Bally

Embryon

Pinside Rating

This game received 108 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.563 _/10

7.563

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #182 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 7.602

Artwork: 8.095

Sounds/Music: 6.007

Other Aspects: 7.63

Pinside staff rating

This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 4 of us have rated this game.

6.844

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Found 57 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 57 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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7.434/10

8 years ago

QNT

Quint

Pinside member

Warwick, RI

9y 61,300 232 97

What a weird and wacky game.
Fun to play, lots to shoot at.
The diamond configuration in the middle took some getting used to but not in a bad way.
Playfield and backglass artwork has a great, straight outta Omni magazine feel to it.
Just a touch slower paced than I'm used to. Could have been the machine I played.
Not sure if I'd want to own it but will definitely play it a bunch if I see it out somewhere.

7.869/10

9 years ago

SDC

Archytas

Pinside member

Kettering

10y 76,150 285 1 152

A cool wide body from Bally which has a lot going for it, probably not one I would look at owning but a popular game.

7.682/10

9 years ago

JCH

embryonjohn

Pinside member

Marblehead, MA

11y 110K 5,772 4 7

A glorious widebody with gimmicks and art that makes you appreciate a non-licensed game. As opposed to a theme from a movie you're able to write your own script and taking in the back glass and playfield

embryonjohn has this game on the wishlist.

2 Pinsiders starred this!

5.898/10

9 years ago

YOS

Yoski

Pinside member

Sebring, FL

9y 88,150 456 17 133

An OK game. Many toys and stuff to shot at, interesting outlanes and a somewhat poorly placed "center piece" that blocks shots to the upper play field. The game flow is so-so at best. The artwork is remarkable, nut not necessarily in a good way.
It's worth a game or two but certainly nothing I would put in my permanent collection.

7.516/10

9 years ago

GIL

Imagineerie

Inactive member

10y 44,550 7 190

I'm not much on the games prior to 1985, but this one was more fun that I expected.

Imagineerie edited previous rating on August 09, 2016.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

7.941/10

9 years ago

DAN

BeaverBrewing

Pinside member

Beaver Falls, PA

11y 80,150 289 7 282

Really great layout and ruleset. Odd theme but the playfield has so much going on that you don't notice.

Love the outlanes.,..never a boring drain.

8.947/10

9 years ago

ROB

dalispictures

Pinside member

Cleveland, OH

10y 42,150 78 28 29

Fast wide-body pin. Great artwork. Tough to get multi-ball. Cool with purple and green Led's.

dalispictures currently owns this game.

7.585/10

10 years ago

ROB

RobKnapp

Pinside member

Colorado Springs, CO

13y 110K 3,116 13 183

Classic wide body

7.825/10

10 years ago

RIV

SteveRivet

Pinside member

Ashburn, VA

10y 35,650 29 2 22

I've had two of these in the past. It would be my second favorite of the Bally widebodies, behind Paragon. Great artwork, the 2 ball multiball feature is cool and ahead of it's time. Gameplay is fun, not especially fast or slow, and has a lot of good shots out there, with a ruleset consistent with a lot of the other Bally's of that era. My only lick against it is that it's too easy - much like a Viking I had, when you got the hang of it you could take it to the house more times than not.

SteveRivet has this game on the wishlist.

8.303/10

10 years ago

MOF

mof

Mof Pinball

San Francisco, CA

11y 149K 13,304 25 94

Embryon !

Originality: Excellent. (3 center captives!, 1 center!, 2 side captive balls, putting a stand-alone 1-2-3 lane top LEFT that is nearly isolated from top right/plunger flow)

Art/Lights/Theme: Excellent, even the color choices are great and feel good. Like Centaur, there are a lot of colored inserts here. Very colorful light set.

Sound/Callouts: Same "Best of all time" voice actor from the classic Ballys from 1981. (Fathom/Centaur/Fireball II)

Inlanes: Very good, they have more flow than a Centaur, but they are not super-fast like Williams inlanes. I like the asymmetry.

Flow: Excellent. There are no real "dead ball" spots on this game other than when the pops hold up the ball a little bit, and a few spots the ball can come to rest next to the pops for a moment (rare). Only one ball lock, and it's such a hard shot that it almost never happens. When it does, it's a VERY short stop.

