Bally

The Shadow

Pinside Rating

This game received 637 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.319 _/10

8.319

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #49 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.799

Artwork: 7.511

Sounds/Music: 7.924

Other Aspects: 8.436

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.

8.711

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Found 345 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 345 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 11 of 14.

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8.036/10

11 years ago

LEJ

PinballRulez

Pinside member

13y 88,800 1,350 18

Really great and very fast game. Like the phurbas and the pin fits the film theme excellent.
A game to get into and not for novices. Overall a very fun and challenging game.

PinballRulez edited previous rating on March 09, 2014.

8.339/10

11 years ago

CWT

ChadTower

Pinside member

Plainville, MA

18y 50,550 928 9 8

Great game with great flow. The Battlefield is cool. The Shadow theme is cool. The only problem is that it's themed for the crappy movie and not the radio show. Alec Baldwin sucks.

ChadTower has owned this game in the past.

5.538/10

11 years ago

ASP

Andydreads

Inactive member

Y Felinheli

14y 26,250 4 31

I did not get this machine at all, tried to like it but ended up playing the Flintstones which was next to it in my collection, this is a highly rated pin and maybe you need to spend a long time with it but it did not do it for me, playfield is nice, ball lock is awesome, may give it another go when there is nothing else left to play : - )

9.484/10

11 years ago

ZUL

Caucasian2Step

Evil McBooty

12y 163K 1,455 51 1011

The Shadow is a players game and then some. Play on Players!

The Pros: More to do on this game than most will realize. There is so much to do and all of it depends on your skill as a player! Even the video mode on this table is challenging. The diverters became so much more fun after I realized I could "assist" the ball into the ramp. No pop-bumpers mean a deadly fast game that requires you to be at your best. The mini-pf is as fast as the rest of the table. The modes are challenging and the secret quack mode will make you crack up as you seriously try to beat your high score. Laugh it up in multiball or on the mini-pf and see what I mean. The Final Battle is not easy to finish and the reward is worth the effort, a cool Bil-Yun! I have yet to get the elusive 7-way combo.

The Cons: Movie studios have approval over backglasses... The mini-pf optos can be sensitive. Put this game in a dark corner.

The Takeaway: Brian Eddy is 3 for 3. 3 designs, 3 brilliant games! Everyone wants AFM and MM, but this game is no joke either. This deck is the best pound for pound, dollar for dollar game out there, period. Some people don't like Baldwin on the BG, but... I play with my eyes on the PLAYFIELD, WHERE THE GAME IS HAPPENING (unless in video mode, but even then, not at the bg)! Software errors on the second final battle are exploitable, but hey... its the FINAL BATTLE, so work it! Rumor has it that The King Steve Ritchie referred to this as the best design he has ever seen that "basically, 1 man put together." Now I don't know the exact quote or what happened with the rest of the team on this, but I can't imagine a single person putting together a game like this in the deadlines that are given to pinball production. Regardless... this is a damn fine game. Whatever the production situation and to whomever credit is due... well done.

Update:
This game never stops giving. When this game is working as it should, it never stops. No pops to get in the way of the movement of the ball. When the upper pf is doing what it should... non-stop. the scoring is balanced but there is an exploit. The left orbit to the inner loop. But this exploit is SO HARD to exploit that I can't see it as an exploit. I own the game and I can't get it on command. Ok, I'm not a top player... but this exploit is not easily exploitable by a LONG MILE. Get it set up and working as it should and tear it up!

Caucasian2Step edited previous rating on February 06, 2018.
Caucasian2Step currently owns this game.

10 Pinsiders starred this!

9.880/10

11 years ago

KLC

keanan_connell

Pinside member

Wilmington, DE

11y 38,550 45 20 20

probably my favorite game of all time so I might be biased. this was one of the games that got me hooked on pinball as a kid at the local pizza shop and was the first game in my collection. Game is packed with cool stuff. Unique ramp diverters, awesome ball lock. the battle field is one of the coolest mini playfields ever. Decent video mode and the final battle is the best wizard mode I’ve ever played. this is a hard game to beat!

keanan_connell edited previous rating on January 07, 2022.
keanan_connell currently owns this game.

8.595/10

11 years ago

TPK

Kneissl

Pinside member

12y 126K 3,866 7 121

This game has tons going on, deeper rules, tons of shots, multiple sweet gimmicks. Perba diverters really add a ton (7 shot combo) the battlefield is also a pretty neat gimmick. Rules have you shooting all over. Backglass is straight up awful, but I fixed mine day one.

