Quoted from ForceFlow:

When it comes to some of those older titles that fetch big money, personally I think it's mostly collectible factor driving the price on those, rather than the gameplay factor. So don't get fooled by thinking more $$$ = more fun with those titles.
Yes, some of those titles play well, but for instance, compare Fathom in the $4k+ range against The Shadow in the $3500+ range. The Shadow is mainly driven by gameplay value, rather than collector's pricing. TS is not too difficult to find, but a lot of people enjoy playing it. And then compare that against Congo ($5k+) where the gameplay isn't quite as good, but they're much more difficult to find, and a bit more collectible.
So, would I like to own a fathom? Sure! Do I want to pay $4k+ for one? Oh heck no. I have more fun with other games around a similar price point, that to me, offer more bang per buck and have a higher replay value.

Quoted from ForceFlow:

These just appeared at the bottom of the page...yikes [quoted image]

Quoted from Mad_Dog_Coin_Op:

Going by your Pinside avatar I would say Bally Star Trek is the game you need to complete your line up.

Quoted from freddy:

Check vids flipper rebuild guide !

Quoted from Cheeks:

Wrong thread, but since this thread has a bunch of SS Bally enthusiasts in it...
Is it possible to upgrade the flippers on all these old Ballys? I have a whole row of them, and I love them, but all the flippers are so mushy. Supposedly changing the linkages was supposed to help, but I swapped them out and the flippers don't feel any different. I actually think my Paragon feels better than all the others. Are the flippers in that game supposed to be different and can they be ported to all the '81 Ballys? I'm just looking for a way to make the Bally flippers feel snappy.
To answer the thread, I think Fathom is worth it. Paragon is my fav, but Fathom is really cool and fun. Centaur may be the one I feel is overrated.
SO. MUCH. MULTIBALL.

Quoted from nplg:

Nice lineup. If that was my lineup I would consider a Skateball or Meteor.

Quoted from bluespin:

I’d recommend:
Nine Ball
Stars
Meteor
Paragon
Skateball
Viking
Xenon

Quoted from CrazyLevi:

VIking is another one of those shoot up the middle for the hole all the time games like Mata Hari.
If you like Mata Hari, you'll like it. If Mata Hari bores you, you probably won't.

Quoted from sunnRAT:

Viking rocks. Mine is never leaving.
Have you played Barracora? If you like drop targets, check it out.

Quoted from SilverBallKid:

I think when it comes to questions like yours, rcbrown, the answers are usually fun and interesting to read. This is no exception. Count me amongst those who rarely tire of these aesthetic debates on Pinside.
Full disclosure – I just turned 54 last week. So, the games you are asking about are games that have extraordinarily strong pull for me. I played them on location in their day. I remember the chatter as they arrived in local arcades, pushing technology and rule sets to places they had not been yet. They still connect me with my youth. I am a sucker for them. For example…
Flight 2000 will never leave my lineup. Why? Because I was there right at the time it came out and there was SUCH A BUZZ surrounding it once it was slotted into the long side wall at Walker’s Pinball Place in Warren, Michigan. Everyone wanted to play it. It held people’s attention even in the face of the growing wave of video games that were stealing quarters away from the cult of the silver ball.
Anyway, Fathom. From my perspective, this is one of the most iconic tables in history. Art package is absolutely gorgeous and really well integrated. To this day, when I see a Fathom in the real world, it makes me smile. To me, that is EXACTLY was a table was all about in that heyday before video games took over. Cool, sexy graphics. Great sounds. Challenging gameplay. Do I understand why others say it is not worth the money usually asked for it? 100% yes, but I also understand why it will likely always hold good value. So many great little tweaks, like the inside out outlane configuration. I got into the hobby six years ago and Fathom has gone up in price by about $1,000 since then. I don’t ever see it sliding back down. It is iconic, fun and timeless. But then, I am kind of getting older and the tables of the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s will always hold that special place for me.
Love ForceFlow’s comments here:

To me this is spot on. It is all about where YOU are with regard to the balance between rule set sophistication and aesthetic quality.
Whatever you decide, good luck. I personally don't think forking over the $$$ for a Fathom would be a mistake of you have it to spend. That being said, I also understand that undercurrent about a dubious rule set and an over-inflated price. I just don't see that price changing anytime soon, unless it goes up even higher. Bravo early SS!

