Naturally I like the prototype version, because it's my favorite EM! I think the luck/skill factors are pretty well balanced, though Zac may have a point with Hot Tip. I need more time to compare those two.

Anyway, Freedom is from Bally's "awesomest era". Big backglasses, DC power, fast gameplay, and pretty good rules too. The regular production version isn't quite as satisfying to me because the shots are more V-shaped than the figure-eight prototype... but still quite enjoyable.

The random wheel awards are superior to Fan-Tas-Tic because a) you don't have to wait for the roulette wheel to finish, b) they aren't insane-good like "triple bonus" and "advance to max", and c) you get the award you line up yourself... it isn't totally random if you're good.

Fan-Tas-Tic is terrible for tournaments but beginners LOVE IT. I think Freedom is a good tourney game too. Feels great to roll it over twice... something I've only done once, and barely at that.

I like it. Bally was surging strong during this period through their 1981 peak.

Cradle ball, shoot right kickout, get award. Is line-uppable.

And yeah, NO BONUS on Fan-Tas-Tic is mean as hell. Getting three stars is also pretty darn rare. That game is all over the place... but also why it is so goofy and fun with friends.

Well, yeah... it is tricky, but doable! I'm with you on the nudge/score technique at the top. Fun to get just the right bounce before cashing it in.

Hmmmmm. Now you've got me thinking. Disconnect the bonus unit reset coil from the outhole switch (so it doesn't reset when outhole relay engages). Then jump the bonus score on the wheel to... ok... maybe I need to do this.