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Thoughts on Jaws Pinball

RetroGamingBlog

RetroGamingBlog

Registered
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Messages
48
Location
Devon
Hey all,

I’m looking to pickup another pin and I’ve been watching hours of reviews for Jaws. I’m seeing so many mixed reports, and a lot of the poorer reviews were prior to the updates. I’m a fan of the theme, so I’m pulled in somewhat.

I haven’t been able play this on location at all, I’m based in Devon, but I’d be interested to hear experiences. Is there anyone that owns a Jaws Premium that would be able to share some pros and cons, and their general thoughts on the machine and if mods are recommended.

I’m aware each pin is a personal experience - but getting general up to date feedback will help my decision.
 
I played it and was blown away but not a fan of the upper playfield as it just zaps by too quickly and off again , not a fan of watching the same film clips over and over but that’s how they’re going . Would consider one yes
 
It's a fun pin. It's not *as* good as JP2 or GZ, but it's definitely better than A:IQ and a reasonably top-tier title.

There's a lot of fishing-related humour and I'm sure it was inspired by Fish Tales (kinda Fish Tales: 2).

Once it gets going, it feels like there's almost too much going on. Like it's a fan layout and every shot starts something off. I've found it hard to develop clear scoring tactics on that basis.

But, either way, you can't go wrong with it if you like the look and the theme.
 
I’ve got a jaws premium and it’s absolutely fantastic, the game play integrated with audio / film clips is done brilliantly . And the game play in general is some of the best I’ve experienced. The upper playfield although quick works so well as you actually have 3/4 shots to go for whileup there. It’s a truly first class pinball game.. The pro is basically a completely different game
 
I don’t own it but have played the Jaws Premium at PBR a reasonable amount.

I think it’s an excellent pin and is better than the Pro, but if I’m a buyer I’m not sure it’s £3,000 better. The main upgrades are the fishfinder drop targets instead of standups (doesn’t change a huge amount besides feeling a bit nicer) and then obviously the upper playfield. The upper playfield is not easy to reach because you have to hit the wave ramp super clean to get the ball up there - setups may vary but I don’t think the upper playfield massively changes the game, just makes it a bit easier to light gear.

Jaws and Godzilla keep swapping as my favourite and 2nd favourite pins, for Jaws I love that there are lots of different paths to a good score. You can play it in a pretty linear mode fashion or by going off on tangents - cast and catch, super life ring, feeding frenzy, video mode can all be worth good points. Focusing on closing beaches for search / rescue, bounty hunts, quick shots. So much to delve into.
 
Taxiturn said:
I don’t own it but have played the Jaws Premium at PBR a reasonable amount.

I think it’s an excellent pin and is better than the Pro, but if I’m a buyer I’m not sure it’s £3,000 better. The main upgrades are the fishfinder drop targets instead of standups (doesn’t change a huge amount besides feeling a bit nicer) and then obviously the upper playfield. The upper playfield is not easy to reach because you have to hit the wave ramp super clean to get the ball up there - setups may vary but I don’t think the upper playfield massively changes the game, just makes it a bit easier to light gear.

Jaws and Godzilla keep swapping as my favourite and 2nd favourite pins, for Jaws I love that there are lots of different paths to a good score. You can play it in a pretty linear mode fashion or by going off on tangents - cast and catch, super life ring, feeding frenzy, video mode can all be worth good points. Focusing on closing beaches for search / rescue, bounty hunts, quick shots. So much to delve into.
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I’m so hyped for this pin. It’s just a large commitment as the cost is prohibitive. I can afford it now, and life is short.

I wish there was one near me to try.
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
I’m so hyped for this pin. It’s just a large commitment as the cost is prohibitive. I can afford it now, and life is short.

I wish there was one near me to try.
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Given you’re considering an £11k purchase, you could consider taking a weekend trip over to Pinball Republic - you could play their Premium and their 70ish other pins all day 😀
 
Taxiturn said:
Given you’re considering an £11k purchase, you could consider taking a weekend trip over to Pinball Republic - you could play their Premium and their 70ish other pins all day 😀
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That would be too sensible.

I’m actually going to get 2 pins, Godzilla being the other! I could also hold out to see if any pop up, but I haven’t seen either in the last month. Timing is everything as always and I’ll hopefully have them setup no later than March.
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
That would be too sensible.

I’m actually going to get 2 pins, Godzilla being the other! I could also hold out to see if any pop up, but I haven’t seen either in the last month. Timing is everything as always and I’ll hopefully have them setup no later than March.
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Sincerely, if this is a two-pin collection, I'd definitely mix it up with designers (and, possibly, manufacturers and eras) and avoid two Elwins.