Toys: Very good. 3rd flipper, center captive ball, bizarre flipper in the outlane!

Ball Control/Hazards: Good risk reward balance. I would say on the whole the risk is low on this table, but the speed is high. I find since it's a wide-body, that nudging is a bit tougher than what I'm used to, but it could be that I'm playing in the garage on a plastic floor. The far left pop is mean.

Balanced Scoring: Seems very good -- no system 11 jackpot nonsense.

Fun/Lastability: Very hard to start multi-ball brings you back over and over.

Symmetry: Zero symmetry. Really well done.

Pops: Very Good: they score, and one of the four can send the ball SDTM.

Cons: No skill shot (bummer), no lane change (I can live with that though)

mof edited previous rating on September 06, 2016.
mof currently owns this game.

8.371/10

10 years ago

???

Heretic_9

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 47,550 832 9

I have to really disagree with Caucasian2Step on some key particulars here -- notably on the variety of shots this table has, and the ways to rack up enough points to win. I'm hardly a pin wizard -- more of a journeyman player of long standing -- but I do manage to hit the center captive ball shot most of the time, without paying the obvious price. Ditto for the near side standups, though the bottom left one is quite hard to get. So is the multiball, which I grant you is underwhelming in value, once you do get it. (I almost always wind up draining the 2nd. ball **immediately** anyway, so it's really not worth much !) But there are certainly enough different things to shoot for, in different sections of the playfield. Although I've read over the rather limited rules a few times, I'd like to gain a better sense of deliberately racking up extra balls and specials, instead of just kind of stumbling across them, by keeping the ball in play for a good while.
(The Replay knocker sound on this pin is just great !) The FlipSave feature is unique.

Let me back this up a bit. Of these famed Bally sibling tables from around the same period, I only finally got to play a Centaur for the first time less than a year ago, Embryon just a few months ago, and, despite 9,000 of them being made, only saw and played a Paragon for the first time at INDISC, a couple weeks ago. Centaur was an immediate "WOW !" discovery, and I now drive over 30 minutes each way to play one on route, with some regularity. Despite some of the best artwork EVER on a pin, the jury is still out for me on Paragon: can't get comfortable with that odd layout and 3-flippers-at-the-bottom arrangement. But I'm willing to play it a lot more, before reaching any final conclusions. Embryon was very unlike either of these, or much of anything else. I played one at a local tourney, and was just floored by how much it had going on, albeit in a widebody. Boredom creeps in pretty easily for me in a pin, and I knew right away that this one had the elements that would make it a long term keeper. When one in excellent condition unexpectedly became available, I did not hesitate. I'm playing it most every day, and enjoying it a lot.

The so-called "slower" classic tables (?) -- well, that's a relative thing, and a matter of personal taste. For me, modern tables like Tron are just way too fast, with very short and unrewarding game times. I really like a table that encourages more deliberate shotmaking and ball flow. After a long period of favoring modern tables with all the gizmos and gimmicks, I find I'm really getting tired of their repetitive sound bites, and that many classic, non-talking or minimally talking game designs have more staying power. Yeah, I guess I'm finally going retro.

7.544/10

10 years ago

BRI

LEE400

Inactive member

10y 40,650 186 4 25

A friend of mine has this in his collection and it has some nice shots and is very fun to play. Challenging but not frustrating. I would like to get this game some day.

7.274/10

10 years ago

DAV

schwarz

Pinside member

12y 103K 2,168 19

I'm always a fan of widebodys so this rating may be askew. Lots to shoot for. Dangerous vagina shot keeps it exciting; hard if not impossible to get multiball without it. Quickly ramp up to 5x to go for the highscore means shooting the for the spinner alot. The captive balls are fun; 4 in total. Gorgeous game.

schwarz edited previous rating on October 27, 2019.
schwarz has owned this game in the past.

