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

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

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.021

TL;DR

Gonzo discovers Dirty Harry is an underrated gem after playing pristine restored example.

Summary

Gonzo provides a first impressions review of a beautifully restored 1995 Dirty Harry pinball machine at the Medway Pinball Club. The machine features a designer signature from Barry Oursler and highlights Steve Ritchie upper flipper shot design. Despite initial dismissal of the game's visual appeal in degraded arcade conditions, Gonzo discovers it to be a genuinely engaging game with intuitive shot callouts, solid mechanics, and thematic depth comparable to Judge Dredd, ultimately expressing interest in acquiring one.

Key Claims

  • Dirty Harry is a Steve Ritchie design featuring an upper flipper shot with a wide aperture ramp

    high confidence · Gonzo explicitly identifies the upper flipper shot and compares it to James Bond 007 (Premium/LE), praising the wide aperture design characteristic of Ritchie's work

  • The restored machine at Medway Pinball Club has a signature from Barry Oursler, the game designer, on the backbox

    high confidence · Gonzo and Spencer identify the signature and discuss Owler's design portfolio, including Dracula and Barry O's Barbecue Challenge

  • Barry Oursler is no longer living

    high confidence · Spencer confirms 'Sadly no longer with us' in response to Gonzo's question about the designer

  • Dirty Harry has never been on Gonzo's radar as a desirable machine, but the pristine condition example changed his perception

    high confidence · Gonzo states the game 'would really not necessarily be on my radar' but after playing the restored version becomes invested and expresses desire to own one

  • Dirty Harry gameplay includes bomb-defusal mechanics, bank robbery sequences, and HQ missions with wire-cutting elements

    high confidence · Gonzo describes playing through modes: 'diffuse the bomb', 'shoot left loop to stop bank robber', 'shoot HQ', with wire-cutting mechanics during gameplay

Notable Quotes

  • “You never see Harry Potter with a Magnum 357.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 2:34 — Humorous observation about the contrast between Harry Potter and Dirty Harry IP, establishing the game's action-oriented theme

  • “So, I do like a wide aperture. You like an open throat on a ramp.”

    [name withheld pending review]@ 3:21 — Discussion of design preference for upper flipper shots, directly referencing Steve Ritchie's signature design approach

  • “I've dismissed them because they've always been absolutely roached when I've seen them.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 3:55 — Admits previous bias against the machine based on its poor condition in arcade locations, but pristine restoration changed perception

  • “And it it just I I really liked the game... I did so much on it.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 5:02 — Reflects on restoration of Judge Dredd, establishing parallel appreciation and explaining design depth recognition in similar machines

  • “This is so much so much like Judge Dredd. It really is.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 9:14 — Key comparison establishing gameplay and thematic similarities between Dirty Harry and Judge Dredd

  • “What I like about this is it's again very much like Judge Dredd is it talks you through the shots you're going to be playing.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 10:07 — Praises intuitive shot callout system that guides player through modes, a design feature that enhances accessibility and engagement

Entities

Dirty HarrygameGonzopersonSpencerpersonSteve RitchiepersonBarry OurslerpersonWilliams ElectronicscompanyMedway Pinball ClubvenueJudge Dreddgame

Signals

  • ?

    restoration_signal: A beautifully restored Dirty Harry machine in pristine condition at Medway Pinball Club serves as catalyst for reassessing the game's design merit and collector appeal

    high · Gonzo repeatedly emphasizes the restoration quality, noting playfield condition, undercarriage appearance, and contrast with degraded arcade examples

  • ?

    gameplay_signal: Dirty Harry employs intuitive shot callouts and mode descriptions that guide players through gameplay sequences, enhancing accessibility and player investment

    high · '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' and observable mode prompts during play

  • ?

    design_innovation: Steve Ritchie's upper flipper shot design on Dirty Harry features a notably wide aperture ramp, representing a signature design philosophy for accessible yet challenging playfield layout

    high · Extended discussion of ramp width and aperture compared to Bond Premium's tighter design; 'I do like a wide aperture. You like an open throat on a ramp.'

