Author Topic: What are the worst pinball machines? (Read 10517 times)

mimic · « **on:** March 02, 2009, 05:18:35 pm »

I'm reading pretty much what people consider mostly best or mediocre pin machines. What are some of the worst in your opinion and why? Would like to know what to avoid and how to recognize bad piball machine. I see some cheap ones here and there (~$200.00) and getting tempted to buy one but are they even worth that little?

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:36:25 pm »

The best way to know is to play them.

To me, there are two things that make or break a pin.

1) Things to do.

Many of the older games do not have enough to do, so you may
boar of it very quickly. This can sometimes be negated by #2.

2) Ball Flow

A game with poor flow, will often mean that the ball will slow down,
losing its momentum often. This makes the game slower paced,
less challenging & much less fun.

A game with great ball flow will allow the ball to move from one shot
to the next in a series of combination very quickly. The ball can end up
a blur as it travels mach 5 all over the field, every flip making it even
faster.

Some people Prefer the Stop-n-Shoot games, where I prefer smooth
ball flow games. Still, from what Ive seen... the stop-n-shoot guys
can still like smooth flow games... where as its rare that good-flow people
like stop-n-go machines.

Best bet is to give any game you intend to purchase a few games
and see for yourself.

Virtual Pinball machines may give a slight indication.. but do not let that
be the reason. Games played for real, usually play much much different
than the virtual tables. The physics just are not good enough yet.

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:52:10 pm »

I agree with pinballjim that theme is important. I have played a few themes that I really like but didn't care for the game play. I have also played games that I didn't like the theme that played very well. That being said, I don't care how good a game is if the theme is terrible to you. Many people really like The Shadow, but I could never buy one b/c I could not look at Alec Baldwin that long.

Xiaou2 also brings up a good point. I prefer a stop and shoot game versus a ball always moving type.

People's opinion will vary on if a game is fun, but play it yourself. If you like it, that is all that matters.

You can always checkout www.ipdb.org and read the comments on how people rate each game.

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2009, 10:04:52 pm »

IPDB is indeed a good source for ratings.

When you look at TZ you see "best game ever" & then "Highly overrated". Check out Last Action Hero & you see "horrible Data east pin" & then "Underrated, great machine".

Frankly there really are a few doozies out there, combine that to the pinball snobbery making some good machines end up labeled as dogs & then the personal preference of flow vs technical gameplay & you are left with choosing a game you feel is fun.

I wouldn't buy into a really expensive machine, but that's just me personally......I'd rather have a collection of clean & shopped out pins rather than just one elite collector rare item I am scared to play.

But if I had the money I would get all the expensive ones restored by High End Pins so dont let me steer you wrong if you have the cash.

Dirty Harry does kinds suck too btw.........its so hard to hit that left ramp its almost worthless.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2009, 11:51:52 pm »

Never played DH, however, A friend had a Williams Space Station, which was
actually very cool and fun to play.

It has at least one ramp that is nearly impossible to get to/on, which actually
makes the game worth playing... Because you try so hard to achieve the goal
of getting that ramp. Its designed to be like that.

However, if we take a game like Williams Indiana Jones... where you could not
climb one of the high use ramps... it would be a nightmare... and make the game
worthless. That game is designed to have good ramp flow on both sides.
The problem is... is that some peoples machines have the wrong coil in the
flipper.. or things need adjustments... so that one side isnt possible to enter.
In that case... it makes for a bad experience.

Many William pins have at least one shot which is really a challenge to pull off.
This IMOP keeps the game from being way too easy.

However, as said... if the game is designed to be able to use certain ramps
easily... then its simply that the game needs adjustment.

(which is another reason why some people like or hate a game. A bad experience
on a poorly functioning machine can make all the difference in the world)

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2009, 12:32:40 am »

True that, a POS will not play as well a properly cleaned/rebuilt example.

Its safe to say that even playing the dreaded Lethal Weapon 3 in this condition (scroll to the bottom)

http://www.actionpinball.com/games/lw3/index.htm

will be far superior than a regular example such as

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lethal-Weapon-3-Pinball-Machine_W0QQitemZ280265367987QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

Damn, that first link makes me want a Lethal Weapon pinball.....its settled!