6.254/10

10 years ago

SAP

seshpilot

Pinside member

11y 112K 2,530 169 3

The good:
I enjoyed this game. I didn't love it, but enjoyed it. The huge widebody is pretty cool I must say. I enjoyed having the extra space. I particularly loved the upper right part of the PF with the flipper up there to knock down the 3-bank target (and the ball lock). I also really liked the gap on the lower left of the PF next to the flippers that will drain your ball if you don't knock the game around a bit.

The not-so-good:
I guess I just thought the theme was ultra lame (and I'm a sci-fi fan). An obvious Alien ripoff with some plain ole ridiculous sexual overtones (ummm, there's a huge vagina in the middle of the PF). Maybe some pinheads dig that, but I found it lame.

The takeaway:
It's in the right spot (currently at #98). There are dozens upon dozens of better games, but it's got it's place. I will definitely play this one more when I see it again.

4.028/10

10 years ago

JRM

Mato

Pinside member

Perth

11y 75,800 2,717 11 105

Wanted to like this, it could of delivered but was a let down.

8.012/10

10 years ago

JMS

swampfire

Pinside+ Addict

12y 168K 13,602 48

I've had several offers to buy mine. I've sold Centaur and Black Hole, but I think Embryon is a keeper. It's not just a beautiful game, it's also pretty fun to play. Getting multiball started isn't easy. I kind of wish there was double scoring during multiball, but basically you just get the satisfaction of starting it. I definitely recommend Oliver's ROM, which adds a little light show.

8.648/10

11 years ago

JLM

jlm33

Pinside member

Villejuif

11y 152K 5,892 7 169

I was fortunate enough to play a beautiful restored Embryo with strong flippers.
Slow ? No way ! I swear you can adjust this. I like PF and cabinet artworl. Not so found of the backglass.
So many ways to collect an extra ball! Indeed the captive ball is a dangerous shot but there are so many different things to do !

jlm33 edited previous rating on November 01, 2013.
jlm33 has owned this game in the past.

8.291/10

11 years ago

MCD

dasvis

Pinside member

Salem, OR

12y 101K 4,796 11 16

My first pin & it's keeper... bought non-working for $300 - studied Clay's guide, replaced bridge rectifier & it came alive!
2/15/14 - Still have the pin, still love it. Great gameplay. Never gets old, a classic.
11/18/16 - Still love it, it's never leaving....

dasvis edited previous rating on November 18, 2016.
dasvis currently owns this game.

6.406/10

11 years ago

ZUL

Caucasian2Step

Evil McBooty

12y 163K 1,455 51 1011

Embryon is a Bally game from the classic Bally era of the early 80's.

The Pros:
A unique layout and a visual style that is all its own. As the owner of Pins and Needles pointed out, this game features the biggest vagina featured in all of pinball art in the middle of the PF. Hooray for Vuh-Jay-Jay! Interesting shots all over the PF and a feeling of 3 PF's in one inside of this layout. The upper flipper to the drops/ top lanes is a great playing section of this table.

The Cons:
I don't care for the gameplay. Multiball is abstract and... well... kinda worthless. The captive ball shot and the standups on either side of the Gyna-chamber are all sucker shots. There may be a lesson in that observation. Even playing an awesomely tuned/ rubbered/ waxed version of the deck left me with a deep feeling of "meh". Artwork is uninspiring all around. The new roms SHOULD help this game, but don't add any excitement to this lackluster layout.

The Takeaway:
If you love it... great. I'm not convinced that this game is all that interesting to play. I'll give it some more time, but so many other games are calling my name. The first real sign to me that Claude was falling off. There is a good reason this game had low production numbers... It's BORING! Play Paragon instead and you'll be glad you passed on this pinball game.

Update:
This game is about 2 shots. The saucer on the upper right and the spinner on the upper left. If someone who knows this game, knows a better strategy than that... great! The upper flipper shot has value too (after it is fed to the saucer). But what a waste of PF, drops, captive balls and well a big o'l b'donk-a-donk of a pinball game. After designing Blackout, Skateball and Flash Gordon, this is the beginning of the end for Claude Fernandez... He didn't have the Williams brain trust to lift from at this point. Just jokers like Patla, Kmiec, Clark and Pemberton. He must have gotten to Bally there too late to glean pin-wisdom from Master Zale.