Quoted from IdahoRealtor:

Hard to say whether it's "worth it", but nothing beats a cherry Fathom and Centaur side by side. Considering you're such a huge fan of the era I think if you can afford it you should grab it. If you don't fall in love you can move it along likely for even money.

Quoted from JethroP:

I guess I'm not into pinball the much, because I've never spent over $2000 for a machine. But I do have Fathom, only because I paid less than $2,000 for it. It is totally awesome to look at. The colors are vibrant, and I love those sea nymphs. The game play is great....drops, spinner, multi ball, and speech.
With other pins selling for 10K up to 30K, I suppose I'd answer "yes" Fathom is worth the $$$$ it is currently demanding.

Quoted from CrazyLevi:

You should just suck it up and buy Crispy's at $5500 (or whatever you can negotiate). Dude does excellent work on games and ya get what you pay for.
You know you aren't gonna be happy with some bargain basement bally dude!

Quoted from snyper2099:

The only person who knows if Fathom is worth it is you. I did not really care for Centaur and the instant that I sold it, I started looking for a Fathom.

Quoted from jahbarron:

Ain’t that kinda the point?

Quoted from jahbarron:

Owning solid states. Different tempo of play, more relaxing...

Quoted from TheLaw:

My Catacomb is much faster than my AIQ

Quoted from jahbarron:

“Moderns”, yes.

Quoted from snyper2099:

Oh, and whomever thinks Galaxy is not a fantastic game, you are wrong.

Quoted from jahbarron:

rcbrown316
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-rare-stern-nine-ball-pinball-machine
...AND DONT LOOK BACK

Quoted from Reznnate:

So while everyone is sticking with Stern/Bally in this thread, I'd recommend Firepower (if you don't already have one...)

Quoted from Jjsmooth:

It all boils down to personal preference.
Anything can get old. And will.
I dont keep these to play 10x a night.
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Quoted from Cheeks:

Oh Jesus...you're the guy with the studded Centaur. LOL! Most of my pinball playing involves too much alcohol to be up close and personal to that many sharp objects.

Quoted from CrazyLevi:

This game poses an interesting question:
Is it the only pinball backglass featuring muffin top?

Quoted from CrazyLevi:

Aztec man! At least it's in the same ballpark.
That poor virgin is about 10 seconds away from watching her own heart beat its' last as the life drains from her eyes!!!

Quoted from roar:

Fathom was my first pin, I think I got it around 2002, paid less than a grand for it. Is it worth it? I've owned a bunch 80's bally's, all the ones the op mentioned and Fathom is my favourite by a wide margin because of the combination of art, sound and game play.
Whether it is worth it or not is entirely up to the person spending the money I suppose. My tastes have changed in the almost 20 years I've been collecting pins and I prefer newer games with more to shoot for and deeper rules but I'll always have soft spot for Fathom.
I carried around my original Fathom playfield for years and years hoping to do something with it one day... I ended up selling it and then acquiring another one shortly after to complete a Fathom project I had long since dreamt about... I hope to have it finished in the coming weeks and then I will always have a Fathom at the house, it just plays a little differently than the original
[quoted image]

Quoted from rotordave:

That’s often the narrative for Meteor.
But there’s a heap more to it than that.
Meteor target completions is bonus x - I wail on those.
The 1-2-3 banks light your bonus rockets .. those counting down with a big X is worth big points.
So you got the spinner to wail on, when lit .. then the 3 banks of drops, then the Meteor drops.
Meteor and Ali would be my favourite Sterns I reckon. Both cheap, both great pins.
rd

Quoted from sunnRAT:

Ballys are the best.
All this Fathom talk I'm trying to resist.
Especially since I pulled the trigger on a heavily mentioned game in this thread.

Quoted from sunnRAT:

Not yet. Soon.

Quoted from Mudflaps:

Thanks a lot, assholes. Just bought a Fathom.