Bally
Lost World Pinside Rating
This game received 59 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 6.979 /10
Lost World
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 6.617
Artwork: 8.362
Sounds/Music: 4.729
Other Aspects: 7.007
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
Found 27 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 27 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 2.
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8.128/10
45 hours ago
Huntington Beach, CA
Lost World is a fun pin! What has been a game changer for many of the early SS is the upgraded sound boards that have speech and music. The games rules are simple yet perfect, and the shots are all well placed and balanced. I rate the Early Bally SS relative to their time and I do not compare them to the modern days pins. One of the notable shots is the captive ball, when you hit the other targets in sequential order, the captive ball shot is the "Same player shoots again". I really found this a fun pin to play.
8.642/10
4 months ago
I know this era of Bally catches a lot of flak. Yes it's a super simple game. Like, you can learn the entirety of it in about 15 seconds. But that's also what I like about it. Just spell ABCDEF and keep the ball alive. Done. Great for a beginner. Awesome Bally flipper action. Solid boards, super light (the lightest pin I've ever encountered), reliable mechanics, easily found replacement parts.
It's the art package that makes this one stand the test of time for me. If it had a crappy theme I doubt I would forgive its simplicity so easily. But that barbarian with gargoyle wings just like... gets me man.
It's the art package that makes this one stand the test of time for me. If it had a crappy theme I doubt I would forgive its simplicity so easily. But that barbarian with gargoyle wings just like... gets me man.
7.778/10
5 months ago
Lost World is a great example of a machine that feels sloppy, dated, and random until you understand a few basic rules. Once you know the shot basics, it's a tough but rewarding game and is great for competition.
Pros: Difficult but fun gameplay, one of the better classics in the sense that it rewards precise shooting, punishes bad shots, and doesn't have any weird high-point shot that renders all other strategies moot. Additionally, building bonus to max requires a decent number of shots, so while the letters might be hit with slings or slop, ball control is way more valuable than a couple of quick hits.
Cons: Extremely prone to houseballs as the pops are in a wide open area and the outlanes have no guards. It's very common to only be able to play 2 or even 1 ball on a three ball game. Were there something regulating the initial plunge return more or allowing a short plunge I think this would be held in much higher regard.
Pros: Difficult but fun gameplay, one of the better classics in the sense that it rewards precise shooting, punishes bad shots, and doesn't have any weird high-point shot that renders all other strategies moot. Additionally, building bonus to max requires a decent number of shots, so while the letters might be hit with slings or slop, ball control is way more valuable than a couple of quick hits.
Cons: Extremely prone to houseballs as the pops are in a wide open area and the outlanes have no guards. It's very common to only be able to play 2 or even 1 ball on a three ball game. Were there something regulating the initial plunge return more or allowing a short plunge I think this would be held in much higher regard.
7.714/10
1 year ago
This game has a special place in my pinball memories. I played it to death on location when it first came out. Although at first glance it's a simple game with not a lot of different features or shots, that was fairly typical of the era and can't be compared to today's games. What I always loved about the game that to my knowledge is unique is the two saucer shots that together advanced scores all the way to special. The way the saucers are set up and positioned they are tough to hit! making them very addictive. You can literally hit the saucer true straight from the flipper and it will most likely roll out. It's very satisfying to hit the saucer shots especially as they lead to big scoring and ultimately a free game. Those high stakes combined with the higher drainability of games in that era resulted in some sweaty palms and kept you coming back! I also love the backglass art by Paul Faris, one of the absolute best of the 70s/80s Bally era. Evokes memories of Tales of Gor, Conan, etc. And the overall theme of the game "Lost World" is carried out well throughout the backglass and playfield. Overall, I think this is a very underrated game considering the era.
6.811/10
2 years ago
Almelo
Plays well, reasonably fast for it's age but this really, really should have had multiball, it's got two kick out holes for it so that feels like an oversight as well as i think instead of the captive ball a set of Bally's signature inline drop targets would have given more depth to the game.
Can't miss how great the game looks, just a real work of art, lot of canary yellow going on but the purple on the playfield makes it pop and that backglass is just glorious.
The digital chimes are ok, don't care for the high school clock sequences and people really weren't kidding that bonus countdown takes unusually long to do it's thing.
Can't miss how great the game looks, just a real work of art, lot of canary yellow going on but the purple on the playfield makes it pop and that backglass is just glorious.
