Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:Although way before my time, I have come to the conclusion that the Bally class of 1981 pinball machines are the best pinball machines dropped by any single manufacturer in any year. Despite the recency bias in the top 100 system, over half are in the top 100. The art on these is pretty much all amazing. Fathom and Centaur in particular have some of the best art packages I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. As hardtops become available, new manufacturers possibly squeeze out some repros (TBD) and new Alltek boards become more common, I hope more people get to experience these great games.
What would you argue as being the best single year of releases for any single manufacturer and brand? (Note, this would count Bally and Williams as separate up until their final closure for the purpose of this discussion).
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You beat me to it. It's the years 80-82. And it also includes Gottlieb - Spirit, Black Hole, Haunted House, Stern - Star Gazer, Seawitch, Iron Maiden, Even Williams - Black Knight, Firepower, Jungle Lord, Pharaoh, Solar Fire.
I hold these 3 years as the golden era - no licenses, solid state with sounds and voice, uncluttered playfield, no distracting DMDs, just pure creativity. AND all four of the great manufacturers still existed, unique in their brands.
Marion, MA
