djxealot's ratings

Played this on location and just... couldn't really get into it. There are some good things here, though, too.

So I will do my usual. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

The Good:

1. Playfield layout is actually good. Not the best, but definitely good. It plays reasonably well. Smooth, for the most part. Not a lot of clunk.

2. The LCD animations with movie clips and all... this was very well executed. This is probably Stern's best direct movie/video clip integration to date - and that includes Munsters - which has some cheesy photoshopped containers around the Munsters clips.

3. The theme integration - especially with the Groot head - is great. I have to hand it to Stern on this. They've become experts at this lately. So much better than they used to be. And frankly, they are ahead of Jersey Jack even, when it comes to really using the license to its fullest.

4. Sound and Music was great. Nothing super special, but didn't annoy me at all, and complimented gameplay well.

The Bad:

1. The playfield art is off, and looks like a quick photoshop job. I saw this pin sitting right next to a Deadpool pro, and the difference was night and day. The beautiful hand-drawn look of the Deadpool vs. the photoshopped cheesy look of the GotG... Stern, if you read these at all... go with more hand-drawn stuff going forward. It works waaaay better than this. It really turned me off to the machine.

2. It felt a lot like Metallica - with which it appears to share a lot of layout decisions. This isn't ALL bad, mind you. Metallica is a good game. But if you want more variety... meh. It's too much like some other Sterns. It would probably make a good pin for someone who doesn't have any other Sterns in their collection, and is a GotG fan. But I don't see this lasting in a larger collection.

The Ugly:

1. Frankly, IMHO, there are better new (or new-ish) pins out there for the same money. If you really like GotG and can get over the cheesy photoshop playfield art, it may be good, provided it doesn't feel too similar to any other Sterns in your collection.

2. The cabinet and backglass art - to me - was just too much. Too busy. And this is weird, because Deadpool's backglass art was super busy as well, but somehow didn't bother me. I think it's just the fact that they couldn't seem to pick a color to focus on. Part of this may just be par for the course with the GotG license requirements and not Stern's fault, per se. But yeah... too much going on.

3. Rules were difficult to understand and (maybe?) buggy. BUT I do not know what game code version the machine was running, so it's possible all that was cleared up already.

To me, it was a smooth-playing machine with great use of the LCD, but otherwise just too busy/cheesy in terms of artwork. Your mileage may vary, as my beefs were mostly aesthetic, save for the fact that it REALLY reminded me of Metallica. Like... a lot.

My father had this machine in his garage when I was growing up. Played it for many years. It's what got me into pinball in the first place. There's a lot of nostalgia here, so I may not be fully objective about my review, but whatever.

The artwork is excellent - especially for the era. It really is a pretty machine, if it's in good shape. It makes a helluva show piece, done right. The little Playboy tune that plays when you start a game (or hit the grotto) is unique for the era as well. Gameplay... well, it's a late 70s SS machine, and it plays like one. You have some drop targets, some standups, the right loop, the extra ball shot, the pops, and the grotto - and that's really about it. But that was normal for the time. It's one of the better machines of its era. The theme is well executed and it doesn't look horribly dated like a lot of other machines of its time. I don't know why, but it really stands the test of time in terms of appearance.

I don't know that I'd ever own one again, but I know if I saw one somewhere (unlikely, now), I'd want to play it at least once. If you're into old SS machines, this is a great one to get.

So I've been considering buying this game for a while now. I've played it many times at my local dealer... it's a tough call.

First off, I see no reason to buy the premium or LE models. I'm sure some do, but frankly, they all play nearly identical to me. Differences not worth the added price of the higher models, IMHO.

So let's go over the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Edit: I bought it ;).

The Good:

1. The artwork is amazing. I wanted to hate it - because I'm not really a fan of the color red - but somehow, the artist made it beautiful anyway. Cabinet, playfield, backglass... all amazing. 11/10.

2. The 16-bit fighting game animations and interactivity are well done. Nostalgia factor is A+. This is a great use of the LCD display, and adds an extra dimension to the game.

3. The 270 degree ramp shot - while a bit clunky at times - is so different and interesting, it really adds to the game and makes it feel unique.

