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 10 of 24.
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8.260/10
8 years ago
New Baltimore, MI
I really enjoy Theatre of Magic, and it's highly regarded for a reason. It's a table that's simple for pretty much anybody to get into, but there are some tricky shots that need to be made to maximize score in a more efficient way. I feel like this table gets a little buried underneath tables like Medieval Madness or even Cirqus Voltaire, but I think it stands up pretty well. If I were to criticize anything about this table it'd probably be the redundant and at times cheesy sound, but the table plays very well as a whole. It's always nice to play a pinball machine that has a somewhat deep ruleset that is easy to follow, and with a playfield that very clearly shows what shots need to be made next.
7.427/10
8 years ago
Some animation, including the "BOX" was not working, but I got the gist of the game. I have seen before but unable to play working model. I feel that if maintained could be fun for years to come.
7.616/10
8 years ago
When I first approached Theatre of Magic, I thought, "There seems to be an awful lot of empty space on the lower playfield." I thought maybe the designers were cutting corners or going for a minimalist style. But after I played it a few times, I realized what all that space is for: 2 speedy orbits, 2 ramps, the "box," and some other well placed features.
First, any game that does tricks with magnets (especially off the surface of the PF, e.g., on the side of the "box") usually wins some points with me for ingenuity (Dracula, X-Men, etc.). I found the skill shot challenging but fun to try for - I like how the release of the ball determines the prize.
I also liked call-outs ("I'm a great magician" - just me!!!), and the art.
The captive balls (usually another feature I like to see implemented well) are so-so, and the multiball was challenging for me.
I'd recommend this game to anyone, and I'll probably put it on my top 25 want-to-own list.
First, any game that does tricks with magnets (especially off the surface of the PF, e.g., on the side of the "box") usually wins some points with me for ingenuity (Dracula, X-Men, etc.). I found the skill shot challenging but fun to try for - I like how the release of the ball determines the prize.
I also liked call-outs ("I'm a great magician" - just me!!!), and the art.
The captive balls (usually another feature I like to see implemented well) are so-so, and the multiball was challenging for me.
I'd recommend this game to anyone, and I'll probably put it on my top 25 want-to-own list.
Schladen
8.656/10
8 years ago
If she tells me I have the magic one more time...
But seriously, the flow to this game is one of a kind and is enough to make it stick around for now.
EDIT: sold and rebought the same ToM. It will probably leave again, but I will miss it!
EDIT: sold it again. I automatically shoot the left loop on every single other pin I play. I blame ToM.
EDIT: bought it again. What is wrong with me?
But seriously, the flow to this game is one of a kind and is enough to make it stick around for now.
EDIT: sold and rebought the same ToM. It will probably leave again, but I will miss it!
EDIT: sold it again. I automatically shoot the left loop on every single other pin I play. I blame ToM.
EDIT: bought it again. What is wrong with me?
Calgary
Vila Do Conde
9.800/10
8 years ago
Baulkham Hills
Great game with deep ruleset, loaded with things to do. love the magic theme, the game looks awesome with a bunch of colour changing LEDS in the playfield.
One minor gripe might be that the game tells me "you have the magic" so much it sends you a little crazy, but I can live with that.
cabinet art is brilliant.
Playfield art is excellent
Backglass has the usual graphic of a girl with her boobs falling out...
This is a top 10 pin for sure.
One minor gripe might be that the game tells me "you have the magic" so much it sends you a little crazy, but I can live with that.
cabinet art is brilliant.
Playfield art is excellent
Backglass has the usual graphic of a girl with her boobs falling out...
This is a top 10 pin for sure.
7.256/10
8 years ago
This is very solid game, but for a supposed $5,000+ "Top 10" game I believe it's slightly overrated. The theming is excellent and the game is indeed fun - albeit not as deep as some of the other top titles. However, the sound is repetitive - and the ladie's incessant voice reassuring you that you "have the magic" is annoying, as others have mentioned. When compared to a game like TOTAN or MM which both have spectacular sound, this game falls woefully short.
6.891/10
8 years ago
Had this one for a few months on a temporary trade with a friend. Good flow, beautiful art package. But game play is what it's all about, and Theatre lacks in that department...I was pretty bored with it a few dozen plays in but kept trying to find the "magic" so I played a couple hundred more times. It's not there.
9.079/10
9 years ago
J Pop has always made "pretty looking game"
but functional games with a purpose
ToM took pinball to another level adding almost a Poetic spin on pinball bringing art and imagination into a amazing product
I loved the trunk and the use of magnets
when the ball is up in the roll overs and you look through the mirror its an optical illusion and you freak cause you think the ball is leaving the playfield - nice trick
overall the modes are good , very satisfying shots
ToM is worth playing or picking up for your collection
but functional games with a purpose
ToM took pinball to another level adding almost a Poetic spin on pinball bringing art and imagination into a amazing product
I loved the trunk and the use of magnets
when the ball is up in the roll overs and you look through the mirror its an optical illusion and you freak cause you think the ball is leaving the playfield - nice trick
overall the modes are good , very satisfying shots
ToM is worth playing or picking up for your collection
9.384/10
9 years ago
Warsaw
This is one of those quality games you just want to play over and over again. It is my second favourite JPop game (after Tales of the Arabian Nights) and it definitely deserves a place in the Top 100.
Pros:
- effective matching of the game itself (toys, sounds, modes) to the theme
- incredible artwork, really gives off the Theatre of Magic theme
- fantastic lightshow, ramps light up to indicate which one is the skill shot
- easy to learn
- outstanding playability, you can play for hours and hours
- game is full of surprises, just like a genuine magic show
- fabulous toys (particularly the trunk)
- lots of extra balls
Cons:
- annoying multiball
- too many trapdoor shots
- lady's voice can get you on edge sometimes
Pros:
- effective matching of the game itself (toys, sounds, modes) to the theme
- incredible artwork, really gives off the Theatre of Magic theme
- fantastic lightshow, ramps light up to indicate which one is the skill shot
- easy to learn
- outstanding playability, you can play for hours and hours
- game is full of surprises, just like a genuine magic show
- fabulous toys (particularly the trunk)
- lots of extra balls
Cons:
- annoying multiball
- too many trapdoor shots
- lady's voice can get you on edge sometimes
9.164/10
9 years ago
This machine is by far one of the most difficult I have played in terms of getting to the endgame; despite this, there are lots of things to do, and basically every shot requires consistency in order to do them. It's a very fun machine, and pretty much the only letdown for me is that the organ music while you have no modes active can get a tad repetitive. Other than that, it's great, and I'd love to own it someday!
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