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Best Modern pinball post 2000
- Thread starter Drew.m
- Start date
I live just south of York and have LOTR, SM, Tron, IM, Met Pro (and TWD pro soon). You’d be very welcome one evening.
The post 90s stuff offer two main advantages imho..
For my money the best post 90s games are acdc, iron maiden and dialed-in. Very happy to play other people's games, but I do not want to own them.
I would and have taken properly designed, properly tested, properly built, stood there test of time games over any of them.
Do folk really think that a 2018 vintage game will still be going in 40 years time ? My paragon, centaur and fathom will be.
- Better sound/ speech/ speakers/ callouts
- Deeper rules, suited to small collections and or home use
- Feeble, cheapo build
- Dot matrix/ low quality cab, plastic and playfield printing
- Rubbish cheapo photoshop artwork
- Airballs a plenty due to poor quality, cost cut designs
- Rubbish software that can be riddled with bugs
- Rubbish subcomponentry that is imported from China
- Dodgy electronics that are not built to last, surface mounted crap that you can't fix, node boards that detonate the whole game, rubbish wiring looms that rub on drop targets ...
For my money the best post 90s games are acdc, iron maiden and dialed-in. Very happy to play other people's games, but I do not want to own them.
I would and have taken properly designed, properly tested, properly built, stood there test of time games over any of them.
Do folk really think that a 2018 vintage game will still be going in 40 years time ? My paragon, centaur and fathom will be.
Bloody hell 40 years time. I’d be in my late 80s. There’s no way I’m going to be worrying that my stern isn’t working as well as a game from the 1980s. ?
I’d like to think my LOTR and TSPP will still be going strong after 40 years, they’ve made it to 15 only 25 to go don’t think I’ll be scrapping them just yet 
.
Most modern Sterns are highly reliable and require very little work to keep them going, check out this Star Trek on pinside with 28,000 plays on site, (2.5 million right flips
)
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-star-trek-with-4938-plays-pics/page/8
.Most modern Sterns are highly reliable and require very little work to keep them going, check out this Star Trek on pinside with 28,000 plays on site, (2.5 million right flips
)https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stern-star-trek-with-4938-plays-pics/page/8
OP
OP
I'm not keen on the photoshop artwork of the older Sterns and thats why I don't have any in my collection. But the newer Sterns have some nice art and are kicking it out the park these days.. However I do think JJP have something to do with this for keeping them on their toes. In my book JJP can do no wrong 
@Kenny Taylor
JJP needs to enhance its quality control in my opinion. My Dialed-in was fundamentally a brilliantly designed game, but it lacked care in the engineering department. Out of the box it required far too much messing about/ fettling/ setting up. Stupid things like the ball plunger catching on the autoshooter mech so you could not do consistent skill shots - there was so much play in the autoshooter mech that this was not a simple fix. All the hassle other owners have had with the phone screen and the backbox screen (though mine were both fine). The surplus grease in the mechs that balls landed in and led to some guys scratching their playfields before they realised. The playfields that had not properly cured when they were delivered. The trap door mech standing proud of the playfield. The supplied pinballs with sharp edges on them. The cheapo factory fitted fake cliffys that stood proud of the playfield. The impossible to hit sim card shot as the post rubbers protecting it were too big
Whoever play tested my machine at the factory either did not care or had no clue what a pinball machine should play like.
And after all that (which in my case was more fettling than I have ever had to do on any working game that I have bought), you are left with the air balls, which I just cannot tolerate. I have a dozen games that never produce air balls. Maybe my whirlwind produces one air ball every hour or so. Scared stiff can produce air balls if the left flipper strength is set too high viz a viz the bat ramp. On Dialed-in, to backhand the ramp with the left flipper you need a certain flipper strength, this then leads to an airball bonanza that required me to adjust every standup target (which are manufactured 1mm shorter than Williams standups so they propel the balls upwards) and replace premium rubbers with cheaper gum type rubbers. 20 airballs a game when I first played it, I got down to a couple a game by doing a tonne of work.
Other folk may accept this as being all quite normal, par for the course, the way it is, but at the money they charge for these games …….. I would get a fish tales
JJP needs to enhance its quality control in my opinion. My Dialed-in was fundamentally a brilliantly designed game, but it lacked care in the engineering department. Out of the box it required far too much messing about/ fettling/ setting up. Stupid things like the ball plunger catching on the autoshooter mech so you could not do consistent skill shots - there was so much play in the autoshooter mech that this was not a simple fix. All the hassle other owners have had with the phone screen and the backbox screen (though mine were both fine). The surplus grease in the mechs that balls landed in and led to some guys scratching their playfields before they realised. The playfields that had not properly cured when they were delivered. The trap door mech standing proud of the playfield. The supplied pinballs with sharp edges on them. The cheapo factory fitted fake cliffys that stood proud of the playfield. The impossible to hit sim card shot as the post rubbers protecting it were too big
Whoever play tested my machine at the factory either did not care or had no clue what a pinball machine should play like.