4. The bobblehead is amusing. Don't know why, but it is.

5. Music is A+. There's a lot of variation - it doesn't get so repetitive.

6. This game is just FUN. It's bright, fast, and the callouts are slapstick amusing. The feel of the game is excellent.

The Bad:

1. The rules are convoluted and a bit... off. Then again, I don't know which software version the machine was running, and I am told there were improvements to it. It wasn't horrible, mind you. Still fun. Just... off somehow.

2. While the 16-bit fighting game animations were excellent... the little Deadpool animations were a bit off in terms of style. Not horrible but... oddly jarring. Stern is getting better at using their LCD displays, but they aren't anywhere near Jersey Jack's quality when it comes to this, and it shows. Deadpool is one of Stern's best attempt so far, though.

The Ugly:

1. The layout is a bit clunky. Not bad, mind you. But I jumped the ball twice at the showroom, and that is unusual. I think Gomez was trying really hard to make a unique and different layout and... almost succeeded. Actually... kinda-sorta did succeed. It's a solid B+ in gameplay, but just isn't QUITE at the top level of pins. Despite this, it's really fun to play anyway, and I'm not entirely sure why. I should be more frustrated with clunky bricked shots and missed ramps than I really am.

2. While I enjoy the nostalgia and 16-bit theme... and the slapstick humor and bad puns... this is NOT for everybody. Pretty sure my wife hates this pin - and I haven't even bought it yet. OTOH my son (4 years old - and loves pinball because I've always had pins in the house since he was born) thinks it's the most amazing thing he's ever seen. So I foresee mixed opinions on this.

Overall, I like it and am mulling over buying it. It's not as smooth of a shooter as Iron Maiden, but I like the theme and LCD animation and integration a helluva lot more. So, IMHO, it's the best of current production Sterns, but only just barely.

So I played the standard edition at a dealer... and am weighing purchasing it. This machine is different than anything I've played before. Part of that might be that this is the first JJP pin I've played. It feels so different from Stern machines in every way.

So, let's talk the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The Good:

1. The build quality of this pin is amazing. Everything about it, from the cabinet (no MDF bottom - full ply) to the screen mounting on an extendable arm for servicing the computer, to the daughter boards connected via RJ45. The quality of JJP builds is like nothing I've ever seen before. It blows Stern out of the water, and frankly outstrips even Bally/Williams build quality. This pin is built to LAST.

2. Upper playfield. This rocking upper playfield - adjustable in the amount/speed of rock based on player selection - is unique and fun. Best upper playfield I've seen in a long time.

3. Whirlpool ramp. This is really innovative and cool. It's also a comfortable shot to nail.

4. The attention to detail is insane. There's a drop hidden behind the third flipper, even. The shots are interesting, the orbit, the ramps, the CANNON on the upper playfield. This is fun, dynamic, and interesting.

5. The sound. Quality of sound is impressive, and while at first I thought I'd be disappointed by the lack of the PotC soundtrack... I'm really not. The music is excellent, and fits the theme very well - and unlike the titular soundtrack, isn't likely to get stuck in your head for extended periods of time. Excellent sound effects, too.

6. Animations. JJP does display screen animations and effects WAY better than anybody else. It's a whole different level.

7. Toys. Since this is the standard edition, you don't get the spinning pop bumpers, the starfield, or the rock outcroppings - but the cannon, ship, chest, and mini display are all excellent. The upper playfield itself is kind of like a toy, in a way, too. For their standard level, it's great.

8. RGB lighting. The effects and lighting are amazing. JJP really shines here.

The Bad:

1. Cabinet decals. This is the one and only area in which I think JJP is inferior to Stern. The decals feel cheap - they lack the silkscreen texture of Stern cabinet art. The decal art itself is good - not great, but good. But I just don't like the cabinet decal quality. I can forgive based on the rest, but still.

2. Backbox art. Not terrible. Nothing to write home about either. I wouldn't put this under "bad" except that since everything else is so top notch, this stands out.

