Pinside rating
This game has received 35 approved Pinsider ratings. 15 more approved ratings are needed to get a rating and for it to be eligible for the Pinside Pinball Top 100 ranking.
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 1 of us has rated this game.
Found 21 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 21 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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7.356/10
1 year ago
Norton, OH
Nostalgia compelled me to buy this game. I spent countless hours as a teen in my uncle's basement playing this prized gem he owned (and still does).
I tried to get him to part with it, but I think he has just as much sentimental value in the machine as I do.
The thing is, I want to enjoy it like I did 35 years ago, but I'm really struggling to do so. I have a few kinks to work out in the machine I got, so this review could be updated, but I may as well say what I'm thinking:
There's just not a lot to do, and the outlanes are absurdly brutal on this game. It takes away all the fun when you don't even have a chance to depress the flipper button before your ball is draining down one of the sides.
Those sounds, though....this game just does it for me in that department.
They could have done so much more to capitalize on what is an awesome theme, but instead, Bally just wanted a machine that ate quarters. Sometimes I score in the millions on this game, and other times, I struggle to break 100k. It's actually just a little too random to be any lasting fun.
Sometimes our memories are fonder than reality, so it's on to other games for me. However, this one will stay in the collection, because of that nostalgia.
I tried to get him to part with it, but I think he has just as much sentimental value in the machine as I do.
The thing is, I want to enjoy it like I did 35 years ago, but I'm really struggling to do so. I have a few kinks to work out in the machine I got, so this review could be updated, but I may as well say what I'm thinking:
There's just not a lot to do, and the outlanes are absurdly brutal on this game. It takes away all the fun when you don't even have a chance to depress the flipper button before your ball is draining down one of the sides.
Those sounds, though....this game just does it for me in that department.
They could have done so much more to capitalize on what is an awesome theme, but instead, Bally just wanted a machine that ate quarters. Sometimes I score in the millions on this game, and other times, I struggle to break 100k. It's actually just a little too random to be any lasting fun.
Sometimes our memories are fonder than reality, so it's on to other games for me. However, this one will stay in the collection, because of that nostalgia.
6.093/10
2 years ago
one of the better older games i've played.
Spinning disc back that? Cool!
The ball launch ramp is very unique and the skill shot on it is cool. How the ball shoots down into the playfield is cool. the extra "mushroom bumpers" are cool. Locking the ball is fun as well.
Pretty cool game really.
Spinning disc back that? Cool!
The ball launch ramp is very unique and the skill shot on it is cool. How the ball shoots down into the playfield is cool. the extra "mushroom bumpers" are cool. Locking the ball is fun as well.
Pretty cool game really.
7.793/10
2 years ago
Layout and features area already proven. This game, to me, doesn't live up to the perfection that the EM version was. Maybe knowing the history of this being a last-ditch effort for Bally to rescue a sinking ship by reliving the successes of the past informs my feelings on it - but it feels uninspired.
Still, it is Fireball and it's still FUN. Sounds are repetitive but still quirky and unique. The removal of the zipper flippers doesn't change the game play too much, while the long flippers probably enhance the game in some eyes.
I jumped at the chance to own one when a friend asked if I wanted to buy it. But, I will eventually sell it when space demands it as I have the original and still champion of all EM's. (IMO).
Still, it is Fireball and it's still FUN. Sounds are repetitive but still quirky and unique. The removal of the zipper flippers doesn't change the game play too much, while the long flippers probably enhance the game in some eyes.
I jumped at the chance to own one when a friend asked if I wanted to buy it. But, I will eventually sell it when space demands it as I have the original and still champion of all EM's. (IMO).
8.497/10
4 years ago
What a fun game! It's actually relatively packed with features: Upper level skill shot, 3 pop bumpers, 2 slings, 3 mushroom targets, a captive ball, a left lane kicker, rollover buttons, two ball locks and a spinning disc that puts wicked amounts of spin on the ball. The result: short ball times, fast action and lots of fun.
Controlling the ball becomes a challenge given the english put on the ball by the spinning disc and the challenge of getting all three balls in play for any given length of time makes for a fun playing experience. Sure, this game has its "warts" (sounds don't include voices, etc), but I think this is a dramatically under-appreciated example of a solid state pin.
Back glass fading is rectified with a reproduction model. Check it out if you ever see one on location!
Controlling the ball becomes a challenge given the english put on the ball by the spinning disc and the challenge of getting all three balls in play for any given length of time makes for a fun playing experience. Sure, this game has its "warts" (sounds don't include voices, etc), but I think this is a dramatically under-appreciated example of a solid state pin.
Back glass fading is rectified with a reproduction model. Check it out if you ever see one on location!
9.095/10
5 years ago
Addictive game, simple rules that are easy to follow, captive ball, tough skill shot, spinning disk means unpredictability every game which keeps it fresh. I like the sounds, good bass on this machine. When I dont feel like slogging through modes and want to just play some straight up pinball and go for high scores this is the go-to game for me. Might run off a really good game scoring several million, then play again and get shut down with only a few hundred thousand points. Its cliche to say, but this game truly is underated. If not for the fact that it is a remake of the EM, I think this table would get a lot more respect.
5.106/10
6 years ago
Well, there's no zipper flippers, but Fireball Classic is still a fun ride. I'd prefer the EM for a collection, but I think I'd rather play FB "Classic" when I just want to shoot around in a casual game.
Worth picking up because it's usually cheap and you're likely to get a decent entertainment-to-dollars return on this middling game.
Worth picking up because it's usually cheap and you're likely to get a decent entertainment-to-dollars return on this middling game.
7.549/10
6 years ago
Redisham
It doesn't have the deepest rule set, and it doesn't have incredibly difficult shots or challenging gameplay particularly, however, for some reason, you can play it for ages and ages and just enjoy the fun. It makes great noises, the pop bumper action if you catch it right is excellent and the spinning middle section just takes the ball of kilter enough to make it fun.
Sure, there are things it could have done better, but there are plenty of things it could have done a whole lot worse also.
Just enjoy.
Sure, there are things it could have done better, but there are plenty of things it could have done a whole lot worse also.
Just enjoy.
8.986/10
7 years ago
WAY better than the original for so many reasons.
It's a glorious bastard child of EM and early SS aspects of game elements.
I love this game!
It's a glorious bastard child of EM and early SS aspects of game elements.
I love this game!
8.002/10
8 years ago
Easy to pick up ruleset and the playfield is marked well. However it packs a huge challenge...tons of risk reward shots out there. I love it, always happy when this is in a classics back for a tourny.
9.273/10
10 years ago
Sana'a
Fireball Classic is a great game that lets you own a solid state version of the rare EM version for thousands of dollars less money.
You can change the settings from the new electronic "vocal" sounds to the internal bell, if you want a more authentic experience.
One of the last Bally games, it is usually pretty reliable compared to the late 70s ones.
Watch for faded backglasses on this game if buying.
You can change the settings from the new electronic "vocal" sounds to the internal bell, if you want a more authentic experience.
One of the last Bally games, it is usually pretty reliable compared to the late 70s ones.
Watch for faded backglasses on this game if buying.
There are 21 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
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