Quoted from Black_Knight:WJ, you just listed three things you can't do on the machine: finish modes successfully, elevator MB, play long enough to get a bomb. OK the last on is a stretch for anyone.
If you think Elevator is especially hard, work on it. It's just orbits and elevator.
This machine is simple, but not easy, just like the classics. Doesn't need deep code if you 'can't finish it' regularly.
I'm not saying I don't like it because I can't finish it.
I've been to the mini wizard mode (for starting all modes) a fair few times, I've even completed all of the modes, with the exception of Elevator, plenty of times as well. At the moment the game just seems to be play constantly start multiball taking a mode into it and then see where it gets you. Any score, or bonus, you get from completing a mode pails into insignificance in comparison to the points available in multiball.
Starting Elevator isn't the problem, even if it needs accurate loops, it's making progress through it that's the issue. Closest I've managed is a 6th floor jackpot.
I've had smart bomb a few times, but only from a mystery award - is this the only way to get it currently?
IMHO it definitely needs a code update. Integrating a skill shot, smart bombs being more readily available - maybe from a skill shot, or 3-way combo, or progressing up a spinner or pop bumper level, rather than just a mystery award, which by default gives you extra time if in a mode or add a ball if in multiball.
There's no way I'll "give up on it" until I've completed the Wizard Mode, as that's the way I am, but my partner and many friends have already dismissed it as just shoot the toy box and is boring. As it stands WPT and MET are getting more play.