Opinions: What's the "best" pinball.....

Black Matrix

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First, let me begin by saying I realize how pointless and arbitrary that question is. But here's my train of thought. This last week, I got the power on my "new" Frankenstein pin restored and it began playing Edgar Winters Frankenstein at boot up. And I thought, that's pretty cool to have that song as the sound track for that pin. It reminded me of Golden Earring's song Twilight Zone on Twilight Zone. So I thought I would do a what pinball has the best soundtrack post. Then it hit me that it was probably a rock band pin like Rolling Stones, Elvis, The Who, or Guns and Roses. None of which I would probably really want to play as I don't really care for any of those as a theme. So it occurred to me that no pin is perfect in every aspect. Even IPDB rates its pins on Fun, Art, Music, and Play field. So I've been contemplating the question to get the kind of thought provoking answers I would like to hear. And here's what I came up with.

Everyone has two or 3 favorite pins that they have either played, owned, or just drooled over wishfully thinking, I wish I owned one of those. And its doubtful that their favorite pin got every aspect perfect. But they probably got at least one of the key elements damn near perfect. So what's your best/favorite pinball, and why is it the best with respect to the following criteria/elements of the perfect pin.
1. Sounds/Soundtrack-This pin has audio samples/music that kicks ass and why.
2. Theme-this pin may not be the most fun pin ever, but it may very well have the best theme of any pin I've played
3. Fun-Simply put, a pin that IS the most fun pin to play, tell me the pin and what you enjoy about it.
4. Artwork-A pin that doesn't even have to be plugged in to enjoy it would the the perfect candidate for this one and what you like about it.
5. Presentation-hard to explain, but think of it as the "this pin rules the back corner's of a dimly lit arcade." Which ones show up the best in the dark and which ones could you stare at for 15 minutes with the lights out just taking it all in.
6. Depth of Game Play and Rules Set-this pin is ultra challenging and keeps you coming back for more since there's absolutely no way in hell your ever going to complete all the tasks the game asks you to do and its that challenge you just can't stay away from.
7. Coolness Factor: closely related to all of the above, although it may not be the best at any 1 of them, its the kind of pin that makes your game room cooler just because its there.

I'm not really looking for 7 answers here. I'm just wanting your favorite and why you think its the "BEST". However, I would forgive posting 2 or 3 favorites and why. After all, this is a site dedicated to spreading love for all things arcade.

And in case anyone's wondering why another pointless opinion post, its Monday, its raining, I have parts on order, and I need something to distract me for 2 or 3 days so I don't loose my mind waiting. Plus, I thought it might be a fun post. I'll wait a while to post mine.
 
First, let me begin by saying I realize how pointless and arbitrary that question is. But here's my train of thought. This last week, I got the power on my "new" Frankenstein pin restored and it began playing Edgar Winters Frankenstein at boot up. And I thought, that's pretty cool to have that song as the sound track for that pin. It reminded me of Golden Earring's song Twilight Zone on Twilight Zone. So I thought I would do a what pinball has the best soundtrack post. Then it hit me that it was probably a rock band pin like Rolling Stones, Elvis, The Who, or Guns and Roses. None of which I would probably really want to play as I don't really care for any of those as a theme. So it occurred to me that no pin is perfect in every aspect. Even IPDB rates its pins on Fun, Art, Music, and Play field. So I've been contemplating the question to get the kind of thought provoking answers I would like to hear. And here's what I came up with.

Everyone has two or 3 favorite pins that they have either played, owned, or just drooled over wishfully thinking, I wish I owned one of those. And its doubtful that their favorite pin got every aspect perfect. But they probably got at least one of the key elements damn near perfect. So what's your best/favorite pinball, and why is it the best with respect to the following criteria/elements of the perfect pin.
1. Sounds/Soundtrack-This pin has audio samples/music that kicks ass and why.
2. Theme-this pin may not be the most fun pin ever, but it may very well have the best theme of any pin I've played
3. Fun-Simply put, a pin that IS the most fun pin to play, tell me the pin and what you enjoy about it.
4. Artwork-A pin that doesn't even have to be plugged in to enjoy it would the the perfect candidate for this one and what you like about it.
5. Presentation-hard to explain, but think of it as the "this pin rules the back corner's of a dimly lit arcade." Which ones show up the best in the dark and which ones could you stare at for 15 minutes with the lights out just taking it all in.
6. Depth of Game Play and Rules Set-this pin is ultra challenging and keeps you coming back for more since there's absolutely no way in hell your ever going to complete all the tasks the game asks you to do and its that challenge you just can't stay away from.
7. Coolness Factor: closely related to all of the above, although it may not be the best at any 1 of them, its the kind of pin that makes your game room cooler just because its there.

