Stern
Jaws (LE) Pinside Rating
This game received 160 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.664 /10
Jaws (LE)
Top 100 ranking
This game ranks 1st in the game group "Jaws". The group itself ranks #18 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.529
Artwork: 8.664
Sounds/Music: 8.439
Other Aspects: 8.796
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
This title is part of group: "Jaws"
Found 58 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 58 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 3.
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Myrtle Beach, SC
8.372/10
3 days ago
Purchased Jaws NIB and found it difficult to make a connection. It's a fun game but it wasn't $13K fun so I sold it early on. There is a little bit too much stop and go for me and the movie clips get a little annoying sort of like in Elvira. If you know you know. Artwork and lighting are great especially the night mode. More than likely, Stern will remedy the issues with code improvement, and this will be a homerun, but for now it wasn't a keeper. The problem for me is that I love pinball but it has gotten so expensive that I really have to love it at $13K. Yes, I took a hit selling it.
7.938/10
7 days ago
Oakville, ON
I like this one a lot. The game shoots very well and there are definitely some unique ball paths. The upper playfield is about as good as it gets though the ball doesn't always get there unless you hit the ramp nearly perfect. The main shark bash toy is just okay, could have been much better. Lighting is excellent!
Where the game falls short for me is rules. I find them a bit confusing and certainly not straight forward. Some work needs to be done here IMO or strong location play will not last. I'm sure it will get better!
Where the game falls short for me is rules. I find them a bit confusing and certainly not straight forward. Some work needs to be done here IMO or strong location play will not last. I'm sure it will get better!
Paris
9.420/10
27 days ago
Keith Elwin continues his streak with his fifth cornerstone game! Having had a lot of time on my Jaws LE, I can say that it's Elwin at his finest. Like his other games, it's totally unlike his other games. Though there are some touches that are signature Elwin, with the verticality and ramps that flip the ball back around, but this layout is novel and has some interesting ball paths.
I've already provided a review of the premium edition, and much of those comments stand. But, that was a prototype game with very early code, and we've had an update since then that has added some cool new features and some quality of life adjustments.
What I like the most so far is that Jaws can be played in different ways. Whether you want to play on-the-fly and get into flow, or you want to slow it down and make controlled shots, this game gives you ample opportunity to play it either way.
The shots range from easy to devilishly tight, and this mix keeps things interesting. The mini-flipper shot at the fish finder is awesome, but hitting the pathway above the target bank is tough as nails and lucrative AF. The modes are a little bare-bones, but the multiballs are interesting, fast, and frenetic. The bounty modes offer a good deal of freedom to add a perk you need, and I really like the wheel awards on the upper playfield, which make for some nice little bonuses.
New to the latest code is a feature to immediately release the ball from the shark if it happens to eat the ball. The night modes feature dim lighting that really captures the look of the beginning of the film. But the coolest feature is the enhanced mini-flipper ball lock. It was already awesome that you could activate a flipper hold for a while to concentrate on one-ball play during multiball, but it now has some incredibly cool logic that will release the ball you're holding if you manage to load the mini flipper lane with the other ball. It's as other-worldly as the phantom flips on Addams and Monster Bash.
The main multiball qualification escalates in difficulty quickly, with the second two Jaws multiballs feeling like a real accomplishment.
The artwork on the LE cab is gorgeous and the backglass is beautiful. The sound package is strong, with intense music and a lot of great clips that really highlight the humor of the film. There are also some interesting fish finder modes, with the cast and catch being a standout, forcing you to trap up and time your shots to maximize scoring.
There are a few small nitpicks. OK, maybe a major one, which is that an aftermarket airball protector is pretty much a requirement for this game. Good thing it's easy to install. The life ring sometimes fails after being relit and used again. The wave ramp is also very difficult to hit at times, and sometimes results in a stuck ball if a bricked shot doesn't fall onto the wireform below. It is great they added logic to award you the shot even if it doesn't make it to the upper playfield.
I also have to say that the upper playfield is actually really fun. I generally don't like upper playfields, but this one is fast and doesn't waste your time, which is much appreciated.
All in all, this is an incredibly fun game to flip, and stands right up there with Elwin's best. I never thought I could love a Stern as much as I love Godzilla, and while that may always be his magnum opus, Jaws is a superb game in its own right, even on early code.
