Bally
The Shadow Pinside Rating
This game received 657 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.312 /10
The Shadow
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.802
Artwork: 7.499
Sounds/Music: 7.905
Other Aspects: 8.416
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 9 of us have rated this game.
Found 355 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 355 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 15.
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8.203/10
24 days ago
Arlington, WA
Very fun game. Unique that there's no pop bumpers. If you like flow this game has it. The fact you can use the Phurba diverters on both ramps to decide which flipper your ball will arrive at is super cool. It doesn't take long to get used to controlling them. The battlefield is a fun feature also. Lots of one more game value here.
9.060/10
27 days ago
Love me some shadow. Version I have it with the custom back glass and the art scores are based upon that.
Just love the look of the machine. Love the art deco. Manages to capture the little world under glass effect needed for a real classic pin, for me.
Plays very fast games don’t last long. If considering for a collection it’s not a super only pin. Among other games I’ve scored or commented on it probably reminds me most of BSD. Fast and brutally punishing on bad shots. Shadow is prettier, but if I could only play one forever I’d go BSD.
Just love the look of the machine. Love the art deco. Manages to capture the little world under glass effect needed for a real classic pin, for me.
Plays very fast games don’t last long. If considering for a collection it’s not a super only pin. Among other games I’ve scored or commented on it probably reminds me most of BSD. Fast and brutally punishing on bad shots. Shadow is prettier, but if I could only play one forever I’d go BSD.
8.197/10
65 days ago
A tough as nails game. I've only gotten secret laugh mode twice but it feels great.
9.139/10
5 months ago
London
Theme integration is top notch (unfortunately the theme is a terrible B-movie that nobody even heard about), however the game itself is certainly in the top 5 of all 90’s games. In terms of innovation, creativity and lastability The shadow outshines MM and AFM as well as most other 90’s pins by a mile, the only exceptions being TZ and maybe TAF. It is a great, beautiful and underrated game with a lot of lastability thanks to the excellent playfield and toys (love the diverters and upper playfield, lock mechanism is super cool). Together with full leds and a color dmd the game looks great and is a blast to play! The only negative aspects I can come up with is the original backglass which is kind of an eye-sore but can be easily fixed with an alternative translite. Still the pin definately belongs in the top tier from the 90’s in terms of gameplay and variability and lastability.
9.260/10
5 months ago
Love this game so much, I had to purchase one. Diverters are a cool way to not only achieve Vengeance but to also control the game flow. Cool ball lock in pinball IMO. Some could take or leave the upper playfield. I find it good use of space without taking anything away from the game.
8.680/10
6 months ago
Newest pin in my collection. Very challenging for my level but a awesome shooter. Never saw the movie but even without knowing the theme, its easy to understand and rewarding shots. The upper playfield it unique and cool. Has the staying power in my collection due to the challenge and the gameplay. Keeps me coming back for more.
8.364/10
6 months ago
The latest of my WPC interest. The playfield is absolutely loaded. I've never seen the movie, but I still don't love the theme all that much. That said, I'd rather have a game that I can return to again and again and challenge me, than have an awesome theme and cool art. Some games have the whole package, and others are gems in the rough - this one is a gem. Still working my way around the ruleset, but it's added to my wishlist.
8.060/10
7 months ago
Happily the pin is a lot better than the movie, which I know is terrible even though I enjoy watching it.
It's hard to say why the interesting and unique layout of The Shadow doesn't seem to resonate with players as much as the fan-layout-with-central-bash-toy setup of Brian Eddy's other classics Attack From Mars and Medieval Madness. It takes a little more time to learn what you should shoot at, but it's worth it. The sanctum magnet that whisks the ball away into a lock after stopping it first is a terrific effect and fits perfectly with the theme. The Battlefield upper playfield is the only one of its kind as far as I know; I don't think it's superior to the more common type with an additional flipper but it's a nice change of pace. The player-controlled diverters are also a nice touch even though I don't think they affect the game all that much.
What The Shadow lacks is that one really satisfying shot that makes you want to keep playing again and again just so you can do it. The closest it comes is probably that outer-loop followed by the inner-loop mentioned in some of the other reviews. The shots are generally very good, but none of them are great. The code is not deep by modern standards but there are a number of modes, the rules are easy to understand and the scoring is well balanced.
A well-rounded, excellent game.