Visitor Q · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2009, 07:04:02 am »

Hey! I like Junkyard. LOL! Really...

Ken Layton · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2009, 12:09:44 pm »

One of the worst is Williams' F-14 Tomcat. Lousy play, irritating voices, stupid game play, belts that kept breaking on those three beacons, resistors breaking off of the flashlamp boards, a real service nightmare. We couldn't sell these off the route fast enough. This is a machine I absolutely hate!

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:15:05 pm »

I had a Tomcat F-14, just sold it maybe 6-9 months ago.

It was not my favorite machine but I do miss it just for the sheer "WTF thats fast" factor of it.

Granted I bought 4 new flipper assemblies & coils from Marco & the guy before me put in a new bacon motor & belt, then I polished & clean the PF & installed new rubbers so maybe thats why I didnt hate it.

But I did sell it & wouldnt buy another one.

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2009, 08:56:23 pm »

Its was easier to buy the "fully populated" flipper assemblies (all mechs & coils) from Marco.

Sometimes you just want to throw money at a problem in order to make it go away.

That was one of those times.

Level42 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2009, 07:50:02 pm »

You guys probably are pretty safe for the worst pinballs that I've ever played. Some Italian machines which I completely forgot the name of. My friend Luc has them as a "interesting addition to the collection" but they SUCK.

ChadTower · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2009, 09:49:02 am »

A member local to me had a Black Belt, wasn't bad... I'd love to have a Farfalla for at least a little while.

Level42 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2009, 12:29:19 pm »

Quote from: pinballjim on March 09, 2009, 09:45:12 am

Quote from: Level42 on March 08, 2009, 07:50:02 pm
You guys probably are pretty safe for the worst pinballs that I've ever played. Some Italian machines which I completely forgot the name of. My friend Luc has them as a "interesting addition to the collection" but they SUCK.

Zaccaria's? I've only played a few but enjoyed them.

No not the Zaccaria's. Different brand that did a brave attempt in the 90's to manufacture some pins. Instead of the normal push buttons they had really big/weird pushbuttons. Sort of looked like gun grips. I'll find out what brand they are.

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2009, 03:24:33 pm »

FYI: most people seem to agree Data East machines suck.

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2009, 03:45:58 pm »

Oh yeah well I dont agree with myself either

I just wanted to be the DE troll but as you know PBJ I have 3 of em.

ClubNinja · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2009, 04:26:08 pm »

I had three Zaccaria games for a time - Black Belt, Space Shuttle, and Star God. Black Belt was average, Space Shuttle was totally forgettable, but Star God was actually really unique and I'd buy one again. To echo Chad, Farfalla is high up on my wantlist. I don't even care if it's a dud - it looks good enough to just keep around as decor.

In my experience, most 80s Ballys are clunkers and any DMD games with the "rake" layout (described above as shoot ball, have it come straight back, repeat).

mimic · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2009, 01:05:36 am »

Ok, quickly 1 to 3 worst pinballs played (no need for explanation, just names. Pinballjim, can exclude himself he named enough as it is)

Cakemeister · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:03:34 pm »

Personally, I don't like machines that use a button to launch the ball. I want a plunger, darn it!

shardian · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:57:47 pm »

Quote from: pinballjim on March 31, 2009, 02:39:40 pm

Quote from: Cakemeister on March 31, 2009, 02:03:34 pm
Personally, I don't like machines that use a button to launch the ball. I want a plunger, darn it!

What about machines with plungers that do nothing? NASCAR and World Poker Tour, I'm looking at you.

IIRC, Theater of Magic has a completely worthless ball launcher too.

Cyberflexx · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2009, 08:45:34 am »

I dont like this one. I played it 2 times and it sucked!

No Fear: Dangerous Sports

jscott3093 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2009, 03:50:46 pm »

I was never a huge fan of No fear either. I use to own it and barely played it.


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