Data East
Star Wars Pinside Rating
This game received 279 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.627 /10
Star Wars
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.407
Artwork: 7.946
Sounds/Music: 7.457
Other Aspects: 7.688
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 5 of us have rated this game.
Found 166 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 166 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 5 of 7.
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7.976/10
10 years ago
Orange
Have the new rom and have a great time playing this game. It's actually quite difficult and tri-ball is not easy to achieve. The non-original voices don't bother me, nor does the DE energized Star Wars theme music. I get it, that it's meant to be a pinball take on the music score that differentiates the game from the film. It creates a tense pace and sense of urgency to make the shots you need to make. The modes are different to what people might be used to with some Bally Williams games which is fine. Overall it's not what you would call a deep game, but it's a blast to play. Ignore low ratings by players that played a game using the old rom.
4.596/10
10 years ago
Fairfax, VA
Playfield layout is familiar (orbit shot, through-the-pops shot, a mode scoop and a mystery scoop), with a couple of differences such as the Death Star. It's fun at first, however the game is severely unbalanced from a scoring perspective and there's little reason to shoot for anything other than the center ramp. The game has modes, but they don't build up to any sort of wizard mode; they are sort of just "there". Not having anything to work towards gives little reason to actually go for the modes, and the scoring balance issues leads there to be little reason to shoot anything other than the ramp. The one multi-ball the game has can be enjoyable, however, again there's little reason to actually aim for the jackpots, as building points on the ramp is possible with all three balls, and will be much more lucrative as a result. Definitely not a player's game by any means, but it should be fun if you like mindless gameplay. The orbit feels good, the toys are fun (Spinning Death Star and R2 heads, and R2 bounces up and down). Sound is solid and the music fits well enough (the main theme in a semi-goofy kind of way). Cabinet art is pretty awful, the backglass art is nice, and the playfield art is so-so (it doesn't hold up that great today). I really can't recommend this game as I am sure you can find far better games for the same price, but I hear it's much better with the new code release.
8.036/10
10 years ago
Great game! Rating is with the latest code update. This update really makes a difference on this game!
8.660/10
10 years ago
I've played all three Star Wars pins and this is by far the most fun and challenging of the three, especially now with the 20th Anniversary 1.04 updated ROM. I went out and purchased the Data East Star Wars last month and have been very happy with it.
Sure, the ramp is positioned in an easy to hit sweet spot and yes, it can be hit 20+ consecutive times, but the new 1.04 ROM prevents it from being your only source for scoring. The new ROM makes hitting all the targets just as important as hitting the ramp and the death star, emphasizing more strategy for high scoring.
Before the new ROM, scoring above 150M was easy, even on the first ball. After I installed the new ROM, the challenge is now breaking 100M. Most importantly, overall skill is now emphasized, not just lucky shots and hitting the ramp and DS.
I'm confused as to why this Star Wars pin is rated as low as it is, or that people have rated it even lower than an 8/10 (maybe on purpose, to keep the demand for this pin low). I've played a few machines on the Pinside top 10, and many more on the top 100 list, and granted each pin is unique in it's own way; however, this pin's a keeper, whether you're a Star Wars fan or not!!!
Sure, the ramp is positioned in an easy to hit sweet spot and yes, it can be hit 20+ consecutive times, but the new 1.04 ROM prevents it from being your only source for scoring. The new ROM makes hitting all the targets just as important as hitting the ramp and the death star, emphasizing more strategy for high scoring.
Before the new ROM, scoring above 150M was easy, even on the first ball. After I installed the new ROM, the challenge is now breaking 100M. Most importantly, overall skill is now emphasized, not just lucky shots and hitting the ramp and DS.
I'm confused as to why this Star Wars pin is rated as low as it is, or that people have rated it even lower than an 8/10 (maybe on purpose, to keep the demand for this pin low). I've played a few machines on the Pinside top 10, and many more on the top 100 list, and granted each pin is unique in it's own way; however, this pin's a keeper, whether you're a Star Wars fan or not!!!
8.708/10
10 years ago
In my opinion, DESW is the best Star Wars pin.
Main complaints: Multiball requires a lot of work, some shots are oddly placed.
Main praise: The music is great, the ramp is one of the best in pinball, and the music is Brian Schmidt's excellent "made-to-be-MIDI" style.
Main complaints: Multiball requires a lot of work, some shots are oddly placed.
Main praise: The music is great, the ramp is one of the best in pinball, and the music is Brian Schmidt's excellent "made-to-be-MIDI" style.
7.708/10
10 years ago
Been playing this one more recently, and it's a very simple machine, with only a few ways to get a lot of points. But the theme is nice, and it is very unique.
8.620/10
10 years ago
The updated Rom is a vast improvement on the original game play. Particularly in the home environment it adds a lot of depth to the game. This was one of my favourite pins back when it was new so I still have a soft spot for it now. Fun game that's a favourite with guests.
7.280/10
10 years ago
I haven't played an updated ROM Star Wars, so maybe if I could it would change... But I remember the game being too easy. I played it a lot and got tired of it, my arcade had this and a Star Trek and a MM back in the day. Could play Star Trek and MM for days on end and they didn't get old. Star Wars did, but maybe with the new ROM upgrade it is totally different, doubt I'll have the chance to play one again honestly.
