Williams Flash?

nesjess

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I have memories playing Steve Richie's later pins like BK2K and T2. I read that this was his first and most successful pin, but Flash was before my time so I don't have much experience with it. The game play looks pretty cool and I'm not sure what the theme is supposed to be.

Is it a good first pin to own? Should I hold off for something better? I missed out on a Taxi (one of my favorite pins) and now I'm feeling an itch to just pick anything up. :)
 
I have memories playing Steve Richie's later pins like BK2K and T2. I read that this was his first and most successful pin, but Flash was before my time so I don't have much experience with it. The game play looks pretty cool and I'm not sure what the theme is supposed to be.

Is it a good first pin to own? Should I hold off for something better? I missed out on a Taxi (one of my favorite pins) and now I'm feeling an itch to just pick anything up. :)

It was hist first pin with Williams, and as far as sales go was also the largest selling title that he ever did. It's a fast playing early solid state machine... meaning there's no ramps, no toys, very simple sounds. Ever play Firepower? If you liked that one, you'll like Flash.


Steve actually did a couple machines for Atari before he did Flash. Airborne Avenger was his first, and he also did Superman. Decent machines for their day, but hampered by Atari corporate decision making. Not as good as his Williams stuff.

-Hans
 
I have memories playing Steve Richie's later pins like BK2K and T2. I read that this was his first and most successful pin, but Flash was before my time so I don't have much experience with it. The game play looks pretty cool and I'm not sure what the theme is supposed to be.

Is it a good first pin to own? Should I hold off for something better? I missed out on a Taxi (one of my favorite pins) and now I'm feeling an itch to just pick anything up. :)

Flash is a heck of a game. One of my favorites.

I think the theme is kind of a Thor, God of Thunder thing. You can even see Valhalla through the clouds on the backglass. At least that's my take on it...

--Luke
 
Thanks guys. Yes, I meant I read it was his first Willliams pin. I've only read and seen good things about it so far and seems like it would be a good first pin. It would be great to pick this up and eventually pick up a BK to put next to it. Firepower is one I'm familiar with and would be great to have as well. I'm entering a whole new world. Haha.
 
Thanks guys. Yes, I meant I read it was his first Willliams pin. I've only read and seen good things about it so far and seems like it would be a good first pin. It would be great to pick this up and eventually pick up a BK to put next to it. Firepower is one I'm familiar with and would be great to have as well. I'm entering a whole new world. Haha.

I have to say, I really am gravitating toward the earlier solid state machines lately. Just something about the look and feel to them, and the artwork of the era, that I prefer to more modern DMD stuff.

-Hans
 
I love the look of this pin, but I've never played it. The artwork of this era is the best IMO. I'd pick one up for the art alone.
 
I had one, it's a boring game - no multi ball, no ramps, no toys, no DMD; etc. Just my opinion. I much prefer the newer pins with more going on. One really annoying feature in this game is the sound it makes when the ball is in play...the longer the ball lasts the noise gets more intense. As I recall I think that feature could be turned off...thank god. This isn't that great of a game. Don't rush into owning it because you want a pin, especially if you have never even played it before.

If you buy it anyway, take a close look at the backglass, they tend to flake very easily on this particular machine. if it's badly flaked, price it accordingly...I don't recall if they made repros of this...
 
If your love of pinball depends on the stuff that's been standard in pins for 20 years (speech, multiple levels, multiball, DMD graphics, video modes, ANY modes, etc.) then you won't like Flash. But as far as good basic easily understood game rules and kinetic action, it's one of the best! Drop targets! Sweeping shots! There's a reason Steve is known as the Master of Flow.

In addition to the often-flaked backglass, you'll also frequently run into ones with very worn playfields, just because they got so much play. Still worth picking up in that state, just price accordingly. Oh and of course look for leaking batteries like with any Williams game!

Things to make sure are working once you buy it:

-- Flash lamps!!! This was the first pin with flash lamps, and if they don't work, it takes a lot away from the game.

-- Drop targets - the ones in this era were problematic, but can be fixed.

-- Plunger shot - There is an adjustment to make sure the plunger shot properly crosses the playfield and goes into the top lanes, rather than bouncing into the middle of the playfield or rattling around in the upper left part... but nobody ever noticed it or used it. So you'll need to spend some time tweaking that to get it right. Don't forget to check the plunger nylon sleeve. If that's broken and sliding out of the casting, you'll never get the plunger shot to be consistent.

Duncan
 
I have to say, I really am gravitating toward the earlier solid state machines lately. Just something about the look and feel to them, and the artwork of the era, that I prefer to more modern DMD stuff.

-Hans

Not to mention they are easier to find and a heck of a lot cheaper.
 
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