Gottlieb

Stargate

Pinside Rating

This game received 238 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.733 _/10

7.733

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #137 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.982

Artwork: 7.988

Sounds/Music: 6.863

Other Aspects: 7.876

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 8 of us have rated this game.

7.558

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Found 138 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 138 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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9.700/10

11 years ago

NEO

CaptainNeo

Playfield restorations

Burlington, WI

11y 148K 22,452 37 77 1

this game is so deep and complex. 3 endings. It's basically 2 games in 1. it's like taking CV and TAF and combining them in one game. Phenomenal game overall.

CaptainNeo edited previous rating on May 11, 2021.
CaptainNeo has owned this game in the past.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

8.372/10

11 years ago

ANS

tattoomommy

Inactive member

Lincoln, NE

11y 9,750 15 16

Very fun pin! Ramps can be a bit challenging, love the multiball.

4.547/10

11 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,262 19 30

I'm in the minority here but probably my least favorite DMD game. Dull and lifeless and boring as heck. Depressing to play and the layout is weak. Maybe if it had W/B or Sega flippers in it I would be able to enjoy is a bit more, but Gottleib parts & play don't do it for me.
Love the movie and the TV series', but this game is just painful for me to play.

7.464/10

11 years ago

SBC

castlesteve

CCA

Lexington, KY

11y 40,650 953 15 13

I hate saying what everyone else says - easily the best DMD Gottieb. What the heck happened to them? They were Gods of pinball in the 60-70's.

Anyway, this is a well made machine. Thank you also for thinking outside the box on this. Their playfield toys are truely unique and do not simply mimic Williams/Bally design. They really went their own direction in the design and layout. Well done!!! The voice is a little bit too talky for me, but I understand you can shut that off at game play. Backglass is awesome and mixed with color LEDs, only makes this game even better.

castlesteve has owned this game in the past.

7.819/10

11 years ago

JCS

thebrave

Inactive member

Glendale, AZ

12y 38,900 189 1 29

I'm glad I had the chance to play this pin. I really like the Anubis/Horus Targets and the ship that comes out of the pyramid is very fun. Challenging shot is up the middle into the pyramid and kept me focused. I'm not a huge fan of the DMD on some Gottlieb's, and this one seems to be the typical display. Still, I like this pin and wouldn't mind owning it!

9.276/10

11 years ago

ALT

taylor34

Game Room Info

12y 124K 2,359 9 32 4

Stargate is a great game. 8 multiballs, 2 wizard modes and one mini-wizard mode, multiple ways to accomplish things, combo's, increasing jackpots, etc. Everything about the software on this game is top notch, one of the best of the 90's.

It's biggest downfall for detractors is that it's a Gottlieb, and a lot of people don't care for how they 'feel'. I didn't mind at all though.

I recommend upgraded flipper coils on the game, they really help with the ramps. The audio isn't the greatest, but it's not nearly as bad as every makes it out to be. It's actually pretty newbie friendly because of the audio, people always know where to shoot plus it has a lot of accessible mulitballs.

About the only downside to it is that it is a game that you can eventually master as it's not as hard as some other DMD games. Initially though it will seem really hard, harder than a lot of other games. After a while though you adjust and realize how to score better.

taylor34 edited previous rating on June 19, 2012.
taylor34 has owned this game in the past.

7.932/10

11 years ago

JEC

Berserk

Pinside member

Kincardine, ON

12y 51,650 262 4 23

I was really surprised how fun this pin was, since I don't remember much from the movie. And I gotta say the artwork on the whole pin is one of the best I've seen, especially the backglass... Really cool! I would really like to play more of this pin, since I really enjoyed it.

Berserk edited previous rating on January 18, 2021.

8.352/10

12 years ago

JMS

swampfire

Pinside+ Addict

12y 168K 13,658 49

I should have kept this one. Darn this limited space! Great game for 1200-1500, definitely worth having for a few years. Audio is well-served by a good subwoofer. I didn't like James Spader talking so much, but it's not a deal-breaker.

9.195/10

12 years ago

BD

daley

Pinside member

12y 68,800 790 26

Love this machine! Though I may be biased because I love the theme. This also has my favorite playfield toy though, the Death Glider!!