  • ~

    sentiment_shift: Gonzo's perception of Dirty Harry shifts from active dismissal (based on poor arcade condition examples) to genuine enthusiasm and collector interest after exposure to pristine restoration

    high · Progression from 'game that would really not necessarily be on my radar' and 'I've dismissed them' to 'I I want one of these already' and 'This is a good game. I don't care what anyone said'

  • ?

    collector_signal: Dirty Harry is positioned as an underappreciated machine that improves dramatically in perception when experienced in excellent condition, suggesting untapped collector value

Transcript

youtube_auto_sub · $0.000

0:11
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,
1:02
just look stunning. And I got to say, a game that would really not necessarily be on my radar, it has to be said,
1:15
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? It is beautifully restored, isn't it? Now, there's something special about this because there's a signature on the back box. 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 So, that's Barry Owler, who's uh the game designer. He's sadly no longer with us, is he? He's sadly no longer with us, is he? Sadly no longer with us. So, I think the 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 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 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 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. the the underside is lovely. Oh. Oh, if you look if you look at the 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 You never see Harry Potter with a Magnum 357. You certainly never do. I want to point 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 Richie game. Um so this this upper flipper shot here. Um so this this upper flipper shot here. That's Lionel's brother. Yeah, That's Lionel's brother. Yeah, it's Lionel's brother. Yeah, absolutely. 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 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, It's a very That's quite tight that one, isn't it? It is. It is tight. I found this It is. It is tight. I found this difficult. So, I do like a wide aperture. a wide aperture. You like an open throat on a ramp. You like an open throat on a ramp. So, if you go and look at the the same So, if you go and look at the the same shot. So, we've got clean Harry So, we've got clean Harry on the clean Harry. on the clean Harry. There he is. And they're beautiful these There he is. And they're beautiful these flippers. They're lovely. And that goes across They're lovely. And that goes across to that lovely wide aperture. to that lovely wide aperture. Look at look at the the width of that Look at look at the the width of that aperture. Oh, like a real one, only wider. like a real one, only wider. Yeah. Right. I'm going to have a game. Yeah. Right. I'm going to have a game. Go for your Go for your It's such It's in beautiful condition. It's such It's in beautiful condition. Now, I've seen these in arcades as well, 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 So, I've loaded the gun and it's it's not the most visually 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 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 So, you you had a Judge Dread, didn't you? I did have a Judge Dread. I did have a Judge Dread. Oh, man. 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 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 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 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.

  • “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.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 10:00 — Direct expression of desire to collect the machine, representing sentiment shift from dismissal to genuine interest

  • “This is a good game. I don't care what anyone said. This is a good game.”

    Gonzo (host)@ 13:44 — Emphatic final assessment defending the game's quality against potential detractors, underlining the hidden gem thesis

    • Star Trek: The Next Generation
    game
    James Bond 007 (Premium/LE)game
    Pinfestevent

    high · Title frames game as 'Hidden Gem from Williams'; Gonzo notes never seeing one in pristine condition before and game's unfavorable reputation in degraded arcade states

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Dirty Harry integrates film narrative elements (bank robbery, bomb defusal, HQ missions) into shot callouts and mode objectives, creating thematic coherence between mechanics and IP

    high · Observable gameplay sequences: bomb diffusal with wire-cutting, bank robber pursuit, HQ missions, and ransom payment modes align with Dirty Harry film themes

  • ?

    historical_signal: Barry Owler's signature on Dirty Harry backbox represents memorialization of deceased designer's work; video acknowledges designer portfolio and industry contribution

    high · Discussion of signature, confirmation of Owler's death, portfolio reference to Dracula and Barry's Barbecue

  • ?

