi-ball and the sound and theme integration is awesome! Not sure why this game isn’t rated higher, other than how difficult it is. This would be a great pin for home use!
9.840/10
4 years ago
An epic game, sounds are great, the theme is spot on... And the game shoots like a dream. The code gets better all the time....
7.496/10
4 years ago
Mississauga, ON
This is a nice pin, just not one that I can personally connect to. The game play is good, lay out is nice as well. A little too childish for me. Maybe I will sit down for a couple of hours and watch the movie to help me understand it a bit better. Just a title that is not that attractive to me and does not have any endearing qualities that would entice me to play it again. Every title has its fans and unfortunately I am not one of them
5.674/10
4 years ago
Not the best JJP. Lets face it, it's an old 70's movie that does little for most of us. Not exactly star wars theme here. I willl give a pop and says the sound is incredible, I don't how you can play this without a bright light room or pinstadium lights. it's just too dark on the playfield.
as for the game, the shots are limited in this. Comparing to other JJP, such as Dialed In, I feel like that game or Wizard of Oz are a lot better.
as for the game, the shots are limited in this. Comparing to other JJP, such as Dialed In, I feel like that game or Wizard of Oz are a lot better.
7.867/10
4 years ago
I like Gene Wilder and I like the movie this pin is based off, and I even read the book when I was younger. With that said, I really don't like this theme. I think the theme lends itself to pinball, but its not a grail theme for me.
This is the standard I am reviewing. I think the art package is a joke. And garbage. The backglass is just text. BORING. The cabinet looks good, but doesn't pop... Does look good for text, but I hate just text cabs. The playfield art is well done, but I think it lacks energy. Its not cluttered, which I do like, but again just lacks that it factor. But, it is good art.
I really like the layout for this pin. I think not only does it have a unique layout, but I think it shoots great. Easy to chain shots, easy to hit the ramps over and over again. Ramps feel smooth. Has an interesting spinner location.
What I think is a bit hard to follow... At least for me. I never know what to shoot for or how to get anything besides gobstopper mb going. I'm generally good with rules. I won't lie... I hate insanely deep games. If anything I rather a shallow game like space shuttle or sorcerer. But, I do like games with deeper code, but I think it has to be done right. And this code feels deep for deepness sake, and that makes it hard to get into. I think you should reward the player for opening up the game, not hinder them for not knowing how to open it up.
As for the toys, you have a camera, and the gobstopper mb. And I really like the gobstopper lock. Just a cool concept. Slightly dangerous shot, but it should be, and really its not horribly dangerous, so its worth the risk.
As for the lighting. I think its as well done as any modern game, but the one thing I don't like. When you hit some shots on the ramp all the lights flash way too much, and I can't tell which inserts to flip or change because it won't tell me which one is lit or unlit, that is annoying.
I feel this game fits the theme as well as anyone could hope. I do know a lot of people were expecting more... But, I don't know what could have been done different in terms of playfield or toys. And I think when coupled with the interactivity of the backboxes animations. I think you have a really nicely themed pinball machine. Does the playfield resemble a medieval madness, or monster bash. No it doesn't. But, it still has a nice world under glass feel to it.
Lastly, while I enjoy playing this game. To me there is a spark missing from it. It shoots well and smooth. I enjoy the animations and callouts. But, to me it just lacks the energy. No real shot has me on edge if I'm going to make it. I mean... Take a very old game like Elvira and the Party Monsters. When you get 2 balls locked the music changes and speeds up to make you nervous about hitting the lock. And then when you do, you get rewarded with the Lights, Organ, "organ Music", and oohhh nice organ callout. Then the yelling and MB starts. It all adds up to a moment. And I don't get that with any shot. Yes, I'm not happy when my ball drains. But, to me this game doesn't have any anxiety inducing shots like the 3 million point shot on EATPM. Not saying that game is better. All I am saying is, for me this game lacks a little bit of pep or pop. Still I always enjoy shooting it. And I think Wonka fans(of the movie) should love this pin. Its a really well made one. But, has Pat ever done a bad pin.
This is the standard I am reviewing. I think the art package is a joke. And garbage. The backglass is just text. BORING. The cabinet looks good, but doesn't pop... Does look good for text, but I hate just text cabs. The playfield art is well done, but I think it lacks energy. Its not cluttered, which I do like, but again just lacks that it factor. But, it is good art.