Kneissl edited previous rating on May 22, 2015.
Kneissl has owned this game in the past.

8.983/10

11 years ago

DSD

Winball_Pizard

Inactive member

Austin, TX

12y 75,400 1,104 12 54

This game rocks. So many shots and features crammed into this game. I love the phurba diverters on the ramps, the sanctum lock is a cool effect, the battlefield is amazing when working correctly and the loop shot gets blindingly fast after a couple go rounds. The game is not easy but not insanely punishing. The modes themselves arent especially interesting but they are still fun as well as the video mode. The final battle wiz mode is achievable but difficult to beat. The only draw back is the backglass art but alternate translites are available. This is a fantastic game that I would love to own ASAP pls!

Winball_Pizard currently owns this game.

10.000/10

11 years ago

ALA

aladinice

Pinside member

Menton

12y 47,650 2 71 72

very cute Bally pinball, you must try it and be in love with it ! a great olayfield for a great game play ! I love this pinball

aladinice currently owns this game.

9.900/10

11 years ago

MWS

Methos

Pinside member

Lodi, WI

12y 103K 7,275 21 10 1

Everything about this game is top notch. The hardest game I have played - it is just brutal. I love the theme so that makes it more appealing to me. While people complain about the artwork - all of the playfield art is taken from the 30's pulp art - not the movie. Did I say it was a brutal game to play?

Forget the movie. It is based on one of the first and best Pulp Characters of all time. The music is great - the lighting and mood.

And game play.

The music/sounds/animations are great and the sanctum ball lock is so cool. This is my desert island pin. I can only imagine how much it cost B/W to make this pin.

Update: I still love it. Best B/W for me of all time.

Methos edited previous rating on August 13, 2021.

8.940/10

11 years ago

JPB

pinbwzrd

Pinside member

Murrieta, CA

12y 50,800 222 180 43

Very fun and VERY challenging! Great toys too.

pinbwzrd currently owns this game.

9.588/10

11 years ago

NEO

CaptainNeo

Playfield restorations

Burlington, WI

11y 148K 22,442 37 77 1

liked the movie, love the game. So much going on. Very difficult game. Definitely a players game.

CaptainNeo has owned this game in the past.

8.849/10

11 years ago

AL

Deadlander

Pinside member

Deland, FL

11y 66,050 455 32 14

Game is an ass kicker and makes you a better player. Mode start shot is difficult to master but must be done in order to get to final battle. Great pin second time I have bought probably wont sell again.

Deadlander has owned this game in the past.

8.139/10

11 years ago

DAD

examiner

Inactive member

IL

13y 35,900 815 8

Awesome machine, great layout and the ramp divertors keep you on your toes. OK, I agree - the theme really sucks. But get an alt translight and you'll never see baldwin again.

Awesome Eddy design, the steep metal ramps are a blast, great use of magnet in the Sanctum.

Probably not for the casual player, as it is considered a "hard" machine to play. A different theme and it would be in the Top 10. Great game.

examiner has owned this game in the past.

8.758/10

11 years ago

JTJ

LesManley

Pinside member

Woodbury, MN

12y 127K 5,825 9 46

Way underrated. Too many people let the theme and backglass keep them away from this one. Great, different, fast playing game.

LesManley has owned this game in the past.

9.320/10

11 years ago

JVE

Jappie

Pinside member

11y 106K 1,071 56

One of the best playing games out there. But one of the most challenging to keep running as it should. The Shadow can only be enjoyed when it's playing perfectly. And sadly, only the ones in collectors hands do so.

But when it does play perfectly, oh boy. What a great game this is. This table has it all:
- great layout
- tough gameplay
- great rules
- atmospheric sound and music
- a nice art-deco art package
- great theme...

Wait... did he just say 'great theme'? Yup, I did! If you actually watch the movie, you'll find that it's a very entertaining and campy watch. You'll hear farmiliar sounds. You'll see scenes that you know from the game. You'll understand the game better. But, most importantly, you'll recognize what a *great* job the design team did capturing this theme into a pinball machine. Really outstanding.

And for all the Baldwin haters: Grow up, man. Even if this guy represents a different political view than yours, so what? Half of the people in your country does. Get over it. There is no right or wrong. Plus: You rarely hear people whining about mr. Schwarzenegger. And he is even uglier. :)

4 Pinsiders starred this!

7.996/10

11 years ago

SBC

castlesteve

CCA

Lexington, KY

11y 40,650 953 15 13

I built one from ground up to make it about as perfect as I could without spending more than it is worth. This game is hard. hard hard hard. I really love the various ramps and upper playfield. The magnet lock is also very cool.