Jaws is a winner. Elwin and company have made magic once again.
I've already provided a review of the premium edition, and much of those comments stand. But, that was a prototype game with very early code, and we've had an update since then that has added some cool new features and some quality of life adjustments.
What I like the most so far is that Jaws can be played in different ways. Whether you want to play on-the-fly and get into flow, or you want to slow it down and make controlled shots, this game gives you ample opportunity to play it either way.
The shots range from easy to devilishly tight, and this mix keeps things interesting. The mini-flipper shot at the fish finder is awesome, but hitting the pathway above the target bank is tough as nails and lucrative AF. The modes are a little bare-bones, but the multiballs are interesting, fast, and frenetic. The bounty modes offer a good deal of freedom to add a perk you need, and I really like the wheel awards on the upper playfield, which make for some nice little bonuses.
New to the latest code is a feature to immediately release the ball from the shark if it happens to eat the ball. The night modes feature dim lighting that really captures the look of the beginning of the film. But the coolest feature is the enhanced mini-flipper ball lock. It was already awesome that you could activate a flipper hold for a while to concentrate on one-ball play during multiball, but it now has some incredibly cool logic that will release the ball you're holding if you manage to load the mini flipper lane with the other ball. It's as other-worldly as the phantom flips on Addams and Monster Bash.
The main multiball qualification escalates in difficulty quickly, with the second two Jaws multiballs feeling like a real accomplishment.
The artwork on the LE cab is gorgeous and the backglass is beautiful. The sound package is strong, with intense music and a lot of great clips that really highlight the humor of the film. There are also some interesting fish finder modes, with the cast and catch being a standout, forcing you to trap up and time your shots to maximize scoring.
There are a few small nitpicks. OK, maybe a major one, which is that an aftermarket airball protector is pretty much a requirement for this game. Good thing it's easy to install. The life ring sometimes fails after being relit and used again. The wave ramp is also very difficult to hit at times, and sometimes results in a stuck ball if a bricked shot doesn't fall onto the wireform below. It is great they added logic to award you the shot even if it doesn't make it to the upper playfield.
I also have to say that the upper playfield is actually really fun. I generally don't like upper playfields, but this one is fast and doesn't waste your time, which is much appreciated.
All in all, this is an incredibly fun game to flip, and stands right up there with Elwin's best. I never thought I could love a Stern as much as I love Godzilla, and while that may always be his magnum opus, Jaws is a superb game in its own right, even on early code.
Jaws is a winner. Elwin and company have made magic once again.
9.680/10
32 days ago
I set up my Jaws LE a few days ago. It gets high points because it is so utterly unique. It gets high points because it has some satisfying shots, including the upper playfield which is essentially a pre determined combo shot and the 2 ramp shots. It gets high points because it looks great in person. It gets high points because it is a very well done theme. Skill shots are cool. At this point the code and media feels a bit chaotic, so I’m hoping it will be tidied up a bit. The drains from the fishing reel are annoying. I don’t love the right upper flipper, but it’s not bad either. Small flippers are so random. Somehow I love this machine though. I have most Elwin’s. For me it’s Godzilla, then Jaws, then Iron Maiden, then Jurrasic Park. I know everyone loves JP, but I’m just not good enough to get that far in it.
9.580/10
35 days ago
Sulzemoos
I already own(ed) the other Keith Elwin Pins and would compare this most to Jurassic Park (which is my favorite). I really like if the rules follow a story versus just shooting on blinking lights. Keith integrated the Jaws story perfectly into this pin. And I guess with software on 0.87 at the moment, this will even improve over time. The theme integration is done very well and you feel on Amity Island from the first second you play this pin.
The layout of Jaws feels very fresh. The pin is really fast and has a lot of flow. Sometimes it's tough to follow the ball going up and down ramps, hitting the fin, etc. Doing the Challenges for Quinn (Combos) is a lot of fun based on this layout. Getting to the upper playfield is not as hard as it seemed in the first videos and when you go up the lookout then is very satisfying.