If you like this game, good for you! I think it's filled with poot.

Update #2:
Alright, what can I say... I have been able to play this game in a number of private collections recently and when this game is maintained properly, it's not as bad as I originally thought. Fresh rubber kits are an absolute must with this deck. The more I play this game, the more I like it, and as Martha says, that's a good thing. For me, the game feels like it's a narrow body game split down the middle and burdened with a big dead spot in the middle of it. The flipper and outlane laouts are interesting and varied and makes you nudge a bit more than you think you would have to. The long shots to the top require accuracy and solid shots. Take out the pin-gina death shot battleship on this layout and with a bit of creativity, it would have been a much better player. The flip save is unusual for an American game. Not so unusual in Italian decks (Zaccaria in particular). A nice game in a larger collection. Scores updated and increased accordingly.

Caucasian2Step edited previous rating on October 27, 2014.

3 Pinsiders flagged this.

4.912/10

11 years ago

YNO

toddwino

Inactive member

Millside Heights, NJ

15y 20,150 34 8 14

I expected more from a widebody.

8.855/10

11 years ago

TKL

Tighe

Inactive member

Richmondville, NY

11y 31,400 137 4 10

Maybe a little too wide of a game.

Tighe has this game on the wishlist.

8.836/10

11 years ago

PMM

albummydavis

Pinside member

11y 57,800 667 12 10

Never played this until last year. Needless to say, it's my next targeted game. Love the trapped balls, the drop targets blocking them, the upper flipper, the flip-save. Great, fast wide-body. I'm just going to assume that anyone that claims it's a slow machine, has had the misfortune of playing one that isn't in great shape. Nice multi-ball. Love the great crossover of classic 1930s-1960s sci-fi features with those of the 1980's. Great sound for the time, as well.

albummydavis currently owns this game.

9.578/10

11 years ago

GCB

Pinwiz1985

Pinside member

Watertown, CT

11y 41,900 376 2 6

This is a rare widebody, I don't see too many around, or knows anyone who have played the game. This game is hard to find but a keeper. I guess its appreciation is only for those who really like the theme and widebody play. Marketing wise it was a failure mainly due to it trying to capitalize on the theme from the "Alien's" movies. Thus the backglass basically showed a naked "embryo," parents got offended too. Despite this, the game has developed admiration of pin fans.

The reason why some say this widebody plays "slower" is because of its linear flippers, they simply did not have as much strength as other designs did, and they wear out quickly. So that coupled with a bigger field for the ball to move gives it a slower pace. If you get the multiball going it's pretty quick! On that note, raise the back legs a bit and rebuild the flippers or change them out to a more reliable design!

Speaking from an artwork point of view, this pin is insanely detailed! If you were to look up close and stand pack to see the whole picture, there is a lot going on. Again if the theme is a turnoff for you then I guess you really don't enjoy the game much

Sounds and Lights are unique, for its time it had one of the most advanced sound boards, and the attract mode had a good display of color; the center captive ball area is lit up with very bright lights when you hit it. The background droning music isn't annoying, and the sounds themselves are unique "futuristic sounding."

Overall the game is addicting, I set mine to 3 balls as there is ample opportunities to get extra balls. My parents owned this game when I was 11 years old. After they sold it I wanted to have it again for myself. This has become reality after 12 years of searching and being at the right time to purchase one!

Pinwiz1985 currently owns this game.

6.642/10

11 years ago

SDG

BloodyCactus

Pinside member

Lexington, VA

12y 40,150 534 2 8

I loved this widebody pin. It plays a little slow for my liking but I found it a challenge. Loved the swapped in/out lanes, the right side outlane flipper.. Played a tonne of games on this and only achieved multiball a couple of times.

Game really needs to play a bit faster than it does and being a widebody does not help in in that aspect.

7.131/10

12 years ago

FUD

MutterFudder

Pinside member

Goffstown, NH

12y 61,050 312 30 23

Embryon is a weird game with a fun, fluid layout. The outlane design is interestingly different than a lot of games, and the plunge into a drop target shootout is a neat idea. The droning background music and weird "EMBRYON" callout always get me. Fun.

MutterFudder has this game on the wishlist.

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