World Cup Soccer 94 Pinball Review

[@netropolis]

Multi-ball Hack: After you score your first goal, press the coin toss button under the shooter rod and it re-lights Goal to start the next match without having to hit a ramp. I have been playing WCS '94 since it was brand new in my colleges student lounge. One of my all time favourite games. It is my grail game - that I sadly still do not own.

[@matthew2000tx]

Yeah I’m totally surprised he didn’t mention that in the code section of the review

[@jaredaugust6938]

As a Tournament player, I only really use the magma save for one purpose, and that is after you lock a ball and you plunge the new ball in play, I do a pass over and then use the magna save, this will stop the ball on the left flipper and give you a clean shot to final draw scoop

[@DubsBrown]

To me this artwork color pallet is a textbook example of 90s aesthetics and playing it feels like a time capsule in a good way.

[@skippychurch2965]

I love your review, but I cannot think of a single person that is into pinbll that doesn't already know how awesome this game is.

[@CaryHardy]

and if they don't know yet - they will after this review...

[@zackmorey]

I didn’t know! Fantastic video helped me understand what I was missing 😆

[@markhuggins3964]

Just picked this pin not because I'm a Soccer fan however I live and die by Pinside ratings. I was impressed with the ratings and KZbin comments. With merely an led upgrade done by me I fell in love with the game play, call outs, music, and of course the led's which it really needed to wake up the playing field. You're right about the useless flipper magnet, "never use it"

[@dugmar01]

Call outs. Can't believe you didn't mention "They can't seem to get control of the ball" when you are flailing and missing your shots. One of the best call out implementation in pinball in my opinion.

[@CaryHardy]

I'm so good at pinball I never get that call out. That exists?! Kidding. I get it all the time. lol.

[@dugmar01]

@@CaryHardy That is an excellent reply.

[@LeebosPinball]

100% agree on every point in your review. I recently did a shop job and add a bunch of extra lighting to the game at Pinball Garage in Hamilton, OH and hated to see it leave my shop. It’s really a beautiful game and fun for a wide range of pinball players. Again, spot on review!

[@tomceckitti5342]

I have seen and played this game in question. Looks really nice! The black powder coated rails and legs are super sexy on it. Seriously thinking of doing mine that way after seeing his.

[@darscot]

I'm big fan of the Beautiful Game and been trying to get my hands on this pin for a while. It was one of those undervalued sleepers but it sure has been climbing. Great review!

[@harperinca]

This has always been in my top 5 list! Spent many enjoyable hours playing this game when it first came out!

[@ssdobbins]

My two cents..... The ColorDMD in this one is a MUST! Looks great. Love the callouts. When I have visitors of the 12 to 13 machines I usually keep around, it's always WCS94 and Stern JP Premium that everyone camps out at. I really think an auto-launch feature would've improved this game. But then again, plunging the balls while you're battling Germany can bring in some strategy.

[@mikeschmidt9762]

Question lcd or led on the color dmd what looks nicer

[@ezzong]

I'm a football/soccer fan and the theme is exactly why this game draws me in, the same way I really love Soccer Kings by Zaccaria.

[@dangerdonk6670]

Carey, wondering if you can help? I just got a WCS and the VUK doesn't always shoot the ball up the wire form. It died about half the time going about 3/4 the way up. Leveling to 7.5 degrees was the only thing that has it working... "most" of the time. Any ideas on how to fix this permanently?

[@b00btube3d]

Great video! I hope you’re going to do more of these. There are so many great games out there so there should be plenty of content to cover.

[@dugmar01]

Magnet is useful for setting up certain shots. See Bowen's PAPA tutorial on that.

[@gaz2510]

Nice review mate. Love WCS and yours looks particularly stunning. It’s on my list to own fo sho

[@zxspectrum16k]

Great review as always, buddy; wondering about the three LEDs you are using at the back (orange colour). What specs are they? I have tried many, but most look too dark, more amber. Yours are a lovely light orange.

[@TheFiftyQuid]

@Cary Hardy What type of Pinstadiums are you using on WCS94?

[@CaryHardy]

Just the standards with UV glow

[@asherpedley6788]

Been a World Cup owner for 10+ years bolted to my floor for sure super underrated game

[@SoftwareAgentsTV]

Great job with the intro to this video!

[@simonwilliamson1979]

I’ve only played this game in pinball FX. I love it. It’s so engaging, I’d love to play it reality. You comments are right in the money. 👍

[@Mo_Ketchups]

If this didn’t come stock w white bats & purple robbers, then this is the ultimate color customization for this table. 😮‍💨

[@Grimlock0508]

Went to a friends house and he had one of these spent about 4 and a half ours playing, bought one 6 days later, best pin I own

[@mediocrematt7199]

I have this game and it's pretty much my childhood, I'm not into the soccer theme but this game basically makes me forget about the theme because of the great gameplay :)

[@bheasy1]

First game I ever fixed. Jpop is a legend- changed my life!

