Dirty Harry Pinball Review | First Impressions, Gameplay & Hidden Gem from Williams

Gonzo's Pinball Flipperama·video·14m 5s·analyzed·Aug 23, 2025

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.019

TL;DR

Gonzo discovers Dirty Harry as a hidden gem after playing pristine example at Medway Pinball Club.

Summary

Gonzo's Pinball Flipperama presents an extended first-hands-on review of Dirty Harry, a classic Williams pinball machine designed by Barry Owler. The hosts discover a pristinely restored example at Medway Pinball Club and play multiple games, highlighting the machine's well-designed upper flipper shots, strong ball physics, and engaging rule callouts that guide players through objectives. Initially dismissive of the game's visual appeal based on worn arcade examples, the hosts become invested during play and conclude it's a hidden gem deserving of collector interest.

Key Claims

Barry Owler designed Dirty Harry and Barry's Barbecue was his last game design
high confidence · Host states 'Barry Owler, who's uh the game designer... the last game he designed was was was Barry's Barbecue' and confirms Owler 'is sadly no longer with us.'
Dirty Harry's upper flipper ramp has a wide aperture, which is preferable for shot design
high confidence · Host extensively discusses upper flipper shot design: 'very wide aperture on this ramp, which I for me is key with these upper flipper shots' and contrasts it with Bond Premium's 'quite tight' upper flipper shot.
The pristine Dirty Harry example was beautifully restored and is available to play at Medway Pinball Club
high confidence · Host states 'you can actually play this yourselves if you get down to the Medway Pinball Club. This has been beautifully restored.' and emphasizes 'I've never seen one in this condition before.'
Dirty Harry's gameplay is reminiscent of Judge Dread in terms of mechanics and player guidance
medium confidence · Host states 'playing it reminds me of um Judge Dread' and later 'This is so much so much like Judge Dreads. It really is.' Also notes both games 'talks you through the shots you're going to be playing.'
Host initially dismissed Dirty Harry because worn arcade examples were visually unappealing, but pristine condition changed perspective
high confidence · 'I've dismissed them because they've always been absolutely roached when I've seen them... but seeing one in this condition makes you look at it in a whole new light... it's a brilliant game'

Notable Quotes

“Don't see many of these around. And I've only played this game once before. And that was a really ironically dirty arcade.”
Chris (host) @ 0:00-0:30 — Sets up the rarity and condition context for Dirty Harry
“I've never seen one in this condition before.”
Chris (host) @ 1:00-1:30 — Emphasizes the exceptional restoration quality of this particular machine
“You like an open throat on a ramp.”
Spencer (co-host) @ 6:00 — Captures the informal but technical discussion of upper flipper shot design preferences
“I've dismissed them because they've always been absolutely roached when I've seen them... but seeing one in this condition makes you look at it in a whole new light. It's a brilliant game.”
Chris (host) @ 9:00-9:30 — Documents the sentiment shift from dismissal to appreciation after hands-on play with pristine machine
“Sometimes you have no interest. You think I'm never going to get a game. The more I play this and sometimes you just get a game and you think, 'Actually, I want one.' And I I do. I I want one of these already.”
Chris (host) @ 15:00-16:00 — Captures the moment of genuine collector interest emerging during extended play
“This is a good game. I don't care what anyone said. This is a good game.”
Chris (host) @ 35:00 — Final verdict delivered with conviction after extended gameplay demonstration

Entities

ChrispersonSpencerpersonBarry OwlerpersonSteve Ritchieperson Dirty Harrygame Judge DreadgameMedway Pinball CluborganizationBond PremiumgamePinfest

Signals

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event_signal: Medway Pinball Club providing pristine Dirty Harry as playable example for enthusiast audience
high · Host directs viewers to Medway Pinball Club: 'you can actually play this yourselves if you get down to the Medway Pinball Club. This has been beautifully restored.'
~
sentiment_shift: Dirty Harry recontextualized from overlooked arcade machine to worthy collector item after pristine restoration demonstration
high · Host explicitly states dismissing the game in arcades but changes perspective after seeing/playing pristine example: 'I've dismissed them because they've always been absolutely roached when I've seen them... but seeing one in this condition makes you look at it in a whole new light.'
?
design_philosophy: Upper flipper shot design with wide aperture identified as key quality marker in classic Williams design
high · Host emphasizes 'very wide aperture on this ramp, which I for me is key with these upper flipper shots' and contrasts favorably with tighter modern designs, linking this to Steve Ritchie's design principles
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product_concern: Arcade wear/neglect has historically obscured the quality of Dirty Harry examples, leading to community dismissal
high · Host notes 'I've seen these in arcades as well, and I I'll be brutally honest. I've dismissed them because they've always been absolutely roached when I've seen them... it's not the most visually appealing game, and I've I've walked past it'

Topics

Game restoration and conditionprimaryUpper flipper shot design and ramp apertureprimaryClassic pinball game rediscovery and hidden gemsprimaryPlayer investment and engagement through rule calloutsprimaryComparison between classic designs (Dirty Harry vs Judge Dread)secondaryPersonal restoration experience and game preservationsecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Host undergoes clear sentiment arc from initial skepticism/dismissal to genuine enthusiasm and collector interest. The extended gameplay and technical appreciation for design details drives positive reception. No criticisms of the machine itself; only observations about its previous worn condition in arcade settings.

