FtrMech's ratings

I am really enjoying this game...I love the theme...yes, it is immersive; it draws you in with each game you play and makes you push that start button again. It is dark and a magnificent tribute to both movies. The voice call outs are spot on. The playfield layout is done well, I really like the artwork. Since this is for the LV, I think the lighted side-blades are perfect for this game and in my opinion there really is no need for additional lighting. I did have a couple issues out of the box but PB support was rapid and it wasn't long before those issues were resolved. I like that I can choose between Alien or Aliens and the callouts and video follow my choice...game play is just fun...some hard but rewarding shots. I have only one beef and this is the slight inconsistency of the Xeno grab...I understand that they are working this issue, so it isn't a concern for me. I have owned this machine for nearly 2 months and am still evaluating...as I get more time on this machine, I will update my rating as necessary.

I really enjoy Stargate. I picked up a rough re-import and restored the playfield (installed a restored sample playfield) and some other parts of the machine but I was able to look at the build quality...it is a built extremely well, very solid. The side art has held up extremely well, all I had to do was wash and wax it. Game play is very enjoyable, the Horace and Anubus shots/toys are cool...lots of drops to hit. I think there are a tad too many multi-balls...maybe reduce it to glider-craft multi-ball only. The sound is ok but like many have mentioned, "Shoot the Pyramid" gets really annoying...it would be nice to have a new set of sounds ROMS...maybe there are, I just don't know of any.

Creature is just a fun game with a throw-back to the Drive-In Theater days. Game play is fast and them is well integrated. The game is not overly complicated, pretty typical for the time frame...pretty much a game for me that makes me keep coming back. Lots of nice mods to be had for this game...Swinks Snack-bar Mod for one. It should be mentioned that the only downside of owning this title is the hologram...over time they become faded and the "3D" selling point becomes nonexistent...again, there are mods created to remedy this issue but they are either too expensive or no longer available.

Stern's Star Trek is a fun game that pays a great deal of tribute to the latest series of movies following the Kelvin timeline. It is packed with Movie tributes and the game play is well integrated. I enjoy Leonard Nimoy's call outs...there is a large variation of attract callouts. Multi-balls are earned and can be intense...I have had this game in my collection since it was released and feel out of all of the Star Trek Pinball machines, this is the best.

I think Avatar is a fun and challenging game. It can be a bear to keep that ball in play to complete certain objectives but pinball is supposed to be a challenge. I really like the music, and the 3D translite. I like the animated AMP Suit...I wish Stern had not taken shortcut with the AMP suit by removing the top of the suit to get it to fit under the playfield glass...you can clearly see where the guns were cut off of a stock off-the -shelf toy. Regardless, Avatar remains in my collection and I continue to have fun playing it.

So, my first impression of Oktoberfest is I like it, I like it a lot...it provides a great deal of fun and I am really enjoying this title. The build quality is superb, the code is deep with lots to do...API made it simple to understand what to shoot for by giving a detailed description prior to the start of each mode coupled with a decent delay before starting to allow time to understand what is going on. 3 flippers add to the fun...I am really enjoying the "Bier-Barrel" multi-ball and magnet action...a very makeable shot not unlike the the Warp Ramp shot on Stern Star Trek or Williams Next Generation. The rollercoaster multi-ball is cool with its shaker motor integration and timed release of each the 3 balls down the Corkscrew wire-form. I do have one criticism, that upper left pop-bumper gets a beating from a fast ball coming from the left flipper...not sure if this was mentioned before...those pop-bumper skirts/mechs aren't really designed for straight on shots so this will be an item to keep an eye for periodic maintenance. Although Oktoberfest, the event, seems pretty much focused on the beer, it is also about music...there is so much Oktoberfest music out there, it would have been nice to add some of that to this machine...no doubt a licensing issue but the background music for this title could use a bit more variation. Anyway, for me, as it stands...this game is a keeper...maybe it is the newness factor but I find myself playing Oktoberfest much more than my Elvira HOH...(another outstanding game). Given this, I reserve the right to update my my above comments as I get more time on this game. Congrats API, I know I am late to the show but I wish to commend you on another outstanding pinball machine.

This machine is in its infancy however, as is, it is a extremely fun and challenging game to play...love the art, the layout, the theme and the "gotta come back for more" factor. My ratings are based on the .84 code...this machine will mature into an awesome playing experience. I will return to update my comments/ratings as the code matures.

At this stage, as good as this title is getting, at .92, I can see no reason to change my rating...

