Bally

Flash Gordon

Pinside Rating

This game received 216 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.020 _/10

8.02

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #79 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

Score breakdown

Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:

Game Design: 8.071

Artwork: 8.319

Sounds/Music: 6.908

Other Aspects: 8.201

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.

8.037

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Found 113 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 113 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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8.341/10

9 years ago

SDC

Archytas

Pinside member

Kettering

10y 76,150 285 1 152

One of the early Bally's I'd seriously consider owning, I've played 3 or 4 of these now in various conditions and every single TIME this game has kicked my ass which is probably why it has staying power, a very challenging game and had plenty going on to boot. One of my faveroute early Bally's.

7.053/10

9 years ago

???

Jgarg

Inactive member

Medina, OH

11y 10,000 1 19

Hadn't played this in years. Remembered liking it back in the day. Played again at PAPA 18 and thought it really holds up. The shots are tough just like other games of that era. Overall, good game.

9.196/10

9 years ago

PTO

BrokenCoil

Inactive member

9y 18,500 8 3 11

One of if not the best single ball games ever. Inline drops, multipliers, upper playfied. Fantastic!

BrokenCoil has this game on the wishlist.

3.664/10

9 years ago

YOS

Yoski

Pinside member

Sebring, FL

9y 88,150 456 17 133

You have an upper and lower playfield which both are fairly boring. Poor layout, poor game flow, few toys and so-so artwork make this pin a total waste of time.

6.370/10

9 years ago

XOR

Robotron2085

Inactive member

New Vernon, NJ

11y 22,900 3 2 36

The arcade I went to as a kid had a Flash Gordon AND a Buck Rogers, which I thought was funny and neat. Flash Gordon is a cool, very very old school pin. It has its charms and its fun in doses. It would be great as a part of a collection but there's really not all that much to do and there are other titles that are more fun and would be more fun long term as a representative of this era of SS pinball machines. Good machine but not a top 100 game, especially when there are other more deserving titles out there.

6.909/10

9 years ago

GIL

Imagineerie

Inactive member

10y 44,550 7 190

In 1980 this was a very cool pin. By today's standards it is just okay. I really don't think it belongs in the Top 100 and believe that the purists are responsible for this ranking (just like the other older pins on this list). Comparatively speaking, it is somewhat tedious and just okay to play.

Imagineerie edited previous rating on August 09, 2016.

2 Pinsiders flagged this.

9.756/10

9 years ago

MVJ

shimoda

Pinside member

11y 75,150 3,651 8 24

First saw this title at the Atlanta Pin Swap in 2013. Someone had a complete example with a CPR playfield set for sale and someone walked off with a pretty decent deal. Never gave much thought to the game and was giving other Bally titles like Centaur and EBD my attention. Finally got one and loved the play but it was a beat project, also with a CPR playfield. Sold it but unlike most machines that go I wanted this title back. Short story long - finally got one back with a really nice playfield and backglass. Most bulletproofing and tweaking done, it plays brutally and with great satisfaction.

PROs:

Fantastic dual-level playfield provides fantastic opportunities to slam one of two spinners, several shots available from all three flippers, including at least five or six from the upper flipper. Like Centaur, the layout of Flash Gordon offers tons of scoring options without feeling cluttered. Inline drops...two rows of drops and a single...three places to work to max out the Bonus to 5x and it's a bitch getting there. Fantastic sounds and artwork on this game - something that was a highlight of this era.

Cons:

Most are shot if not restored as they were played to hell.

One of my top all-time titles. Perhaps makes me push the credit button more than any other game I've ever owned.

Update: My enjoyment of this table accelerates with every play. I had one of the switches on the lower left drops not working and got it fixed. Couldn't believe what a difference it made for those to properly ramp up the spinners and saucer. Everything about this game oozes awesome. When I think of redoing rules for an early Bally SS, I really can't come up with any ways to improve this game. If only it had the Queen soundtrack. Apparently there is a board that adds sounds to this game for around $300 and I have to say I am tempted. Had one and had to sell, really don't want to ever not have a FG in the collection.

shimoda edited previous rating on April 12, 2015.
shimoda currently owns this game.

6.538/10

9 years ago

SSS

scottydoesntknow

Inactive member

Woodley Reading

11y 34,650 33 4 37

True classic pin awesome back glass and play field artwork fun and tough to play

scottydoesntknow edited previous rating on April 15, 2016.
scottydoesntknow has owned this game in the past.

7.431/10

9 years ago

BDS

PinB

Pinside member

12y 157K 1,602 345

Very cool unique layout that is quite brutal. Launch the ball to the upper playfield & enjoy the challenge of trying to keep it up there. The saucer keeps you on your toes with its dual kickout action. And, hell yes, inline drop targets. I'm not familiar with the theme, but the overall art package looks great (unless you're playing a faded version where the red has faded to pink).

