I'm thinking about purchasing a Houdini. I've been collecting for about 20 years, but let me expose my ignorance and say that I am unfamiliar with what is meant by "dropping" or "lowering" the flippers. Probably something obvious, but I thought I'd ask. I've always just struggled with getting things back to stock and typically am paralyzed with fear when it comes to drilling or altering a playfield. Hoping it's just a reference to a mechanical adjustment. Appreciate any info.

Thank you all for the replies. I get it now, and that's a simple adjustment - one even I can achieve should it prove necessary. Really intrigued by the game and a friend of mine is a distributor with two games in box. Played it a few times, and I really like it so far. Probably going to off my TZ for this. Ready for a change and this game is looking pretty sweet.
Thanks again.

I’ve been contemplating buying a Houdini, and even have a buddy who is a distributor who has one for me. But I had never really been able to play one for more than a few minutes at the Pin-A-Go-Go.

I live in Sacramento and had to take a business trip to Salt Lake this week. On a lark, I checked the map, and west of the Rockies there are only 7 machines in locations. Turns out one of them was walking distance from my hotel. Also turns out another of the 7 is two blocks from where I work in Sacramento. Destiny speaking to me, I took the walk and played about 10 games.

Not so sure why people are saying it’s such a difficult game. It’s demanding, but I didn’t find it that daunting to make a lot of the shots – and I’m not a great player. DS-NADINE‘s review was pretty much my experience with both play and quality. The catapult was basically working, made all but two out of several dozen tosses. The box was stuck open, which was better than the opposite. No doubt something that I could deal with at home. No problem with the flippers and multi-ball. I even got dialed into the milk can shot.

The only shot that was weird was the Stage Alley. The ball kept impacting the bottom of the sign and about every third shot didn’t make it through. Not sure what that was about.

It was flanked by Deadpool and Game of Thrones. Played both -eh… Same old. I thought Deadpool was okay, but kind of clunky and obnoxious [but it is Deadpool]. Houdini was a much better game from my perspective.

The one my buddy has comes with the blades, shaker, and upgraded glass, so that’s kind of fun. The game is beautiful Definitely jazzed about it - now I have to off my TZ starting this week.

Are you actually changing the lights, or putting in some sort of a plastic gel to alter the color? Looks very good. Awaiting delivery on mine. Anxious to check out how that lighting is actually hooked up.

Which topper? was it this one? If so, it’s really cool in person. Nice looking and nice lighting effects.

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I am curious about the power supply as well since I await the delivery of my machine any day now. Regarding the software issues, I just played the best game I have ever had on a distributor's demo model, which has the latest update, and it crashed after I finished [aka: "FAILED"] the Master mode - said mode being totally cool with inverted flippers and crossed arms and total chaos.
Prior to that, I was dealing with the Metamorphosis mode and completed it for the first time. As I progressed, it went into a very awesome strobe-dark-flashing multi-ball presentation that was great. Part of Metamorphosis?
Can't wait for mine to arrive. Such a great game. Hoping the software issue is resolved. Also eager to see how Oktoberfest is in person to compare American's efforts.

Ah, The Man From Beyond, good to know. Sometimes it’s hard to know where you are in the game, probably because it is set on “easy,” and I get multiple things going all at once.

Being set on “easy” is no doubt the only reason I dumbed into the Master mode in the first place.

Thanks for the info.

Just saw that American has the EOS for Houdini on their site.
https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-end-of-stroke-switch

Second that.

Octoberfest looks to be pretty great. Love Houdini, but any potential ETA by Josh on a code update to resolve Master Magician?

Just curious

Sweet!

I bought the entire Cliffy set and can see the benefits of the catapult protectors. Lots of dropping into place. Im thinking the protectors address different aspects of the game’s vulnerabilities.

However, a couple of must have items in my opinion that do absolutely nothing to protect the game are the Modfather drink holder and the ball launcher/plunger from Mods for Your Pinball. Both really well made and they look great.

