I got to play AIQ LE at a buddy's home. Initially, the videos of the game looked underwhelming. However, after playing, i believe this game, especially the prem/LE, is Elwin's SECOND best game. IMDN is the Best by Elwin IMO. I played at least 20 games.

My experience with AIQ is that it is a very challenging game, at least for a player of my skill. I am average at best. If I were a better player, and able to be more of a sharpshooter, this game would be my favorite, because there are so many shots. the PF is chock full of fun opportunities to hit satisfying shots. the third flipper is VERY well imtegrated; there are a bunch of really satisfying shots from that flipper. the ramps are amazing. the ball is all over the place. i really love the right and left orbit shots. to the left, it is a quick loop return to the pops in the upper left PF. the right loop hits a backpanel ramp returning to the right flipper. I love that shot!

the game has far less flow than IMDN, however. Perhaps due to my lack of skill, but it does NOT flow like Maiden at all. If you are a top level player, this is your game. the better you are, the funner it is.

I really did not like the FAT ramp in the middle. Even on clean shots, it seems to klunk and rattle all the way up the ramp. I like the voice work on the game, alot. the art by ZY is different this time. I believe ZY was restricted by the licensor on this game. He had to adjust his style a bit, especially when comparing the TMNT and IMDN art. you can tell he was forced to "duplicate" marvel comics instead of interpreting the art his own way. thats kind of a bummer for me, because ZY's special sauce is limited on this art package.

overall, a great game, which will sell well in any market. Elwin is the best designer at Stern by far.

I put a bunch of games on the LE and Pro at this point, and honestly, I think the Pro is the way to go, especially with the money saved. the Pro shoots very well, and the best shots are available on the Pro. The upper flipper is amazing, and the inner loop is killer.

the premium right vertical ramp is neat, but not that awesome after playing it. I like the Pro hook spinner shot instead of the vert ramp.
The sound on this game is average, as well as the music. The art and PF design shine here though.

One interesting note is that Elwin departed in this design from his typical (two games so far) inclusion of Playfield elements closer to the flippers. So, this game is a lot more long shots when compared to IMDN and JP2. I really love how he designed the right loop to upper ramp return to flipper. I love those types of shots (very brian eddy like). the up post above the upper flipper is brilliant. Elwin really knows how to ensure that the upper flippers are frequently used, which adds to the value. AIQ is a very neat design, especially if you are a better than average player. If you are a master pinballer, then this game is an absolute gem. hitting those long narrow shots is ultra satisfying!! and the wide ramp is a nice fun easy shot.

Overall, this game is great, but I'm not sure it's better than IMDN. I own IMDN Prem, so I am biased. I suppose IMDN just has better art and sound than AIQ which bumps it up for me. Also, on AIQ, Zombie Yeti was obviously forced to "tweak" his artistic style/flair to please the licensor. It is still obviously ZY, but you can tell he was made to craft the art to match the comics more closely than he would have done had he been given the green light to do the art HIS way. on IMDN and TMNT, the opposite is true. those games have PURE ZY art, the way he wanted to draw it, albeit guided by the licensor's samples. ZY was permitted to use his personal style throughout. AIQ still has good art, but IMDN, TMNT, DP, and GB are better representations of PURE ZY awesomeness when compared to AIQ art. Do you guys agree that ZY changed his style a bit for this game? look closely, and you will see some discrepancies in his art style for AIQ.

I was going to buy a PRO of this game NIB, but GNR got released, so I changed my mind. I wanted to buy a "slower" game like GNR because I own a couple very fast games already, and I need to keep the variety coming. someday, I suppose I may buy the pro if it comes at a decent price, but for now, I can play it on location and with friends who own it and still enjoy and appreciate the game.

You are right, the disk is pretty neat, and subway is a good integration. But for me, as ambivalent as I am with the license, I don't feel like the Pro is lacking, as you have stated. I think my perspective is based on how enjoyable the pro PF is without the adders, and the things they were able to fit into the Pro PF is pretty substantial, especially when compared to other recent releases by Stern, Spooky, and even AP.

I'm surprised you have said ZY didn't change his style for this game. I feel like there are "sharper" and more bold "lines" on AIQ art, when compared with other titles, which have what I'd consider "softer" lines and more cartoonish feel (not so "comic book" like). I agree with you that DP is not his best art; it's way too RED !!

The PF designs which are provided on the Pro model are really neat, kinda like the Pro JP. They were able to offer a decent value game here. the "bells and whistles" which are available for a bit more are all about the buyer. Does the buyer really love those additional features?? if so, then they are in a position to judge the value. If this game is a keeper for your collection (bolted to the floor), then I'd say go Premium, because of the more intricate aspects provided, and the additional variety that those items provide to the experience of the player.

I hope you love the Premium; it's a great game!

I love that you splurged on the Premium for your little ones. I would do the same exact thing. I'm sure they're thrilled to play it! what a blessing. I hope to see a theme which my kids will be drawn to, and I will buy that game straight away if they are!