[@bonavinter]

Indiana Jones is my all-time favorite, but this is a close second. So many times skipping classes to play this, great memories..

[@RS-jr7jd]

Are you sure pinball was at it's peak in the mid 90's? I played pinball in the late 60's to late 70's and pinball was in every bowling alley, bar, pizza place, even in the hotel I briefly worked at. Then they were nudged out by video games.

[@CaryHardy]

'93 was the actual peak of pinball - most units ever sold. It went down consecutively every year after that.

[@85fabricio]

Great review as always 🙂

[@dugmar01]

I have bought and sold this game 5 times. (Yes 5.) I regretted it every time. Now I have one bolted down.

[@solzsmon]

Hi - great video. Where did you purchase the soccer ball speaker inserts? Thanks

[@CaryHardy]

I made them years ago.

[@09marathon]

Just got one yesterday woah what a cool game very fun I really had no idea

[@momcilolukovic6451]

Zen Studios need to make this pinball machine ASAP.

[@matthew2000tx]

The sound was out on the WCS94 at my local venue a week ago... it wasn’t nearly as fun.

[@Geisler89]

Everyone loves pinball reviews. At the prices pinball machines command these days this type of info is helpful.

[@CaryHardy]

Thanks, that was my thinking too.

[@foxbodystang8587]

Hey Cary...I'm going to check out a nice example of this game. Would you say in today's market $4500 is a fair price? Could I get my money back? Easy seller or difficult due to theme? Also, is it still in your collection? Everyone in my family are novice/casual players, but I myself am not bad at pinball. Would you recommend this game for medium to skilled players?

[@CaryHardy]

It's a game that won't be leaving my collection. The whole family loves it.

[@dellfredo7652]

Where did you get these Apron Cards from? (score cards)

[@CaryHardy]

They were on the machine when I bought it. I need to scan them in and make them available.

[@TiltingT]

Not a mark on the soccer ball, ya don't see that very often! Great Review Cary, Have a great weekend

[@CaryHardy]

I like to keep my games clean. This ball was replaced after I purchased it for sure.

[@TiltingT]

@@CaryHardy I'm with ya, can't stand for my games to be dirty. All I see when I play a dirty game ls the dirt. I figured you had put a new ball on it considering how nice all of your games look

[@tomceckitti5342]

Great review. Has always been in my all time top 5 games. Mine isnt bolted to my floor.... its welded. Its never leaving. I agreed with most of your ratings except I would change a couple. Art - I would have given a little higher.... maybe an 9.0. I love the colors they used. Like you said it really pops. Im one of the few that actually love having Striker as the main character in the game. People always ask.... why is there a dog!?!? HELLO!! he was the Word cup mascot the year. IF.... they would have used Striker as the referee on the lower playfield in place of that woman.....I would probably bump the art to 9.5. Code - As much as i love the game. It gets the most play in my lineup. But I think the code needed just a little bit more. Maybe incorporate playing each country like you do in the wizard mode? Having to actually score more than them each game. Not just 1 goal....Ramp....1 goal....ramp....1 goal... ramp...... Im not sure about yours.... or others out there.... but I find the "Final Draw" scoop one of the hardest to hit in pinball. Maybe its me, Maybe its the angle, or i just have mine dialed in more difficult. But 90% of the time that shot needs to be dead on. Looing forward to the next review.

[@CaryHardy]

I would have mentioned that scoop shot being tricky, but I thought I just sucked at pinball. lol.

[@tomceckitti5342]

@@CaryHardy LOL, its def a hard one. I put it up there with the lock shot on Demolition man as well. Pretty tight left loop shot.

[@adamstar7516]

Nice review Cary... last action hero or World Cup soccer?

[@CaryHardy]

World Cup!

[@orionpax444]

To this day this is the one pinball game I WANT to own.

[@p6mkq]

A very helpful and enjoyable review. I hate the final draw section. = (

[@TxJayYT]

I am right there with you Cary. I really didn't want to like this pin but after playing it I really like it. I should have bought one when the prices were lower...they have gone up so much lately it's nuts. It is a very entertaining pin and I cam play it for a long time without getting bored....Yours is in outstanding condition. Let me know if you do want to make room for another pin and want to sell that one...hell I would even give you what you paid for it! LOL! You're Welcome!

[@peterbatterton9449]

Another would you rather. . . Play WCS or Dredd?

[@CaryHardy]

Dredd, but that's more iffy. Depends on my mood.

[@808zhu]

Welcome back, good to see you. Thanks for this review. I'm really curious about this game. 🙂 I really like the art on this game too. How's it like to take apart and maintain? Are those purple flipper rubbers standard? I would love to see the playfield up close on a slow pan and get some of your comments on the Pin Stadium lighting and any LED mods you've done. P.S.: Do you think Chicago Gaming Company will release a Theatre of Magic remake?