If you don’t have the shaker motor, that’s very nice. I’ve played with and without, and it’s really a good addition. Another good use of your credit. In for a penny...

Really cool painting by the way. Thanks for sharing.

Mine came with the shaker, art blades, and magic glass. As I recall, I was charged an additional $300 for the three items, there were no additional charges for installation. I’ve heard that installing the art blades is pretty difficult, so I was happy to have them do it.
All in all I’m very happy with the purchase. Game looks awesome - especially with the cupholder

With shipping, that sounds about right.

Second that. I bought a set. They are great. Biggest issue is getting into the habit of remembering to use them.

Here’s my info:

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Knocker question. Does it only engage for a match? Will it wack with an extra ball?

No, they have the knocker. Hope they get more power supplies.

Just go to “Store” scroll to bottom, then in “Search” put in “Houdini” and all items are revealed.

Including the sold out power supply.

Funny enough, with my iPhone and with Safari on my Mac, “All Products” does not pull up everything. I only get the same 9 “featured” items. The other way brings up 16 items. Probably something to do with my ISO and browser.

Regardless, I tend to agree that when you only have 16 items, why feature half-ish of them? I suspect most will not be overwhelmed by being confronted with 16 items all at once.

Oh meine Güte - ein Oktoberfestkrug

A 17th item!

Agreed. No luck here with anything but the search method and the link transprtr4u supplied, but at least I now know about the Octoberfest Stein! Huzzah!
Of course I was going to order the Power Supply today, but they sold out - too funny.

On a different note: anyone experiencing a lot of dimpling on the pf? My flippers are not really high (22). I have noticed a number along Houdini’s brow, forehead and hair. Nothing that is easy to feel and does not impact play.
Anyone else seeing this Houdini acne?

So now I’m concerned...

Here it is

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Here’s a view from the side. No markings I can see

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I wouldn’t describe them as a Atomic. They are very tiny shallow dimples that can only be seen when the lights of the machine are off and viewed from something less than a 45° angle. I really don’t even feel them when I brush my hand over the playfield. There doesn’t appear to be any effect on play. Any information of course is appreciated by me, and I’m sure the other folks on the thread.

Learn something new every day. Been actively collecting since ‘95, but never had a brand new pin before, so really good to hear. Getting a new pin was on my pinball bucket list, and I’ve been very happy with Houdini so far. Eager for the software update and hope that fixes the Master Magician mode. Otherwise, the game has dialed in rather quickly and plays great.

My personal feeling regarding the playfield protectors is that I don’t like them. Not my cup of tea. I had one on a fathom for a while. The ball play was totally weird. You get a lot a backspin, and just odd ball physics. The other problem with it was constant ball hangups in odd spots. Finally got frustrated with it after a few months and cut it off of the playfield. To be fair, I know another collector who uses them and likes them. So, once again, just not my cup of tea.

Lord - I am gonna need therapy real soon. So, now that I am no longer worried about dimpling since this appears to be pretty insubstantial and normal, I now worry that the one time I used Millwax on the playfield is going to lead to the artwork melting away or having it burst into flames :-0

If I understand this thread and the others I looked at subsequently, Millwax is silicone rather than wax. I've used it on pinballs for over 20 years without issue [as far as I can tell], but this is the first clear coat pinball I have owned, so faux pax number two for old Mark with the new Houdini.

Am I correct in concluding that I need not worry too much about the Millwax since I will never add or re-clear coat this game [I'll be long gone before that will come up, and I can let my kids worry about that one] and to just add the Blitz 1000 as described above? I'm hoping I don't have to smuggle lighter fluid or other noxious compounds into California and engage in deep cleaning to prep the game - ugh...

On the positive side, Still enjoying the game tremendously.

