ninjadoug's ratings

This is a beautiful game to look at with some really great toys and a fantastic theme. However the rules kill the lastability and then the fun with this one.

This is a mode based game where you can just time out the modes to get to the end. Most folks will just shoot left orbit over and over again for points with minimal risk.

AC/DC Premium is one of the greatest games I have ever played. In addition to just being a fast great layout, it has one of the better rule-sets ever implemented in a pinball machine.

The high tempo sound of most of AC/DC's music goes right along with the speed of this Steve Ritchie layout.

On of the few flaws in this game is that the lightning bolt plastics at the end of each ramp seem to break off easily, and the lower playfield is not easily serviceable.

This game has a lot going for it. Good artwork, good sounds, and good theme that is well integrated. The Frankenstein and Dracula toys are great, even if they both are just basically bash toys.

The only complaint on the game I have is after you own one for a while, it just becomes too easy. Even with no rubber on the outlanes and opened up the whole way, monster bash becomes way to easy and even monsters of rock isn't that difficult.

Game is a hit with guests though, easy to understand rules make it great for new players.

Tron looked like it would be a great player to me when I first stepped up to it. However, while the game is quick, the design is unimaginative. The only real gimmick on the playfield is the spinning disk, and that has been used over and over again.

The theming of the game is great. Sounds and music do add to the experience, and you are missing out on some of the game if the volume is too low, or the ambient noise level is too high.

The artwork is really blue... really, really blue, but that's not a bad thing. The 3d backglass is a reused gimmick, but fitting for the title and looks good.

While I don't consider this a terrible game, it really didn't capture my interest much.

Tron looked like it would be a great player to me when I first stepped up to it. However, while the game is quick, the design is unimaginative. The only real gimmick on the playfield is the spinning disk, and that has been used over and over again.

The theming of the game is great. Sounds and music do add to the experience, and you are missing out on some of the game if the volume is too low, or the ambient noise level is too high.

The artwork is really blue... really, really blue, but that's not a bad thing. The 3d backglass is a reused gimmick, but fitting for the title and looks good.

While I don't consider this a terrible game, it really didn't capture my interest much.

Lord of the Rings is an easy game to pick up and play, but a difficult game to complete. The ruleset for this one is huge and the final Wizard mode will only be attained by the best players. Lots of replayability, memorable sounds and great flow make this a great game!

Greatly unappreciated when compared to its sister, Eight Ball Deluxe, Champ is a shooters game with fairly deep rules for its era. Majority of the shots are tight and require a good shot to make them. The drops on the sides of the playfield require you to regain control of the ball after an out of control shot which keeps you on your toes despite the slower pace of the game.

The backglass... really cool 3D effect. I know the technique has been around for a while, but it just grabs your attention in a line of machines. Cabinet artwork is pretty standard Stern stuff, really pixelated up close, but I like the Blue.

Gameplay... Not as fast as Iron Man overall, and not as frantic. I'm not saying that's a bad thing but it plays really different.

The outlanes feature two inlanes on the left side with no inlane rubber there. Drain magnet on the few games I've played.

The one ramp is LONG and windy. Looks cool, but is slow, just give me my damn ball back!

The link lock mechanism is really cool. Similar to the ace in the hole shot on WPT. The area on my game also came lit with blue incandescent lights, adding to the effect. The toy looks like a coffin though. Maybe it's suited for the Dead Zone, what do you say BMS?

The unobtanium target builds as you hit it and rewards you with points for an outlane drain. I don't recall seeing an award you can build for an outlane drain on a pin in a while, so it's a nice feature. I don't see many players shooting at it for that reason though.

The upper inlanes are pretty standard, but when you complete them you have a chance to double any shot on the playfield with your next shot.

AMP suit is HUGE. It could use better lighting as it is so big it darkens that area of the playfield. The magnet in front of the suit is cool and operates a little different that the way the magnets work in Iron Man. For example, once you have dropped the 3 bank and are attacking the suit a shot straight up the narrow middle will hit the suit, but does not appear activate the magnet. If you hit one of the side targets though, the magnet will fling your ball about. I think this address the concern from some players on Iron Man that the game was too random and the magnets punished you for shots you had to make.

The DMD features a LOT of custom animation and not so much of the digitized film footage (which in my opinion is hit or miss). Lots of the animations go across the screen in front of the scores, adding a neat effect.

The 'new' lockdown bar. Lots of bitching has been done about the new style lockdown bar (if you don't own a game you probably can't relate, sorry). Anyway they replaced the spring loaded handle style with two clips that are similar to the ones Bally/Williams used on the backboxes of their games. I, for one, LIKE the change. If you are fixing up or restoring a game sometimes those old style bars are a hassle. Sometimes the springs are missing, sometimes the assembly is bent, sometimes its rusted to the point where it's nearly immobile, sometimes the plastic covering on the pull is gone (so it hurts your hand to grab it, and usually gets covered in electrical tape.)... anyway the point is the new system eliminates all those things and is still easy to use.

Overall I think it's a fun game, lots of cool audio from the movie and custom audio from the Colonel Q. character. The backglass will hopefully draw some new players in as it is really an eye catcher.

Is it Spiderman? No. But then again how many games are? Spidey is easily in my top 5 games of all time so comparing any game to Spidey (which happens with every new Stern) is unfair.

I give the game an overall thumbs up. Give it a try if you see it in the wild!

As many have stated before on this game, phenomenal artwork!

The audio is your basic chimes for this era, so I can't grant or take away too many
points based on audio.

Great playfield layout for this era of machine. If Set up properly, this is a
really fast moving game one of my favorite early solid state games for sure!

I like all of the shots on this game, they are far and tight. Very challenging. The hurry-ups add to the 'every second counts' theme of 24. The 2 wizard modes are difficult to get to and rewarding.
The bad side of the game is the art package, it's just blah, slightly above average. The jackpot calls could use some work as well.

The toys are well implemented into the theme. The suitcase lock (an actual physical lock) is cool and the safe house explosion is also satisfying.