9.460/10
10 years ago
Montreal, QC
There really should be a clean slate for this machine with the AWESOME new 20th Anniversary Rom.
SWDE was always a fun game (ah ... memories of college procrastination) ... but it was never the best home or tournament option out there. Oh ... silly ... lopsided scoring up the center ramp ...
Well, despite that, I picked one up a few years ago. I'm smart, so I put the back legs up as far as they would go ... and presto ... the center ramp had instant Risk/Reward factor. I also aligned the flippers so that the shot up the middle wasn't a gimme. Guess what? It worked.
While forum groupies were bashing the game for unbalanced scoring ... my friends were all treating themselves to a lesson in pinball. If they didn't get all the way up the ramp ... too bad ... drain SDTM (Boo haa haa haa)
I also set the game to very hard. No Moon freebies! Gotta earn that TRi-BALL! EARN IT I SAY!
In walks new Rom ... and BOOM! The rest of the world gets to experience what I had simulated on my machine with leveling and menu adjustments.
Well ... that ... and an awesome Han Solo "Freeze" (ball save) ... and a bonus multiplier that is capped at 20M instead of 1M ... and a valuable Sarlac Pit ... and more voice calls ... and big points for the most exciting shot in pinball THE DEATH STAR DOUBLE JACKPOT!!!! ... and much much more!
WOW WOW WOW
I am so glad I hung onto this game. I almost sold it 3 months before the new Rom came out. What a difference a code makes. I can't believe how many requests I have gotten to sell.
No way ... not now. Will it become a keeper?
P.S. I also just tested it with the external sub I picked up for my STTNG. Holy Crap. I might need to get another sub. SWDE sounds awesome with one. Every hit on the Death Star Door is AWESOME! Don't get me started on Tri-Ball!
SWDE was always a fun game (ah ... memories of college procrastination) ... but it was never the best home or tournament option out there. Oh ... silly ... lopsided scoring up the center ramp ...
Well, despite that, I picked one up a few years ago. I'm smart, so I put the back legs up as far as they would go ... and presto ... the center ramp had instant Risk/Reward factor. I also aligned the flippers so that the shot up the middle wasn't a gimme. Guess what? It worked.
While forum groupies were bashing the game for unbalanced scoring ... my friends were all treating themselves to a lesson in pinball. If they didn't get all the way up the ramp ... too bad ... drain SDTM (Boo haa haa haa)
I also set the game to very hard. No Moon freebies! Gotta earn that TRi-BALL! EARN IT I SAY!
In walks new Rom ... and BOOM! The rest of the world gets to experience what I had simulated on my machine with leveling and menu adjustments.
Well ... that ... and an awesome Han Solo "Freeze" (ball save) ... and a bonus multiplier that is capped at 20M instead of 1M ... and a valuable Sarlac Pit ... and more voice calls ... and big points for the most exciting shot in pinball THE DEATH STAR DOUBLE JACKPOT!!!! ... and much much more!
WOW WOW WOW
I am so glad I hung onto this game. I almost sold it 3 months before the new Rom came out. What a difference a code makes. I can't believe how many requests I have gotten to sell.
No way ... not now. Will it become a keeper?
P.S. I also just tested it with the external sub I picked up for my STTNG. Holy Crap. I might need to get another sub. SWDE sounds awesome with one. Every hit on the Death Star Door is AWESOME! Don't get me started on Tri-Ball!
8.999/10
11 years ago
Rating based on the December 2012 software update. Game plays TOTALLY different.
Paisley
5.409/10
11 years ago
never got into star wars so i was never going to love it,the playfield is cool though,r2d2 looks great there are some cool shots.i found it to be abit of a clanga,like my wwf,it might just be a data east thing,im not an expert,but if your a fan of the movies,sure you will love it,it was fun,just not my thing...
7.356/10
11 years ago
Theme is Great....I mean Star Wars! The game play is fun but would not want to be the only pin I own. I bought it simply because I am a big SW fan. It gets repetitive at times, but with the new code recently released....it plays a little better.
GREAT pin for the SW fan....better pins out there for the serious PLAYER....
If you are looking for a simple button mashing game...this may be it!
GREAT pin for the SW fan....better pins out there for the serious PLAYER....
If you are looking for a simple button mashing game...this may be it!
8.520/10
11 years ago
I believe the ratings on this machine are low due to the old code where it was mainly a one shot game. Updating this game with new roms from Stern greatly improves the lastability and playability. The scoring is much more balanced. The theme is used extremely well and touches on all aspects of the three movies. Any Star Wars person should really enjoy this machine.
9.272/10
11 years ago
This is a rating on the new 20th Anniversary Edition of Data East Star Wars. With the new ROM installed this is a whole new game. The game plays a million times better and shoot the ramp all you want but you will not score the millions you did before. You really have to get good at all the shots in the game not just the ramp. If you don't care for this game try one with the upgraded ROM and you may just change your mind. This game is now one of my favorites and I highly recommend you buy the new ROM. Can't wait to see what others are going to say about this much improved pin!
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