Finally, something I know a little bit about. This glass is very similar to the museum glass people use for framing. I do a ton of framing. The way you can tell if it is the magic glass or regular glass is the way the light reflects. If you have to two pinball machines next to each other one with and one without the magic glass and a light source shining above, you can tell almost immediately. Look at the two pictures. The AFM has plain old glass, the Houdini has Magic glass. The light source in the photo is the same, but the magic glass reflects a more violet hue. Depending on the kind of bulb, you will get different hues, but regardless, the magic glass will look different than the standard glass. It’s very noticeable with Fluorescent tubing. So, that’s a telltale sign to look for. If you don’t have two pinballs, just shining a light on your Houdini, and the coffee table, or some other piece of plain old glass. It should reflect differently.

And yes the treated side goes on the inside. On my machine, there is a “ proudly made in the USA“ sticker. The sticker is on the outside facing up, obviously. The other way to tell is that with the glass out, they treated side will have an almost iridescent sheen to it. The other side will look just like normal glass.

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The EOS switches are simple to install, but you will have to solder in two of the wires. Two others slip/click into the back end of a connector. Instructions are simple and well done. If you want a look at the instructions, they are here: http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2018-10/End-Of-Stroke-Switch.pdf

Agreed. If you have even the most basic soldering skills, should be a snap.

I think I can visualize the fix, but can you put up anything visual to demonstrate what you did?
curious to see.
I have very few SDTMs, but I get a number of failure to make the key lane shots where the ball hits and angrily vibrates and dribbles back. Do you think your fix would help that too, or does it only impact the trajectory of ball once it leaves the key lane and heads toward the flippers.

Man, ain’t it the truth! Seems like I can’t hit the freaking ramp or the inner loop when the pressure is on, but nail them endlessly when trying to hit the seance targets when In seance mode. Total psych! In reality, and when I don’t freak myself out, the shots are not that hard.

I fell in love with the game almost immediately since it reminded me very much of TZ.

My two cents: Enjoy the game. There’s really no need to do any of the upgrades, additions, or other stuff before you play it. It’s perfectly fine out of the box and it’s just that some of these things might enhance the experience, tweak it, or afford protection in the long run. The CLIFFY upgrades, for example, can be challenging to put in. They’re not as easy as they look. I started to put in the scoop, and realized I have to take apart a lot more than I thought I was going to, least I ended up scratching the playfield. So for now, they are resting peacefully in my coin box. But my ultimate suggestion is to just plug it in, do the upgrade to the Software, and add the other stuff as you go along - except the cup holder from Modfather - that’s awesome and needs to be put on ASAP.
The only other advice: in your settings, dial it in so it’s an easy play at first. Much more fun, and you’ll get to experience many of the game modes and learn how to work your way through the various stages of the thing with relative ease. You can always increase the difficulty as you settle into the game.

So, to get the scoop installed, did you basically have to strip everything off of the playfield around the scoop? I took the plastic behind the scoop, and the scoop off and had hoped that it would just slip in. But it didn’t seem to want to be that easy.

I meant to say: “ so, to get the scoop protector installed.”

Thanks, as i was fiddling with it it look like it was going to be involved like that. I’ll get to it eventually. I’m having too much fun playing the game to have a down long enough to do it. I only get to play at night when everyone’s in bed, and I’m not ignoring my family by playing Houdini for two hours

Ditto on all that, and nice line up with the Batman and Dialed In.

Bummer. Did the folks at American offer thoughts as to why the fuse blew? Sounds like you hooked up the Brown and Black wires for the knocker to the "wall nuts" 3 & 4, which makes sense given the instruction that "your game may have more than 2 Black/Brown Wires," but the knocker didn't work, correct? Then it sounds like you worked with it a bit in an effort to remedy the situation and it blew a fuse? Just curious what you attempted since I am about to receive a power supply and have the knocker ready to install. This is making me want to install the knocker now with the original power supply and confirm that it works. I figure that way, should the transition to the new power supply lead to a blown fuse, I'll know it has to do with power supply hook up rather than the knocker. I find that fuses rarely just blow for the heck of it, so I suspect something is up. Any additional info you have from American or a further description of what you did after the knocker was DOA would really be appreciated. Thanks for posting this.