I also like the playfield art very much as it is a good contrast to almost all other pins I own. It's not as colorful and "full" as on other pins but I think this fits the topic very well. I like how the inserts are distributed and how they guide you through the game. You see that a lot love and thoughts have went into this design.
What I don't like on current software version is, that I feel often overwhelmed when many things go on at once. You can combine many of the challenges and modes with a multiball which makes it really hard to know what to shoot for.
The layout of Jaws feels very fresh. The pin is really fast and has a lot of flow. Sometimes it's tough to follow the ball going up and down ramps, hitting the fin, etc. Doing the Challenges for Quinn (Combos) is a lot of fun based on this layout. Getting to the upper playfield is not as hard as it seemed in the first videos and when you go up the lookout then is very satisfying.
I also like the playfield art very much as it is a good contrast to almost all other pins I own. It's not as colorful and "full" as on other pins but I think this fits the topic very well. I like how the inserts are distributed and how they guide you through the game. You see that a lot love and thoughts have went into this design.
What I don't like on current software version is, that I feel often overwhelmed when many things go on at once. You can combine many of the challenges and modes with a multiball which makes it really hard to know what to shoot for.
8.272/10
35 days ago
I own the le and its great shots are good ball times are decent.
The upper playfield is pretty useless. If you do manage to get the ball there is almost impossible to get a shot off. Were not all Elwin.
Game does get a little repetitive theres only one or 2 paths to take.
Quints house is another very difficult shot.
I do enjoy the life ring and the narrow escape from indy.
The art work on playfield coulda been better the box is great and pro Le back glass is perfect. Prem is horrible. I hope as the code developers finish it gets a little more path friendly to progess farther and take different routs and side missions.
The upper playfield is pretty useless. If you do manage to get the ball there is almost impossible to get a shot off. Were not all Elwin.
Game does get a little repetitive theres only one or 2 paths to take.
Quints house is another very difficult shot.
I do enjoy the life ring and the narrow escape from indy.
The art work on playfield coulda been better the box is great and pro Le back glass is perfect. Prem is horrible. I hope as the code developers finish it gets a little more path friendly to progess farther and take different routs and side missions.
9.895/10
37 days ago
What an awesome shooter that is! Very dynamic and smooth at the same time. Another good thing is that one hardly drains balls through the outlanes. Long lasting play fun, which, even after more than 100 games, does not come across repetitive or anything. Action at its best, very well done, Keith!!!
1.000/10
38 days ago
This review is for all you 10.0 raters. Two can play this game. No pinball machine with early code is a 10.0, and there are other shortcomings as well, but people have to justify their purchases I suppose.
Here’s some valid reasons why 10.0 ratings are bogus:
Those of you who sell pinball machines and want to goose the PinSide ratings to inflate the resale value by giving fake 10.0 ratings.
Those of you who haven’t played it but gave it 10.0 because you love the theme. (These guys are the worst offenders)
Those of you who bought the machine and want to try to run up the ratings so you can claim to own a top tier game.
Those of you who give 10.0 ratings with no comment or explanation (justification) whatsoever.
You know who you are. Feed me all your hate - it only makes me stronger.
Yes, I’ve played the game. It’s not bad. Generally I agree with Caucasian2step’s assessments. A 9.0-9.3 seems like an honest score really, and likely to go higher with code updates. Will it ever be a 10.0? Nope. There isn’t a perfect game. Stop with the rating boosting. I see a 10.0, I flag it as bogus. I don’t give my own games that treatment, and neither should you if you’re honest.
Here’s some valid reasons why 10.0 ratings are bogus:
Those of you who sell pinball machines and want to goose the PinSide ratings to inflate the resale value by giving fake 10.0 ratings.
Those of you who haven’t played it but gave it 10.0 because you love the theme. (These guys are the worst offenders)
Those of you who bought the machine and want to try to run up the ratings so you can claim to own a top tier game.
Those of you who give 10.0 ratings with no comment or explanation (justification) whatsoever.
You know who you are. Feed me all your hate - it only makes me stronger.
Yes, I’ve played the game. It’s not bad. Generally I agree with Caucasian2step’s assessments. A 9.0-9.3 seems like an honest score really, and likely to go higher with code updates. Will it ever be a 10.0? Nope. There isn’t a perfect game. Stop with the rating boosting. I see a 10.0, I flag it as bogus. I don’t give my own games that treatment, and neither should you if you’re honest.
