Time for another EM. Will it be Williams, Bally, or Sonic?

Hey Guys.

Just sold my 1971 Gottlieb 4 Square so it's time for a keeper pin!

Gottlieb is out of the running for now as I am a big fan of Williams with that D.C. Power, have been since I was a kid. Gottlieb had the challenging games but I always felt Williams made the fun games for the family. I also have a Gottlieb but no Bally so I think it's time for one in the line up as I had fun with these machines too as a kid. Prospector was the only Sonic I played back in the day and loved it and it would offer variety as well in my arcade.

I have room for a single player or multiplayer. Right now I'm leaning towards Delta Queen and Triple Strike but never played either, and I would like to hear your thoughts on your choices and why.

A few things I have to consider is playability, availability, and price as I do not want to spend more than $600.00 for any of these titles. They can be non-working, complete, but cosmetically in good condition.

So here are the choices, please pick 2.

Bally:

*Mati Hari
*Delta Queen
*Amigo
*Slap Stick

Williams:

*Triple Action
*Triple Strike
*Wild Card

Sonic:

*Prospector

Choose wisely grasshopper!

Ken

#2 11 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Litvinov

12y 138K 6,352 133 149

I've chosen Mata Hari purely bacause the EM version is quite rare, so would probably be the best purchase if all prices were the same...

#3 11 years ago

WRD

way2wyrd

History Of Pinball

Fort Worth, TX

13y 116K 4,917 21 12

Yeah if you can get an EM Mata Hari thats the keeper

--Jeff

#4 11 years ago

HDC

HELLODEADCITY

Inactive member

15y 72,650 5,822 8

Delta Queen has a very nice back glass - would look into it and see how it plays

#5 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from HELLODEADCITY:
Delta Queen has a very nice back glass - would look into it and see how it plays

I like the Kickout Hole on the top left as it reminds me of Bow & Arrow and that was always a fun shot.

Ken

#6 11 years ago

TMC

extraballingtmc

Pinside+ Frequent

Maple Ridge, BC

12y 131K 4,329 22 107 1

Anything sonic but prospector is the best one

#7 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from way2wyrd:
Yeah if you can get an EM Mata Hari thats the keeper

They have new Playfields at CPR now but not sure if they work for both the EM/SS versions.

Ken

#8 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from pinballslave:
I've chosen Mata Hari purely bacause the EM version is quite rare, so would probably be the best purchase if all prices were the same...

Last 2 I saw on Ebay sold for $1200.00 each and were is good condition which is not a bad price but with new Playfields available it might jack the price up on these units.

Ken

#9 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from extraballingtmc:
Anything sonic but prospector is the best one

Love the whole Gold and Silver bonus gimmick as it made me feel like I had a chance to strike it rich on pinball when I was a kid, but the reality was the Operator was striking it rich off me and a few others!

Ken

#10 11 years ago

TED

the4horse

Pinside member

Coolangatta

11y 56,550 787 6 62

I'd go with Mata Hari - Drop Targets and nice artwork.
Second choice would be Wildcard as I like the layout and western theme.

#11 11 years ago

PAB

pabilo21

Inactive member

Augusta, GA

11y 16,900 56 8

Mata Hari EM (Amigo as a backup) and Prospector.

#12 11 years ago

DAJ

Pafasa

Inactive member

Oakland, NE

12y 58,900 3,955 1

I have only played a SS matahari. Thought it was pretty fun. I bet the EM is even better!

#13 11 years ago

CBM

spfxted

Pinside member

Saddle River, NJ

12y 147K 24,657 4 9

I have owned Prospector. Love L&H. Nice game....get it!

#14 11 years ago

NAM

kwiKimart

Inactive member

San Diego, CA

12y 90,650 10,693 3 71

How about Williams Aztec?

#15 11 years ago

MLV

Pinball-is-great

Pinside member

Lafayette, LA

12y 147K 5,016 3 102

I can still hear the bell(s) & score reels clanking away on Triple Action in my mind whenever I think back to playing pinball in the local laundromat in the mid 70's as a teenager.