Thanks. Well, I’m going to hook up the knocker and NOS switches tonight. The PS is due Wednesday, and I also stocked up on fuses, so I’m all set. I’ll post my results after the PS goes in.

So, I hooked up my knocker. Checked voltage and double checked that I plugged everything where it’s supposed to be plugged in. Then set knocker to mechanical and tested in CABINET - Dead as a door nail.

First - thanks for giving this some thought. Just to be clear, I have the original PS, not the upgrade. The upgrade is in the mail.
I note that I’m reading 54v off the 48v source (I tested it at the plug end of the added knocker line that goes to VIN 2.
Also, and perhaps this might be part of the problem, the instructions say to put the machine in to “test >adjustments >standard.” under “tests,” I couldn’t find anything like that. I ended up in settings, and then was able to find an adjustment that switched the knocker to “mechanical.” Maybe I’m not in the right place to actually activate it???
I tried to test it in the cabinet icon, to no avail, and I held in the interlock switch when testing. Other coils all tested fine.

Ha! The addition of the last step to the new instructions - basically "add fuse" - kind of explains the dead knocker.

On an unrelated issue - eager for the firmware update - had an awesome game, managed to crest 5 million points and avoided going into Master Magician, only to have it reset mid-ball. But I did happily and finally get to play the mode [can't remember what it's called] where one plays all the movie modes at once. Have no idea how I started it. Also got caught in a random multi-ball that seemed more like a glitch. Best of all was an awesome run of Man From Beyond.

What a great game and, in my humble opinion, one of the better pinball games ever produced.

Thanks Barry

@BarryJ: Thought of another knocker question - With the upgrade power supply, will the brown and black wires associated with the knocker install [see step 6 of the knocker install instructions] be attached to the Wall Nuts of the power supply upgrade as are the other brown and black wires from that same connector [describe in the PS install as "connector #6]? Seems correct, but just checking.

Thanks again

That’s it! The sad irony was that I had topped the high binge score put on the game by ROSH. Guess I’ll have to do it again - At least I have something to which I can aspire.

Added the fuse and it functions perfectly. Even startled me when I earned an extra ball.

Thanks Barry

Bravo! I’ve been collecting for over 20 years, and on occasion I get freaked out too, but this is absolutely the best advice. The game is great. Set it on easy, play the hell out it and have fun. Worry about tweaking it down the road once you are used to the game and pinball in general.

I have. It’s usually deep in play after stacking a few modes. The game gets confused. I’ll end up, once in a while, with a sort of unofficial 2 ball multi-ball the just keeps recycling until I lose both balls at once. That’s happened a few times. Other times I’ll be in the middle of a ball, drop into the scoop, stage or hat, and then no ball. It searched, chugged a ball out the scoop, which drained (which was a rare coincidence) and then no ball search, no nothing.
However, I do note that my TZ would on rare occasion get confused and get lost in play. Usually when I gad a lot going on.
So, it’s rare, but does happen.
Hopefully the new firmware will take care of Master Magician resets and look into these intermittent issues too

Ditto. I had a truly epic game (sadly due to a glitch, but still epic) and then right when I had 5 million points and still managed to avoid Master Magician, it reset. Boo hoo. I guess it’s true that cheaters never prosper. Darn.

Installed and no glitches for me yet. Scores are lower without the aid of random multi-ball modes and other glitches -damn...

You mean the firmware update? If yes, there is a plug for your flash drive inside the door and off to the right. It kind of floats off on the inside right, under the right flipper switch/button. It’s a black plug.

Find the little plug in the middle of the photo.
For further orientation: See the wire behind it going straight up? That’s the wire that leads to the flipper switch. You can also see the packing foam that I store in the nook to the right of the coin box- it’s right above that. Hope that helps.

