Sorcerer Pinball Walkthrough

Walkthrough of the Sorcerer pinball machine, made by Williams Electronics Inc in 1985. Includes playfield features, rules and objectives, gameplay video, and maintenance.

[@TatterD]

I did not know about the lane change switch on the table... sometimes I've been really aggravated with myself because I thought I switched the lanes incorrectly in the chaos. Such a fun table. I've been able to get multiball 3 times in a game, but so far have only been successful in relocking a single ball. I love how the bonus countdown cycles thru the lights on the table at the end of the ball as it tallies up your points. One of my favorite pins. Great tutorial

[@KuddlKat]

Thanks for the info. Sorcerer is my first pinball machine, and it's been a blast both playing and fixing it. Love the plastic washer idea near the upper flipper.

[@MikeRidgeway]

What a great video. Thanks for putting this together. I wish there were more like it on other classic machines.

[@alexfrankel]

cool video :) Me and my Dad went through a pinball phase back in the 1990s (well, we only ever had 2) .. I might get back to it some day, in which case I'll come here for inspiration! :)

[@patchgatsby9138]

I looked Sorcerer up because I was telling my 5 year old son that I was granted powers by winning a free game at Malibu in 1996. I love the voice and how the sorcerer taunts you.

[@BangBangU369]

Thank You very much for the time and effort you put into making this video. This video was instrumental in my finding and purchasing of a Sorcerer. Again, thank you.

[@guardianofretro]

I succeeded several times to make him say "You are master; I am Dumb" haha and that was so funny

[@w0mblemania]

This was really good. Thanks.

[@Paulywint]

I played this game when it was brand new at Aladdin's Castle, and I played very well on the first time I played it. I had the multipliers up to 8x and also had the bonus collection up to the max. I also scored 1,000,000 points on my first ball.

[@musclemanj131]

helpful vid, especially since a buddy of mine and myself are thinking about working on my sorcerer machine. kind of a restoration type job.

[@wexsetter]

Terrific in depth video of a wonderful pinball. The only thing you didn’t show was the power supply at the very back. Mine is missing the grounding strap that goes to the back box bolt. I need to know where that connects to back there. Can’t seem to find a picture of this particular game.

[@davidrendon9838]

Great video

[@JMPSynth]

Great video, thanks., I have a Sorcerer on the way so this has been very useful.

[@kyle5574]

It's a great game, I hope you like it as much as I do! I bet some more parts have become available since I made that video. Looks like you can get reproduction PCBs from a couple different places now.

[@JMPSynth]

That's good to know, I wasn't aware it was so scarce until your video. I've only seen photos so far and it's rough, so will be a challenging project. Already on the lookout for two new bumper caps... not going to be easy ! Love the art & sound on this game and going to put alongside my Laser Cue (which is similar sound) when restored.

[@kyle5574]

If yours is rough, both CPR and Mirco have reproduced the playfield. The Mirco looks to have more faithful color (at least compared to mine), but the hole alignment is off near the flippers. Cliffy made a specific set of flipper returns to help with that. I got the CPR. The colors aren't bad, they're just different--especially the skin tones and the area around the drain. I haven't done the swap yet. Got sidetracked with the American Girl mini pinball project.

[@JMPSynth]

Actually the playfield and backglass are the best bits fortunately ! Good to know though about the playfields.

[@robz.3225]

1985-88 USC Law School basement. Spent a lot time n money on this game!!!!

[@tonerotonero1375]

Has any of you a game with capacitors under the playfield ? one radial type for each flipper? I saw that onto another video whereas mine has only beefy diodes connected a few inches off the solenoids.

[@dayz112]

Thank you for the detailed video. It's a lovely pinball machine, normally i will get it in 3 months. What is the weight of the machine? is way lighter then a Standard bally/williams from the 90's?

[@kyle5574]

I don't remember my System 9 being much different than my System 11 or WPC, weight-wise...but I've only moved them once. Biggest difference was the System 9 head is a bit wider. The head on Sorcerer was wide enough that I couldn't get it through the door. I had to remove the trim from the door frame to give myself an extra 1/2 inch. If I had to do it again, I'd look at removing the head instead.