    content_signal: Gonzo's Pinball Flipperama uses first-impression gameplay reviews paired with restoration/condition documentation to drive engagement and reassess overlooked machines

    high · Structured video format: backbox detail examination, side art inspection, playfield condition showcase, followed by extended gameplay demonstration with real-time reaction

  • $

    market_signal: Pristine condition vintage machines can command collector interest and price premiums based on restoration quality, creating incentive for restoration specialists

    medium · Gonzo's sentiment shift correlates directly with machine condition quality; heavily restored Judge Dredd restoration work demonstrates serious restoration investment

    • 5:38
    Now, there are some beautiful shots on this game. Yeah.
    6:03
    Damn it. It's the upper flipper. I just got to time it correctly.
    6:21
    Where's the other ball gone? It's hidden somewhere. Have you got one start? Have you got one start? Oh, damn it. It's Oh, damn it. It's Where is it? Where is it? I've got it. I've got it. I've got it. I've got it. Okay.
    6:54
    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.
    7:08
    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.
    7:27
    So, just to bring Yeah, it's it's a classic, right? All 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 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.
    7:51
    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 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. let me uh one one more one more game. One more game. Okay. You're not satisfied with that, are you? You're not satisfied with that, are you? No, I'm not satisfied cuz I didn't I 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 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 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. Oh, hello. I'm going to I'm going to I do feel 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. Right. Okay. So, the hold bonus is up here, I 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 I got it. So, I do feel I Well, there's no luck about it, Harry, to be fair. Do you feel skillful? Do you feel skillful? I do feel skillful. I do feel skillful. I was just about to lose the There you go. That's what I wanted to 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.
    9:24
    This is a really good game. So, my eye wasn't in the first time. Um, yeah. Yeah. This This is better. This is yeah. Yeah. This This is better. This is better. You got a permit for this.
    9:45
    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. Lovely. Lovely. Lovely. You got this light HQ. I like this game. 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 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. Yeah. Oh. Oh, man. I wonder if he's going to give me that I wonder if he's going to give me that ransom play. It's very good. I'll tell 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. I bet it does. There you go. has diverted it back into 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.
    10:45
    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. Super jackpot. Oh, I got a jackpot.
    11:14
    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. Brucey bonus. Oh, lovely. You got an extra ball. Oh, lovely. You got an extra ball. I don't know. Oh, did I? Oh, maybe it's 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.
    11:37
    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 that's HQ letter bomb. Shoot safe house to stop bombs. What's the safe house? That's the Acme warehouse. That's the Acme warehouse. I don't know what the warehouse is. I don't know what the warehouse is. Just trying to think where safe house Just trying to think where safe house It's got to be that one there. It's It's this one here. It's It's this one here. I can't get it onto the There you go. I can't get it onto the There you go. Lovely. Lovely. Did I stop it? I did. This is great. I 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.
    12:16
    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 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.
    12:34
    Yes. Did I do it? Did I do it? I got distracted then watching the I got distracted then watching the watching shoot left loop to stop bank robber. I'm shoot left loop to stop bank robber. I'm liking all this. This is lovely stuff. This is lovely stuff. Oh, sake. Oh, sake. I mean, I was into it. I'm I'm I'm 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 I'm chasing bank robbers. I'm going to press Press extra to continue. I was so looking at what you were doing.
    13:04
    Shoot HQ, right? So that's HQ there. Yeah. Yeah. Damn. Come on. I'm a deady dick here. Damn. Come on. I'm a deady dick here. [Laughter]
    13:16
    Definitely a dead eyee something. Don't you dare. Don't you dare. I'm Don't you dare. Don't you dare. I'm having fun. Don't you dare lose that.
    13:24
    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, Oh, man. Come on. I deserve that. Oh, you
    13:44
    This is a good game. I don't care what anyone said. This is a good game. Excellent. You've um you got seriously Excellent. You've um you got seriously invested in that. There you go, ladies and gentlemen. Clean Harry. [Music]