PinB edited previous rating on January 13, 2017.

8.737/10

9 years ago

SMS

hd60609

Pinside+ Addict

Deer Park, IL

9y 86,650 654 16 12 2

Near and dear to my heart. Love the campy movie, cult classic, so love staring at the artwork/backglass. Easy game flow and love the old Bally sounds.

hd60609 currently owns this game.

9.084/10

9 years ago

SWB

Scubascotti

Inactive member

Hillston

10y 13,250 1 25

Great game.

Scubascotti edited previous rating on August 11, 2015.

6.918/10

9 years ago

ROB

RobKnapp

Pinside member

Colorado Springs, CO

13y 110K 3,116 13 183

Good for its era

8.395/10

10 years ago

DAN

pindan3

Inactive member

Sarasota, FL

10y 49,900 272 19 106

Finally got to play this game again......it brings out memories!

8.842/10

10 years ago

JDN

GarlandJenkins

Pinside member

11y 47,550 123 60

This game is definitely challenging, but it keeps me coming back for more. Shots feel good, and I love those inline drop targets.

GarlandJenkins edited previous rating on November 01, 2017.

6.977/10

10 years ago

TAJ

jesster64

Inactive member

Hillsborough Township, NJ

11y 58,900 1,256 5 40

frustrating pin, but a keeper

7.894/10

10 years ago

EDH

TigerLaw

Pinside Moderator

Jennings, LA

14y 224K 20,098 24 240

A surprisingly well lit game with an awful lot to do for an early 80's game. The backglass is one of the best in pinball. The game is missing the Queen soundtrack and it would have fit in really good with the game . . . the technology when this game was released didn't really support full songs so it is what it is.

This games shot lay out in some ways reminds me of Black Knight. Flash Gordon is a good playing and good looking game; I'm glad so many are around and available...I wish more would get restored to their former glory.

8.394/10

10 years ago

JLM

jlm33

Pinside member

Villejuif

11y 152K 5,892 7 169

Flash Gordon is a great game. I often dislike games with a two level PF design but this one is a notable exception. Add the inline drop targets on the lower part and you get a really nice game from the early 80's.

9.385/10

10 years ago

RAD

KHL

Pinside member

11y 91,950 809 15

Quite possibly the best dual level solid state pinball machine ever created, balanced scoring, great ruleset, amazing flow and a wickedly hard playfield all come together in a truly beautiful game. If you see a decent example, don't hesitate to pick it up. One of the keepers I have come across in my 3.5 yrs of collecting games, selling it has never even been a thought.

9.740/10

10 years ago

AJ

BoP

Pinside member

Albury

10y 70,050 460 20 30

Fantastic early 80's game. Great flow, split playfield, plenty of drop targets including inline targets, two way kick out and a great artwork package all add up to make this game a favourite for me. The game plays fast for an early SS and outlanes on this game can be a killer so a good ball is very rewarding.

BoP edited previous rating on August 26, 2013.
BoP currently owns this game.

8.189/10

10 years ago

NML

NickBuffaloPinball

Buffalo Pinball

Buffalo, NY

13y 94,550 1,461 18 53

My love for this game stems from how brutally difficult it can be. If you have a ball that lasts longer than 30 seconds, you're doing something right. This game also benefits from having multiple strategies to it, which puts it ahead of many games from that era. I think it definitely deserves the title of best single ball game.

7.592/10

10 years ago

PED

perryd

Pinside member

Locust Grove, GA

13y 73,150 1,938 13 43

hard machine to beat, good classic to have in collection, sorry I sold mine....

perryd has owned this game in the past.

8.455/10

10 years ago

BFP

daddio507

Inactive member

Greensboro, NC

11y 16,400 37 2 10

I love this pin..

daddio507 currently owns this game.

9.684/10

11 years ago

JJT

treibj

Inactive member

Missoula, MT

11y 29,400 263 22

Extremely difficult game and arguably the greatest single ball game of all time. The drop targets a lone will keep you busy for a LONG time. It's definitely a drainer, but that, it's overall difficulty , and it's lastability are what makes it a must have for a home collection. The dual PF was revolutionary for it's time and once you get enough skill to keep the ball on the upper PF for an extended period of time you will be hooked!

With all of the different shots that you have to make and the variation in sound as you increase your points and multipliers you will never tire of this game (there is nothing quite like the lit 1000 point spinner elevating sound). One of the most difficult, fun, and visually appealing games of the era.

treibj edited previous rating on June 20, 2013.
treibj has owned this game in the past.

