Fathom is very well thought of. They usually command quite a bit more money then skateball.

Yeah if they are the same price its fathom all day long. Skateball susally brings around $1200. Fathom is much harder to find and are getting near $3000.

Would love to have either. . .seen or played neither.

Both great looking machines.Might prefer Fathom.

Skateball got multiball?

Fathom is the BEST EE package... super nice shots (also kind of combo... left flipper right inline drop target, right upper flipper top inline drop ), cool extra ball feature, 2 or 3 multiball with double/triple playfield, important spinner, remote controlled drops, ...
AND super artwork, cool voice and sounds...

Formerly my favorite was Centaur - but Fathom has the better all around package!

If Skateball is 6 out of 10, Fathom would be 12

If you have not seen it yet...

http://vimeo.com/26483679

compared to...

http://vimeo.com/36512823

@chalkup8 - skateball does not have multiball

Get them both, problem solved!

Agreed...I haven't had the chance to play either(want to). They both look like fun games....Fathom does command a much higher price. Bowen sure does make playing pinball look easy

I have a Fathom and would like a skateball. Fathom is all around fantastic. I would get the fathom and not look back.

Mmmmmm....Fathom......so pretty.

Loooove Fathom!!! It's by far my favorite classic SS.

The two banks of in-line targets protecting the capture saucers are awesome....especially the horizontal one ABOVE the rollovers. Only game I can think of with that feature.

I don't find it to be constant multi-ball, as once you lock a ball in a saucer, all of the inline drops come up to protect it. Turns into a real sharp-shooters game to knock down all those inline drops to release the balls.

Plus, I love the call-outs.....

"Ahhhh, yes!"

Later,
EV

Well then you definitely need to get both then.

So Skateball is a great game, think Flash on steroids where Skateball's layout borrows heavily from. Building the bonus is fun and challenging.

Fathom takes a similar approach in overall layout but adds the inline drops protecting each captured ball, a 2x (2-Ball) multiball, a 3x (3-ball) multiball, a timed extra ball, 2 bonus ladders, remote drops and an amazing visual package.

Both games are great!!

No brainer then. Anything with inline drop targets gets an look from me Fathom is one that can be a showpiece as well from an artwork perspective.

Buy them both. You won't be disappointed.

I own both games for about 10 years and I can say over time Skateball has had more staying power long term. Both of my examples are mint; but I can honestly say Fathom can get alittle old and especially the speech; poor rules; inline targets and multi-ball. The Fathom is alittle over done. I actually sold a Fathom at one time and then got another one back.

The key is on both games is to replace the linear flippers with the older mechs and enjoy the hell out of both. I plan to put my Fathom on legs here over the weekend. I just pulled my Skateball down after about 1.5 years on legs which is a long time for a 45 game collection with 18 on legs at any one time. Fathom typically lasts about 3 months and then on its back.

Now the games that have stayed on legs a long time.......Quicksilver, Stargazer (09 rules), Nineball (128k ROM), Paragon, Bow and Arrow. These 5 just don't get old.

Shouldn't have sold my Skateball. Miss that one...

Fathom is prettier.
Skateball is a better player.

I think Fathom is a great game even better than Centaur and I own both. That being said I will own a skateball at some point as well. Id get both if you can.

Underspin! I'm still thankful you decided to sell it

It's actually in the video posted above. Both it and Fathom are in my top 5 - never selling either.

Congrats on the purchase. You couldn't go wrong....two of the best early ss games in my opinion.