Bally
Theatre of Magic Pinside Rating
This game received 1086 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.441 /10
Theatre of Magic
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.635
Artwork: 8.512
Sounds/Music: 7.824
Other Aspects: 8.481
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.
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Neauphle-le-vieux
Swindon
Mol
Saint Albans Town, VT
9.676/10
2 years ago
Been after one for a while and finally added one to the line up This one was a routed machine (for decades). So lots of work to go but love it already. It’s a classic - the art work the different attractions (magic trunk, Spirit Ring, magna saves). Add a few mods and LED’s, shaker and color DMD - this is going to rock!
Montréal, QC
Borken
9.320/10
3 years ago
In my collection for 20 years and will not leave (unless I get an offer I can't refuse).
ToM sets the standard for smooth, fast shooting, combo shot games. Skill shot isn't terribly difficult, but there are others that take practice, especially the tiger saw captive ball and right orbit (advance clock). Balls come back to the flippers quickly, particularly with the center loop shot.
I think the sound quality, call outs and music are excellent. The theme integration in all aspects is great.
ToM sets the standard for smooth, fast shooting, combo shot games. Skill shot isn't terribly difficult, but there are others that take practice, especially the tiger saw captive ball and right orbit (advance clock). Balls come back to the flippers quickly, particularly with the center loop shot.
I think the sound quality, call outs and music are excellent. The theme integration in all aspects is great.
9.340/10
3 years ago
Theatre of Magic is an all-time pinball classic. The game has unbelievable flow which is only interrupted by some of the best magnet mechs ever built. The trunk mash toy is always fun to hit and balances out the smooth butter-like ramps. The music and art are top-notch. The only knock on this game is it has a limited amount of modes which aren't that difficult to beat. The wizard mode is somewhat lacking too. That said, when you beat the game some of the luster dies. However, take a break from it and you will find yourself coming back for more.
8.475/10
3 years ago
Only the call outs get repetitive on this game, very fast and fun. All the magnets are well done for the theme, watching new players play it for the first time is always fun. What already hasn’t been said about this title. Incredibly fun to play.
8.980/10
3 years ago
Like many people on here, I am a very big fan of the Williams WPC and WPC-S board games. This system really diversified the electrical capabilities of pinball machines for this era and allowed for more of everything. More, more , more. This philosophy worked out fantastic for some games...and not so much for others (Johnny Mneumonic anyone ?).
Theater of magic becomes one of the best of these games. Its ability to allow multiple magnetic interactions in the game were revolutionary . The rule set is actually more vast than many users give it credit for ( 4 primary objectives : Spell Theatre, Multi ball, Midnight Madness, and Illusions ).But what I like about this game is that it plays like a Porsche. Fantastically smooth shots every where on the field with the big clock loop and the two stair loops. Of course the trunk is fun and essential, but hitting the tiger saw captive ball within the time limit is TOUGH ! The sound ROM is so well developed and the call outs are actually , dare I say, surprisingly upbeat and positive in vibe. An absolute masterpiece in the marriage of a theme to a game. Too bad the tiger saw cost too much to put in at production. Just like the planet ring in DM...sometimes Williams abandoned what they thought would eat up their bottom line.
Conclusion : there has never been a purely objective pinball purist who put this game in their collection and come away underwhelmed. It stacks up against all the other amazing WPC games ( FH, TZ, AFV, & MM which are the others at the top of the class). Is it easier to multi ball than MM or WWH2O.....yes.
BUT... the grand finale is very hard to complete and ranks up there with some of the best modes to complete in pinball. Probably the last elite game that has a descent cost / fun ratio ( I put Spiderman at #1 for that BTW). I have owned this game twice...the only game I have ever sold and repurchased. The only one! :)
Theater of magic becomes one of the best of these games. Its ability to allow multiple magnetic interactions in the game were revolutionary . The rule set is actually more vast than many users give it credit for ( 4 primary objectives : Spell Theatre, Multi ball, Midnight Madness, and Illusions ).But what I like about this game is that it plays like a Porsche. Fantastically smooth shots every where on the field with the big clock loop and the two stair loops. Of course the trunk is fun and essential, but hitting the tiger saw captive ball within the time limit is TOUGH ! The sound ROM is so well developed and the call outs are actually , dare I say, surprisingly upbeat and positive in vibe. An absolute masterpiece in the marriage of a theme to a game. Too bad the tiger saw cost too much to put in at production. Just like the planet ring in DM...sometimes Williams abandoned what they thought would eat up their bottom line.
Conclusion : there has never been a purely objective pinball purist who put this game in their collection and come away underwhelmed. It stacks up against all the other amazing WPC games ( FH, TZ, AFV, & MM which are the others at the top of the class). Is it easier to multi ball than MM or WWH2O.....yes.
BUT... the grand finale is very hard to complete and ranks up there with some of the best modes to complete in pinball. Probably the last elite game that has a descent cost / fun ratio ( I put Spiderman at #1 for that BTW). I have owned this game twice...the only game I have ever sold and repurchased. The only one! :)
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