This machine (well not mine anymore) suffers poorly from mechanical slop. Often these dont get properly repaired and will severely affect game play if not maintained well. However, once properly repaired plays very fast and hard. I'm not totally in love with the theme and I tried. I can easily overlook the backglass as that doesnt bother me. Again, I wanted to be in love with this machine, but just wasn't. However I believe I am rating it fairly as it is a fantastic pin.

I'm not a huge fan of gold habit-trails and I think this machine has way too much orange lighting.

castlesteve has owned this game in the past.

8.776/10

11 years ago

FAV

bemmett

Pinside+ Addict

12y 127K 3,970 126 2

Really cool game overall. I have been on the fence multiple times about owing one and hope I do get to one day. To me the mini playfield/battlefield isn't as cool as a lot of people think it to be. I do like the challenge of the ramp diverts, once you get the hang of it, cool unique feature. Ball lock on this is very cool. Great challenging game.

bemmett edited previous rating on June 22, 2020.

7.748/10

11 years ago

RND

RawleyD

Pinside member

Roanoke, VA

14y 67,650 3,243 36

A lot of people love this pin. I can see the attraction, but I don't get drawn into it like other games. can feel quite 'clunky' at times.
There's a lot going on in this game for it's price (which is steadily rising).
I love the cabinet artwork, and the ramps are fun to strategize with.

7.520/10

11 years ago

WES

wesperron

Pinside member

Boston, MA

13y 53,900 1,360 9 56

Here's another great playing pin that has not the best theme. It has everything you want in a pin. I love the ramp diverters. This is a top quality pin that plays like a top 10 and can usually be bought at a fair price.

9.186/10

11 years ago

DMG

dgpinball

Pinside member

Abbotsford, BC

12y 88,900 1,661 147 72

Shadow is one of my favorite games, but it took me quite awhile to acquire a taste for it, in fact, at first I thought it was lousy!! After having to play it at several league events, it suddenly clicked for me, and I had to get one. Amazing variety of ways to play, but I always find myself shooting for vengeance, one of the best modes there is!! Of course, the ultra cool sanctum lock, and unique battlefield, are also big pluses on this excellent game!!

dgpinball currently owns this game.

8.739/10

11 years ago

BOB

Cobray

Pinside member

Philadelphia, PA

12y 64,650 1,715 8 14

The Shadow surprised me when I first played it, the title and back glass just do nothing for me, but after playing it I became a huge fan and could overlook the art package. Sweet rules, great gameplay, and one of the best mini-playfields in pinball in my opinion. Get one of these while they are still under $2K! It's truly the best value in pinball.

Cobray currently owns this game.

9.680/10

11 years ago

JAG

asrtiv1

Pinside member

Front Royal, VA

12y 36,400 92 1 8

Traded my fish tales for this machine, and i am very happy with the trade one of the best ive played

asrtiv1 has owned this game in the past.

10.000/10

11 years ago

???

kopsi

Inactive member

Vienna

12y 7,000 7

the shadow is the best ever made

greet kops

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.238/10

11 years ago

DW

Fintan_Stack

Inactive member

Uk

12y 48,800 96 1 9

A solid game but one I just cannot get into no matter how hard I try. I think my biggest problem is that I don't really like the Battlefield and this is the main toy and takes up a lot of real estate. The divertors are really cool. Also, it has one of the best ball locks in pinball. It's a challanging game and super-fast to play. It has great flow. I had one for a while but moved it on after a few months. A good game but just not a keeper for me.

Fintan_Stack has owned this game in the past.

8.943/10

11 years ago

LOU

louknees

Pinside member

Browns Mills, NJ

12y 67,400 337 7 75

just got one about a month ago and wanted to put some time in before rating it. Amazing game, super fast and keeps you coming back for more. Game rules easily defined, tight shots, wonderful game flow (no pop bumpers, but you don't miss them). Incredible audio, callouts and music. I'm not crazy about Alec Baldwin's mug on the backglass, and I really think that prevents in from being a top 5 game (also the movie is dreadful, but definitely watch it, it makes the game more enjoyable). Very unforgiving, if you miss a shot, be prepared for your next ball. I haven't made it to the final battle yet, but I can't wait until I do! Can't say enough good things about the machine, if you have a chance to get one or play one, do it!

louknees has owned this game in the past.

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There are 345 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 11 of 14.

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