[@tonerotonero1375]

I have one. Same as yours, a drain monster. My machine has its cabinet broken and i suspect this is related. The pissed off players probably kicked the front legs again and again causing the whole front face to break apart. The outlane ports should have been adjusted further down before leaving the factory. The game is nearly impossible to play otherwise (as the beginning of this video clearly shows.)

[@GuntPulp]

Kyle excellent vid how about another one of these tutorials for that Cyclone? Man that would be awesome

[@kyle5574]

GuntPulp I’d like to! One of these days...

[@porkflaps4717]

Hook it up the internet needs that Cyclone tutes

[@porkflaps4717]

Can I ask you this- I got Bowen to answer me one day on the PAPA channel but he didn't fully answer the question, how do you build the jackpot back up on Cyclone after you get it the first time? It seems like to me it resets but I cannot figure out how to build it up the multi million jackpot again. Have you done it ?

[@kyle5574]

I'll get to it some day! Cyclone's jackpot carries over between games. It'll take a few dozen games to raise it from 1.5M to 4M. You increase it by rolling through the 1-2-3 lanes. Every rollover adds 5K with the factory settings (that value is adjustable).

[@davidrendon9838]

Thanks I got itFlipper button switch badly worn

[@davidrendon9838]

How many different words does this game say or phrases plus how can I make the flashers from LED thanks for the help

[@kyle5574]

David Rendon Sorcerer can say the words: I, Am, You, Are, Well, Done, Mortal, Master, Feel, My, Power, and Sorcerer. It manages a few different sentences out of that vocabulary. Check out this tread on Pinside for information about using LEDs for the flashers. Note that the flash bulbs in Sorcerer are 63s, not 89s. pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/flasher-problemquestion-system-11

[@afattori316]

Is this a good first pinball machine? And is around $2000 shipped too much? Thank you.

[@kyle5574]

afattori316 It was my first machine and it’s still my favorite. You can check Pinside for current values (click Machines and then search for the machine name). I think Pinside price ranges are calculated based on recent sale prices. They do not include shipping.

[@elvisburgerking8675]

You have 3 great games there and Cyclone. Do you actually like Cyclone ?

[@kyle5574]

Elvis Burgerking I’ll admit it’s my least favorite in my collection, but it’s still a fun game. It’s my wife’s favorite. It’s approachable and easy for non-pinball folks to play. It seems simple, but it’s got challenges that are harder than most of the shots on my other games-like double-score Million on the Comet ramp and 7x Bonus. I’ve had it for several years, but I’ve only managed to score each of those once apiece. It’s 30 years old, clown-themed, and only single-ball, but yet it’s currently 118 on Pinside’s ranking. There’s a reason for that! Besides, I just finished a playfield swap on it (my first!), so it’s a keeper for me now.

[@davidrendon9838]

Can you please help me with Sorcerer my ABC and D light is not Switching with right flipper

[@kyle5574]

Are you familiar with how the lane change switch is supposed to work? If not, there's a bit of footage of it in my Cyclone video at about 2:40. Do you have a multimeter and do you know how to measure voltage and continuity?

[@nicomeurs7009]

Whats the number on your sorcerer, mine is 532. I love this pin.

[@kyle5574]

Nico Meurs I love it too. It's my favorite pin. I've got serial 53256898. 532 is the Williams model number. Register your serial number at www.ipsnd.net if you haven't already!

[@nicomeurs7009]

kyle5574 yeah I messed up on that, mine is 532I56294 and it's registered since 2010. I got it from my aunt years ago as a not working machine for the symbolic 1€. Turns out it had a coin jam, the upper flipper coil was stuck and a few bulbs were out. I'm no expert or collector but i'm happy with the machine and it's never leaving here.

[@davidrendon9838]

Do you still have Sorcerer

[@kyle5574]

David Rendon Yes, still have it. Sorcerer is a keeper.

[@davidrendon9838]

Have any new Sterns?