3. Playfield art. Like the backbox art... not really bad. It gets the job done. It's not ugly. But it's not amazing either. Fortunately, the RGB lighting kind of takes over anyway, so you aren't likely to get stuck on it.


The Ugly:

1. The price. There's no getting around it, even the standard edition outstrips Stern's LE line. It's a LOT to spend on a pin. I get it. They are on a different level than Stern pro pins. Nonetheless, the pricing is a lot to chew on. And if a JJP isn't a legendary winner, the depreciation hit will suck. Hobbit owners are already complaining about this, AFAIK. WOZ and DI owners, OTOH... are sitting pretty. Where will PotC end up? I don't know. And that scares me.

Edit: Bought one.

Some extra notes. In case it's not clear, the Standard Edition has the EXACT same gameplay as the LE and CE. The differences are purely visual/aesthetic.

-Standard doesn't have spinning pop bumper with pirate figure (easy to mod figure in place - but it won't spin - kind of a bummer).
-Standard has piece of printed plastic with a starfield design instead of LED Starfield. Could mod with LED strip - but won't get twinkle effects, etc... Don't really care.
-Standard has white LED GI - not RGB GI (under playfield and flashers still RGB). I actually prefer this to the LE/CE. The white GI helps with visibility.
-Standard has stainless rails/lockbar/legs.
-Standard doesn't come with topper.
-Standard doesn't come with Invisiglass. Also kind of a bummer.

LE is probably worth the price difference - but I was maxed out on my pinball purchases this year with this Standard. JJP Standards are a cut above even Stern Premiums/LEs. So you're getting a lot for that price. Still high though!

Opinion of game hasn't changed. Love it. Definitely top 5 of pins I've ever played. Case could be made for the absolute best.

A fun machine with some really atrocious cabinet and backglass art. If you can get past that, it's an absolute hoot to play.

Figured I'd update with some Good, Bad, and Ugly:

The Good:

1. This game flows phenomenal. IMHO, this is the best "flowy" game ever produced, bar none. One caveat: YOU NEED STRONG FLIPPERS. This game will stink without them. If you play on location somewhere and the ball keeps failing to get up the ramps, that's why. With proper flippers, you get into a nice rhythm with this machine, ramp to ramp to ramp. Never played another game like it. Never get tired of it. This game will likely never leave my collection.

2. The Cryo Claw is just cool. Some don't like that it breaks up the flow. I do. Gives you a moment to reset. The novelty factor is great, too. It's an awesome toy. The other toys are kind of cool, too. The sequential hot wheels cars as captive balls, and the squicky floating eyeball for the retina scan. They aren't shots you hit often, but they are nifty toys nonetheless. Toy factor is A+.

3. It's a wide body that doesn't play like a wide body. The orbit is deliberately made standard size.

4. The sound and music is excellent for the era. Yeah, quality isn't up there with today's machines, but compared to contemporaries, it's excellent. Hard to imagine it's a '94 pin. It only ever annoys me if my son leaves it on after starting a game, but before finishing it. The launch waiting music is annoying.

5. There are lots of funny easter eggs in this game, like the exploding cows in the ACMAG mode, or Eat at Joes "big points."

6. The rules, while shallow, are also very fun. You can just play this pin on kinda-sorta autopilot and have a good time. Makes for a great party pin.

7. These things are STEAL in price. I don't think there's anything as cheap as a Demo Man that even comes close.

The Bad:

1. The cabinet is UGLY. U G L Y ugly. Did we really need a naked Sylvester Stallone on there? Somebody apparently thought that was a good idea. I always sandwich this pin between other pins, or a wall, because the cabinet is THAT ugly.

2. The back glass art is bad. Not as ugly as the cabinet, but the three giant heads look weird.

3. While I liked this movie/theme, most people don't. Some don't even know what it is. It's just not a theme most people care about.

The Ugly:

1. Maintenance on this machine is a chore. The overlapping ramps are a major pain to disassemble for cleaning, and then reassemble. You have to really stay on top of your flipper maintenance, too, or the whole gameplay experience is ruined.

2. Did I mention the ugly cabinet and backglass? Thankfully the playfield art itself is pretty decent - not great, but okay... but still, one of Williams/Bally's worst art packages, for sure. OTOH, this is probably why a game that plays as well as Demo Man is so cheap. So it's not ALL bad.

