So don't criticize Stern at all as otherwise that will be labeled as saying the same thing over and over again, got it. A complaint about code, a lack of features in another game, and discussing quality issues for another is all the same thing... Only say good things about Stern, they can do no wrong, don't question anything. My goodness no.

Some of you guys can't stand reading any criticism about Stern and as a result attack me over it. Criticism doesn't mean you dislike a game or a company, please realize that. These games are now insanely priced and as prices have risen so have expectations.

Finally, I'm not sitting here posting blanket generalized statements that all Stern games are not fun. They are fun, and I'll continue to buy them. Maybe post a complaint about the user's saying all JJP games are not fun, that they all suck, etc. Oh, that's right, that's ok to do and isn't an issue...Don't discuss that all and instead display a clear biased towards one company.

Also, before you post anymore lies and say I don't post anything critical about JJP.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/why-is-jjp-still-making-games-with-faulty-playfields

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/hate-to-say-it-but-wheresthecode-jjp-potc/page/6#post-6365679

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/is-jjp-quality-control-inconsistent-

No, it's really just the Again and Again part.

Bud you are amazing. Criticize the hell out of Stern, all we are asking is that you change the criticisms because we already know what problems you have with Stern. We get your problems you have with them by now. WE GET IT. We just prefer not to read the same copy and pasted comments all the time. Just because you open a few negative post about JJP does not mean you are not still a HUGE JJP fanboy. This is like talking to a child though so whatever man you can have it.

panzer loves crappy games like GB because "theres a lot in there". Thats clearly an important factor for him. If thats what hes into then thats what he's into I guess.

You do you Panzer , we hear the same boring shit over and over , jjp games , the flippers are weak , the layout is shit , the code is too complicated , all jjp games suck , blah blah blah .
If you hear the same crap repeatedly , why are people surprised you get the same response repeatedly .

Well played! You were worried that this thread may find some harmony and slow down so decided to light the next fire hoping to enrage the GB fans...

Meh theres already a thread for that lol

I think it's fair to say JJPs take more chances and have more intricate layouts and designs. However, complexity does not always result in 'better'. JJPs have not always found the balance of design, rules, media, that results in a great game. They generally are GOOD, but haven't really reached great.

The 'too much of a good thing' is a line I think JJP sometimes struggles to see. Great audio visual is amazing, but it alone doesn't make a great game. Same with toys... or with amount of stuff on a playfield. JJP certainly has many 'best of breed' elements, but they don't always gel together into 'the best game'.

To their credit though, JJP has been a heck of a lot more bold than Stern was... but I think the new teams at Stern are changing that a bit, and Stern has had to respond to market pressures in response to JJP games.

Didnt see this turning into a Panzer Intervention thread, but weird things happen.

Today I woke up and finally realized my JJP games are no fun! I looked at all of the toys and thought "I don't need these". I've since removed both upper playfields from WOZ, tossed Smaug from Hobbit, and removed all of the magnets from Dialed In. I'm free! As soon as my GNR LE get's here the first thing that is going is that upper playfield, no way will I have that taking up valuable space that could otherwise be for air. Maybe I'll even glue the spinning record in place, don't want too many things moving in a game nowadays.

Thank you!

Hmmm....guess it didn't work

in case you havn't noticed. I'm a big advocate on proper lighting on games. It's the single most important aspect on any pinball machine. If you can't see the ball, you can't play. Plain and simple. If you fawk up the GI's, the game is useless. JJP's GI system with the light up post to distribute light, is a straight up shit system. Light distribution is horrible. Just as horrible as their weak feeling flippers. The TWO most important parts of a pinball machine, they screwed it up. Flippers and GI lighting. Terrible on both fronts for JJP. AP flippers feel weak too, but at least they do the GI's correctly and you can see.

I see you finally see the light. Many around here that bought JJP games, have went the same road. You don't really learn until you own one. Congrats on starting to actually play your games.

Ok, how about someone take the high road and just stop posting?

Im actually not even sure what this thread is about though.. Maybe that is the point, no high road. Carry on!

Thumbs up for a very diverse collection. Love it. You are an exception, because you have diversity. You can tell you play your games. The ones who don't, are the ones that own all JJPs with nothing else, or a Stern LE or something to try and not look like a fanboy......and wipe them off with a diaper while they look at them from across the room. Then sell them down the road with less than 200 plays on them.

You! Noooooooo not you……. lol

Do diapers work?

I don't understand the posturing comment. I am saying that Spooky games need to be placed on location by operators to be taken seriously. If the company does not attend the industry trade shows, they are not making equipment for route operators to place on location.

Also, Press Start has not reopened. Atlantis has a TWD (still dirty, but plays well) and a Star Wars. Pics are from today...
image000000 (resized).jpgimage000001 (resized).jpg

After last year. Many operators aren't buying anything.

I was thinking on selling a pin to get a Spooky Halloween. But with the very remote possibility of being closed down again by the next covid variant. I'm more concerned with selling a pin to ride it out, again.

LTG : )

From my understanding, Spooky games don't hold up well on route. These comes for a few local operators.

There are 2 R&M on location near me.

Also surprisingly 2 TBL on the same locations.