We had six other machines before we considered a second Elwin!
 
I've got a pro, I'm not massively into the theme but think the game is fantastic so if you love the theme I think you'll love it, theme integration with the clips and callouts is very good. I played about 30 games on location before I bought it, my first trip I thought 'yeah it's good but I don't need to own it, probably my least favourite Elwin' 2nd trip I thought it was good enough to buy but I didn't love it. Now I've had it at home for about 3 months and it's got more code it's moved up to my 2nd favourite Elwin behind JP.

Not sure on your skill level but I think it's great for all abilities. The mini wizard modes aren't locked behind each other so if you can't do everything in one game you can still get to them all over several different games. You can concentrate on the modes to get to 4th July, Fish Finder to get to super cast and catch, beachgoers for Search and Rescue, gear or bounty hunts for great white, once you feel like you've mastered one path you can try for a different one or try for them all in one game if you prefer. There's a lot of added intricacies that give the game even more depth if you want to learn them but it also doesn't really matter if you don't learn that stuff.

It's probably worth a trip somewhere to test one out but for me personally it's always a bit of guess work as sometimes it takes a while for games to really grow on me, it can be hard to judge on location or someone else's house after only a few plays.
 
VeeMonroe said:
Sincerely, if this is a two-pin collection, I'd definitely mix it up with designers (and, possibly, manufacturers and eras) and avoid two Elwins.

We had six other machines before we considered a second Elwin!
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The other pin I have is Alien. It’s slow paced and a wide body, but I quite like it. It’s obvs very different to a Stern.

This puts me in a tough spot. Godzilla is my dream theme. And I love Jaws.

I have been looking at Spooky’s Evil Dead and the recent DnD announcement looks okay. I was also keen on Elton John and Metallica. 🤦‍♂️

I only have space for 3. Alien and Godzilla are non negotiable as it was always Godzilla. Alien was an opportunity at a great price.

So Alien, Godzilla leaves a space… if not another Elwin, then I think I do need to scout the field and play some of these other pins.
 
Jib said:
I've got a pro, I'm not massively into the theme but think the game is fantastic so if you love the theme I think you'll love it, theme integration with the clips and callouts is very good. I played about 30 games on location before I bought it, my first trip I thought 'yeah it's good but I don't need to own it, probably my least favourite Elwin' 2nd trip I thought it was good enough to buy but I didn't love it. Now I've had it at home for about 3 months and it's got more code it's moved up to my 2nd favourite Elwin behind JP.

Not sure on your skill level but I think it's great for all abilities. The mini wizard modes aren't locked behind each other so if you can't do everything in one game you can still get to them all over several different games. You can concentrate on the modes to get to 4th July, Fish Finder to get to super cast and catch, beachgoers for Search and Rescue, gear or bounty hunts for great white, once you feel like you've mastered one path you can try for a different one or try for them all in one game if you prefer. There's a lot of added intricacies that give the game even more depth if you want to learn them but it also doesn't really matter if you don't learn that stuff.

It's probably worth a trip somewhere to test one out but for me personally it's always a bit of guess work as sometimes it takes a while for games to really grow on me, it can be hard to judge on location or someone else's house after only a few plays.
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I’d say my skill is fairly basic still. I ‘might’ be being a tiny bit modest. I’ve got through most of the alien pin, but never got to complete both mode sets. When I spend time on it, I’ll put in 5 hours a time once a week. I’m doing up the room atm and will get it all done by Feb, so will get more time on there.
 
In my opinion Jaws is a great game. Absolutely awesome theme for me, due to me being a shark geek as a kid. The shots are good, variety of modes is decent, assets are all there etc.

The Premium and pro are both decent games, although if you get the Premium you might want the pro translite, as it's the classic poster image.

However, if it comes down to Jaws and Godzilla, I'd have to go Godzilla. Just one of the greatest games ever made. To echo the advice above, get to Pinball Republic in Croydon or Tilt in Birmingham and play them. I think PBR have both premiums, Tilt has a Godzilla LE, and Jaws Pro if I remember. Worth paying for a train ticket, hotel, before you drop a load of cash.
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
I saw on your channel you’ve been playing it!
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There is some excellent advice on this thread but I'd certainly agree that getting Godzilla and Jaws would be a bit of a waste.

Godzilla is amazing and I wouldn't argue with anyone who said it was the best game ever made.

For me, the theme tips the balance. I never watched Godzilla and whilst I can understand what is going on, I don't particularly feel motivated to keep playing. Great game but has zero nostalgia for me.