And after all that (which in my case was more fettling than I have ever had to do on any working game that I have bought), you are left with the air balls, which I just cannot tolerate. I have a dozen games that never produce air balls. Maybe my whirlwind produces one air ball every hour or so. Scared stiff can produce air balls if the left flipper strength is set too high viz a viz the bat ramp. On Dialed-in, to backhand the ramp with the left flipper you need a certain flipper strength, this then leads to an airball bonanza that required me to adjust every standup target (which are manufactured 1mm shorter than Williams standups so they propel the balls upwards) and replace premium rubbers with cheaper gum type rubbers. 20 airballs a game when I first played it, I got down to a couple a game by doing a tonne of work.
Other folk may accept this as being all quite normal, par for the course, the way it is, but at the money they charge for these games …….. I would get a fish tales
Did you feedback this to JJP. I do think DI may have been rushed out the door a bit. Compared with WOZ and TH..
Phil put me in touch with Jack. I emailed Jack about it, listed all the problems I had had (even the magnets caused air balls due to the rubbish stand up targets). He asked what he could do to make it better. I asked him to turn the clock back so I had never brought the thing.
Christ, when I think about it I remember replacing every rubber in the stand-ups as the stuff JJP used is too feeble. JJP used the same cheap rubber in the beer strip too.
Replacing things like this on a 30 year old game is one thing, but on a new one ?
Christ, when I think about it I remember replacing every rubber in the stand-ups as the stuff JJP used is too feeble. JJP used the same cheap rubber in the beer strip too.
Replacing things like this on a 30 year old game is one thing, but on a new one ?
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It divides opinion but I am absolutely addicted to the flow and gameplay of Tron. If it had a nicer playfield art package and slightly better integration of the Tron theme into the software I'd make it a dead cert of a top game. As it stands though I would love that game even as a whitewood. Deliciously old-school shot repetition mode progression leading up to a hard pre-wizard mode, and a really hard wizard mode. Two of the most satisfying shots to hit in pinball (Quora shot, Gem shot.) I just love how the ball flows through some shots (especially Quora,) the fast kickback from the close scoop on the right flipper... I love the lot of it.
I know exactly why people don't like it - it's a theme that in a different time and with a different designer doing it, it could have easily been another TZ or Roadshow, mode-heavy, toy-heavy Pandora's box of pinball delight - but I've learnt that my pinball crack cocaine is in games that are much smaller in scope and design, where the depth comes down to basically learning each and every rubber bounce on the table.
I know exactly why people don't like it - it's a theme that in a different time and with a different designer doing it, it could have easily been another TZ or Roadshow, mode-heavy, toy-heavy Pandora's box of pinball delight - but I've learnt that my pinball crack cocaine is in games that are much smaller in scope and design, where the depth comes down to basically learning each and every rubber bounce on the table.
I've been fortunate to own some classic BW's and some modern games. I collected the top 10 pbdb rated machines and a few more before I had a clearout. I've got back up to 10 or so and I've got back machines I had before but also freshened up my collection. Despite the age, I mod them all.
I've had, in no order;
1990's Dot Matrix:
STNG, Fish Tales (x2), T2, TAF (x3), TZ (x2), IJ (Williams), TOM (x2), MB, SS, TOTAN, GNR, CFTBL, WCS94, AFM
Modern:
TWD LE, ACDC, Iron Man, GB LE, TRON, Spiderman, LOTR (x2), DI, TH LE, AFMr, MMr
So all pretty high ranking machines, with a couple of exceptions.
My Top 5 - in no order;
TAF, TZ, LOTR/LOTR LE, TWD LE, SM
Least popular 5 from that list:
GB LE, TH LE, DI, GNR, CFTBL
Ones I'd have again had I space and cash spare:
TWD LE, ACDC
I'd have said that BW era would have shaded it but having thought about it, I've got 3 Sterns in my list - despite my reservations about build quality and super cheap parts (cannon on ACDC for example which took me on the modding path). Theres still I think more classic BW's than Stern - but its going to come down to theme and gameplay.
Other notes:
I really like AFM, I like MMr, but to me they are pretty similar in game object and humour. I chose to get AFMr.
Despite really admiring JJP games from an artistic point of view (had 2 NIB) I found the games a little wanting, which was disappointing.
I've had, in no order;
1990's Dot Matrix:
STNG, Fish Tales (x2), T2, TAF (x3), TZ (x2), IJ (Williams), TOM (x2), MB, SS, TOTAN, GNR, CFTBL, WCS94, AFM
Modern:
TWD LE, ACDC, Iron Man, GB LE, TRON, Spiderman, LOTR (x2), DI, TH LE, AFMr, MMr
So all pretty high ranking machines, with a couple of exceptions.
My Top 5 - in no order;
TAF, TZ, LOTR/LOTR LE, TWD LE, SM
Least popular 5 from that list:
GB LE, TH LE, DI, GNR, CFTBL
Ones I'd have again had I space and cash spare:
TWD LE, ACDC
I'd have said that BW era would have shaded it but having thought about it, I've got 3 Sterns in my list - despite my reservations about build quality and super cheap parts (cannon on ACDC for example which took me on the modding path). Theres still I think more classic BW's than Stern - but its going to come down to theme and gameplay.
