Besides looks, which game is better play wise and rule set?
I've owned both for twenty years, and if you take away looks and multiball, I find the addictive gameplay of EBD much better than Fathom. That said, in my opinion any Bally from 1981 is a winner!
As said above. Looks= Fathom Gameplay= EBD. EBD never gets old. It's a long term keeper and still cheaper than a Fathom. In my opinion EBD is one of the ten best pins ever made!
Tough choice! I own and enjoy both a lot.
Each has cool and unique aspects as well as really fun and challenging gameplay, but if I had to absolutely pick one it would currently be Eight Ball Deluxe by a slight edge. The deciding factor would come down to the overall vibe the game exudes and EBD's theme and "shot and a beer" bar ambience just click slightly more for me personally.
I own both but have owned EBD a couple of years & Fathom less than a year now. I’m starting to think EBD cause it’s just a perfect game. True Fathom is beautiful and has a spinner & multiball which won me over initially. Over time though I give the slight edge to EBD it’s just pure pinball. If EBD was as rare as Fathom I’m sure it would be just as sought after if not more than Fathom. Both great though can’t go wrong
There may not be a single ball game of this era better than EBD, there are plenty of multiball games that can compete with Fathon and several Ballys I think better. Up to you and what you like.
Quoted from KJL:There may not be a single ball game of this era better than EBD
EBD left, had a Fathom on loan for a while that I loved but don't actually miss, Flash Gordon is the only early Bally I've held onto. That's my vote for best single ball game of that era.
EBD is not even in the running as far as I'm concerned, never saw the appeal. Fathom by a mile.
John
Over the years I've owned 3 of each title but Fathom is still here. Even though I found Ebd to be the best 'gotta have one more game' pin I still love Fathom more. The Fathom art blows Ebd away and there are 2 sets of inline drops with 2 more balls. I love the capture and release feature of the 2 or 3 muliball game. I know this thread is an either or but Centaur for me is more fun as well with the constant orbs being added and art that rivals or surpasses Fathom. All that being said if I find another EBD in the future I might just have to come to my senses and snatch her up for good this time. It's just that there are only so many spots in the lineup and classic Sterns have invaded the game room lately.
EBD get's my vote. Fathom is a great game, but EBD is just the perfect pin. Sold it once, regretted the hell out of it. Have another one now. and it's bolted to the floor. . .
Both great games but Fathom for me. I need multiball especially where I have to lock them and then work to release them both into play. And then re-locking them during multball is one of the most fun achievements ever. Just locking the ball to watch the drop targets pop up and set is a treat.
You can't go wrong with either game though.
Quoted from Mr68:And then re-locking them during multball is one of the most fun achievements ever.
Why would you want to relock the balls during multi-ball?
While always a main objective, Fathom multi-balls would be more fun for me if they lasted longer than 2 secs on average.
Ebd is the best playing game ever for me. Number one of all my pins, and by far the game i played most in my life.
It never gets old.
That said, kids don't like it at all.
I had the chance to play both of these numerous times at the recent Arcade Expo. Despite the crowds on Saturday it was not problem getting time on these classics as most everyone was concentrated on the new machines. I have followed both of these since I got into pinball and like them both a lot. I pondered this exact question a lot as I went back and forth between them, playing multiple games and getting familiar with the gameplay. In general I agree with what most say: EBD is probably a bit better for gameplay, but Fathom is just so darn cool-looking. If I had an EBD I would be tempted to swap the backglass for a Bally Eight Ball, now that would spice it up.
The bottom line is that either would be great. I don't think either is particularly easy to get, but a Fathom is darn near impossible to get right now. The recent nice examples that showed up here got sold within minutes. So for me, if I managed to get a chance at a good Fathom, I would jump on that first, just to get it while its possible. Otherwise, getting an EBD would be great also. Eventually would like both
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