Bally

Space Invaders

Pinside Rating

This game received 115 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 6.999 _/10

6.999

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #257 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 6.466

Artwork: 8.764

Sounds/Music: 5.771

Other Aspects: 6.795

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 2 of us have rated this game.

5.853

Your Rating?

You need to be logged in before you can rate pinball machines. No account yet? Registering only takes a sec!

Found 69 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 69 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 3.

List options

Ratings sort order

Type of ratings to show in list

Owner status of review

Exclude flagged ratings

Keyword or username search

6.572/10

33 days ago

VEE

Veemonroe

Pinside member

London

2y 57,300 226 7 176

Played at the Dutch Pinball Museum.

Honestly, this has terrible reviews, but it is nowhere the worst (or the worst looking) classic I’ve ever played. It has a pretty standard layout with a couple of orbits with spinners, some lanes and pops, and a remarkably fun U-turn shot midway down the playfield. As it’s a wide body, you’ve got four flippers (count them) to play with.

The mirrored, illuminated backglass is beautiful and I love the Giger-esque artwork. Not something I’d own, or suggest you should own (unless you get offered one super-cheap or are a huge fan of the Aliens theme). However, it’s a perfectly fine player for a couple of quarters.

6.199/10

66 days ago

CAM

DeputyDrain

Pinside member

Saint Paul, MN

<1y 31,400 138

Amazing backglass and lighting but it really does not appeal to me outside of that.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

7.185/10

4 months ago

DIA

mrossman5

Pinside+ Frequent

Warren, PA

6y 197K 3,254 8 255

Not the best of the Bally widebody games, but still enjoyable to play for the most part. It looks beautiful, especially the backglass, but the layout isn't great. Fun to whip the ball around the center orbit though.

mrossman5 currently owns this game.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

5.123/10

7 months ago

???

VeryGoodBadBoy

Pinside member

Unknown

<1y 16,000 29

This thing is huge and yet I watched my ball glide from one side to the other and drain in the opposite side multiple times after a standard shot. How does anyone score highly on this?

4.612/10

1 year ago

MFA

Mishap

Pinside member

Seattle, WA

2y 27,300 19 6 33

The backglass that launched 11,000 units and a lawsuit. Yes, the backglass is awesome with its rotating mirrored lights and off-brand xenomorph. But- we don't play backglasses. Considering the contemporaries and available tech, this may be the worst layout of all time. "Collecting" the invader standups is primarily done through pop bumpers, so there's more luck than strategy. The rollover lanes take up a ridiculous amount of space, the mini-horseshoe can still drain when hit correctly if the ball is spinning the wrong way, and the little fang flippers aren't particularly useful. I'm a big fan of a lot of the 78-81 tables, and I cannot think of one I enjoy less than this.

Pros: the backglass aesthetics.

Cons: the whole pinball element. While Bally widebodies are generally more floaty and can be frustrating to shoot, there's usually some satisfaction when you get something going on say a Paragon or Future Spa, while this one is pure drudgery. Hopefully the rotating lights hypnotize you into having fun, because the play sure won't.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

7.462/10

1 year ago

LON

Pinaddic

Inactive member

Queensbury, NY

1y 12,500 1 18

When this game came out my expectation where incredible. The game play is a little soft on this, mainly due to the wide body. The back glass is off the charts and over artwork very good. Achieving goals is cumbersome and unsatisfying. The flipper layout I never cared for. They have a great thing here but the play field does not live up to the theme and artwork. I would rate it higher but the fun factor never peaks the meter on this one for long enough to rate it as one of the best of the era. Definitely worth a play if you get a chance.

8.127/10

1 year ago

CMW

RoxasUrSoxas

Pinside member

Middleburg Heights, OH

7y 62,050 125 20 59

I really wasnt expecting much from this title, but it is pretty cool! There are a good amount of shots, though I still feel like there could have been another one or two on the sides. The flipper layout takes up a lot of space but is unique. With strong flippers and sensitive slings/pops, the game plays fairly fast. The space invaders video game sound plays in the background. The "hurry up" type shots with the arrows at the sides are challenging and resemble shooting the saucer on the classic game. Nice touch! The backglass and infinity lighting is amazing! Definitely like this game better than a lot of other games from this era, and it just looks cool too!

RoxasUrSoxas has owned this game in the past.

7.404/10

2 years ago

KRF

vassq

Pinside member

Sanford, ME

11y 48,050 101 9 13

2nd game I ever played. Love the look, sound and the theme. Game play is average.
Overall a great looking fun game.

8.631/10

2 years ago

TTB

TempleTheBard

Inactive member

Eugene, OR

2y 17,750 15

At first, I didn't like this game, but I noticed it would always have a bunch of credits on it at the barcade, and I like free games, so I played it. Eventually, I got pretty decent at hitting the horseshoe off of the right flipper, and eventually the left. Then it got to the point that at least once a game I'd hit multiple horseshoe shots in a row, jack up the multiplier, and start lighting up the red light for free games. Then I realized why there were so many credits on it all the time.

