Mike and
to AP !
I have both machines in my collection. Both are waiting restoration, but I have a second Fathom in the garage that I sometimes setup and play. Both FG and Fathom will have repro playfields installed. Flash Gordon will be easier to track down, and it is a severely underrated pin. Art package is simply awesome. Luckily, every FG backglass I've ever seen has been a 9/10. Most Playfields I've seen are worn. As a player, it is a free flowing machine with plenty of drop targets. Not a fast as Medusa, probably similar to Centaur or Eight Ball Deluxe.
Fathom is a machine you will have difficulty tracking down. It took me years to hunt down a Fathom. I ended up buying mine from overseas. Fathom is the "complete package" - art and gameplay are first rate. A very hard multiball and drop targets in abundance. One of the faster Ballys - again, not as fast as Medusa or Centaur. It is a "player's" machine - hard to master and great fun to play. I rate Fathom up there with Paragon (my all time favorite pin), and I would pick it over Flash Gordon. Centaur has more similarities to Fathom than Flash Gordon.
If you were to locate a cheap and tired (playfield worn etc) Flash Gordon, you might do well as the playfield will be reproduced in the future.
If you were to locate a cheap and tired (playfield worn etc) Fathom, you have missed the opportunity to source a repro playfield - unless someone sells theirs.
Only Fathom has repro plastics available at this time.
Both Ballys are highly rated, desirable and collectible. Fathom would be far more expensive and difficult to track down. Both Ballys blow Gorgar away.
