Bally (1994 DMD) Shadow Pinball

Bally (Williams / Midway) created this unintended sleeper in 1994.  Most refer to this game as "Williams' other Twilight Zone" - which is the highest compliment and reference that can be made to a pinball machine.

The Shadow is designed by Brian Eddy - who really has only designed a few products, but are coveted by collectors world wide (Attack From Mars, Black Rose, Funhouse, Indiana Jones, Medieval Madness, Bride of Pinbot and The Shadow).  Each of these limited run machines have hit (or are aiming to be) in the top 20 pinball machines of all time - which commands an average street price of $5,000 - $12,000 !  We truly believe the Shadow is heading there very soon as it incorporates items that no other pinball machine has.

Many times, movie theme licensed products tend to suffer from getting complete acceptance by the pinball community for one reason or another.  Many times, it is because so much of the production budget went into licensing, that the machine suffered from cost reduction issues.  This machine however was not hampered by budget issues per-se, but by the unloved back glass art design.  However, the collector community keeps coming back to this machine so often because of it's deep rule set and fantastic play, regardless of Alex Baldwin's image on the backglass.   The pinball restoration community has even gone to the efforts of creating new backglass artwork for those who just cannot live without this machine, but are too stubborn to view his image (which by the way is not offensive in any way, unless you of course don't like his movies or TV shows).

Game Play and Design

Many machines suffer from repetitive shots, or even similar shots borrowed from other machine designs.  The Shadow has 10 unique shots (not including targets, upper playfield and mode play).  This game has so many game modes and point methods that the Professional and Amateur Pinball Association went on to create a tutorial to help you better understand the machine.

Unique features:

• Two user controlled diverters via extra flipper buttons
• Magnetic ball lock and throw method for storing balls in the upper lock loop.  This awesome feature was instantly copied by Ripley's Believe It Or Not machine by Stern years later.
• Upper playfield (The battlefield) which is a real-life breakout machine.  This is so addictive and fast!
• Ring lighting for each completed diverter shot.

This machine went though a very extensive restoration process.  It was missing many pieces and quite a few were broken from heavy use.  However, the playfield and cabinet were excellent.  As well, these machines are known to suffer from broken welds (under the Battlefield on the motor slide mount and both Phurba diverter assemblies.  Lastly, the upper lock loop (The Sanctum) always wears down through the wood, this machine was no different.

Our extensive restoration on this machine literally took over a month:

• Every board removed, inspected, resoldered, parts replaced, and tested
• Burned wiring harness replaced
• New DMD display !
• Battlefield completely disassembled - every part.  Cleaned, re-welded, replaced parts, upgraded gear assembly, deep polished, and LEDs installed.  Wood mounting panel sanded down and repainted.
• New battlefield kicker assembly.
• Wire form ramps removed, de-scaled and made CHROME to better match the rest of the machine.  We just didnt feel gold ramps fit well here when everything else is chrome and stainless steel.
• New diverter mechanisms and entire push-pull solenoid system rebuilt (for both upper and lower diverters).
• Replacement diverter Phurba knife located (from DENMARK) at over $100.  This machine is so desired, even unique used parts are next to impossible to find.  We did it all !
• Sanctum magnet ball damage fully repaired, sealed, re-stickered and covered with additional stealth mylar.
• Many optic switches replaced with new units.
• Many new targets.
• Entire playfield stripped down to the surface, polished and waxed.
• New flippers and entire mechanisms, linkages, contacts etc.
• New star posts thoughout.
• New stainless steel posts
• New Sanctum wall drop target
• New Rubber
• New balls
• Replaced amber flash lamp housings with CLEAR, and used custom GREEN, BLUE and AMBER LED flash lamps inside.  This makes for surprising and effective lighting, as well as uses more of the colors of the playfield.  Traditionally, this machine used way too many amber lights.
• All new RING lamps (rice grain size lamps).
• New flipper buttons (4)
• New chrome legs and hardware
• New color matched cabinet leg protectors
• Rebuilt coin door and professionally finished.  New lock
• Custom color matched LEDs and flash bulb LEDs through out the entire game.
• Cabinet polished and touched up (not much needed).  NO FADE on either side!  Amazing!
• Cabinet inside repainted and playfield back panel repainted
• Head touched up and inside repainted
• New head lock assembly