If I was interested in a new pin the last thing I would do is come to Pinside to read about it. So much hate and negativity from a well-known vocal minority of members here. And not just one post, more like 10 or more from many. Sad, petty stuff.

I never really understood it either by as an owner of one now it has grown on me and I realize there is a lot more to AFM than meets the eye at first glance! If I didn't already own an AFM I would bet buying one of these remakes most likely.

Yeah, I played one on location - easy peasy, slow slings, dead rubbers.

Play one set up with new rubbers, decent pitch, waxed, good flippers and different universe!

On my second AFM and not come close to ruling the universe.

And it is the only game out of tons that wife and kids will play

I'd consider for the right price, agree metal production at the scoop would be a good idea from the factory.

Can't wait to play one at Allentown!

This is so awesome. I'm glad that people are getting the chance to pick up a copy of the best pinball ever made NIB!! What a time to be in the pinball hobby. If I didn't already have one I'd have sent my deposit in already.

I much rather have one of these masterpieces than the half coded overpriced junk Stern's been peddling lately.

Game looks really nice, that topper is sweet and the wide LCD is a really cool touch. I don't have much else to add besides agreeing that I'm not into the green. Clashes with the red. I'd personally dig a matte black or maybe a red/orange fade look. Could always just get the armor powder coated though.

Yep. I always just hope I can get the info I am looking for before the insanity starts. Wish they had the prices ready with the first post, haha.

It's always great to read level-headed, factual responses from the manufacturer or designer. It speaks volumes that they don't respond to trolling or vitriol, but rather address valid concerns.

I wish Stern would do that, too, but kudos to CGC! I hope you sell a million games.

Oh yeah. Just like last time around. They're there when it's time to make money alright.

There may be some negativity but IMO a lot of that is imagined. Complaining about complainers though... that seems to happen a bit

Now, now, now, Complaining about people complaining about complainers. That's a lot of complaining!

Not exactly a fair statement. CGC has never really used pinside for anything other then when they need to make a mass announcement. My MMr had a switch go out early on. Went onto the webite and started my repair ticket. Got a call from CGC a few days later to make sure I had diagnosed the issue correctly and they promptly sent out a new switch. Talked with Doug at Expo the year before last and he was very approachable and extremely open with his disappointment in production delays and how long it was taking to get the preordered games shipped. Seemed like a really good person and I've heard nothing from anyone that has dealt with him that contradicts this.

Why would a company be active on pinside? They can get market feedback without ever posting a thing. Nothing good is ever going to come out of a company having a presence here. It's completely toxic for them.

Not a fair statement? I pay attention. Them and their cohorts PPS were there until people started having problems with their games or it came time to pony up for the color display. The only time I saw either one respond to any issues with the game is when PPS said to blame the shipping company for damage that was done in transit.

I only trust companies that are there not only to sell their product, but also to respond in a positive way, when one or more people have issues with what they have spent their hard earned money on.

It's fun, approachable, and easy to play, but difficult to master.

So I have been reading some of the topper criticism in all of the AFM threads and not quite sure why all the hate. I think it is pretty awesome myself. Does anyone else like the topper?

I do. +1

I think it fits well...it's got an old school B/W vibe to it - like Fish Tales or Dr. Who. The martian is going to move or bounce, and the saucers look like they have lighting FX. I wonder if you can fit one of the FT/DW/WH20 plastic domes over it for the full "classic" look.

I really need to see these in person and get a better look at the larger LCD screen. Tempted to just go classic and pay the extra for the color upgrade. Luckily TPF is next week!

I, for one believe in voting with my dollar. Rick has proved to be a pretty shitty person to all us Pinside guys. When I bought my mmr, all pps did was bash cgc in respect to my issues. They would constantly refer me to Doug and tell me that it was his fault for this or his fault for that. Suprisingly I found Doug to be awesome and helpful. If this was a cgc and not a pps game I'd be in. Living near San Jose I'd had a handful of personal experiences with Rick and his staff and they never missed an opportunity to be rude to me directly or bash "Pinsiders." I find it amusing that so many people are clamouring to buy a game from someone who literally hates them and will publicity say so. Want to buy a nib pin from a customer service oriented company who holds themselves accountable on Pinside(the largest online gathering of collectors/players), call spooky
/endrant

Do you blame Rick for responding to some of the pinsiders in that manner. I have spoken to both Rick and Doug and they have always been great guys to talk to. Like anyone, if you are rude then expect to get that back.