I really like the rule set of the machine. It is very easy for someone who has never played the game to understand what they need to do, however the shots are difficult enough that the game maintains its lastability.

This is a multiball bonanza. Most of he modes are a multiball mode. The best part though is that almost all those multiballs have an add-a-ball aspect. So, you start with a certain number of balls and then get rewarded with another when you do something good.

You would think all those multiballs would make the game easy, however the short or nonexistent ball save on multiballs means that if you lose control of things during a multiball you can easily get a multiple ball drain and have your ball done and over with in the blink of an eye. Its all about risk and reward.

daley edited previous rating on January 15, 2014.

9.520/10

12 years ago

ZEN

Pinside member

Waverly, NE

12y 73,550 1,159 12 23

An amazing DMD that gets little praise for its flow. Those who say its clunky and cluttered probably have not taken time to learn the ruleset, its deep with lots of rewarding shots and speed. Sound I guess could be better but its no fish tales, this has to be the best bang for your buck pin out there, agree with others, if it said williams on it somewhere, you would be paying triple..get one..

ZEN currently owns this game.

7.552/10

12 years ago

EZG

Pinside member

Lakeville, MN

13y 73,700 211 5 6

I like the movie, so wanted to try the pin. The back glass is great and the gameplay was good. The ramp shots take a hard shot, like the toys, etc. Fun game that you can get at a good price. Looking for one now.

6.959/10

12 years ago

TOZ

ctozzi

Pinside member

Las Vegas, NV

12y 71,900 1,465 2 71

my favorite movie and a highly under rated and fun machine but the shoot the pyramid kills the game for me

ctozzi edited previous rating on February 20, 2014.
ctozzi has owned this game in the past.

5.052/10

12 years ago

ADV

caprifox

Inactive member

Ulestraten

12y 18,250 17 13

I didn't like this game too much. The rules are not very clear and the speech is annoying and way too loud and agressive. I like stargate very much but this game does not have the quallity of the show

caprifox has owned this game in the past.

7.976/10

12 years ago

???

docscott

Inactive member

Prescott, AZ

12y 28,150 1,479 2 30

I like the show, which probably biased me toward the game. But I still found it fun. I'd consider buying it if I found one in good shape.

7.938/10

12 years ago

FXS

sulli10

Pinside member

Morristown, NJ

13y 129K 2,576 33 61

Played this at the PHOF and I was surprised how much I liked the game. The machine seems well built and if I could find a decent price it may end up in the collection. Edit, I purchased this game about two months ago. First off, it is extremely well made and it weighs a ton. Up close, this is a real beautiful pin and the back glass with working light rope may be the best I have owned. The play is unique, yes, a bit stop an go, but very enjoyable. This gets as much play in my collection as any other game so it stands up for itself very nicely. The manual for SG has to be the most complete and well done of any manual I have looked at from Williams, Bally, Stern, DE or Sega. I would strongly recommend as a bang for the buck game. I can not see it leaving the collection for a real long time.

A great game for the money!!. Lots of shots and variability. I picked one up and starting to get it in playing shape. needs strong flippers to make the ramp shots. This is a game that will go up in the rankings and in value. If you can get one buy it.

sulli10 edited previous rating on December 24, 2013.
sulli10 has owned this game in the past.

7.249/10

12 years ago

DEL

SealClubber

Pinside Moderator

14y 128K 11,060 246

Not a bad game. Some difficult tight shots. Ramps are very steep and clunky. The flip up and kickback targets are pretty cool. Backglass would have been awesome if the light or stargate rotated.

6.878/10

12 years ago

WPG

guymontag451

Wedgehead

Portland, OR

13y 92,800 1,006 25 172

A surprisingly pretty sweet game. The ruleset is kinda strange and the scoring seems kinda random and unbalanced, but the gameplay is fast and the lower playfield feels claustrophobic, but with a nice variety of ramp/loop/toy shots. Sound can get a little annoying like all gottliebs from this era. The ramps are STEEP though, and the flippers need to be well maintained to hit them. Not a classic by any means, but fun.

guymontag451 edited previous rating on December 19, 2023.