I'm not really looking for 7 answers here. I'm just wanting your favorite and why you think its the "BEST". However, I would forgive posting 2 or 3 favorites and why. After all, this is a site dedicated to spreading love for all things arcade.

And in case anyone's wondering why another pointless opinion post, its Monday, its raining, I have parts on order, and I need something to distract me for 2 or 3 days so I don't loose my mind waiting. Plus, I thought it might be a fun post. I'll wait a while to post mine.

Star Trek: Next Generation

Why?

It has a great theme, awesome ruleset, very difficult, varied shots and modes, great art, fantastic audio, cool toys in the canons, widebody so there is more to love, very deep, hidden modes, the list goes on and on...
 
First, let me begin by saying I realize how pointless and arbitrary that question is. But here's my train of thought. This last week, I got the power on my "new" Frankenstein pin restored and it began playing Edgar Winters Frankenstein at boot up. And I thought, that's pretty cool to have that song as the sound track for that pin. It reminded me of Golden Earring's song Twilight Zone on Twilight Zone. So I thought I would do a what pinball has the best soundtrack post. Then it hit me that it was probably a rock band pin like Rolling Stones, Elvis, The Who, or Guns and Roses. None of which I would probably really want to play as I don't really care for any of those as a theme. So it occurred to me that no pin is perfect in every aspect. Even IPDB rates its pins on Fun, Art, Music, and Play field. So I've been contemplating the question to get the kind of thought provoking answers I would like to hear. And here's what I came up with.

Everyone has two or 3 favorite pins that they have either played, owned, or just drooled over wishfully thinking, I wish I owned one of those. And its doubtful that their favorite pin got every aspect perfect. But they probably got at least one of the key elements damn near perfect. So what's your best/favorite pinball, and why is it the best with respect to the following criteria/elements of the perfect pin.
1. Sounds/Soundtrack-This pin has audio samples/music that kicks ass and why.
2. Theme-this pin may not be the most fun pin ever, but it may very well have the best theme of any pin I've played
3. Fun-Simply put, a pin that IS the most fun pin to play, tell me the pin and what you enjoy about it.
4. Artwork-A pin that doesn't even have to be plugged in to enjoy it would the the perfect candidate for this one and what you like about it.
5. Presentation-hard to explain, but think of it as the "this pin rules the back corner's of a dimly lit arcade." Which ones show up the best in the dark and which ones could you stare at for 15 minutes with the lights out just taking it all in.
6. Depth of Game Play and Rules Set-this pin is ultra challenging and keeps you coming back for more since there's absolutely no way in hell your ever going to complete all the tasks the game asks you to do and its that challenge you just can't stay away from.
7. Coolness Factor: closely related to all of the above, although it may not be the best at any 1 of them, its the kind of pin that makes your game room cooler just because its there.

I'm not really looking for 7 answers here. I'm just wanting your favorite and why you think its the "BEST". However, I would forgive posting 2 or 3 favorites and why. After all, this is a site dedicated to spreading love for all things arcade.

And in case anyone's wondering why another pointless opinion post, its Monday, its raining, I have parts on order, and I need something to distract me for 2 or 3 days so I don't loose my mind waiting. Plus, I thought it might be a fun post. I'll wait a while to post mine.

Road Show is by far my favorite. As you travel from city to city trying to get the the west coast there is an "ending element" to it, you can beat it. Each city has different goals (hit this ramp, hit these jets etc). There are some nice trick/skill shots in the game, great flipper placement. A lot of fun angles in this one as well.

Three great and different multi-balls. Souvenirs aspect so you have golas of getting to different cities.

The animatronic heads of Red and Ted are fantastic and well done. The cab driver makes me crack up everytime I hear him. Great all around game. I would LOVE to own one, but the repair fear will probably prevent me there.

Honorable mention would be Theatre of Magic.
 
if these guys around here could answer that they'd not be showing us pictures of 10-20 pinballs in the rec room. ;)
 
Old school: Theatre of Magic. Lots of things to hit. Sounds effects fit the theme very well. Lots of action and if you get in the zone it is just a blast to play.

New school: Ripley's Believe it or Not. Lots of different mini-games. Travel the continents. The arwork and the targets fit the theme. Great sound effects. A fast playfield, but again, if you can get in the zone you can play for a long, long time.

ken
 
I know its cliched but its the truth - Twilight zone Pinball. I've had over 15 pins here, had TZ numerous time (sold to try something else) and ended up with it for good.