#16 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member

OP
Quoted from EM-PINMAN:
Bally:

*Mata Hari

First choice -rare EM, cool- B/g playfield plus the story behind it is Margaretha Zelle (1876-1917) was born in the Netherlands and established herself as a successful exotic dancer, traveling all over Europe under the name Mata Hari. During WWI she consorted with high-ranking officers, both German and French, which ultimately led to her being executed as a spy. <IPDB> Mata Hari died during WWI rendering the inscription an anachronism for this game.

OP
Quoted from EM-PINMAN:
Sonic:

*Prospector

2nd A game with Laurel and Hardy is game that you would not see that era too much now,seems like it would be dated but to those that remember I think can understand + its urethaned playfield is the durability factor! And Williams parts compatable.

#17 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member

I see a Mata Hari S/S version for sale near me.

#18 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from kwiKimart:
How about Williams Aztec?

Love Aztec!

But already have a Space Odyssey so the 2 games would be somewhat similar and for a 7 pin arcade I'm really looking for a machine that is totally different than what I already have.

Ken

#19 11 years ago

RPT

Prmailers

Inactive member

High Bridge, NJ

11y 24,150 1,558 19

Mata Hari is very cool. Played both S/S & EM versions.

Passed on a s/s version a while back, still kicking myself for that...

Whichever way you go, you'll be happy I'm sure!

#20 11 years ago

JRD

sanctumwear

Pinside member

Area 51, NV

11y 81,800 1,379 1

I'd pick the Triple Strike. I think it has the best gameplay out of the group.

#21 11 years ago

BUK

pinballslave

Pinside member

Litvinov

12y 138K 6,352 133 149

Quoted from Pin-it:
I see a Mata Hari S/S version for sale near me.

If only I were closer!

#22 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Looks like it Mati Hari in the lead with a tie for 2nd place between Prospector and Triple Strike.

So far, so fun!

Ken

#23 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member

1977 mata hari pinball game - $800 (northeast) SS model
philadelphia.craigslist.org link

#24 11 years ago

CBM

spfxted

Pinside member

Saddle River, NJ

12y 147K 24,657 4 9

Go with The Boys!

stanolliedance.gif

#25 11 years ago

DMG

dgpinball

Pinside member

Abbotsford, BC

12y 88,900 1,661 147 72

Going to very difficult to find an EM Mata Hari, and almost impossible at $600, so I would go with the Sonic Prospector, excellent game!

#26 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member

Hey,EM-Pinman

I know it is not on the list but you were talking about a Royal Flush not too long ago.
Check this playfield protection out! >>>> ebay.com link: Maresa Flush Pinball A Spanish version of a Gottlieb EM Royal Flush

#27 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from Pin-it:
I know it is not on the list but you were talking about a Royal Flush not too long ago.

Hey Pin-it,

Prototype too, #5........Sweet!

I'll pass as I prefer my pinball language in English, to far, and too much $$ for me.

Ken

#28 11 years ago

WRD

way2wyrd

History Of Pinball

Fort Worth, TX

13y 116K 4,917 21 12

wow thats a nice one!

--Jeff

#29 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member

OP
Quoted from EM-PINMAN:
I'll pass as I prefer my pinball language in English, to far, and too much $$ for me.

I agree ^^
But what an upgrade from the Urethane clear stand point.

#30 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Ken

Quoted from Pin-it:But what an upgrade from the Urethane clear stand point.

Speaking of Urethane.

Man do I want this one! Starting price is right but it's way too far!

ebay.com link: itm

Well I'll just bide my time as EM's have started to spring up locally around here again.

Ken

#31 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member

OP
Quoted from EM-PINMAN:
Man do I want this one! Starting price is right but it's way too far!

My brother was going to buy a Prospector a couple months back,but the funny thing is the husband was selling it was not telling his son he was going to sell it ,the wife was against it being sold thinking she was outta the loop too, so my brother after going to the house and getting it a lower price than what they were asking felt like a bad situation was starting to brew.
Wife and the son would be pissed and sad !!!, so after he talked to the owners he said it felt like they were going to keep it after all,but instead relisted it a week later again.
I see a divorce in the future if stuff like that is going on ^^^

#32 11 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

Quoted from Pin-it:
relisted it a week later again.

He should have snapped it up at that point as someone was going to end up buying it anyway.

Ken

#33 11 years ago

Pin-it

Inactive member