Indeed its an issue. I had it happen about 10% of the time. The loading of the windlance is a rare, shot, so it didn't interrupt too many games - but its an obvious trouble spot. (I didn't have any other ball traps, except for a temporary one under a beast trap door).

Thanks for the update!

Didn't really follow up on TH for a while, last thing i briefly saw was the changed pf-artwork which was a huge improvement.

Since i got to play one a few days ago i was just a bit surprised about how TH has developed. It is a stunningly beautiful machine, though.

No extra balls?!?!? That's unusual. I really hope there is a specific eb shot - I'm really not a fan of points based eb's. Is there no eb insert anywhere on the pf?

Thanks for the detailed review dgarrett.

Thanks for the rules. This games sounds fantastic so far. Damn, if JJP had released the rules you just provided, say 9 months ago, people might not have gone off the rails with the delays. Hobbit owners are in for a superb time.

Thanks for the overview dgarret. I finally got the cabinet up the stairs tonight and am getting closer to getting the playfield back in!

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There are two inserts to collect "extra ball". "Extra" is on the left VUK and "Ball" is on the right VUK. I presume you will need get both to earn the extra ball and I think it's related to the kicking barrels rules? We'll see!

I feel for you guys with upstair bonus room game rooms. I always had my cave in a walk out basement.

So is this officially the longest unboxing ever?

Maybe hasn't been coded in yet?

Well, unfortunately it will have to last a little longer. I finally got it upstairs and reinstalled the playfield but when I powered it up, I have a Coin Door Open message on the screen even though the coin door is closed and I can't start a game. I assume it is something simple and will poke around now, but if anyone has any pointers on a simple fix it would be much appreciated! The game is absolutely stunning when powered on though!

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Well, a little poking around was all I needed to figure it out--I must not have seated one of the connectors fully when I reinstalled the playfield. I reseated it and now it boots up perfectly.

Played my first game--what a rush to finally play it! Multi-ball with all the pop-up figures is quite intense! The sound of the drop targets zipping up and down startled me at first but it is normal as they move up and down in unison very fast. With only one game under my belt, I know nothing of the rules, but it is definitely a shooter's game with the pop-ups and the drop targets. The gameplay was plenty fast too. The graphics are amazing and the sound quality was fantastic as well.

Hopefully those still waiting for their game won't have to wait much longer--I think you will be happy you stuck it out. Gotta go play it some more...!

Congrats! Happy for ya & glad ya didn't have to fight with it all night to get it up and running! Be sure and play a few games for me!!

do you have RA-DECALS or the standard ones ?

I have the Rad-Cals. I haven't seen the standard ones, but these are extremely nice--very glossy.

could you post some pics?

i will get the ra-decals, too

Unboxed my SE tonight with a few friends, I was blown away with the fit and finish, especially the legs and armor, just stunning!! Game played perfect right out of the box, much more of a fast and furious game than I remember from the last time I played one of the prototypes. Great sound as was expected, and the lighting was perfect, more than bright enough, but not so bright as to be distracting or cause seizures!!

For those still waiting, you will not regret it, it is a mechanical and technological work of art that you will be proud to own!!

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Nice!

Anyone know how many they are pumping out a week atm?

I had this same problem with my WOZ out of the box. I found a loose connector for the coin door. It was a real easy fix. JJP uses connectors that are easy to replace parts.

Nice Lineup!

Good to hear all the great news about the Hobbit. I got an email from Jen last week saying i will be getting mine the week of April 18th. I told Jen if she calls me Monday and says its shipping, I will let R & L do so. But, if she calls me on Wednesday or Thursday and tells me its shipping, i told her to hold it. I will take off Friday and drive up to get it. NJ is a 5 hour drive but i could have it Friday in lieu of waiting all weekend into the following week.

What's the verdict on the rad-calls for those that have them vs those that don't? They're a pricey upgrade in Australia (+$500).