It's hard to say why the interesting and unique layout of The Shadow doesn't seem to resonate with players as much as the fan-layout-with-central-bash-toy setup of Brian Eddy's other classics Attack From Mars and Medieval Madness. It takes a little more time to learn what you should shoot at, but it's worth it. The sanctum magnet that whisks the ball away into a lock after stopping it first is a terrific effect and fits perfectly with the theme. The Battlefield upper playfield is the only one of its kind as far as I know; I don't think it's superior to the more common type with an additional flipper but it's a nice change of pace. The player-controlled diverters are also a nice touch even though I don't think they affect the game all that much.
What The Shadow lacks is that one really satisfying shot that makes you want to keep playing again and again just so you can do it. The closest it comes is probably that outer-loop followed by the inner-loop mentioned in some of the other reviews. The shots are generally very good, but none of them are great. The code is not deep by modern standards but there are a number of modes, the rules are easy to understand and the scoring is well balanced.
A well-rounded, excellent game.
9.900/10
7 months ago
St. Albert, AB
An A-rank pin that easily overcomes its unfortunate theme. Shots and flow are incredibly satisfying. Sound is amazing. Difficulty is off the charts. This is a HARD machine, but it always pulls you back in for another round of punishment. When you find your groove and everything comes together, there's no better pin in the world, as far as I'm concerned. Magnetic ball lock? Super fun mini playfield? Amazeballs.
9.860/10
8 months ago
Maybe the most fun machine I've played. I just love all the music, and theres a big variety of music and sounds. The music can be really intense, almost spooky, which really adds to the experience at times and pumps the adrenaline when it needs to.
Playfield artwork is so good. I can't even say how much I love the color palette and the rainy Chicago theme on the playfield and the screen. Callouts are so good. Lots of great varied modes.
Probably my favorite ever.
Playfield artwork is so good. I can't even say how much I love the color palette and the rainy Chicago theme on the playfield and the screen. Callouts are so good. Lots of great varied modes.
Probably my favorite ever.
8.720/10
9 months ago
I am one of the few people out there who have seen the film, and I of course needed to watch it to properly understand this pin before I played it... well... it doesn't really do anything. Might as well not be based on the flop of a movie, which is surprisingly okay and cheesy. But this pin feels really good to play, which is also surprising. The ball glides across the playfield with a vintage pinball feel and the ramps, scoops, and bumpers are well placed and fun. The modes are straightforward and easy to engage with.
The real pull of this pin is the wild breakout style upper playfield that bounces the ball around in a unique way I have never seen in a table before, it is really neat and when I play this one I am just constantly racing to get the ball onto it as fast as possible.
Everyone should play this one at least a few times if you have the opportunity, it is really something.
The real pull of this pin is the wild breakout style upper playfield that bounces the ball around in a unique way I have never seen in a table before, it is really neat and when I play this one I am just constantly racing to get the ball onto it as fast as possible.
Everyone should play this one at least a few times if you have the opportunity, it is really something.
8.585/10
12 months ago
The Shadow is one heck of a great game with a very innovative layout. There is so much to love and appreciate about this machine, that I don't know where to begin. But here's some of the features that stand out to me:
1- The player controlled phurba ramp diverters. Not only do they turn two ramps into four, but you can use them (if your reflexes are fast enough) to trap, hold and protect a ball during multiball while you're working the others.
2- No pop bumpers. Some players think this is a negative but I like it because it's refreshing and different and makes for a faster game. I'm about to have a couple woodrails in my collection that are loaded with pop bumpers, so the Shadow will be even more of a nice change of pace.
3- The upper playfield. You're basically playing the pinball equivalent of breakout. I really like the fact that there is a goal to achieve and it's achievable in one try if your reflexes are on point and you get a little luck on your side.
4- The magnetic ball lock sanctum sling feature is amazing. Now you see it... whoosh now you don't.
5- If you can hit the outer and/or inner orbits consecutively, by about the third pass the ball is going so fast you can hardly see it and are relying solely on muscle memory to keep it going. And if you can keep it going, it is soooo satisfying.
6- The objects of the game are fairly straightforward, but you can complete them in any order, which is nice. Sometimes I like trying to complete the battlefield first, then the multiballs, then the modes, or bounce around and attack whatever feels right at the time.
7- The callouts and quotes from the movie are integrated perfectly.
Overall just a fantastic game from the 90's, and I'd rather play it than watch the movie!
1- The player controlled phurba ramp diverters. Not only do they turn two ramps into four, but you can use them (if your reflexes are fast enough) to trap, hold and protect a ball during multiball while you're working the others.