Pinside can be a cruel place to hang out in. It's the only place where you get people going out of their way to make you feel bad about your new pin purchase. It's a place where they slam a new machine that is being released as well as the company releasing it and pick the pettiest of things to dwell upon. A beautiful AFMr is released and people dwell on green trim? Lets face it, there are certain individuals that make it an art form at being rude and obnoxious for absolutely no reason at all other than to be rude and obnoxious. The Pinside purge can't come soon enough.

lol. Says the owner of batman66.

Pardon me while I grab my rose colored diffuser.

Your inference is that I was rude and that they were rude back but that's not how the interaction went. Last interaction with Rick was me showing up in Campbell to pick up an item they "forgot" to ship me. When I showed up after calling and letting them know I was coming by, Rick told me he was too busy to look for my item and slammed the door in my face. That was the whole of our interaction. I literally didn't even have a chance to be rude. Rick is a business owner and needs to deal with customers with a certain level of respect, he tends to forget that. Don't believe me? Just look up his post history here

Agreed, #purgerick

You're excused, now go get your glasses.

If that happened then that really sucks, he should have handled it better than that. I wonder what happened to him that day. Maybe he had a bad day?

And what does that mean? I didn't see Stern come on here selling games and then bailing at the first sign of trouble.

And my experience with that company so far, is they take care of problems, even some not under warranty, including replacing playfields at no charge.

Seems to be a very normal occurrence with him, other northern cali collectors are more than welcome to chime in and disagree if they feel like I'm painting an unfair picture of what he's like. It seems, however, most of the people that stick up for Rick haven't actually ever met him. I've had other issues with both him and Sarah, this was just one example, believe me, I have more.

Only issue I've ever had with stern was responded to by Gary stern and john bascugoli (spelling?) in a professional and curtious manner. i have 20 plus sterns and minus the recent missteps with kpgs playfield I can't think of a time they didn't at least acknowledge problems. They've certainly never gotten on pinside and started actively bashing pinsiders at least so they have that on pps

Pinball is fun, and pinball is people!

It is funny that you think that replacing defective playfields, is going above and beyond.

Yes, Stern reps were never on Pinside then left.

Lots of people have experience with PPS that is good, and a few bad. Just like Stern.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

No but employees have done it on web streams.

Sometimes it takes time for sure, but they usually come thru.

If I was one of those that paid $8000 for a remake marketed as a collectors item for high end collectors and waited two years for it, I would have really been pissed off if they had sent me slingshot kits or diffusers as the only way to address a playfield that was defective or damaged by no fault of my own.

Slings damaged my playfield, their response was basically "tough shit call cgc"

Not defending PPS for anything but sending a buyer clear and a brush for shooter lane chipping on a new game is pretty much the same thing.

Going above and beyond what these guys seemed willing to do.

Completely 100 percent agree, not a stern fan boy or anything, if that's what stern is doing these days perhaps we should all boycott. I just believe if I'm buying a 5 to 10k luxury item I don't really need that there is a certain level of customer service that should be expected. I think you'd be hard pressed to find another luxury item where customers are treated so poorly

The big lcd looks cool! Love that topper..
The green trim sucks.. Should be red or black glossy.
Either way these prices are ridiculous.. pass.

Oh I completely agree.

Wonder where they got the idea.

Have they released official pricing yet?

Stern is suppose to show people how it is done.

They are the big boys. However, they haven't shown that in the past few years, with QC issues and a lack of communication.

That's interesting...does this new board in the backbox mean there aren't boards under the playfield anymore? Just light boards, maybe?

What exactly is your experience with CGC? Or do you have any at all? You bashed away at stern and their playfields, art, themes, QC, etc relentlessly until they made something you wanted.

If you think stern didn't come on here trying to build a sales presence then quickly bail you obviously are not paying attention.

Agreed. There seems to be a lot of that going on these days. Sorry to interrupt this happy thread.

I owned one of their Arcade Legends games and it was a top quality product. No complaints at all. The only point I'm trying to make is if you use this forum to sell anything, how bout stick around and address people's issues and concerns after the games are delivered. Didn't happen with the last one. That's all.

Interesting to hear everyone's opinion--some on every AFMr related thread, even people that have no intention of buying a new game or even a game from the last few decades It all helps us make informed decisions...Thanks!

Then again, maybe a little...something something..lil bit? just a lil bit?

AxGrind (resized).jpg

Fair enough. Just don't go looking for Jared. One is in prison and stern has the other one locked in their basement on mute.