Overall, it's a great starter pin, because it will teach you how to maintain a pin by necessity, it's very cheap, and it's fun. It also has a place in a more experienced collector's lineup because it's such a well-flowing, unique game. I've yet to really play anything else like it. With better art, and a theme people cared about, this would have been in the top 20 games - maybe even top 10 - IMHO. But since it didn't... these things are great bargains.

A beautiful pin - especially if you swap in some colored LEDs. Artwork, sound, music, and DMD animations are superb. Gameplay is merely adequate. The playfield is quite bare, though the ruleset is pretty deep and interesting, and this compensates somewhat. It's an average-ish game in beautiful clothing, so to speak.

Thought I'd add a more detailed breakdown.

The Good:

1. Cabinet and backglass art is among the best Stern has ever done. And it is, bar none their absolute best that isn't hand-drawn. Only the new Zombie Yeti stuff can compare.

2. Playfield and plastics look amazing if you convert to color-coordinated LED GI. Teal/Cyan, Purples, and Blues work great. Again, some of the best playfield art Stern has done that isn't hand-drawn.

3. Music is excellent. Very unique for a pin. Really captures the theme well.

4. Callouts from the original actor who played Colonel Quaritch are spectacularly well done. Very engaging, with enough variation to avoid becoming annoying as a home use pin.

5. DMD animations are good for the era - but definitely go Color DMD with this pin.

6. The rules are pretty deep, and you can stack scoring modes, which adds some strategy as to when you want to engage multiball modes. Stack Bomber Battle or Seeds with Amp Suit multiball... or hit Link multiball, and then slam Amp Suit multi ball or vice versa, when you need more balls. Definitely update to 1.1 code, though, if your machine doesn't have it. A lot of problems were fixed in that release.

7. It flows well (provided you have the spring to prevent SDTM drains - some Avatars came with them factory, others did not and it had to be added). Borg designs are like that, I feel. Good flow, though a bit empty. The ball lock is really clever, too. The magnet is engaging and challenging.

The Bad

1. The biggest single problem with this pin is obvious to anyone who sees it: the playfield is just bare. This was from a time when Stern was fighting cost-cutting measures, there was no competition, and pinball was at a very low point in popularity. The ruleset tries to make up for the general emptiness, but it only succeeds in part. The design of the playfield - given the bareness - is good, provided you have the version which has the little spring below the pops to prevent SDTM drains. If you get an Avatar Pro and it doesn't have the spring (look it up to find the part), get it. It changes the whole game experience from frustratingly annoying to pretty good (but not the best). You'll know if you get constant SDTM drains as soon as it leaves the pops. A little $5 part does make that big of a difference here.

2. The toys are so-so. They could have done a lot more. The Amp suit is very cool, and the motorized crash when you defeat it is great, but the Colonel's figurine should have been in the pro as well as LE. It's like a $5 thing. The Banshee and Navi figures in the LE improve things - and you'll find most modders will add those (as I have done with my Pro). But it's still just... so bare, in terms of gameplay and toys. The Link with Jake Sully's figure is cheap-looking, too.

The Ugly:

1. This game is HARD. You will fight to get to the wizard mode. Having to light all modes - and modes dropping if you drain unless you complete them - means it's a very difficult machine to fully play out. Casual users will have a reasonably good time - the action and callouts are engaging and fun for them. But for pinheads, you will find yourself cursing at this machine sometimes. This is both good and bad. It's good in that, despite the bare nature of the playfield, I still have this machine in my collection after 7 years, for the times when I want a challenging game. But bad in that it can often suck the fun out of a long game when, right at the end, after fighting the pin for half an hour, an unlucky drain happens. It's brutal. Sometimes I like that, sometimes I don't.

In the end, it's like I said in my initial short review. This is overall an average playing pin in beautiful clothing. A worthwhile game to buy for the pinhead who has everything else, or for a fan of the movie. Or, in my case, if you want a pin that pisses you off and challenges you from time-to-time. And it really is beautiful...