Now I'm working on rolling it over. I got really close (980k) but I get the yips sometimes after being zoned in on a really good ball. I haven't even tried shooting at the drop targets or the captive ball yet... Just working on hitting the horseshoe over and over and over again. I get more consistent every time.

Having said all that, it's fun, but it's not one of my all time faves. People who complain about the horseshoe shot being a death shot haven't played it for hours and mastered looping the horseshoe yet. It's totally doable.

Space Invaders is certainly a beautiful machine with striking backglass and a glorious albeit litigious history. I feel lucky I get to play it on the regs.

6.948/10

2 years ago

MAT

Coyote12

Pinside+ Frequent

Round Rock, TX

3y 32,800 4 8 14

My first experience with Space Invaders pinball had to be in the early 80's at Belmar Playland in New Jersey. We (the family)spent parts of the summer up at the shore as thats where my mom was from and my Grandparents lived. There was always one night we would head out to Belmar and do the miniature golf and then hit the arcade below to play skeeball, pinball and the latest arcade games.
I always liked to balance what I played around the arcade and remember hitting up the pinball machine corner to make my games last longer and there it was. A pinball machine based on an arcade game that I just played. The infinite mirror back glass with the just different enough alien than the recent Alien movie had me drawn in. I had to play. I always knew with pinball vs the arcade games I could make my game last by trapping the ball and just making shots and then trying to trap the ball again. I don't think it was my first pinball game I ever played but it definitely was the first pinball game I remember playing. I loved the dark look of the game and then the playfield with the Alien inspired HR Gieger parts.
It was a blast to play and one of my personal favorites. The widebody playfield just gives you that much more pinball to have fun with and show off the beautiful art work.
It's hard to judge an older machine to a newer machine with all its features but for it's time and still to this day the Space Invaders pinball holds up as a challenging game and beautiful theme and art that looks good and stand out still today,

Coyote12 has this game on the wishlist.

8.038/10

2 years ago

BOB

Cudasales

Pinside member

Colorado Springs, CO

3y 25,400 80 5 11

This has one of the Coolest Back-glass of all time in my opinion. I like it so much that I have the original double glass in my collection.

The game play is good but does get a little old and repetitive after awhile. The cool artwork and the wide body cabinet were really cool for it's time.

I still like this game and would love to add it to my current collection even though the game-play could be better.

Cudasales currently owns this game.

7.358/10

3 years ago

GTX

gdonovan

Pinside member

7y 185K 13,283 70

1) The artwork is fantastic bar none.
2) Sound is appropriate for the pin theme, faithful reproductions of Space Invaders.
3) Surprising light show given the age of the pin, most are rather dull. Infinity lights are awesome.
4) A variety of shots: You have 3/1 drop targets, a captive ball, spinner, horseshoe, various stand ups & roll overs and 3 pops and 4 dead bumpers.

I went into playing this pin with a bad attitude. Most widebody pins that I have played were slow and unresponsive. The ball just wandered around the playfield searching for a target to run into. Black Hole and Haunted House were two wide-bodies that made me reassess that opinion, Black Hole in particular SIZZLES when setup right. Setup is key.

Space Invaders has some sizzle to it. Granted the one I'm currently playing has Titan Elastics and a well cared for playfield.. but it sizzles. Shots to the horseshoe return at light speed and making shots off the double flippers can be a challenge. When the ball comes careening back at you after rattling around the pops you have to make a split second decision which direction and set you wish to utilize.

Speaking of shots, the mystery ship hurry up is insidious. I have only made it 3 or 4 times so far. Both shots to the far left and right are highly hazardous with the outlanes looking to suck up your ball like voracious black holes. They look fairly safe.. but they are not.

Ultimately I found the game rather boring and moved it along. Great looker though, does well in larger collection.

gdonovan edited previous rating on July 26, 2022.

8.563/10

3 years ago

KB

HighVoltageX

Pinside member

Lee's Summit, MO

3y 24,900 5 32 15

Game definitely a slower paced widebody. No multiiball hurts also. Sounds are great. A bit boring with no real tasks to complete to unlock other things. Would love to see some neat mods for this game....

HighVoltageX currently owns this game.

6.352/10

3 years ago

MRB

Kilowog

Pinside member

4y 27,650 20 6

The mirrored infinity backglass is eye-catching, especially in a home game room, but the play get repetitive quickly

8.461/10

4 years ago

SMC

ScottMc

Inactive member

Hamilton, ON

5y 7,500 2 1 6

That clone chamber sound is absolutely killer!

