Iron Maiden have a comic book series and the game is based on the comic.

I understand what you mean and I had similar feelings with Metallica. I know it has the bands faces and you do "collect the band members" with pick targets, but that was never something I was shooting for. It was always more about Sparky, Snake, Hammer, and Graveyard. I've never been a huge Metallica fan and it's still my number one Stern game. I don't have as much experience with band themes.

Does it even say the members' names or anything when you hit the picks?

When you collect a band member it says their name.

The realization for me is simple its the best band pin out there.

It is unique, Eddie is a pretty sweet mascot. That and the fact that stern partnered with the company that made the mobile game so they used assets from that.

I like that IMDN was centered on Eddie
but AC/DC is probably my 2nd fav music pin

I love that KISS, Rolling Stones and Primus don't even rate as band pins to the OP.
Maiden is great, best part is you don't have to look at any old fogies.
Wish we could get a pin with some modern music.
B

It was not designed as a music pinball machine. Iron Maiden is a re-skin of Archer. KE had been working on his Archer Home brew when he started up at Stern and brought that design with him they scrapped the Archer IP and replaced it with IM FACT. Rumor: the IM IP and the GOTG IP were swapped at some point in the process as well.

Granted I haven't played everything on that list, but the reason I like Iron Maiden over the rest is because of the flow. It's got crazy good flow and fun targets to hit. It's better than the others in terms of flow imo.

Maybe that's just me though.

True for the playfield... but it wasn’t just a reskin.

By now everyone should realize the rules design of elwin games is also what sets them apart. That wasnt just archer... just like each of his follow ons have been able to differentiate as well.

IMDN is as unique as any game in the last 20 years. Why? It is because KE designed it for like 7 years. He meticulously and painfully designed every single aspect over a long period of time. So, the PF is unique for that reason. the rules are unique too. it is not a "rock and roll show" pinball. It is the "adventures/conquests of Eddie" the character, which is far more unique a take on a metal band than has been created in the past. even GNR is the stock "rock show" game, albeit a great one.

IMDN is simply amazing. It's the only game to get such meticulous design treatment from the designer, and probably will be the only game with such effort committed to it in perpetuity. the design schedules now do not allow for such time dedication to a single game; too short of a design phase.

I'm never selling my IMDN premium. It is bolted.

That's the best formula for any music pin.

Pinball is pretty abstract. I think you could strip the art away from 99% of machines and someone unfamiliar with the game would have a hard time telling you what the theme was just by looking at the machine.

I think u should know that, not have to think about it. I mean the art, animations and sound is what really makes the theme apparent. Unless every pin has a sculpted structure of something very recognizable how would u know and then if that structure isn't a mech used in the game its art as well. Just saying. What I'm talking about is the method used in Maiden is what I would prefer across the board when it comes to band pins. GnR and the live concert approach stinks and I don't want to see the band at all or here their terrible call outs.

On a similar note, I was curious if you who own the recent music pins burn out on the songs. I love Aerosmith and Zeppelin's music,
and have played the Aerosmith pro that's on a local route. When perusing what will be my only home game (at least for a while) I
hesitated on buying a couple used Aerosmith, and balked at ordering a new Zepp cause I think that I would tire of the hearing the songs
EVERY time and wish for more generic pin sounds. I fear that it could ruin the music for me!

Any thoughts?

peace,

-john

Iron Maiden is awesome! Seems as though everything came together on it to create one of Stern’s best pins ever.

IMDN has incredible flow not only with shots but the gameplay .It’s just tied in so well with shots ,art,modes,music .It all fits together .

I don’t know how old you are but I’m 51 been listening to IMDN and metal music for a long ass time and keep turning it on over n over .Same as a pin if you like it you will always like it .

Most music pins do get fairly repetitive, especially the ones that play a small portion of the song and/or loop it from the beginning. Top that with only 8-10 songs, and it can get old quick.

I actually had no intent on buying GNR for this reason. But, then I saw how they integrated the band and music. It delivered on so many levels.

I think GNR and IMDN do music pins the best. Lots of variety, lots of energy.

It was already mentioned, but I think Metallica is closest to IMDN in "not being a band/concert game". But IMDN is still a notch above there. I generally dislike the idea of "collecting" band members, songs, or playing concerts and tours and thus honestly don't really like music pins - yet I own and love both of these games...

I've loved Maiden's music for a couple decades, they have seldom not been in my music playlist rotation, but I was honestly not expecting to love the game before it was released, just expecting another typical band/concert game. Talk about exceeding expectations... I honestly can't imagine it being any better.

People often say a game is "bolted to the floor", only to turn around and sell said game in a year, if that. I've had my IMDN Pro since just after release, June 2018 I believe, and the only way I see myself ever selling it is to get a premium. It's a stellar game if you can accept the music, and if you love the music anyway (or grow to like it) it's damn near perfection.

I think the comic came from their Legacy of the Beast mobile game. Could have been a simultaneous release I suppose. The comics have dribbled out slowly. I got the first series and I think the first issue of the second series, then forgot about them. Heavy Metal has them on their site: https://www.heavymetal.com/products/iron-maiden-legacy-of-the-beast-vol2-night-city-issue-4-cover-a-john-lamantia

Give Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle a try, it will blow you away. I think it’s pretty unique too, upper play field kicks fuckin ass! It’s not really a band theme other than the music plays when your battling monsters you find in the castle. Very addicting game and a new favorite of mine. But of course I still like and have IRMD.

That's the problem. The music plays.

Maiden is different in a few ways (besides the great layout) the band is absent from the game, but still a huge presence. It is based off of the video game (legacy of the beast, which is a great game once you get into it). Eddie is very versatile as a mascot, although i do think there are too many eddies on the playfield. The epic songs make for great modes. My name is andrew, and i am an iron maiden fan.

#tommy-pinball-wizard is about their rock opera. I don't think the band members are mentioned.
Elvis has song modes but I don't think collecting Elvis is incorporated into the rules.
KISS doesn't but KISS (Pro) kind of does. I forget if they build towards a wizard mode or a bonus-ish feature.
Roy Clark The Entertainer probably doesn't mention Roy or depend on collecting him.
Al's Garage Band goes on a World Tour Beat Time Dolly Parton Nugent Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones don't know the rules on these.

To each their own. The music fits the theme and modes for the most part. There’s much worse out there.

1980 Bally Rolling Stones features all the band members (at that time) on the Backglass and the Plastics. Mick is featured himself (of course) on the playfield art (his front and back). The two songs in all their synthesized glory are the opening notes of "Miss You" and "Satisfaction".

No modes for the band members.

Good shooting game with the worst music of all the music pins.

Isn’t the game over riff from Jumpin Jack flash?

Yes it is. Forgot that one.

I would say that Rob Zombie is more of a horror movie pin than a music pin.

What can be more fun than targeting Mick as he dances across the playfield on Stern "The Rolling Stones" (sort of reminds me of trying to hit the ball cart at the driving range)?

It actually is fun and you only need to hit him for one of the multiballs. The rest of the time you need sniper skills to shoot around him.

Much deeper game code than anyone gives it credit for.

While I jest a little, I did enjoy playing the pin a few years back when a local movie theater had one in their lobby. Not a Stones fan at all, but I dropped about $10 in the game and the fun of hitting dancing Mick is what kept sucking up my dollar bills.

I’ll likely be grabbing another IMDN when stern runs them later this year or find one local.
Simply a fantastic pin.