Bally
The Shadow Pinside Rating
This game received 640 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.315 /10
The Shadow
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.797
Artwork: 7.508
Sounds/Music: 7.922
Other Aspects: 8.426
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 345 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 345 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 4 of 14.
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9.625/10
4 years ago
Redondo Beach, CA
This game is darn hard and I love it for that. New pinball players will likely hate it but that is what I like most about it - a true challenge. I own this machine and still can’t come close to completing it. I have over a dozen hand picked games in my collection and I find myself playing this one the most. I also like the fact that it is a very unique game. No pop bumpers and the player controls the diverters.
9.640/10
4 years ago
Deep game with an incredible ruleset. The movie wasn't loved by many...but I enjoyed it, so that helps. I feel like they could have done better than alec baldwin on the translite but it isn't bad. Aurich makes a replacement translite, so I would recommend that. The sanctum area always seems to have wear on every machine. Everything else is GREAT.
The price keeps going up and up because everyone keeps finding out about it.
The price keeps going up and up because everyone keeps finding out about it.
8.544/10
4 years ago
Underrated pin is among the better games in terms of shots, flow and rules. Theme is just ok, unless you are a fan of the movie. The alternate translite/art package by Aurich is a big improvement. Player-controlled ramp diverters is innovative, and works well. Great ball lock, and fun modes. Upper pf game is a nice challenge. This pin offers a lot, especially while it remains an underrated sleeper at a “reasonable” price. This is a pin people seem to hold onto. A keeper.
8.500/10
5 years ago
The Shadow stands the sands of Time. At one time I bought the old Shadow radio tapes. Awesome. Orson Wells and the Shadow!!! Now i have the Game. Brian Eddy did a fantastic job of shots, play and flow. Lots to shot for. The Call outs are some of the best. A Keeper.
8.032/10
5 years ago
Really hoping to add one of these to the collection in the future. Fun shots and the battlefield is unique. Artwork on the playfield is superb but this game holds my lowest ever rating for backglass. Luckily there is an alternative.
8.480/10
5 years ago
Toronto, ON
One of my favorite games from the 90's Bally/Williams era. It has a very unique layout and features not seen in other games. No pop bumpers, two ramp diverters (controlled by the player!), 2 super smooth orbits and an upper playfield that is fun and challenging but does not detract from the rest of the game at all. It has probably one the coolest ball lock sequences that I've seen. Such a great effect the way the ball seems to just disappear. It's a challenging game but not difficult to understand. The game is an absolute keeper!
8.919/10
5 years ago
Melbourne
Awesome players pin. Super flow, some difficult shots and great user interaction with the diverters. Battlefield is one of the best mini playfields in pinball. Modes aren't super difficult, but getting through them to get the Final Battle is difficult. I find it a very good looking pin package and rated highly by those in the know.
In my opinion, Brian Eddy's best pin.
In my opinion, Brian Eddy's best pin.
9.580/10
5 years ago
I'm in mourning... I sold my Shadow and suddenly realise how much I miss this awesome game. Yes it can be a bit brutal, but I've not found another pin since that allows you such complete control over what's happening. It's a fast game, but once you can hit your shots on this one you can literally plan 10 moves ahead - with the rules being quite simple to follow but still having a bit of depth.
The phurba ramps are genius (howcome no other machine has given us controllable ramps???), the mini playfield is so unique and the ball lock is fantastic. Not only was it super fun to play, I had also updated it with some sweet LEDs and Aurichs translite and it looked awesomely cool. Listen to all the people who say this one is underrated - they are all 100% correct.
As soon as I have a little more room for one more pin I'll be on the lookout to get this one back in my collection. Pity they seem to be quite rare to pick up here in Australia!
The phurba ramps are genius (howcome no other machine has given us controllable ramps???), the mini playfield is so unique and the ball lock is fantastic. Not only was it super fun to play, I had also updated it with some sweet LEDs and Aurichs translite and it looked awesomely cool. Listen to all the people who say this one is underrated - they are all 100% correct.
As soon as I have a little more room for one more pin I'll be on the lookout to get this one back in my collection. Pity they seem to be quite rare to pick up here in Australia!
9.003/10
5 years ago
All my reviews are going to follow a simple formula for those reading.
Number of shots to make - Pro's - Con's - Must Have Mods - What To Look For When Buying
Number of shots - 11 - insane
Pro's:
* The layout and number of shots to aim for is brilliant
* The ball lock gimmick
* The diverters on the ramps with a 2nd button
* The loop shots are very satisfying
* Rollover lane to spell Khan
* Call outs tie in with the movie really well
* Lastability - this is not easy to complete
Cons:
* The Upper Playfield is tough to complete and doesn't offer a lot of points
* Missing the lower left ramp can be an immediate drain
* Not a great game for beginners
* Ugly backglass and speaker panel
Must Have Mods: (Note I will not include things like LED's, Color DMD, Invisiglass or Speaker Upgrades unless it's really badly needed)
* Aurich translite and speaker panel is #1 on the list
* Mantis ramp set
* Jonesjb backboard decal
* Wood gun handle grips
* Pinstadium lighting as this is a darker pinball than most
What To Look For When Buying
* Wear on the Sanctum spot the less wear the better as always nearly worn out
* Broken side welds/tabs on both ramps
* Upper Playfield works as it should
* Broken gold Phurba's on ramp diverters
Number of shots to make - Pro's - Con's - Must Have Mods - What To Look For When Buying
Number of shots - 11 - insane
Pro's:
* The layout and number of shots to aim for is brilliant
* The ball lock gimmick
* The diverters on the ramps with a 2nd button
* The loop shots are very satisfying
* Rollover lane to spell Khan
* Call outs tie in with the movie really well
* Lastability - this is not easy to complete
Cons:
* The Upper Playfield is tough to complete and doesn't offer a lot of points
* Missing the lower left ramp can be an immediate drain
* Not a great game for beginners
* Ugly backglass and speaker panel
Must Have Mods: (Note I will not include things like LED's, Color DMD, Invisiglass or Speaker Upgrades unless it's really badly needed)
* Aurich translite and speaker panel is #1 on the list
* Mantis ramp set
* Jonesjb backboard decal
* Wood gun handle grips
* Pinstadium lighting as this is a darker pinball than most
What To Look For When Buying
* Wear on the Sanctum spot the less wear the better as always nearly worn out
* Broken side welds/tabs on both ramps
* Upper Playfield works as it should
* Broken gold Phurba's on ramp diverters
8.939/10
5 years ago
Paris
Had heard about The Shadow for some time but had never played it...until yesterday: to put it simply, I was blown away by how beautiful and great this game is. I am obsessed by it ever since! It immediately enters my top 10 all time with the likes of Twilight Zone, Funhouse, Indiana Jones, the Addams Family and Attack from Mars. Y
Yes, the Shadow is THIS great!
Yes, the Shadow is THIS great!
9.700/10
5 years ago
Such a challenge. Fast & Furious. Use Luppins rules to really up the game play. Best upper playfield ever. Loops are like lazer bolts, so fast. Install Ulrich's Alternate translate. Really nice call outs. Rings, ramp divertors, Upper Sactum, add LED's and chrome side mirrors, wow, top 20 pin for me. Added LED's WOW!!!
8.135/10
5 years ago
Great game. Still feels fresh after all these years. Ramp diverters with extra buttons is great. Love the battlefield. The lock shot while simple is a great effect. Really good flow with nice fun shots and modes. DMD is nice with quite a few easter eggs hidden in it. Good bang for your buck.
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