2- No pop bumpers. Some players think this is a negative but I like it because it's refreshing and different and makes for a faster game. I'm about to have a couple woodrails in my collection that are loaded with pop bumpers, so the Shadow will be even more of a nice change of pace.
3- The upper playfield. You're basically playing the pinball equivalent of breakout. I really like the fact that there is a goal to achieve and it's achievable in one try if your reflexes are on point and you get a little luck on your side.
4- The magnetic ball lock sanctum sling feature is amazing. Now you see it... whoosh now you don't.
5- If you can hit the outer and/or inner orbits consecutively, by about the third pass the ball is going so fast you can hardly see it and are relying solely on muscle memory to keep it going. And if you can keep it going, it is soooo satisfying.
6- The objects of the game are fairly straightforward, but you can complete them in any order, which is nice. Sometimes I like trying to complete the battlefield first, then the multiballs, then the modes, or bounce around and attack whatever feels right at the time.
7- The callouts and quotes from the movie are integrated perfectly.
Overall just a fantastic game from the 90's, and I'd rather play it than watch the movie!
9.560/10
1 year ago
Lots of fun, only played a few games, complicated but awesome light and sound. Love the unique upper playfield. Gun shaped ball plunger makes a huge crack sound when fired. Easy to get on blind and got multiball the first try. Love to have one at some point.
9.900/10
1 year ago
I have owned this for almost a month. This game to me has the greatest ramps ever put in pinball. Also the greatest ball lock. Theme is so subjective. I liked the movie and am ok with the back glass.the orbits and inner loop are as smooth as you could hope to find in a pin. Upper playfield is so unique as I have never seen anything like it since. Rules are simple enough to pick up and not tire of, especially when most have short time limits. I want to mod the hell out of this game because I don,t see this game going anywhere.
8.239/10
1 year ago
Outside of a few issues with mediocre artwork, and that ugly standard translite, the game is a blast. That sanctum shot is just magical when you first get it. The battlefield feels a bit wonky and always looked and felt fragile. But the game has two large buttery smooth ramp shots, and the various locks and features are all fun to hit. The music is extremely repetitive though, one of the biggest gripes I have on the otherwise solid pin
9.640/10
1 year ago
Brian Eddy's masterpiece for sure and one of the best the 90s has to offer. He gets a lot of well-deserved recognition for Attack from Mars and Medieval Madness but I believe Shadow is his strongest game. The various modes, multiballs and the game design makes it a tough game that keeps you coming back for more. A lot of risk/reward. If you screw up the opening shot off the right flipper it can be an insta-drain. Likewise if you choke on the battlefield entrance shot or the shadow loop shot, you're toast. The Shadow loop feels great when you hit it but has a decent learning curve to make the shot correctly from the upper right flipper. From a shotmaking perspective, the player controlled ramp diverters are probably one of the coolest features implemented in pinball. The magnetic sanctum ball lock is one of the best ball lock sequences in pinball. The battlefield is a super cool upper playfield gimmick even though it can be a bitch to fix.
The art-deco vibes on the playfield artwork are great - Alec "Trigger Happy" Baldwin on the backglass gets a lot of grief but really is not terrible, Penelope Ann Miller and John Lone are on there too - and Aurich makes a great art package to switch it up. Cabinet art is very nice IMO and not overly busy like all the new games coming out.
Sounds and music, the DCS sound really sets things off right and the sound design is very well done. The mode where Tim Curry shit talks you is one of the funniest/coolest modes in pinball. I really liked the Shadow movie as a kid and listen to the old radio shows with my kids. The theme really captures the old radio show vibes nicely. I owned a mint copy, sold it, regretted it, then bought a dilapidated copy and am almost done restoring it. It's not going to leave my game room anytime soon.
The art-deco vibes on the playfield artwork are great - Alec "Trigger Happy" Baldwin on the backglass gets a lot of grief but really is not terrible, Penelope Ann Miller and John Lone are on there too - and Aurich makes a great art package to switch it up. Cabinet art is very nice IMO and not overly busy like all the new games coming out.
Sounds and music, the DCS sound really sets things off right and the sound design is very well done. The mode where Tim Curry shit talks you is one of the funniest/coolest modes in pinball. I really liked the Shadow movie as a kid and listen to the old radio shows with my kids. The theme really captures the old radio show vibes nicely. I owned a mint copy, sold it, regretted it, then bought a dilapidated copy and am almost done restoring it. It's not going to leave my game room anytime soon.
8.980/10
1 year ago
One of the best layouts in pinball. I actually like the theme a lot, but if it were a bit better this game would easily be in a lot of top 10 lists.
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