I did that roadtrip to pick up my WOZ at the factory. It was an absolute adventure! I was lucky as heck that Jack was in the office that day, and he gave me a tour of the factory and signed the box for me. If you can swing it that way, I highly recommend doing it.

In regards to extra ball, not sure how you light it, but I saw someone get one this weekend. I think you have to hit both extra and ball, when they are lit. The animation for the extra ball was stellar. We just got our game too, amazing so far and will only get better.

Find out when it's going to arrive. Jen called me one day and my WOZ arrived the next. (Courtland, VA). Your machine might ship Thursday and you get it Friday morning.
Hobbit is an awesome looking machine and I know any really serious player will love it.

No kidding. I've got the media room upstairs but after getting the first 4 pins up there I decided F this.

Turned garage into man cave.

So easy just rolling those babies right in there

Congrats on that TH

Just played one on location @mbrew. Several issues.
When you hit the start mode ramp, the ball flys off the wire form and bounces off the plastics into the drain or back in front of the flippers.
The shooter rod is too weak to hit the drop targets.
The ball got stuck under one of the pop up guys.
At that point the machine was shut off.

All of these issues are being addressed.

I just don't want to risk Jen saying Thursday and i wait for it and its the following Wednesday. NO WAY!!! I will just take off that Friday and guarantee its in my hands for game play Friday night. If the call is on a Monday sure, im pretty sure i will have it by Friday. I hope Jack is there but if he is not, Jen said she would show me around..

Not to pile on, but should not have someone hit the right ramp to start a mode before the pin left the factory? Maybe plunged a ball?

Yes, the Rad-cals are quite pricey, but I like them. Very thick and glossy and high quality. Not sure if it shows up well in the pic, but they are so shiny you can see the reflection of my stools in the decals.

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isn't the legs going on the first thing you do? easier to do all this when it's up on it's legs anyway, and you don't have to fold it all back up to get them on.

Not sure what you mean--I pulled the playfield downstairs to reduce the weight before hauling it upstairs. Bought some cargo straps the next day and then brought it up the stairs with the legs off and protective film on the cab to prevent any damage from dings. Could never have gotten it upstairs with the legs on. Anyway, got it upstairs, put the legs on, and am now enjoying my Hobbit!

i ment before putting the backbox up, and taking the glass off, and before the playfield comes out.

Nah, it was just as easy removing the playfield without the legs on, plus then I didn't have to remove the legs again to get it upstairs. Either way the hard part is over and I can now play my Hobbit! Just playing with a somewhat sore back after the whole ordeal...but worth it!

Post a few more picture if you can.

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Wow, shiny!

It's a gorgeous pin no doubt!

RAD cals are very cool.

That rug really ties the room together

Stop. Does not Compute.

Only Stern ships machine without perfect QC or incomplete code.

Dang those rad-cals look nice, I love that high gloss look.

You are exactly right.

A tad too glossy for my tastes! But the protection is probably better, and if you like the reflective look then you are set. Nice JJP has the option!

So glad to see these being played by preorder customers in their homes! Have fun bitches!

(I know I will)

So I noticed that someone in Canada has a game now-direct order, or was that via Starburst? No idea when we'll see our games, but I'm assuming that there'll be a bunch coming up to Toronto at once. I know of at least half a dozen of us in the area getting a hobbit, and there are probably more I'm forgetting.

I'm with ya brother. Hopefully we will get them soon.

Cmon guys, you spend $1000's on pinball machines and have Gamerooms in basements or upstairs and you own a cheap POS cart !?!? Get an escalera or a decent cart to do the job. Taking pf's out is just nuts.

No, I meant the menu setting default is "no extra balls".
There is an extra ball to be earned - its on the one-pager with all the rules.

An escalara won't work with the stair configuration in my house so having one really wouldn't serve any purpose except to waste a lot of money.

I have a escalara - still needed to take the PF out. Having 25 pins in the basement without an Escalara? Now that would be nuts. (And I've owned a total of 90 that have gone in or out of that 90 degree turn - included IJ and Woz widebodies there were really really tough to make the turn).