Other notes:
I really like AFM, I like MMr, but to me they are pretty similar in game object and humour. I chose to get AFMr.
Despite really admiring JJP games from an artistic point of view (had 2 NIB) I found the games a little wanting, which was disappointing.
I personally think Iron Man is superb. Simple, brutal, addictive.
Metallica 
iv played all but the newest (jjp pirates and iron maiden) and all opinions i know but the one that stands out for me is WOZ. its the best since addams family to me and stands out as a newer machine compared to stern's. i think the only thing that let it down was the fact that we played it before the software was finished and that gave it a bad rep. I loved the game on sight back in 2013 but then actually playing one with incomplete software left me really dissapointed. i then played one at a league meet this year with the latest software and loved it so much i just had to buy one, there is so much to do and its even a challenge to me (not got near to final mode yet).
loved DI at first but got bored after few games, same with the hobbit- too much open space on pf and too long ball times.
as for sterns i like GoT GB and TWD. aerosmith and GOTG ok but nothing amazing, Star wars poor and contrary to others opinion the poorest batman 66 but maybe i need to play that one again?
I think anything stern pre 2012 is either "ok for its time" or poor. (with LOTR an exception)
loved DI at first but got bored after few games, same with the hobbit- too much open space on pf and too long ball times.
as for sterns i like GoT GB and TWD. aerosmith and GOTG ok but nothing amazing, Star wars poor and contrary to others opinion the poorest batman 66 but maybe i need to play that one again?
I think anything stern pre 2012 is either "ok for its time" or poor. (with LOTR an exception)
Yeah I like that its pretty brutal and plays fast and harsh. My colleagues son had been in this afternoon and that and Spidey were his pick.
Whilst I struggled with the WOZ theme, I must admit I did surprisingly enjoy it when I played it at NLP. I too had a short relationship with DI, after that and TH I'm so-so about NIB anymore. Still could happen if I really fancy the LE version. From what I've owned and played, its maybe the best JJP gameplay wise, I've seen POTC and have no interest.
D
Deleted member 2463
Hmm spider-man and WPT I think are outstanding games for their time and they are pre-2012.
Neil
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Neil
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I thought Acdc was going to be my dream game being a huge fan of the band. But after playing it(mostly on Pinball Arcade I have to admit) I was a bit disappointed. Yeah the rules are great and that. But the lower play field is just a joke. Looks cool, very boring. The first few times I got the cannon I thought it was awesome. The 15th time, I was trying my best to avoid it.
And the songs! Some are great, some are strange. I don't understand why have a song that has such a long intro, then restarts when you drain.
I'm sure playing on a real machine for longer may change my opinion though.
I think the reason Star Trek is such a good game is it has the modern rules but the fun of AFM with the bash toy
And the songs! Some are great, some are strange. I don't understand why have a song that has such a long intro, then restarts when you drain.
I'm sure playing on a real machine for longer may change my opinion though.
I think the reason Star Trek is such a good game is it has the modern rules but the fun of AFM with the bash toy
The walking dead
Game of thrones
Houdini (the missis says )
Game of thrones
Houdini (the missis says )
Neil, come over play and learn the Hobbit and I bet you will go away with your mind changed.
It's epic one you give it some time.
D
Deleted member 2463
I’ve Tried it many times mate and I struggle with it. Spent a while playing t at pinburgh and it just confirmed it’s one of those pins you love or hate!
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Have to agree with Neil on this Hobbit is pretty boring!
Its ok for people who want a couple easy multi balls but apart from that not much going on... I play it every now and then get over a million and get bored and bin the game off...
AC/DC
Tron
LOTR
IM could be up there time will tell
Tron
LOTR
IM could be up there time will tell
LOTR . enjoyed KISS recenty at Weston so on the hunt for one . Worst by a mile High Roller Casino though Wrestlemania is awful too
By the time the league came to my place I had done a significant amount of work on dialed in .
It was playing ok , and represented a massive improvement on the shambles it was straight out of the box
Look, I get it that folk want new machines. Harking back to the 90s, on games we have all been playing for 20 years plus is not ideal
But the modern stuff is so poorly executed compared to the proper games of the 90s.
Horses for courses.
It was playing ok , and represented a massive improvement on the shambles it was straight out of the box
Look, I get it that folk want new machines. Harking back to the 90s, on games we have all been playing for 20 years plus is not ideal
But the modern stuff is so poorly executed compared to the proper games of the 90s.
Horses for courses.
My favourite is probably Family Guy, gameplay wise it's not that good and it can get boring, but the charming theme just drags me in and I would choose to play it first over anything next to it.
The Walking Dead, Xmen and Simpsons Pinball Party are great aswell.
The Walking Dead, Xmen and Simpsons Pinball Party are great aswell.