9.320/10

12 years ago

BAY

Bay78

Phantom

Winnipeg, MB

12y 69,900 674 31 10

This game would be much higher rated if it had a williams badge on it. This game should be MUCH higher then it is right now. Only because its a Gottlieb it isn't higher!

Bay78 has owned this game in the past.

8.900/10

12 years ago

SKP

Bounce

Inactive member

Devils River, Lake Amistad, TX

12y 13,650 44 6 8

I have had this very under-rated pin in my toy barn for a couple of years now now along side other solid state Williams and Stern pins and it gets a lot of play. That could be because of the great inviting art design from the backglass mirrored 3-D effect to the uniqueness of the Horus gate-keepers on the playfield. It could also be that this game just invites more play because of its deep rule set and genuine fun factor when the wizard modes are entered and multiball kicks in to make the action ferocious. The audio is not nearly as poor as is often criticized in these reviews. Yes, the audio voices get repetitive in the pin's quest for the player to shoot for a number of varied targets, but the audio is crisp and clear and the voices can be modulated by holding the flipper buttons in before the skill shot. I like the music and audio sounds but agree that clips from the movie sound track could have made it even better. The playfield is entertaining and engaging as target shots and their sequence shift their value as the game progresses. The ramps are steep and require good flipper contact, the strobe targets can be nearly blinding when lit, and the bumpers and slings throw the ball around as fast as any pin I've ever played. Multiball is simply an intense hoot and, with all balls in play, can really bring the excitement and scoring level up if you're quick enough to keep up. While the rule set is sufficiently deep for the experienced player, the game can be set up to allow even a pin novice to stay in the game with extra "sympathy" balls for low scoring or quick exits. This is an extremely unique pin with a lot to offer players of all skill levels. Stargate is the best Gotlieb solid state by far and if it had been branded by Williams or Bally would no doubt be in the top ten. While the action is a little c;unky compared to Williams and Bally pins of its vintage, for pin shoppers, it's the "best bang for the buck" you'll likely find. For most players or collectors, it's uniqueness and playability make it a worthy addition to any gameroom. I'm keeping mine.

Bounce currently owns this game.

7.600/10

12 years ago

MSA

matt_adams

Pinside member

Middleton-on-sea

14y 88,600 721 22 51

Fantastic looking machine and really quirky not the greatest pin in the world but I like it, I agree with the comment that it would score much better if it had Williams written on the side!

matt_adams edited previous rating on December 23, 2012.
matt_adams has owned this game in the past.

7.920/10

12 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Litvinov

12y 138K 6,415 133 149

An interesting game that I really would like to play a bit more that I have done!

pinballslave has owned this game in the past.

6.849/10

12 years ago

MAK

teachp8

Inactive member

13y 57,800 146 2 97

I've played this a few times now and, whilst there are plenty of things to shoot for and different modes to play, it all feels a little samey and rather underwhelming. A good theme that fits the film perfectly but not a pin for me.

7.968/10

12 years ago

RND

RawleyD

Pinside member

Roanoke, VA

14y 67,650 3,243 36

Stargate is alright. Lots of easy to achieve multiball for the new pinballer. I think the cabinet and backbox decals have some of the coolest artwork available. When you're making the shots, the game does have pretty good flow. Lots of wizard modes to work toward. Sound is sub-par (although I believe the low-key sound effects and music are appropriate for this game, very dark feel). Game does have a very mellow and dark mood to it. Not my favorite in our personal lineup, but offers a great change of pace.

RawleyD has owned this game in the past.

9.108/10

12 years ago

SRS

ssbodyman

Pinside member

12y 74,800 840 48

My first DMD game I have had it for about a year and a half now and I still love it, lots of cool shots that are just difficult enough to make consistently to keep me coming back for more. One of the best looking game ever made with game play to match.

ssbodyman edited previous rating on November 20, 2012.

8.335/10

13 years ago

FAZ

pinball_faz

Pinside member

Chicago Burbs, IL

13y 99,300 2,735 5 32

The callouts are a bit monotonous but it's a lot of fun. The light show during extra ball are a lot of fun and SANDSTORM is just crazy!

Lots of multi-balls...

pinball_faz edited previous rating on March 27, 2016.
pinball_faz currently owns this game.

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