I really like the layout for this pin. I think not only does it have a unique layout, but I think it shoots great. Easy to chain shots, easy to hit the ramps over and over again. Ramps feel smooth. Has an interesting spinner location.
What I think is a bit hard to follow... At least for me. I never know what to shoot for or how to get anything besides gobstopper mb going. I'm generally good with rules. I won't lie... I hate insanely deep games. If anything I rather a shallow game like space shuttle or sorcerer. But, I do like games with deeper code, but I think it has to be done right. And this code feels deep for deepness sake, and that makes it hard to get into. I think you should reward the player for opening up the game, not hinder them for not knowing how to open it up.
As for the toys, you have a camera, and the gobstopper mb. And I really like the gobstopper lock. Just a cool concept. Slightly dangerous shot, but it should be, and really its not horribly dangerous, so its worth the risk.
As for the lighting. I think its as well done as any modern game, but the one thing I don't like. When you hit some shots on the ramp all the lights flash way too much, and I can't tell which inserts to flip or change because it won't tell me which one is lit or unlit, that is annoying.
I feel this game fits the theme as well as anyone could hope. I do know a lot of people were expecting more... But, I don't know what could have been done different in terms of playfield or toys. And I think when coupled with the interactivity of the backboxes animations. I think you have a really nicely themed pinball machine. Does the playfield resemble a medieval madness, or monster bash. No it doesn't. But, it still has a nice world under glass feel to it.
Lastly, while I enjoy playing this game. To me there is a spark missing from it. It shoots well and smooth. I enjoy the animations and callouts. But, to me it just lacks the energy. No real shot has me on edge if I'm going to make it. I mean... Take a very old game like Elvira and the Party Monsters. When you get 2 balls locked the music changes and speeds up to make you nervous about hitting the lock. And then when you do, you get rewarded with the Lights, Organ, "organ Music", and oohhh nice organ callout. Then the yelling and MB starts. It all adds up to a moment. And I don't get that with any shot. Yes, I'm not happy when my ball drains. But, to me this game doesn't have any anxiety inducing shots like the 3 million point shot on EATPM. Not saying that game is better. All I am saying is, for me this game lacks a little bit of pep or pop. Still I always enjoy shooting it. And I think Wonka fans(of the movie) should love this pin. Its a really well made one. But, has Pat ever done a bad pin.
8.984/10
4 years ago
Solid license of one of my favorite movies. Actual gameplay is among my favorite pins in recent years, with shots that just feel so smooth. Fun for all, and there are so many different ways to go about the goals. Again, I can't talk about how much I love playing it again and again for the game, but do feel they dropped the ball a little on actually incorporating more iconic features/gags/scenes from the movie. Game is amazing. Theme feels a little empty in actual presentation.
9.220/10
4 years ago
Really enjoyed this game. It shoots really well and has great flow. I enjoyed it more than I expected too. Have played all of JJP's games and this one is hands down a close 2nd to WOZ. Left the game wanting to play more. Very fun.
8.734/10
4 years ago
Playfield was really dark and hard to see. The game is beautiful like all jjp games. It was difficult to understand what to shoot though. I like the LCD animations but I couldn't tell what I was supposed to do. It definitely would have been better to do a similar formula like woz with more movie scenes and to follow the movie better. I just need more time to figure it out. The game was packed with shots though, and I really wanted to keep playing to see what I could open up. Game did have the dreaded pooling and chipped clear coat already as well. Overall, I would love to own this game in a collection in order to explore it more.
8.616/10
4 years ago
Ok so I finally have a couple more play of this game I'm starting to like it more and more. but for only being out I have noticed some clitches in the game. weak flipper magnet not stoping the ball on the outer orbit left side. its a blast to look at a real treat to play since I'm a wonka fan for so many years. Cant wait for the next edition to be released I just wish these could be more affordable.
7.752/10
4 years ago
Solid effort from Pat Lawlor and Jersey Jack. I very much enjoyed their last project, Dialed In. Somehow, this one is less difficult than that game, but more complex.
