Bally
The Shadow Pinside Rating
This game received 640 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.315 /10
The Shadow
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.797
Artwork: 7.508
Sounds/Music: 7.922
Other Aspects: 8.426
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 9 of us have rated this game.
Found 345 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 345 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 14.
List options
9.260/10
2 days ago
Macomb Township, MI
Love this game so much, I had to purchase one. Diverters are a cool way to not only achieve Vengeance but to also control the game flow. Cool ball lock in pinball IMO. Some could take or leave the upper playfield. I find it good use of space without taking anything away from the game.
7.757/10
68 days ago
Happily the pin is a lot better than the movie, which I know is terrible even though I enjoy watching it.
It's hard to say why the interesting and unique layout of The Shadow doesn't seem to resonate with players as much as the fan-layout-with-central-bash-toy setup of his other classics Attack From Mars and Medieval Madness. It takes a little more time to learn what you should shoot at, but it's worth it. The sanctum magnet that whisks the ball away into a lock after stopping it first is a terrific effect and fits perfectly with the theme. The Battlefield upper playfield is the only one of its kind as far as I know; I don't think it's superior to the more common type with an additional flipper but it's a nice change of pace. The player-controlled diverters are also a nice touch even though I don't think they affect the game all that much.
What The Shadow lacks is that one really satisfying shot that makes you want to keep playing again and again just so you can do it. The closest it comes is probably that outer-loop followed by the inner-loop mentioned in some of the other reviews. The shots are generally very good, but none of them are great. The code is not deep by modern standards but there are a number of modes, the rules are easy to understand and the scoring is well balanced.
A well-rounded, excellent game.
It's hard to say why the interesting and unique layout of The Shadow doesn't seem to resonate with players as much as the fan-layout-with-central-bash-toy setup of his other classics Attack From Mars and Medieval Madness. It takes a little more time to learn what you should shoot at, but it's worth it. The sanctum magnet that whisks the ball away into a lock after stopping it first is a terrific effect and fits perfectly with the theme. The Battlefield upper playfield is the only one of its kind as far as I know; I don't think it's superior to the more common type with an additional flipper but it's a nice change of pace. The player-controlled diverters are also a nice touch even though I don't think they affect the game all that much.
What The Shadow lacks is that one really satisfying shot that makes you want to keep playing again and again just so you can do it. The closest it comes is probably that outer-loop followed by the inner-loop mentioned in some of the other reviews. The shots are generally very good, but none of them are great. The code is not deep by modern standards but there are a number of modes, the rules are easy to understand and the scoring is well balanced.
A well-rounded, excellent game.
9.900/10
69 days ago
St. Albert, AB
An A-rank pin that easily overcomes its unfortunate theme. Shots and flow are incredibly satisfying. Sound is amazing. Difficulty is off the charts. This is a HARD machine, but it always pulls you back in for another round of punishment. When you find your groove and everything comes together, there's no better pin in the world, as far as I'm concerned. Magnetic ball lock? Super fun mini playfield? Amazeballs.
9.860/10
88 days ago
Maybe the most fun machine I've played. I just love all the music, and theres a big variety of music and sounds. The music can be really intense, almost spooky, which really adds to the experience at times and pumps the adrenaline when it needs to.
Playfield artwork is so good. I can't even say how much I love the color palette and the rainy Chicago theme on the playfield and the screen. Callouts are so good. Lots of great varied modes.
Probably my favorite ever.
Playfield artwork is so good. I can't even say how much I love the color palette and the rainy Chicago theme on the playfield and the screen. Callouts are so good. Lots of great varied modes.
Probably my favorite ever.
8.720/10
4 months ago
I am one of the few people out there who have seen the film, and I of course needed to watch it to properly understand this pin before I played it... well... it doesn't really do anything. Might as well not be based on the flop of a movie, which is surprisingly okay and cheesy. But this pin feels really good to play, which is also surprising. The ball glides across the playfield with a vintage pinball feel and the ramps, scoops, and bumpers are well placed and fun. The modes are straightforward and easy to engage with.
The real pull of this pin is the wild breakout style upper playfield that bounces the ball around in a unique way I have never seen in a table before, it is really neat and when I play this one I am just constantly racing to get the ball onto it as fast as possible.
Everyone should play this one at least a few times if you have the opportunity, it is really something.
The real pull of this pin is the wild breakout style upper playfield that bounces the ball around in a unique way I have never seen in a table before, it is really neat and when I play this one I am just constantly racing to get the ball onto it as fast as possible.