9.392/10

11 years ago

TSG

TheShameGovernor

Pinside member

Omaha, NE

11y 60,650 494 6 36

Flash Gordon, what a fantastic game that has aged incredibly well. It's both frustrating and addictive, two qualities I find to be essential when deciding what stays and what goes in a home collection.

When I would play this in the arcade, I would drop two or three quarters in and walk away in disgust; it was just too tough to spend hard earned paper-route money on. That same difficulty is exactly what makes it perfect for the game room; extended play sessions help overcome the learning curve and continue to reward.

In-line drop targets, upper and lower playfield (with separate bonus rulesets), 2-way kickout saucer, real strobelight in the backglass, excellent art, and Emperor Ming taunting you throughout. Simply one of the best from that era; no multiball required.

Caveat-- This is not a table for those who enjoy a relaxing evening of pinball. This is a brutal machine. Every shot puts you in danger, and Ming is greedy with his spoils. It is a game that demands the best from you every plunge, and punishes you Mercilessly (wink) if you don't bring it. I completely understand that is not everyone's idea of fun.

If you can find one, spend a few games with it. It may feel clunky to start, but light that saucer bonus up and you'll understand why FG fans keep coming back.

TheShameGovernor edited previous rating on May 01, 2013.
TheShameGovernor currently owns this game.

9.800/10

11 years ago

ZUL

Caucasian2Step

Evil McBooty

12y 163K 1,454 51 1011

Flash Gordon is one of those games that is just plain nasty to play. I do not mean this in a negative sense, it's just that the play of the table is really difficult. FG will eat you alive and left wondering... can I really play pinball?

The Pros:
Claude Fernandez's design features innovative shots and bonus multipliers that require you to travel up and down the playfield. The shot up the right ramp and back into the shooter lane to collect bonus. Inline drops, specifically lit drop targets and an upper playfield that requires a good deal of nudging to keep the ball from screaming down the playfield toward the space between the flippers. This game is bonus heavy. You do not want to tilt. Your scoring options/ choices require shots from all angles across the PF. These choices are ALWAYS making you assess risk/reward and thereby making you a better pinball player.

The Cons:
Your game will probably last less than a minute. If you're lucky. Broken drop targets mean you might as well order the set of 12. Once the individual drops start failing, all of them are ready to go.

The Takeaway:
Not an easy game, but when it sings, it sings like no other because you EARNED your score. Boost your bonus with 2x and 3x PF scores and hit the top standup with the shooter lane collect (all within 15 seconds) and celebrate your pin-fu mastery!!! Incredible artwork by Kevin O'Connor is top notch. Keep your eyes off the flashing strobe though. This is one of the few games still on my "gotta get it" list from Bally around this time. It would look great next to my Skateball. Steve Ritchie accused Claude of "stealing" his multiple PF idea from him. This may have some merit, but I don't remember BK having inline drops. I also believe that the gameplay between these two great games is so different that this game design is not only a great one, but as a player it stands on it's own. Go find one, get your pin-butt kicked around and love every (curses, foiled again) minute of it. Just like the Iron Sheik... Flash Gordon will make you humble!

Update:
I finally got one of my own and it's super fast. The flippers are strong and both can make the shooter lane for the bonus collect. I have to do some painting on the PF... but the BG is sweet and the cab is faded to the oh so in color of pink (or "Salmon" fo' da' Lay-deez!). I can't stop playing it. Just to make it even nastier, my outlane posts have been removed and anything heading to the sides is in mortal danger of goin' into the outlanes. I can't wait to finish painting the PF, wax this baby up and feel the pin-pain! Build up your bonus. 2x + 3x AND collect the shooter lane and the oh so elusive standup on the top of the PF hiding behind that pop bumper in 15 secconds! You got pinball wiz-skills? This game will test them, leaving you pin-sore and wanting for more. Or at least... that is what it does for me. I'm addicted, what can I say? Claude created 2 great pinball games, this one and Skateball. I am a very lucky pinhead to own both of them.

Alright, back for more punishment. Where'd I put the pin-gimp-suit?

Update V.2:
I have NEVER given a game as many double barreled middle finger F@&k yous as this game.

Ever.

And I keep coming back, loving every second of the challenge. You think you can play pinball? You got a 7 digit score last game, great. Let's see how you do this time around. The definition of a true player and a pinball challenge for the ones who got pin-game. I took the posts out the outlanes on my deck. No rest for the wicked!!!

Update V.3:
Some people will say this is a "luck" game. Many tables from this era are very difficult to control. This game while brutal, is a great table to work on your "recovery" skills. If you can reel this one in (like EBD, Frontier, Harlem Globetrotters, Skateball and many other Bally classics...) you are going to be in for a treat. You just have to survive Ming's fury!

Caucasian2Step edited previous rating on March 07, 2017.
Caucasian2Step currently owns this game.

15 Pinsiders starred this!

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