Bally
Theatre of Magic Pinside Rating
This game received 1089 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.439 /10
Theatre of Magic
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.633
Artwork: 8.509
Sounds/Music: 7.824
Other Aspects: 8.48
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 578 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 578 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 24.
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8.337/10
19 days ago
Buffalo, MN
It’s a solid game just not a top tier game. I like the flow of this game as the ramps are buttery smooth. There’s also enough to do where you won’t get bored and a clear objective. Shoot for the chest! I still need more time on this game but it is one of the fun games. If I see one I’ll defiantly put a few coins in!
7.543/10
4 months ago
The tricks that this machine pulls off are still kind of mystifying and the trunk shot somehow has a lot of nuance even though nothing changes about it. An absolute classic from its time. My only criticism is that it is takes itself a little too seriously and the theme is a little dour, but exciting and one heck of a theme. An all timer.
Gisborne
7.328/10
7 months ago
London
One of the classics! Beautiful game that has aged rather well. On the down side I think the call-outs becomes very annoying after a while and the gameplay becomes quite repetative after a few games. There are some good and tricky shots sure, but I would not buy this machine for a home environment, its one of those games that I think is best played on location (if you can find it)
Laon
8.260/10
8 months ago
Man...I love this pin. The theme is just cool and for games of that era this one was just a winner. The shots are fun and fast, the magic box mech is super fun and intuitive. The ramps are fun to shoot and progression through the game has solid achievements that will keep you coming back for more. I played this on location and found myself devoting a whole afternoon to this pin. This is one I can see lasting awhile in a home environment that would appeal to novice and medium players for a good long time.
7.788/10
8 months ago
If I was trying to get someone into pinball who had never played before and I could put them on any game, I would start them on Theatre of Magic. It's easy to understand, not too difficult and there are many targets that are immediately satisfying and makeable for a beginner. It's instant fun. Like bash toys? Hit the disappearing trunk. Like ramps? Lots of them.
For seasoned pinheads there's a lot to like too. The bash toy and ramps are always there, but there's enough depth to keep you coming back to see how far you can get.
Having said all of that, there's something missing and I'm not quite sure what it is. I enjoy it whenever I play it, and yet whenever I'm at an arcade with Theatre of Magic in the lineup it's not one of the first games I want to play. It's like having ice cream for dinner: it was delicious and I'm full, but I didn't have a meal. I'm not sure why I feel that way, but for whatever reason it's one of those games that is great, and yet not one of the greatest ever.
For seasoned pinheads there's a lot to like too. The bash toy and ramps are always there, but there's enough depth to keep you coming back to see how far you can get.
Having said all of that, there's something missing and I'm not quite sure what it is. I enjoy it whenever I play it, and yet whenever I'm at an arcade with Theatre of Magic in the lineup it's not one of the first games I want to play. It's like having ice cream for dinner: it was delicious and I'm full, but I didn't have a meal. I'm not sure why I feel that way, but for whatever reason it's one of those games that is great, and yet not one of the greatest ever.
9.260/10
9 months ago
This is one great oldie but greatie!! Fantastic pin with so much fun and longevity in the pin world. Simple game in the rules department which is very nice and refreshing compared to the modern pins which sometimes feel like The Odyssey when playing them! Great music and theme, a bit of a quick pin and drains if you don’t keep up, great toys. It is no mystery why this pin from the 1990’s continue to be a top game. Music and call outs can be repetitious
6.464/10
9 months ago
I tried to like this game, it presents well and the first games seem promising, but the interest quickly wanes, the shots are not of a great variety and the overall rules not exciting, we are satisfied with shoot in the trunk and nothing more. Some good ideas but insufficient overall.
Magnetic ball savers could probably be a good idea if it worked better, the flaw has been partially fixed with totan returning a ball when the ball saver isn't fast enough
Magnetic ball savers could probably be a good idea if it worked better, the flaw has been partially fixed with totan returning a ball when the ball saver isn't fast enough
8.520/10
10 months ago
Winnipeg, MB
I played this game at a show before it started to fill up so I did get to appreciate the sounds. This game is fun but I am not sure about the lastability (likely not a word). The trunk is for me the best feature. If I see it in the wild I will play this game every time.
8.241/10
1 year ago
I've been owning this machine since 2008. It's a high end restoration from Treasure Cove. Being a professional master magician myself this one is close to my heart.
The game as not aged well compared to today's extremely deep rulesets table. Beat that one in less than a week and get a little bored of it afterward. I kept it because I like the layout and the fluidity of the shots, this playfield (especially with LEDs) is gorgeous.
Some illusion/magic is built into the gameplay/playfield. Very well done. The center loop never fail to amaze and challenge the player with it's ridiculous speed, one of the best shot ever !
I've had lots of problems with the subway locking mechanism, always needed some adjustments. I've never raised the playfield of a game this much in my life.
I don't like the "trapped pops" design which have the ball comes out of the pops zone very slowly without any challenge or excitement at all. There is no wizard mode, which is a bummer. I would not recommend owning it if you have less than 5 games in your collection. If you find one in great shape in an arcade, it's worth every cents you'll put in it.
The game as not aged well compared to today's extremely deep rulesets table. Beat that one in less than a week and get a little bored of it afterward. I kept it because I like the layout and the fluidity of the shots, this playfield (especially with LEDs) is gorgeous.
Some illusion/magic is built into the gameplay/playfield. Very well done. The center loop never fail to amaze and challenge the player with it's ridiculous speed, one of the best shot ever !
I've had lots of problems with the subway locking mechanism, always needed some adjustments. I've never raised the playfield of a game this much in my life.
I don't like the "trapped pops" design which have the ball comes out of the pops zone very slowly without any challenge or excitement at all. There is no wizard mode, which is a bummer. I would not recommend owning it if you have less than 5 games in your collection. If you find one in great shape in an arcade, it's worth every cents you'll put in it.
8.532/10
1 year ago
Even in the top 30, this game is still underrated. I could only deduct points in categories where it's starting to show it's age. Such a great game, combined with the perfect amount of 1990's cheesiness. Refreshingly nostalgic, with great flow.
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