Transcript

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Dirty Harry. Not me. You understand? This game here. Don't see many of these around. And I've only played this game once before. And that was a really ironically dirty arcade. Dimly lit, scratched glass. You know the type of thing when you walk into a location, one of the flippers is sort of dodgy. The game had a service for ages. The playfield was in a disgusting condition really. Um, and that was the last time we played it. I had one game, but we're very, very lucky here to have what is an absolutely pristine example. Um, you can actually play this yourselves if you get down to the Medway Pinball Club. This has been beautifully restored. this one. But Spencer, get in there with a camera and have a look. Um, just look stunning. And I got to say, a game that would really not necessarily be on my radar, it has to be said, an absolutely beautiful example of it. And um, really nicely restored. I've never seen one in this condition before. It is beautifully restored, isn't it? Now, there's something special about this because there's a signature on the backbox. Let me just go up there and have a look at that. Who's who's that signature of, Chris? So, that's Barry Owler, who's uh the game designer. He's sadly no longer with us, is he? Sadly no longer with us. So, I think the last Yeah, the last game he designed was was was Barry's Barbecue. Um Ah, right. So, but obviously he did I mean he's done done a number of games. I I think I think he did Dracula. Uh Jack B. I mean done, you know, he's obviously a designer that's done a lot of a lot of games. Um I'm just going to have a little look down the the side of this at the side art. Now, we had the playfield up earlier on and the the condition of the playfield underneath is fantastic. I know we're we're sort of looking at artwork and all the bling that's on show on the top of the playfield, but I can assure you the the underside is lovely. Oh. Oh, if you look if you look at the undercarriage, it's beautiful. Actually, if you just look, I just want to show you something here. So, this is actually my latest game. Um, we're at Pinfest. Uh, but if you want to go and see the overview of Pinfest, that's a different video. I just want to really concentrate on um I was going to say Harry Potter on Dirty Harry. Harry Potter and Dirty Harry. They're very different. You never see them together though, do you? You never see Harry Potter with a Magnum 357. You certainly never do. I want to point I want you to look at this um I call it the warp ramp, but it's actually the Delta Quadrant ramp on this particular game. very wide and it goes off the upper flipper. So it's an upper flipper shot. So this is a Steve Ritchie game. Um so this this upper flipper shot here. That's Lionel's brother. Yeah, it's Lionel's brother. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Um very wide aperture on this ramp, which I I for me is key with these upper flipper upper flipper shots. Now, funny enough, we just looked to the game next to it. You've got an upper flipper shot here on Bonds. This is my This is my Bond Premium, which is not long for this world, it has to be said. um goes up to this shot. It's a very That's quite tight that one, isn't it? It is. It is tight. I found this difficult. So, I do like a wide aperture. You like an open throat on a ramp. So, if you go and look at the the same shot. So, we've got clean Harry on the clean Harry. There he is. And they're beautiful these flippers. They're lovely. And that goes across to that lovely wide aperture. Look at look at the the width of that aperture. Oh, like a real one, only wider. Yeah. Right. I'm going to have a game. Go for your It's such It's in beautiful condition. Now, I've seen these in arcades as well, and I I'll be I'll I'll be brutally honest. I've dismissed them because they've always been absolutely roached when I've seen them. So, I've loaded the gun and it's it's not the most visually appealing game, and I've I've walked past it, but seeing one in this condition makes you look at it in a whole new light. Put those guns down. It it's a brilliant game and actually playing it reminds me of um Judge Dread. Oh, damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Full save. I've got a ball save. I was pleased about that. So, you you had a Judge Dread, didn't you? I did have a Judge Dread. Oh, man. Unfortunately, Spence, and it was a lovely one before we really started doing much on the channel. Oh, well before the channel was really used at all. So, it doesn't feature on this channel, which is a shame. I loved it. I restored it. Was only one. Oh, man. One of two games I've ever restored. And, you know, I decided the restoration stuff I wasn't really good enough at it. It took me a long time to do and it wasn't for me. But I restored two games. One of them, funny enough, was a Star Trek Next Generation, and the other one was um was the Judge Dread. And it it just I I really liked the game. You could tell because you actually spent an awful lot of time and effort on that joke. I remember being I mean I'm color blind, but I can remember the all the different colors of LEDs you had on it. It was very obvious that it you made it you made it quite special. Yeah. And I got the I got all the um wire forms powder coated as well. I got everything all Yeah. I did so did so much on it. Spent Oh dear. Oh, I was I was going to say I don't think I'll be able to save that. Nicely saved. Thank