6.499/10

4 years ago

DAD

ss-pinball

Pinside member

Kalamazoo, MI

6y 68,550 515 6 31

One of the best back glasses in pinball.

Wide AND slow.
There is really nothing to do with this pin.
All of that wide open space.

This playfield layout is kinda similar to Silverball Mania--also has great art and easily outgrown lastability.

I hate the double flippers.

5.984/10

4 years ago

BAD

Diospinball

Inactive member

Joliet, IL

6y 74,300 1,336 9 75

This game is a massive wide body. And I think because of that and the fact its an older heavier game, it makes nudging a bit more difficult... At least for me... Really two ways to get big points on this game. Either hitting the captive ball over and over again. Or the horseshoe in the center.
I'm not a great player of this game. But, I have gotten a replay on this game fairly often despite not really playing it too much... I do like the sound effects. I like the theme... Both the space invaders and alien concept. I think its cool to shoot ufos... Just wish that it was handled better... But, really the tech was just not there yet. So they did the best they could. The backglass is one of the best ever I think. Love the art and the lights. Cab art is really cool, playfield art is cool as well, just the playfield is more alien the movie and less space invaders video game.
Is this game the best game ever... No... I get bored easy with it. But, while I probably wouldn't want to own one(even though it looks amazing) I wouldn't mind playing one from time to time. I just think you play 2-6 games that's really all you need for awhile.

6.029/10

5 years ago

TPD

tomdrum

Tom's Pinball

Port Matilda, PA

6y 167K 7,981 13 52

Owned one for years. While the artwork is awesome, this widebody is a bit boring to play. When next to Black Knight and Xenon it got one play from non pin people while the others were played multiple times.

tomdrum has owned this game in the past.

6.907/10

5 years ago

CUZ

mcuzz

Pinside member

8y 117K 500 137

Art is amazing, game is big and not so good.

4.162/10

5 years ago

GLM

pineal

Pinside+ Addict

5y 44,550 171 3 12

A space invaders pinball? Really?! My thoughts when this came around in the early 80s. I think it was this game that made me a realize the floor space dedicated to pinball was doomed to be overtaken by video games if this was the best they could do to stay relevant. Cool back glass doesn’t make up for lame play field and slow boring play. Not the best moment in a challenging era for pinball.

8.219/10

6 years ago

JON

classicgamefan

Pinside member

11y 68,150 206 51

Maybe I just haven't played SI enough, but haven't yet developed the "meh" opinion that a lot of reviewers seem to have. The machine I play in league is an unforgiving brute that I find challenging and rewarding to play. A one-shot game to the spinner? Well, the one I play only has a tight spinner shot and only gives you four or five spins per shot if you make it so I'm not sure that's the best strategy. I often go for completing the top three rollover lanes to light the center lane to collect the jackpot for the rest of the game. This essentially gives the game a true skillshot to plunge the lane you need and after that plunge the center lane. And of course, you aren't limited to one skillshot per ball as you can shoot the ball back into the shooter lane. To maximize this strategy you have to shoot the captive ball multiple times to build up this value and the captive ball is definitely a challenging shot that can punish you to the outlane if you miss. There is also the strategy of building up your bonus and multipliers. I have rolled this machine and I can certainly see how a top-level player could roll it consistently and multiple times.

What else is there to say? The sounds are pure Space Invaders and they never get old for me. The backglass with it's mirrored infinity effect is amazingly beautiful.

7.178/10

6 years ago

DK

PinballRockDude

Pinside member

6y 40,050 104 2 11

This is one you own based on artwork which is excellent. Backglass still one of the best. That’s where the the best part of this machine ends. Because of the looks and space invader sound it’s fun to play a couple of times and that’s it. Slow plodding play. Could have been so much better considering other games of the time.

PinballRockDude edited previous rating on January 20, 2020.
PinballRockDude has this game on the wishlist.

8.680/10

6 years ago

WAR

wardad

Inactive member

Mcarthur, CA

7y 21,000 1 16 6

I have upgraded LED lighting in my game and it is cool I have lots of fun with this game and it has been dependable I have upgraded boards also !

wardad currently owns this game.

7.766/10

6 years ago

B60

B60WizWorld

Wizard’s World

Fort Wayne, IN

6y 91,450 13 348 10

Best Backglass ever!

B60WizWorld edited previous rating on October 12, 2020.
B60WizWorld currently owns this game.

6.392/10

7 years ago

JRB

Atari_The_Jedi

Pinside member

Spanish Springs, NV

7y 45,050 136 5 86

Double flippers do not help gameplay but goo looking cab and play field.

Atari_The_Jedi edited previous rating on October 24, 2017.

Next 1 2 3

There are 69 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 3.

You too can add your own comment by rating this game! Click here to rate this game!

Over the years

Visualizing this game's rating and rank over the years

Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

Donate to Pinside

Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!