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Had to comment on the knocker. It’s really worth it. Was wondering why I bought it initially since I was under the impression that it whacked only on a match.

Wrong. Turns out to be quite the active effect.

It is especially pleasing during the bullet catch mode. If you are hitting targets it’s pretty neat - but if you stack with multi-ball, it begins to sound like popcorn popping.

So, yet another successful addition prompted by an excellent company responding to user input.

100% agree

Just had a great game with version 18.11.24T, but it’s still a bit glitchy. Before the report on the glitch, I wanted to note that I received an “encore bonus,” which I’ve have never seen before but was pretty cool. The Houdini chant was neat.

Following that, I managed to get into master magician mode. That was going relatively fine until I got to the point of having 60 seconds to complete the mode with the last ball. I looked up at that point, and noted that the screen was fundamentally blank. Occasional items would show up, like scoring, and the letters associated with the bullet catch mode. I was happy to see that when I finished the magician mode the game did not reset.

It didn’t work quite right either.

I was on ball 4 and it was simultaneously prompting me to enter my initials for the high score, with the associated Ouija Board graphics, and it was also prompting me to launch the next ball, also with the skill shot graphics up on the screen. The result was having the two graphics overlap each other. I was bound and determined not to let that 5,000,000+ score disappear into the either and so I manage to enter my initials. The high score entry graphics disappeared, and I launched the ball.

While the ball was in play, the monkey with the symbols “match” graphics popped up, overlapping the regular gameplay graphics. At that point the flippers went dead, the balls drained, and the game ended on ball 4. I did manage to retain the score. The score shows up as grand champion.

I also noticed that the bottom third of the game went completely dark at some point. That would be Houdini’s eyes, the chains and locks. I think this happened as I was in master magician mode also.

Otherwise, the game performed perfectly up to that point. I was absolutely pleased it didn’t reset after master magician, but I just wanted to report this. Hope it helps.

I have my timed auto launch turned off, but left a ball in the lane once for an extended time when called away to attend to some allegedly important task about the house - something trivial like dinner or some such nonsense - and it fired a ball into play. But I had not thought of a ball search. Hmmmm. Anyway, I have only abandoned a ball for an extended period that one time, so I’ve not had it happen other than on that occasion.

I’m glad this came up. I have a non-powered subwoofer that’s rated for automotive use. I’ve hooked it up to the game amp, which should support the speaker, and I get nothing. The only indication I get that it’s working is that when I started up the game, I get a momentary rumble from the pulse of the amp coming to life.
I have a couple of little subwoofers that have an amp, that will need to be rewired a bit, and eventually I’m going to try that. However, it seems like the game amp should support the non-amp speakers.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I did. I didn't when I initially tested it, but soon discovered that it was there. A real "duh!" moment. But, sadly, no difference.

Yeah, I fiddled with that too.

I tried two ways to hook it up.

1. + & - from the speaker into the right subwoofer + & - connectors.

2. then I ganged both the + and both the - connectors from the amp and hooked up to + & - of the speaker

Make sense?

Hi again Barry - Yeah, that's what I did, but nothing but the rumble/pop when the pin is turned on. Adjusted sub volume all the way up and tried the spectrum of crossover - nothing when the game is going. Checked continuity from the speaker lug to the the amp, and it is fine.

Perplexing...

I will look at it and try another speaker.

So, I don’t need a sub w/amp. GTK

Ohhh, I see. I actually like that. The one time I "Conquered the Universe" in AFM, I thought things got kind of boring after that - no longer any point.

I think of it this way: you have spent 30 minutes getting to the ultimate mode - like tackling pinball Everest Once that mountain is climbed, it’s time to take a break or nap and then hit start again once recuperated and ready to try another accent.

However, I’m old and funky, so I could see differing positions on this. But I do like it.

Right? For home use I’ve got to have goals, and being a master magician is noble and lofty enough. For me this is all rather hypothetical since I kind of cheat. If not for setting everything to ludicrously easy levels and getting God only knows how many free balls, I would never get there.