The R&M and TNA on location near me are always up and being played. Small sample size lol.

mmm hmmm

br (resized).jpg

Not sure lighting is quite *that* important, as I just kept the area near my (former) WOZ lit up pretty well, but yea JJP GI definitely sucks. Agree on the flippers as well, if I turn up the power they worked better for 10min then just got hotter and weakened more than they would have if I'd left it on default.

They just sold out* 1750 games in 4 hours; I don't think operators are necessary for anyone to take them seriously.

Also, there's been an R&M at the Pinball Garage here in Hamilton, OH for over a year.

*Nitro and possibly PS have a few remaining.

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itchy (resized).jpg

since 99% of pinball sales are before the game is even played I have a new idea for a pinball company.

Just make sure it has a great theme, lots of mechs and toys, blinding lights, great art, and a good launch program.

Ill take pre-orders and sell out.

Reveal later that there are no flippers and one ball like a bagatelle.... people who bought one will say its the best game of all time and give it awards.

Thats about where pinball is at.

And your point is..?

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Stern games are fun.
JJP games are fun.
Spooky games are fun.
AP games are fun.
B/W games are fun.
DE/Sega games are fun.
DeepRoot games are fun (*when released in 2025).

That is all.

Stern should make 1250 LE on the next Keith Godzilla or whatever it might be because it’ll still sell out instantly.

If that happens , they'll increase it to 1500

That’s funny that a few of you downvoted me. I just felt you needed a reminder that all pinball is fun - I don’t give 2 squirts that company A’s flippers feel different than company B’s.

Yea - every pinball company has strengths and weaknesses. I’ve just been in the hobby long enough to remember when there was only *1* company making games and they were barely fun. Having 4 major companies has forced competition and we are in a better place because of it.

Your post is spot on, all pinball is fun. Much of the bickering the past few pages was started by the same few Pinside members who post these generalized negative statements that "all JJP pins are not fun". It's a ridiculous statement and they shouldn't be surprised when others disagree with it (yet they always are and then attack them).

The TNA at MOMS in College Part is always down. Maybe someone that goes there more than I knows the story on that one?

Yeah we just felt like reminding you aboot Deeproot.

Coke vs Pepsi
Rinse
Repeat

Hah - I don't need to be reminded. I've been around since the beginning of DR - heck, I've been around since JPop worked at WMS. I sincerely hope the RAZA people get their games.

Part of me even wants to see Deeproot survive but I doubt I would ever buy one of their games unless Robert issues a *LOT* of apologies for all the damage he's done. Too much arrogance, too many missteps.

I have a little bit of everything in my lineup and I also say Pirates is an amazing game. When it was announced, I thought it was worst theme choice since Dialed In. Another miss for JJP. Then I got hooked playing it behind the scenes at a show with the volume cranked. I ultimately ended up picking one up and have put more plays on it than any other game in recent history. My friends are hardcore tournament players that originally told me that they thought Pirates was clunky and confusing, but now they are hooked too. I just feel sad for the people that don't get it, honestly.

Pretty rad collection. I think I like any collection that has both new pins, Premier/Gottlieb titles, Dracula, Space Shuttle, and more.

Thanks! I like having representation from different eras and different manufacturers and getting them all dialed in. Many of these games would never be available to play on location.

have lots of respect for diverse collections. Nice work.

I get POTC. I like the looks and layout. But the rules are so over the top, it becomes unfun. When everything is lit and gives you a reward for something, it's just not exciting.

Funny, I had a sort of opposite reaction when I got a chance to really get into the game: finding out ALL the character modes are just "complete the lit shots" was quite disappointing. No switch frenzys, no combo modes, no other rule than shoot the lit shots (which did very per character). So you got the 5 main multiballs, 20-some shoot-the-light modes, and your character's modifier making the gist of the rules.

AARRRR!! Frenzy. It's in the 2nd tier of the PIRATE lane awards. You need to collect 3 awards to open the 2nd tier of awards, which also includes Liar's Dice.

Treasure Hoard mode and jackpot, with HSTD. You collect the Treasures by completing specific combos. Collecting them all starts Treasure Hoard.

I agree that it would be better if the chapters offered more variety, but mostly you are just looking in the wrong place. Chapters are best to be kept running in the background while other objectives are completed, since they stack with everything.

The rules in Pirates are not hard to grasp and everything is not lit all of the time. Each of the 5 movies has its own large insert and are represented by a specific color for that movie.

When you are in a chapter mode you just hit the lit shots that will be in the color from that movie. Same with multiballs. Thats it, easy, no crazy dull math based rules as seen on a lot of other games. That lighting system you love to bash on JJP games does a great and easy job of showing the player which shots to hit.

the lighting job I complain about is the GI's. GI's means general illumination. Which is terrible on most JJP games because they try to light up a post to throw light topside. Lighting up a post from the bottom of the playfield, does not throw light out sideways enough. Light distribution is poor at best.

I love me some Wonka but in some modes the lighting is unbearable.. cant even see where the ball is.

Don't you mean Black Knight : Sor? Goes from ultra bright to pitch black dark often during the game.

I never had a problem with SOR...but ibdont usually play in total darkness