9.600/10
43 days ago
So many emotions after playing this machine! Overall I love it, definitely makes you want to play it over and over again which is the sign of a great game. It really does an incredible job of building suspense and immersing you into the film. As amazing as the gameplay is, the sound design is the real winner here. The Jaws theme and callouts playing throughout got me so hyped up that I really felt like I was on a boat fighting for my life.
Love the shark coming out from under the boat. So exciting to see him and be able to shoot at him when he comes out and love that he's not always out like some bash toy just sitting there all the time. Then you add the moving shark fin and you have yourself a game that gets your juices flowing.
The white trim on this machine really makes it stand out. I was drawn to it and it is a thing of beauty contrasted with the blue all over the game. The classic Jaws poster and side art, everything looks so perfect. The playfield really does make you feel like you're in Amity Island. The side art blades really make it feel like your playing an underwater pinball machine, so cool. Shout out to one of my favorite toys in the game, the bloody chum bucket.
Only nitpicky negatives I have about the game, I don't really love inlane ball locks/posts that stop the flow, but honestly it works out for this game because it's all about building suspense especially when they're setting you up to make the shark fin shot. Also wish the upper playfield had more going on. You're in and out of there so fast it almost feels like an afterthought.
Final thought on this game is that it is easily one of the greatest pins ever made. When you take into account the theme and music integration with an awesome gameplay, you just can't go wrong with this pin. It hits on so many levels.
Love the shark coming out from under the boat. So exciting to see him and be able to shoot at him when he comes out and love that he's not always out like some bash toy just sitting there all the time. Then you add the moving shark fin and you have yourself a game that gets your juices flowing.
The white trim on this machine really makes it stand out. I was drawn to it and it is a thing of beauty contrasted with the blue all over the game. The classic Jaws poster and side art, everything looks so perfect. The playfield really does make you feel like you're in Amity Island. The side art blades really make it feel like your playing an underwater pinball machine, so cool. Shout out to one of my favorite toys in the game, the bloody chum bucket.
Only nitpicky negatives I have about the game, I don't really love inlane ball locks/posts that stop the flow, but honestly it works out for this game because it's all about building suspense especially when they're setting you up to make the shark fin shot. Also wish the upper playfield had more going on. You're in and out of there so fast it almost feels like an afterthought.
Final thought on this game is that it is easily one of the greatest pins ever made. When you take into account the theme and music integration with an awesome gameplay, you just can't go wrong with this pin. It hits on so many levels.
9.900/10
45 days ago
I own a premium and played an LE recently (which obviously plays the same) and it is a beautiful pin with the foil decals, backglass, and the speaker lights are fantastic. Only thing is the shark insert on the speakers looks more like Star Trek than a shark. Other than that, it looks incredible. I love this game. Even at 0.87, the code is fantastic and will only get better. The upper playfield adds so much to this game - the wheel awards are fun and the left ramp shot is one of the most kinetically pleasing shots I've ever shot in pinball. I have now played a ton of games on Jaws and what I love is no 2 games play the same. Since there's so many different modes, I'll be playing a game where I'm focusing on bounty hunts and then look up and realize I'm actually really close to closing all the beaches and totally change strategy. Some games are so linear that you have to progress it a certain way to score points or you just won't. With Jaws since you can stack anything and can be progressing so many things at the same time (sometimes so much my brain explodes because I've got so many things going on at once) that every game feels different in how I got my score. Just want to continue playing. It's a flow monster and in my opinion right up there with Elwin's other greats (Godzilla and JP).
8.644/10
47 days ago
Jaws is a cool game. The issue with this game is theming, they just don't nail it. The upper playfield boat doesn't look like a boat. Secondly that upper playfield is very hard to do anything with. Overall the game is really fun and inventive. There is no doubt Keith is the best pinball designer currently designing pinball machines. With that being said his games lack perfect theming. When you compare this game to Elton John I think Elton John is better because both games are great layouts. However Elton John theming is off the charts! Jaws could be themed a lot better. However I believe this is the first game EVER Keith has gotten movie assets so congrats there! Jaws is a really amazing game its just not his best one yet.
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