My plan is to experience as many levels of the game as possible now and eventually dial it all back to intermediate player level. I’ve already vastly improved on hitting all the lanes and oddly have the hardest time hitting the easiest thing on the play field- the ramp. Makes no sense...

I get the idea that the game is ripping the player off for the remainder of unplayed balls, and that just comes down to a philosophical question that’s going to vary from owner to owner, so no wrong answer - just different answers.

Love this game. For me it’s a keeper.

Wow. Another gold star to Rosh for the Holiday gift - our collective nuts appreciate any reprieve or sense of achievement.

I had the chant thing once. It finished up with the delivery of an encore bonus. It seemed it was separate from any other mode. As I recall, it was chanting, the computation of a bonus, and that was it. Had some graphic associated with it, thinking it might’ve been Houdini standing next to a breakdown of the bonus, but I’m not sure. Never happened before, never happened since. I meant to look it up in the manual, but never got to it. Liked it because the bonus was huge.

I looked in the manual and found nothing.

Very mysterious indeed.

Maybe ROSH can solve this conundrum.

1. With the addition of the knocker, by far the bullet catch for me

2. Straight jacket

3. Indian needle - especially when stacked with a multi-ball

Ugh, I’m not good at this mode. Always just miss. I’d say I only average 100k. That and the center ramp, which for some reason becomes impossible during v-elephant mode -choke....

Check this topic before you start. I believe you will have to remove or loosen the VUK in addition to all the stuff on top to install the scoop protector - but check that, I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure someone did the install on this forum

And yes, take pictures. I’m doing mine when off for the holidays in a week or two.

Speaking of aftermarket, did Hooked On Pinball do something for Houdini? I remember seeing that something was coming, but I don’t recall ever seeing anything released.

Wait until you get into Bullet Catch, especially if you stack with Trunk Multiball - sounds like your popping popcorn.

I’m having zero luck with this. I have the sub noted below. It is not powered. I wired the sub woofer into the left hand bottom row sub woofer output “tabs” on the back of the amplifier. The only thing I got was a mild thump out of the sub when I powered up the pinball machine and then nothing out of the subwoofer. The other pinball speakers continue to work just fine. I turned the adjustment knob for subwoofer volume on the amp all the way up. Additionally I fiddled with the crossover setting, but it made no difference. The only other thing I’ve noticed was that the signal indicator on the front of the amp by the sub adjustment knobs never blinked or came on. So, other than the thump at start, I get absolutely nothing.

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Thanks everyone. I too wonder about the amp, but will hook up a cheap speaker on low volume and see if it works. That should indicate if it’s some odd issue with my sub or the game’s amp. Game is only about six weeks old, so if the amp either a warranty item or a $35 output for me - either way, no big deal. I’ll experiment further. Thanks again.

My idea of a cool feature for a home use pinball is a game save feature - like in a PS2 video game. Say you are on ball 2 and you get the fourth call to dinner but this is now an epic game - you are this close to the best game ever. So rather than having to pick either finishing the game or getting a divorce, it would be great to be able to activate [maybe hold the left flipper and the start button or something] a feature that when ball two finally drains, the game stops and your epic game is saved as an option when you return. On your return you are given the option of the saved game or a new game. If you chose the saved game, your score and achievements are retrieved and you start on ball 3 and finish the game. Well...? Been done? If not, a new pinball innovation for American Pinball Inc? No one can say it's sick - we spent $7K on a pinball machine, that's pretty sick to begin with.

Flippers need to be turned down in the coil adjustment. You’ll have to fiddle with it until you get it where you want it. Mine are at 22 and I have very few air balls.

These are awesome and a must.

My pitch is 6.4

I do have balls roll back off the ramp. When I hit it right it flies up and over, so I don’t think it’s a power thing. I’ve also had a couple of balls stall at the apex of the ramp. Otherwise, it’s okay.