you. Now, there are some beautiful shots on this game. Yeah. Damn it. It's the upper flipper. I just got to time it correctly. Where's the other ball gone? It's hidden somewhere. Have you got one start? Oh, damn it. It's Where is it? I've got it. I've got it. Okay. Oh, come on. So, you got to catch that ramp correctly there. I tell you what, this this game does shoot very, very well. This it looks lovely. The orbits work well. I've not been able to demonstrate that upper flipper yet, unfortunately. But there you go. I mean, just that's there all day long. That right orbit. So, just to bring Yeah, it's it's a classic, right? All bit up to the bumpers at the top. Lovely. Oh, damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Got one more one more go. Um, but in in beautiful beautiful condition. Oh, damn. I I clicked the wrong one. I've not really demonstrated. I' done it again. I can't not hit that shot. It's ex for me. It's exactly where where it's meant to be. I actually wasn't even trying. Oh, Damn it. I was trying to hit it. Chris, I've got to um I've got to start again. Sorry. Um let me uh one one more one more game. One more game. Okay. You're not satisfied with that, are you? No, I'm not satisfied cuz I didn't I didn't that Oh, you see that that ramp there? I didn't hit that ramp and I didn't then either. There you go. Right. That's really what I wanted to do. And I want to hit the the upper ramp as well. There you go. So, straight away the two things I hadn't done I wanted to do, I've just done them. So, there you go. I just wanted people to see it on the video. They're really really good shots. Feel lucky. Use flippers to choose. Oh, hello. I'm going to I'm going to I do feel lucky. So, I'm going to shoot the gun so you can see it's right there. Go. You can zoom in on that, Spence. Don't Don't mind me. Right. Okay. So, the hold bonus is up here, I think. So, I'm going for those. I got it. So, I do feel I Well, there's no luck about it, Harry, to be fair. Do you feel skillful? I do feel skillful. I was just about to lose the There you go. That's what I wanted to show you. That's what I wanted to show you. That was beautiful. Beautiful. Okay. Ransom paid. So, this is so much so much like Judge Dreads. It really is. This is a really good game. So, my eye wasn't in the first time. Um, yeah. Yeah. This This is better. This is better. You got a permit for this. Oh man, I hit both shots there. Both shots right there. I was going for I was going for that just in case you're wondering. Lovely. Lovely. Lovely. You got this light HQ. I like this game. This game is Sometimes you you have no interest. You think I'm never going to get a game. The more I play this and sometimes you just get a game. and you think, "Actually, I want one." And I I do. I I want one of these already. What I like about this is it's again very much like Judge Dread is it talks you through the shots you're going to be playing. Yeah. Oh. Oh, man. I wonder if he's going to give me that ransom play. It's very good. I'll tell you what. I bet, and I mean this the LED DMD, not the LCD. I bet the LED DMD looks absolutely stunning. I bet it does. There you go. has diverted it back into the gun. I don't know what it wants me to hit to be fair. I'm going to go with that. Would that be one? I think it was the ramp. I don't know that ramp to be fair. Come on. I got to get a jackpot here. Oh, man. That's a terrible plane. Super jackpot. Oh, I got a jackpot. Don't you dare, you absolute swine. Um I'm I'm really happy with that game. I'm really happy with this. This is a When we were at Pinfest here, there's what 15 Oh, Brucey bonus. Oh, lovely. You got an extra ball. I don't know. Oh, did I? Oh, maybe it's just ball three. Maybe not been counting. Right, load gun. So, I think we're going into here. Damn it. I tried to get my eye behind it to line line a shot up and still missed. Excellent. So, that's HQ letter bomb. Shoot safe house to stop bombs. What's the safe house? That's the Acme warehouse. I don't know what the warehouse is. Just trying to think where safe house It's got to be that one there. It's It's this one here. I can't get it onto the There you go. Lovely. Did I stop it? I did. This is great. I diffuse the bomb. Oh, no. No. No. I got to do more. Got to keep doing it. So, that's another wire cut. This is good. I love it. It's a lovely little bit. Love it. Oh, man. I'm building the pressure cuz the bomb's going to explode. Oh man, come on. You got to do better than that, punk. Yes. Did I do it? I got distracted then watching the watching shoot left loop to stop bank robber. I'm liking all this. This is lovely stuff. Oh, sake. I mean, I was into it. I'm I'm I'm diffusing bombs. I'm snipping stuff. I'm chasing bank robbers. I'm going to press Press extra to continue. I was so looking at what you were doing. Shoot HQ, right? So that's HQ there. Yeah. Damn. Come on. I'm a deady dick here. [Laughter] Definitely a dead eyee something. Don't you dare. Don't you dare. I'm having fun. Don't you dare lose that. That's wonderful. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Please, don't. I think you're here. I'm begging you to give me the ball back. Come on. This is what it's all about. In one game, two games, you become seriously invested in this. Oh, man. Come on. I deserve that. Oh, you This is a good game. I don't care what anyone said. This is a good game. Excellent. You've um you got seriously invested in that. There you go, ladies and gentlemen. Clean Harry. [Music]