Munsters LE is a fun well put together game. Shots rewarding, there is plenty of inovation and the theme is spot on. Rules are developing however, as is, shows plenty of depth and variety. It is a beautiful machine with an outstanding integration of a lower playfield. As many, I feared that the mini-playfield would detract from the machines flow...I was wrong. The lower playfield has plenty of its own functionality...set the flippers to soft. Stern seems to have upped their build quality for Munsters...I like the plywood bottom.

Cirqus Voltaire is a fun machine. I have had mine in my collection since 2007 and it is not leaving anytime soon. Lots of innovation and creativity...

I spent the weekend at the 2018 LAX and played this machine over and over...it was Houdini that stood out among the new machines. JJP's Pirates was there and is certain to be an awsome machine but wasn't quite there yet. Houdini is a full package...lots of shots, campy call-outs/humor...beautiful art and lights with a nice sprinkling of innovation...catapult shot and playfield magnet use. I made up my mind that it needs to be part of my collection...so, I put one on order.
Update: So, I have now had my Houdini for a couple of weeks now and have played it nearly everyday...I know people have "dinged" this machine for its tight shots...I have to say, that although the shots can be tough, they can be made which makes the game all that more challenging and adds to the desire to keep playing. The game is entertaining, it has variety and the rules are easy to understand...it will tell you what to do, where to shoot but if you no longer want to be told what to do a simple touch of the flippers aborts the program. I am enjoying this game immensely...if you want a "Magic" themed pinball machine or just a cool themed, well thought out game this is it. I had a TOM and it got boring very quick, sold it for a CFTBL...Houdini is quite the opposite, this game has longevity and I predict will have a long stay in my collection.

Great looking pinball machine and very fun to play however, after you complete the relatively easy objectives it can get repetitive...without other games in a collection, unfortunately, SS could get old quick.

Tron is my favorite game, i like the theme and enjoy the machine. The LE version is beautiful with its integrated code managed ramp lights which enhance gameplay. The spinning disc adds to the theme as well as providing a degree of randomness that can keep you on your toes. Tron is a fun and fast...I don't see it leaving my collection anytime soon.

A truly fantastic machine that is fun to play. The cast call outs add greatly to game play experience. It is a challenging game to play and the right-side drain can be frustrating. The STTNG in my collection became a permanent member a bit by accident as a buddy needed a place to store it until he could sell it...maybe that was his plan all along...

I had this machine in my collection for a few year's and after a while I realized that it was off more often than on as compared to my other machines. Upfront Theatre of Magic seems like a very attractive fun game but for me I became bored very quickly.

This was my first NIB...great game to own and fun to play. Good degree of innovation that keeps your interest. I would say that this machine will not leave my collection anytime soon...

Twilight Zone was the Machine that pushed me over the edge to owning my own Pinball Machine. There is so much going on that it keeps my interest...plenty of innovation on this game. As a fan of the show, the backglass/translite has captured many of the great episodes...an all time great machine that I would say will never leave the top ten Pinball Machines of all time.

My take on the Hobbit; it is a fantastic machine loaded with innovation and quality…it is an absolute beauty and is FUN to play. The Hobbit can be slow at times quickly evolving to a fast paced game. It will certainly test your “marksmanship” at long shots and your reflexes at the short ones. There is a lot going on and until you can actually spend some time on it, a player may not fully appreciate the layout nor the game play…suffice it to say, this game is different. The rule set in my opinion is deep (playing code version 1.21) and broad. The games objectives/modes can range from simple to very challenging…it is certainly not a “Live, Die, Repeat” style of game…my high score to date is only 1,277,086 and I have only made it to “Into the Fire” twice…no further. I played the Hobbit at a show a few times…loved the looks but was on the fence about owning. In June I made the decision to purchase the Hobbit making it my 14th machine in my collection. That said, the above content is my opinion after 2 weeks of daily playing. Given the quality of build, the above mentioned innovation, my satisfaction with gameplay, coupled with Jack’s dedication to his customer base, I can conclude that the Hobbit was a worthy investment.
Update: So, after having the Hobbit in my collection for a little over a year I found that the "newness" had worn off and I just wasn't playing it any longer...I was no longer enjoying the incessant battle with the beast pop-ups and numerous multiballs...it had unfortunately became a chore of "chopping wood"...it is still a beautiful machine with an absolute superior quality in build...but is no longer a machine for me. I would caution anyone rating a new pinball machine, that is, new to your collection to wait several months before posting your ratings here...let the "star-struck" emotion wear off then give an objective assessment...unlike my initial opinion/rating of this machine...lesson learned.