Knocker whacks with extra balls, match (if on), and very effectively on bullet catch. The latter, if stacked with a multi-ball, can really give the knocker a workout. Pretty simple installation. Ultimately, it’s really very much worth the investment in time and money.

Mine does the same.

Check out https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-knocker-kit
Also consider the power supply. You’ll get a $150 credit. I applied it to a spare plastic set. I now have three spare kicker plastics and one each of the rest. Fun stuff if you think the game is a keeper.

Per the API site:

“First you need a USB stick of at least 4 Gig, Formatted as FAT32. Download the game package from the website, copy onto the USB drive (make sure the package name doesn’t change) Plug into the game with power on and follow the onscreen directions.”

The size and formatting of the the thumb drive (USB stick) are critical. Once you have a large enough thumb drive/stick (I used a 40 GB), just erase it and reformat it to FAT32 and nothing else. I initially formatted it on a Mac to a different FAT (ExFAT) format, and it didn’t work. On a Mac it should display as:

“MS-DOS (FAT)”

Picture below.

Load the file onto the drive. You’ll see it there once loaded and it should have the same name as displayed on your computer.

Turn on the game and let it fully boot (ready to play). Plug it into the game. If correct, you’ll know. It will pulse and then display a message letting you know that it is downloading. Once the download is complete, it will direct you to turn off the game. Once off, just restart as usual and you should be good.

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Congratulations on finishing the upgrade and ditto on the awesomeness of the game. I’ve been collecting for 25 years and love this game. A 37th place ranking is out of whack IMHO.

Well, I’m going to open myself to ridicule and potential ostracization - I was so taken with the game that I sold my Twilight Zone to get the money and space for Houdini. Ultimately, I’m glad I did. After 15 years of the same shots and modes, it was time for a change and while I miss the theme (I am a big Zone series fan), I’m enjoying the heck out of Houdini.

Hear, hear! I second that.

I too continue to get the blank screen during magician.
I did hit a new mode, one that I had not seen before. It was all the jail escapes at once. Tons of fun. Has anyone else run across that mode before?
I was getting a bit of freak out toward the end of that mode. The stage door opened and a ball dribbled in, and it seem to get really confused for a bit.
It eventually straightened itself out, and all was well.
Continues to be an outstanding game.

18.12.12

Yeah but has anyone seen the All Jail Escape Multi-Mode [or whatever it's called] where the challenge is to do all of the escapes at once during a limited time? First time for me. Just curious if that is what shows up in the High Score roll as "Jail Escape." If so, it would answer why ROSH had 125K score listed on my machine - which was played at a show. I wondered how I could beat such a high score on a single escape, and this might be answer...???? The other less attractive option is that the pin is correct when it tells me, "You Stink."

Don't forget plenty of extra balls.

Agreed on all counts. Shaker is great with the pop bumpers, vanishing elephant, and most all of the modes - it's pretty active. Knocker is really good too.

The power upgrade is on their site,and it deals ostensibly with power fluctuations from inconsistent voltage sources. A lot of us are just putting it in as a prophylactic measure. It has the benefit of delivering a consistent voltage supply so everything should work the same today as it will tomorrow, as it will next week, so forth and so on. Things like the catapult and up kickers.
The free part is that if you purchase one from American pinball, which is absolutely the way to do it since they have all their appropriate hook ups and instructions, you get a $150 credit. You would then use the $150 credit to purchase these other items. I ended up buying a spare plastics set. It’s a great deal, and probably something you should think about doing. There’s a ton of information in this thread on this very subject starting a few months back.

What!?! You mean there is now one less thing I can screw up on the machine?!?

Was having a spectacular game. He’d finished all illusions, collected stage bonus, spelled Houdini and was on my second round of bullet catch stacked with trunk multi-ball when the screen went black, the game froze and then reset. Once it rebooted, settings had changed and the lower catapult was now set 6 digits lower than before the game.

Anyone else have a reboot issue? I’m running the latest version of the software. Thanks