Everyone should play this one at least a few times if you have the opportunity, it is really something.
8.785/10
6 months ago
The Shadow is one heck of a great game with a very innovative layout. There is so much to love and appreciate about this machine, that I don't know where to begin. But here's some of the features that stand out to me:
1- The player controlled phurba ramp diverters. Not only do they turn two ramps into four, but you can use them (if your reflexes are fast enough) to trap, hold and protect a ball during multiball while you're working the others.
2- No pop bumpers. Some players think this is a negative but I like it because it's refreshing and different and makes for a faster game. I'm about to have a couple woodrails in my collection that are loaded with pop bumpers, so the Shadow will be even more of a nice change of pace.
3- The upper playfield. You're basically playing the pinball equivalent of breakout. I really like the fact that there is a goal to achieve and it's achievable in one try if your reflexes are on point and you get a little luck on your side.
4- The magnetic ball lock sanctum sling feature is amazing. Now you see it... whoosh now you don't.
5- If you can hit the outer and/or inner orbits consecutively, by about the third pass the ball is going so fast you can hardly see it and are relying solely on muscle memory to keep it going. And if you can keep it going, it is soooo satisfying.
6- The objects of the game are fairly straightforward, but you can complete them in any order, which is nice. Sometimes I like trying to complete the battlefield first, then the multiballs, then the modes, or bounce around and attack whatever feels right at the time.
7- The callouts and quotes from the movie are integrated perfectly.
Overall just a fantastic game from the 90's, and I'd rather play it than watch the movie!
1- The player controlled phurba ramp diverters. Not only do they turn two ramps into four, but you can use them (if your reflexes are fast enough) to trap, hold and protect a ball during multiball while you're working the others.
2- No pop bumpers. Some players think this is a negative but I like it because it's refreshing and different and makes for a faster game. I'm about to have a couple woodrails in my collection that are loaded with pop bumpers, so the Shadow will be even more of a nice change of pace.
3- The upper playfield. You're basically playing the pinball equivalent of breakout. I really like the fact that there is a goal to achieve and it's achievable in one try if your reflexes are on point and you get a little luck on your side.
4- The magnetic ball lock sanctum sling feature is amazing. Now you see it... whoosh now you don't.
5- If you can hit the outer and/or inner orbits consecutively, by about the third pass the ball is going so fast you can hardly see it and are relying solely on muscle memory to keep it going. And if you can keep it going, it is soooo satisfying.
6- The objects of the game are fairly straightforward, but you can complete them in any order, which is nice. Sometimes I like trying to complete the battlefield first, then the multiballs, then the modes, or bounce around and attack whatever feels right at the time.
7- The callouts and quotes from the movie are integrated perfectly.
Overall just a fantastic game from the 90's, and I'd rather play it than watch the movie!
9.560/10
9 months ago
Lots of fun, only played a few games, complicated but awesome light and sound. Love the unique upper playfield. Gun shaped ball plunger makes a huge crack sound when fired. Easy to get on blind and got multiball the first try. Love to have one at some point.
9.900/10
10 months ago
I have owned this for almost a month. This game to me has the greatest ramps ever put in pinball. Also the greatest ball lock. Theme is so subjective. I liked the movie and am ok with the back glass.the orbits and inner loop are as smooth as you could hope to find in a pin. Upper playfield is so unique as I have never seen anything like it since. Rules are simple enough to pick up and not tire of, especially when most have short time limits. I want to mod the hell out of this game because I don,t see this game going anywhere.
8.239/10
1 year ago
Outside of a few issues with mediocre artwork, and that ugly standard translite, the game is a blast. That sanctum shot is just magical when you first get it. The battlefield feels a bit wonky and always looked and felt fragile. But the game has two large buttery smooth ramp shots, and the various locks and features are all fun to hit. The music is extremely repetitive though, one of the biggest gripes I have on the otherwise solid pin
9.640/10
1 year ago
Brian Eddy's masterpiece for sure and one of the best the 90s has to offer. He gets a lot of well-deserved recognition for Attack from Mars and Medieval Madness but I believe Shadow is his strongest game. The various modes, multiballs and the game design makes it a tough game that keeps you coming back for more. A lot of risk/reward. If you screw up the opening shot off the right flipper it can be an insta-drain. Likewise if you choke on the battlefield entrance shot or the shadow loop shot, you're toast. The Shadow loop feels great when you hit it but has a decent learning curve to make the shot correctly from the upper right flipper. From a shotmaking perspective, the player controlled ramp diverters are probably one of the coolest features implemented in pinball. The magnetic sanctum ball lock is one of the best ball lock sequences in pinball. The battlefield is a super cool upper playfield gimmick even though it can be a bitch to fix.