Jaws on the other hand keeps me coming back because of the bounties and the theme. Only an hour ago I caught the Tiger shark for the first time and there is a definite drama to reeling the fish in.

It already is one of my favourite ever games.
 
Gonzo said:
There is some excellent advice on this thread but I'd certainly agree that getting Godzilla and Jaws would be a bit of a waste.

Godzilla is amazing and I wouldn't argue with anyone who said it was the best game ever made.

For me, the theme tips the balance. I never watched Godzilla and whilst I can understand what is going on, I don't particularly feel motivated to keep playing. Great game but has zero nostalgia for me.

Jaws on the other hand keeps me coming back because of the bounties and the theme. Only an hour ago I caught the Tiger shark for the first time and there is a definite drama to reeling the fish in.

It already is one of my favourite ever games.
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The pain continues. I LOVE Jaws, and Godzilla - this is agony. I mean, Godzilla is a top theme for me - as is Jaws. Is it simply the games are too similar? Why would two Elwin games be a negative?
 
I don't think they are similar, different in both layout and code. Some people just like more variety in a collection. I've got all spike 2s and some would find that bland but that's what I like so what's the point of getting an older game just for variety if I wouldn't enjoy it as much?

GZ and Jaws will both keep you busy for quite a while!
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
Why would two Elwin games be a negative?
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Because pinball is amazing! :) And part of that is there's so much variety of play experiences - between designers, manufacturers, periods of pin, and so on.

It just seems a shame, with such an amazing variety of pins out there, to have to two pins from the same manufacturer and designer, made in the same period, in a smallish collection. Unless you've played everything and are the world's biggest Elwin fan, I'd always suggest mixing things up.

With a slower, longer-playing pin, I'd definitely suggest something snappy and street level for contrast - I'd be looking seriously at CGC Pulp Fiction, if it was more widely available. Maybe spin in a Steve Ritchie title, such as Elton John, or explore whether the new remaster of Metallica is a good choice. Metallica is a stone-cold classic, an absolute incredible pin, and is luckily now seeing a wider audience!
 
They can both have long play times, that would be the only negative to me if they were my only games. Although if you like them they both have mini games/ challenge modes you can play that are much shorter
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
The pain continues. I LOVE Jaws, and Godzilla - this is agony. I mean, Godzilla is a top theme for me - as is Jaws. Is it simply the games are too similar? Why would two Elwin games be a negative?
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Fran and Vee have given some excitement advice there.

At the moment I'm playing Jaws and Attack from Mars. They are nothing alike.

Godzilla and TNAs or Jaw and Elton . . . Just a couple of examples of games that are very different.

Possibly even Godzilla and a Bally game.

Good luck though . . . Nice problem to have
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
The pain continues. I LOVE Jaws, and Godzilla - this is agony. I mean, Godzilla is a top theme for me - as is Jaws. Is it simply the games are too similar? Why would two Elwin games be a negative?
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There not similar at all except they both have a deep rule set, in different ways. Personally pro is enough on a Jaws, the upper playfield does nothing for me and the bash toy shark that pops up when the boat lifts gets boring quick, as well as the ball has a habit of getting stuck. Well it's done it multiple times when I've played it, doesn't need to glass of the ball gets uncaught after a few boat lifts. The premium also looks absolutely ugly, terrible art, where the pro is using the film art poster.
 
RetroGamingBlog said:
The pain continues. I LOVE Jaws, and Godzilla - this is agony. I mean, Godzilla is a top theme for me - as is Jaws. Is it simply the games are too similar? Why would two Elwin games be a negative?
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I've found most elwin games the pro is as good as and sometimes better than the premium. The exception to this is Godzilla where the premium is the only way. The games are great in home, have a very deep rule set. They definitely get better the more you play, some like avengers get a lot lot better.

Godzilla and jaws is a safe bet, you will like both, if there dream themes it will help you keep them. Personally I've never liked the Godzilla theme, I've played the game alot and still doesn't gell with me. Fantastic playing game, super deep, just personally don't like it because the theme. Always hated the movies, TV shows. Which doesn't help.

Good luck
 
Yeah, I don’t gel with GZ for theme but got the LE. It has full IP and great code, shots.. great game.
I ruled Jaws out, even though it hits nostalgia being the first movie I seen at cinema as a kid in 75. Mainly because I’m a stubborn twat due to the bonehead stupidness of zero chief brody on the playfield. Also the BS from the designers that they couldn’t make the shark do something better than a bash toy.
Maybe I need to put my grievance to the side and give it a go.
 
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