The digital chimes are ok, don't care for the high school clock sequences and people really weren't kidding that bonus countdown takes unusually long to do it's thing.
6.913/10
2 years ago
The electronic sounds don’t really match the artwork and theme. But i keep coming back to play it over and over again. I love the way that the flippers feel and my favorite thing to do is to shoot for the targets and practice tap passing. It’s bland compared to more modern pins but super fun if you don’t have something more modern to play. I’d recommend Lost World to anyone wanting to get into the pinball hobby at an affordable price point.
6.979/10
2 years ago
As many have said, this has a really great art package. Gameplay, like most pins of the era, is pretty straightforward. However, there are a variety of shots. I think this is an entertaining game that lasted longer than other pins of the era that I've owned.
Bergen
6.560/10
5 years ago
Wish there was a bit more to keep the player's attention.
You are lured in with an attractive art package only to find a complete lack of personality when it comes to gameplay. Its still pinball though, so that is something.
You are lured in with an attractive art package only to find a complete lack of personality when it comes to gameplay. Its still pinball though, so that is something.
5.945/10
5 years ago
I got to play a nice example several times. I tried to like it but it is just not for me. It works only if it is the only pin on the floor. Some of the Bally sound sets of that era are OK. I don't care for the sounds on this pin at all.
6.823/10
6 years ago
Love the back glass, but that’s about it... no drop targets ruined this game.... I bought as a combo purchase and I quickly learned why the seller did it that way cause there is no way I would have purchased as a stand alone... very boring game with the first boring digital sounds..... skip it
8.700/10
9 years ago
I recently picked up this game in pretty used condition. After replacing the rubbers, plastics, burnt bulbs, new pinballs, new decals, a broken flipper bushing, original flippers, new legs and levelers and adjusting switches, it actually is a very fun game! I like the old-school look and feel of the game. It's no-nonsense pinball from 1977. No ramps or multiball, but after playing my newer machines and switching to Lost Word, it's pretty refreshing to play a game at a reduced pace and you can actually follow the ball. My particular game has some soundboard and lamp driver issues, but once I get those resolved, I would say this is almost my favorite game in my collection!
6.336/10
10 years ago
Lost World is beautiful. In my opinion, one of the best looking machines of all time. Not much else needs to be said about the artwork.
The game-play is simple but fun. The captive ball is rewarding and the spinner is a nice touch. The two kick-out holes are nice to shoot for also. I always enjoyed lighting everything then hitting the Dragon's Den for the extra ball. There is something rewarding about hearing that knocker go off. Lost World takes you back to a time when you still tried to achieve Specials and you were rewarded for your efforts.
Unfortunately, that's about it when comes to the game-play. I don't want to judge too harshly and we should keep in mind when the game was released, but it does get old.
It's first machine to replace the chime-unit with electronic sounds....I would rather have a chime unit if that tells you about the sounds. It's also one of the first (if not THE first) to save the high score which I'm sure was quite a feature in 1977.
To sum it up, Lost World is more of an art piece.
The game-play is simple but fun. The captive ball is rewarding and the spinner is a nice touch. The two kick-out holes are nice to shoot for also. I always enjoyed lighting everything then hitting the Dragon's Den for the extra ball. There is something rewarding about hearing that knocker go off. Lost World takes you back to a time when you still tried to achieve Specials and you were rewarded for your efforts.
Unfortunately, that's about it when comes to the game-play. I don't want to judge too harshly and we should keep in mind when the game was released, but it does get old.
It's first machine to replace the chime-unit with electronic sounds....I would rather have a chime unit if that tells you about the sounds. It's also one of the first (if not THE first) to save the high score which I'm sure was quite a feature in 1977.
To sum it up, Lost World is more of an art piece.
5.773/10
10 years ago
Villejuif
I found that pin very recently... played that one decades ago, then forgot about it. Big disappointment.
This is a good-looking pin (as I remembered). Unfortunately, rules are somewhat bad, even for that time (Borry Orr's power play is much better, and from the same era, right ?). Sound is bad. Overall, OK for a few games... no more.
This is a good-looking pin (as I remembered). Unfortunately, rules are somewhat bad, even for that time (Borry Orr's power play is much better, and from the same era, right ?). Sound is bad. Overall, OK for a few games... no more.
7.328/10
12 years ago
High marks for artwork. Sounds were probably considered good back in late 70's / early 80's, but sort of lame by todays standards. Lighting is fine. Spinner w/ its associated lights is great.
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