[@CaryHardy]

Been a couple of years since I took this one apart. It's medium difficulty. These are Titan rubbers, not standard. Not too many mods on this game. I use to have spotlights everywhere until I got the Pin Stadiums and then removed the spotlights. IF CGC does the TOM remake - which I wouldn't put it past them. It won't be out for years from now.

[@808zhu]

@@CaryHardy Oh really? I thought maybe you'd do each machine once a year to deep clean and wax.. It's a tall order for a busy man with all those pins, though, I reckon. No scoop LEDs? I thought I saw some purple ones in the ball holes. I recently ordered spotlights for my MS Frank machine... Looking forward to seeing the difference, but those pin stadiums look amazing. Is that what I'm seeing under the glass below the DMD? As far as CGC, I guess I won't hold my breath, but at least I'll have time to save up for the top tier model. Tried to call those guys, email too - no response. Thanks for the message. Great review. 👍👍

[@CaryHardy]

@@808zhu The purple under the eject holes is standard with the game. I haven't done any other mods to this game yet. I only do a complete tear down of my games when I see it's needed. lol.

[@808zhu]

@@CaryHardy 😊👍 totally understandable.

[@thescubapup623]

This game really stood out at TPF (i think '19? As well). It was next to a Walking Dead under a tent, maybe a PinStadium tent? I saw a guy play it and it looked alright, but once I stepped up something just clicked. Very first game I beat Germany without knowing the rules prior, but picking them up as I went along. I think my game was some well over 1B points, just mashing out goals against Germany. It has a great flow, and honestly just things feel good when you hit them. Ramps are smooth, the Final Draw scoop makes a nice clunk sound (in the words of Ritchie "makes a sound, stays solid, doesn't bounce out....now that's art"), and the free kick is a nice touch just to dunk one past the goalie. This is one of those games I have been chasing for a while, and it's gonna get the full works. PinStadium, CDMD, everything. Great review :)

[@CaryHardy]

Then yes, you played my game. My games tend to be under the PinStadium tent.

[@thescubapup623]

@@CaryHardy oh how cool! Come to think of it I vaguely remember it having a ColorDMD as well so that would make sense. It played awesome that day for sure :)

[@ellrick]

slick opening on this one, nice job setting a mood

[@freddierodriguez2608]

Good review; I've never seen a review of this game yet until now. Thank you. It looks cool 😎👌I'll buy it if it cross my path.

[@CaryHardy]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@jeffreynowak8866]

It was a great table my record is over 1B and 9 goals

[@nikolafeve]

IMO the best table ever

[@alanbrady9609]

Played it at TPF, hope to again soon!

[@mannymasy8000]

Hello....wcs94 VS last action Hero???

[@CaryHardy]

@@mannymasy8000 WCS94 takes it

[@nflisrigged1395]

Lol I looked over my shoulder

[@p6mkq]

My highest score is 2,204,374,150. I have faced Germany twice.

[@t.c.bowling1934]

I have played it. It's fun.

[@nflisrigged1395]

Beautiful

[@ralphfisher5551]

Addings yhis one to my lineup after labor day

[@michaeljkasnter]

Absolutely love your videos!!!! Such drama

[@CaryHardy]

Glad you like them!

[@bzhmaddog]

I hate soccer from all my guts (despite the fact that I am french). But I just like this game

[@CaryHardy]

Yea, I think that is how a lot of people feel. The theme is a turn off, but damn it's fun.

[@pierrelaroche622]

I do like it but 10 out of 10 for animation and coding? Nothing beats it?

[@CaryHardy]

It's not about "no other game beats it". It's on a scale of integrity for the game itself. Not comparing it to another game. Are other games better? Yes.

[@simonbinni5269]

I must admit this is one game just looking at doesnt seem like an interesting title. But seeing your review i'll give it ago next time i see one.

[@dondon4720]

Defiantly underrated, this might be my first machine since it is still relatively cheap

[@marcospiccinini3892]

Pretty sure you won't see this comment, but... do you think (or do you know if) anyone is paying Fifa for a 2026 machine?

[@CaryHardy]

From what I hear. FIFA would be difficult to work with on licensing these days. Not to mention the theme would turn people away. Hell, this game is just now getting the love from people giving it a chance.

[@marcospiccinini]

@@CaryHardyoh yeah, FIFA is the absolute worst. I work with advertising, and I’m originally from Brazil, so I know (NFL people are permissive dolls in comparison). But still, the World Cup is coming back to the US, the interest is here for sure. I just hope someone picks it up - or even remake this one (not sure if the would have to pay FIFA again though). But most of all: HOLY CRAP, thanks for answering man. Big fan.