Its got some great voicework - who can ever tire of Serling? The theme is very neutral, and liked by most. Artwork by Youssi is one of his best.
Coolness, you have a game with the most patents for its time - the gumball machine and mini Playfield dazzle me even to this day. And, we all know the rule set is "epic". Simple, yet deep enough (the deepest some say).
 
Firepower: Nice art and okay sound for the time, but the physical design of the game is damn near perfect. Really simple rules, get your outlane kicker set up, max out your multipliers, light locks and get multiball...BUT...physically very challenging while not being unfair.

High Speed: Same thing as Firepower. Intelligently designed playfield that provides a good deal of physical challenge without being unfair. On the sound/art side, it is really well done. Outside of the cops looking a little Freddie Kruger-ish, everything looks and sounds cool. The revving of the engine, the cops on the scanner looking for you, the siren on the top of the backbox, the freeways on the playfield, the way the siren and the audio work together to attract attention if you're doing well...it's such a great game.

Spider-Man: It's Ritchie's physical game design talent in an updated package. I always saw it as his re-imagining of the Attack from Mars layout. Some people find it a little too easy and a tad shallow compared to other Sterns, but the physical play of the game is still great. The art is okay, some parts I love (pop bumpers, some of the non-actor artwork on things like the sling plastics), other parts...not so much. Specifically the backglass. I think the overall composition and style is generic...if not boring. I'm an artist though, so I am picky about those things.

...but OMG the sound design on this machine is nuts. I sat in on a talk with Ritchie and he mentioned how sound became a really important element to his games. Rollergames and Black Knight 2k are obvious examples, but Spider-Man is where the sound guy really worked on building tension and excitement based off of what was being accomplished. It's not just the quality of the sound calls as you hit a target or a shot, but how the overall soundtrack and the audio builds. LOTR does it as well, but SM feels much more...subtle in how it builds up the audio.
 
My top 3 (of the 18 I own):

Addams Family
Bram Stokers Dracula (stacking the 3 multiballs is the greatest high in pinball)
Medieval Madness
 
Well,
I don't own too many pins. Only had 5 in my life. And I haven't played as many as most of you probably have, but my favorite is Scared Stiff. I know its not the deepest rules set. And its not the fastest. Its not even the most fun of my pins. But I still love it. I love the theme. Its' humorous tongue in cheek oversexed undertones crack me up every time and never fails to bring a smile to my face. Plus, it has a great presentation in the dark. And I suppose it doesn't hurt that I've had a thing for Elvira since I was 12. I grew up going to haunted houses at Halloween, and Scared Stiff has that cheesy spook house feel that I remember from my childhood. As for modes, the scared stiff mode is really fun and I hope to add a sub woofer to mine as the heart beats should kick hard. TAF has a similar effect with its lighting. And if you ever beat all the modes, the pinball freaks out, and goes crazy. If you aren't ready for it, it will scare the shit right out of you. I also love the fact that this pin is a sequel to Elvira and the Party Monsters. You see a lot of similar themes and shots on it. Like its an upgrade to the original. Kind of like how Revenge from Mars is a sequel to Attack from Mars.

At the moment, the pins on my get list are TAF, Fish Tales, Funhouse, and Judge Dread. I was very impressed with Judge Dread at the last auction I went to. It seemed like it was very deep with a lot of shots and a lot going on.
 
After 10 years I still love my ToM. A fantastic pin thats very fast and flows well.

Then there's Road Show, Gladiators, and Game Show for fun, fun play.
 
Attack from Mars - Great sound, great layout, great rules, great lights. It's just the best game ever in my opinion.

Simpsons Pinball Party - Awesome rules, stuff in there most people never see. Really the best out of Stern in my opinion.

Big Bang Bar - This is purely for the art. The game is meh. The comedy and sound are very good, but a bit repetative, but the Art! As a package, it has NEVER been equaled.

And I have to include an EM: Eldorado, Gold Strike, and Target Alpha. He says AN but lists 3! These are 3 games with the same layout (I didn't forget Solar City, Canada Dry, or the SS Eldorado City of Gold - I just didn't include them). Drop targets on steroids. Everyone loves Drop Targets. Come on' really - who HATES drop targets? Nobody.
 
I restored a ToM and fell in love with it... Gameplay is good and fast and not impossible! Great sounds and music. Had to get used to some of the goofy dialog but that only took a few plays.

IJ (Williams)... can't help but love it... It's on the top of my list now!
 
Currently, out of all the 'newer' pins I've played, it's gotta be Tales of the Arabian Nights. I also really had a blast playing Funhouse and Starship Troopers. For older pins, it would have to be Black Hole or Gorgar.
 
Better get some vids instead of pins.

Anyway here's the numero uno of all times

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Earthshaker, number two and Tommy number 3
 
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