Ok - help me decide please

jonathan1138

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Adding a classic bally. I am in love with this era now, and, can see how someday all my DMDs go out the door (except IM!) for these beauties.

Narrowed down to two games. yes, they may be different games, but help me decide please - especially with this lineup now - TZ, T2, IM, Tron

(Forget condition - just for beauty + game play):

Fathom or Flash Gordon.

Looking forward to the opinions. Thanks!
 
Fathom is going to cost a fortune and is really hard to find, but is loved by its owners.
FG seems a little easier to find and I liked the one I played.
 
I agree on the cost factor. No matter how i slice it, it will be 2 - 4x costlier for a Fathom depending on what condition.

Personally i am leaning toward FG - i really adore the game. Just want to see if others take on it.
 
Havent played either but cpr is about to start cutting repro playfields for flash gordon, id that helps you make a decision. :)
 
If you're looking for fun gameplay then Flash Gordon is the hands down winner (IMO). For looks I would have to vote Fathom but Flash Gordon is pretty cool in it's own right. Fathom has arguably some of the best pinball art of all time so it's tough to compete.
 
Splatter,

Yeah trying to find a way to squeeze one more in. I am all google sketchup'd out here - every angle and inch is factored in.

FG is clearly ahead in this race. I agree its a great player, i was just a little worried that its such a drainer guests wouldnt want to go near it. I know i will play the heck out of it though (yeah, yeah, thats all that matters - but i try to factor others in).

Will report back when all is decided (and one of the two gets here!).
 
I'm not a big fan of either, but I'd go with Fathom if I had to choose. FG drains like there is no tomorrow, and I've never considered it a very "player friendly" pin. I love the artwork, audio, etc., but just never found it much fun to play - either when it was brand new, or on the ones I've played since.

Fathom's easier to play, but has great artwork as noted, the audio is good, and it's got pretty good flow - but it's also popular, and going to be significantly pricier as a result.

Try and play them both first if you can - or get both as noted ;)
 
I do agree the sound package in FG is incredible. Amazing what they did with the little that they had, but i would rather hear the sounds of that game over some of the later DMDs.

FG i have played and it left a huge impression. Play it now on an emulator, which is well done by the way.

Fathom i've never played or saw in person. I guess the appeal to Fathom, as just noted, is its very (or more) player friendly. I still see it as a tough game, those two shots to the captive areas need to be precise and are tough to get the ball in position to make them. But, its better than the chaos that FG dishes out!
 
I'd say Flash being forced to pick. However I personally think Medusa is a cooler game than Fathom. I know you said you already had your mind made up on two but why not keep your options open? ;)
 
Hey deadly,

These are the narrowed down games (for now) based on months of extensive research and scientific study...

This past weekend i visited the Silver ball museum in NJ to round off the others from that era - they had an Eight Ball deluxe (in the ugly cabinet!), a Medusa and Centaur. Sadly no FG or Fathom. They also had a Black Knight, i threw that into the mix (even though its a Wms).

Medusa's sounds drive me crazy. I really like the upper PF though. The sounds alone rule it out for me.

Centaur i was most excited to play - i like it, but not enough to own it, and i just cant look past the art, its not my thing, too freaky.

Out of the ballys there, Eight ball deluxe i loved, but the game is just a bit too "tame" for me right now, not feeling the theme (it would be out of place with my line up - i need sci fi crap).

Black Knights another great game, but the droning sounds drive me mad. They are present in FG i agree, but not as loud.
 
I know the feeling.... I started a little Bally collection myself. Right now I have a Spectrum and a Elektra. I want to still get a Embryon, Mystic and a Eight Ball Deluxe (non LE)... and maybe a Viking.

Once you're hooked on Bally, you'll get hooked on the classic Stern pins!

And to answer your question... I would go w/ FG. Played a Fathom, while it's a beautiful pin artwork-wise, I didn't think the gameplay was all that.
 
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