The main thing that impresses me about it, is that Lawlor was able to create a completely new feeling game, without using any overly-complex machinery or gimmicks. There's four flippers, a single playfield magnet (in front of the upper left flipper), three standard pops and 2 standard slings, one kickback, two spinners, one saucer, and one sub-field trap that returns the ball to launch lane. That's all the moving parts. I think this machine will be much more enjoyable for home users than any previous JJ machines, just because of that.
There are some mechanical design flaws out of the box, so I'm expecting JJ to address this in the coming weeks. But overall, this machine is interesting, favors control and shot accuracy over speed or repetitiveness, and does well with the source material during gameplay. This machine will be a first choice at my local spot for quite a while, I can tell. Great fun!
The main thing that impresses me about it, is that Lawlor was able to create a completely new feeling game, without using any overly-complex machinery or gimmicks. There's four flippers, a single playfield magnet (in front of the upper left flipper), three standard pops and 2 standard slings, one kickback, two spinners, one saucer, and one sub-field trap that returns the ball to launch lane. That's all the moving parts. I think this machine will be much more enjoyable for home users than any previous JJ machines, just because of that.
There are some mechanical design flaws out of the box, so I'm expecting JJ to address this in the coming weeks. But overall, this machine is interesting, favors control and shot accuracy over speed or repetitiveness, and does well with the source material during gameplay. This machine will be a first choice at my local spot for quite a while, I can tell. Great fun!
7.812/10
4 years ago
Disappointed with code. Need more video synched with sound. Some of the parts seemed cheaply made
9.324/10
4 years ago
I first played wonka on location and enjoyed very much the gameplay and light shows are beautiful, cabinet is a bit basic but looks super slick and shiny which I was surprise the black trim compliments the hole machine perfectly didn’t even missed the hole wonkavator mech to be honest because it never stops the game flow which I think is better. I pulled the trigger and purchase after receiving wonka at home it’s much more enjoyable and you actually discover wonka is pack with code, shots, and most important fun factor it keeps bringing you back in for more and more. It’s hard to explain but when you play wonka it makes you think/feel it’s easy but don’t be fooled by the time you realize your starting a new game saying to yourself what just happened it gets pretty brutal if your not shaking nudging to save your ball from those out lanes. Great game, highly recommend keep flipping
9.324/10
4 years ago
Since I'm newer to the forum, I'm submitting a review based more on the fun factor than the technical aspects. This machine has a GREAT replay factor, I find myself wanting to play "just one more game" quite often. The lighting effects and field design are both mesmerizing and interesting. I particularly like that I'm always seeing something new happen (for example under the middle playfield magnet sling during multiball). The wonkatania mania feature is amazing with the light show and creepy, but fun, wonka singing. The ramps are smooth and not super frustrating (like the wonkavision right shot and pop bumpers SDTM ha ha). Will I ever obtain ALL 5 GOLDEN TICKETS...who knows, but I'll definitely have fun trying to do so!
9.520/10
4 years ago
The cabinet on the standard was clean, but was missing side graphics it's just the title of the movie. I didn't grasp the rules right away, the sound callouts could be improved. Callouts are displayed on the LCD display in the playfield. The skill shot is difficult to figure out. But I really (really) liked the machine (I'm 56 so this is a movie I grew up with and love), the lights on the playfield are amazing. It was sitting next to Dialed in which also has a colorful playfield and it was even better than that. Lots of small 'candy' cut outs in the playfield that sparkle with color. I haven't been able to play the LE, so I don't know how much the wonkavator would add. There were plenty of fun shots and with 4 flippers it was much more interesting than many other machines I've played. e.g. MM only has two flippers with all the shots sitting at the top of the playfield in a 130-degree arc. More inline with TZ's close shots, long shots, skinny shots to the sides. The captive ball rotating hole worked well and was cool. The far upper right shot reminds me a lot of the TZ lock and has a similar shot geometry to it.
I played most of the top 10 games on Friday for over 8 hours and kept coming back to Wonka. It's a great game and will be in our game room someday soon.
I saw dimpling on the playfield after only two weeks the same as on our Stern IM, so I'll be keeping a close eye out for owner reports on issues before I pull the pin on this pinball purchase.
I played most of the top 10 games on Friday for over 8 hours and kept coming back to Wonka. It's a great game and will be in our game room someday soon.
I saw dimpling on the playfield after only two weeks the same as on our Stern IM, so I'll be keeping a close eye out for owner reports on issues before I pull the pin on this pinball purchase.
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