The art-deco vibes on the playfield artwork are great - Alec "Trigger Happy" Baldwin on the backglass gets a lot of grief but really is not terrible, Penelope Ann Miller and John Lone are on there too - and Aurich makes a great art package to switch it up. Cabinet art is very nice IMO and not overly busy like all the new games coming out.
Sounds and music, the DCS sound really sets things off right and the sound design is very well done. The mode where Tim Curry shit talks you is one of the funniest/coolest modes in pinball. I really liked the Shadow movie as a kid and listen to the old radio shows with my kids. The theme really captures the old radio show vibes nicely. I owned a mint copy, sold it, regretted it, then bought a dilapidated copy and am almost done restoring it. It's not going to leave my game room anytime soon.
The art-deco vibes on the playfield artwork are great - Alec "Trigger Happy" Baldwin on the backglass gets a lot of grief but really is not terrible, Penelope Ann Miller and John Lone are on there too - and Aurich makes a great art package to switch it up. Cabinet art is very nice IMO and not overly busy like all the new games coming out.
Sounds and music, the DCS sound really sets things off right and the sound design is very well done. The mode where Tim Curry shit talks you is one of the funniest/coolest modes in pinball. I really liked the Shadow movie as a kid and listen to the old radio shows with my kids. The theme really captures the old radio show vibes nicely. I owned a mint copy, sold it, regretted it, then bought a dilapidated copy and am almost done restoring it. It's not going to leave my game room anytime soon.
8.980/10
1 year ago
One of the best layouts in pinball. I actually like the theme a lot, but if it were a bit better this game would easily be in a lot of top 10 lists.
9.540/10
1 year ago
Kongsberg
Very hard game if the rules are set hard. Needs to adjust it a little bit with timers etc. so that it actually gives you a chance. Damn fine game. The diverters for the rams that is controlled by seperate buttons. The skillshot up the very close to the flippers ramp., the battlefield, and my favourite: the Sanctum magnet. This stops the ball and hold it, release it a little bit and then sends it the opposite direction again so that it dissapears behind the Sanctum. The swooosh sound when it happens is perfect. Lovely beautiful game. Improves with a different translite in my opinion.
9.064/10
1 year ago
I am a big fan of the Shadow, even the movie, so the theme is great for me. The sound and music draws you into a pulpy world of mystery and action, and I love every minute of it.
The upper playfield is fun as heck, as are the phurba diverters which make you think. I know a lot of people are not a big fan of the backglass, bit I love the "as inevitable as your guilty conscience quote" which is straight from the radio serials. Definitely not the best in a one pin collection but those custom backglasses looks phenomenal and definitely take it to the next level.
Overall a definite classic, and it is definitely worth pulling that 1911 trigger and teaching those crooks that the weed of crime bears bitter fruit!
The upper playfield is fun as heck, as are the phurba diverters which make you think. I know a lot of people are not a big fan of the backglass, bit I love the "as inevitable as your guilty conscience quote" which is straight from the radio serials. Definitely not the best in a one pin collection but those custom backglasses looks phenomenal and definitely take it to the next level.
Overall a definite classic, and it is definitely worth pulling that 1911 trigger and teaching those crooks that the weed of crime bears bitter fruit!
8.527/10
1 year ago
Great layout from Brian Eddy that is very challenging and punishes you very fast for playing out of control. Ball control and accurate shots are critical for The Shadow. Simple to understand and hard to master type gameplay in my opinion the best 90s pin out there. This game shows me that some modern games like Deadpool and Godzilla that have a lot of on the fly shots and not as punishing for misses can teach you some bad habits. It is fun to go to the other direction and play controlled. Excellent game.
8.880/10
1 year ago
This is an awesome game. The layout is great, as is the art deco style they used. People hate the backglass, but I didn't even know who it was prior to reading it, as they went with drawn art rather than actual photo. Great call. The game has complexity, though it is easy enough to understand. Mr. Eddy only designed 3 games in the 90s, so it has great company. An underrated pin, highly recommend.
7.827/10
1 year ago
I owned this machine for many years. I love how you can divert the balls into the different ramps. When you beat the machine it's really cool - I won't spoil it for you. Not necessarily the best artwork or backglass, but the game is challenging and fun!
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 PinsideGreat 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+!
