I played the game at INDISC yesterday a couple times. It was on 0.59 software.
* The display look great. It is really crisp and sharp.
* Ramp shots don't feel good. I think it is related to the bounce in the habitrail as it passes over the rotisserie. Since it can't anchor on the moving part. It is amazing how something like that can make it feel cheap. It looses that smooth beautifully engineered feel some games have.
* Batmobile had fallen off.
* Similar to the ramp, the rotisserie makes me angry, not joyful. It is current clunky. Maybe software will fix some of it. It is slow. The screen is telling you to hit the phone, but it is not there yet. There are times it stops half way between sections for a couple seconds. It just never felt magical. Never filled me with joy. Time will tell if it is reliable enough.
* The one shot I do really like us that horseshoe spinner to the back of the scoop.
* I am not going to pass judgement on the software. This is currently not ready to play. Bones of the rules look like they could be ok. Without the audio / video polish, things feel silly.
I am still really excited about the theme. I will give it another look once it is on 1.x code.
I got some good time on Batman66 and I was not impressed. I felt it played clunky and the rotisserie was a mess. I got 2 balls stuck during one game on top of the rotisserie. The problem was first it had to wait for ball search and then I had to wait for the rotisserie to slowly rotate to drop my ball back on the playfield. I thought the Hulk was bad on Avengers for ball hold-ups, Batman66 is 4x worse in terms of time and frustration. The animations seemed repetitive and annoying, I can't seem to get that frame of Joker turning around 100 times out of my head. Code should improve over time with the repetitive animations. The crane was not as exciting to me as it is in BDK for some reason? It seems like it is just running along with other modes and does not have much impact on game play, it felt flat?
I really played the game with an open mind but it just did not do anything for me. I think it may be because I did not grow up watching the series and I can relate to the Batman movies more because that is what I grew up with. The colors on the playfield and cabinet really pop and it is a cool looking game. I told my wife I truly feel sorry for the guys who dropped 15 large on SLE, unless money means nothing and they are filthy rich, they got bamboozled. Batman66 is a $5200 game, and not nearly worth $15,000. Sorry but I don't think code will be able to save this one.
Our local Batmobile also exploded.
After playing this more the game feels like a Pro to me and not a premium. The rotisserie is cool but what it adds to the game verses the $$$ it added to the bill of materials is not worth it. I love the theme but the playfield seems a little sparse for the price they are asking for these. Maybe I will change my opinion once there is decent code.
For another game with a turntable see "Lights Camera Action". The turntable is not very exciting in that game either.
Quoted from bemmett:Guys really is it THAT big a deal if Batgirl is not on your backbox decals? I can almost guarantee, for people with larger collections, if they were asked to name what is on the backbox decals of their games they wouldn't even be able to tell you without looking. I sure couldn't tell you what the hell is on most of mine, they get put between other games and never seen again. If that is anyone's deciding factor on buying a game you are spending $8K-$10K on some pretty expensive stickers, there is a pinball in between these amazing stickers. Get a poster of Batgirl and hang it next to your game, heck hang it above your bed if you are that into Batgirl.
FYI I am getting an LE and could care less what is on my backbox. I'm buying a Batman pinball, if it is Batman/Robin then sounds super like it fits the theme, if it's Batgirl then great she was not a huge part of the show from what I remember, maybe half a season? I'm a former comic geek as well and Batgirl is hardly an exciting thing in the comics either.
How much less could you care? I remember the Tron girls backglass being released and everyone going nuts for it. I think two guys vs a girl is a big difference for some Pinball addicts.
Quoted from robotron:the ls ramp air ball plastic flutter drove me crazy. jeeze any attention to detail!??
Can you translate this to English please?
Quoted from judremy:How much less could you care? I remember the Tron girls backglass being released and everyone going nuts for it. I think two guys vs a girl is a big difference for some Pinball addicts.
Look at how happy all the le owners are to get her (me included). Makes sense that the opposite is true on the other side of the equation.
Quoted from jfh:Can you translate this to English please?
There's no anchor screw at the back so the ball flexes it as it passes under and makes it flap like a ruler off the edge of a counter.
(Or, sometimes causes the ball to fly into the orbit... )
Not especially annoying, but it definitely is a half-assed design.
Would it of helped if the beginning of the ramps where enclosed instead of half /open top wireforms?
Doesn't really need to be as the ball seems to comfortably make the turn most of the time.
It just needs a welded tab for a screw at the last part of the cover to keep the flap from rattling/opening up, so the ball stays on track.
Quoted from NimblePin:Doesn't really need to be as the ball seems to comfortably make the turn most of the time.
It just needs a welded tab for a screw at the last part of the cover to keep the flap from rattling/opening up, so the ball stays on track.
I haven't got my game yet, is the cover just a flat clear plastic? If it is let me rephrase my question would it give the game a more premium look with enclosed wirforms?
Quoted from pinmister:improve over time with the repetitive animations. The crane was not as exciting to me as it is in BDK for some reason?
Yeah I felt the same. I think maybe it's the audio. When you start the crane on BDK, the music becomes very dramatic ...and each hit has a really cool and intense sound effect. Then - the final hit takes your directly into multiball with another intense music change. The associated sounds make the hits and events more satisfying.
Quoted from jfh:Can you translate this to English please?
the left side ramp air ball plastic on the ramp is held by just 2 screws. the one side of the plastic not screwed into ramp flaps/vibrates like crazy when you hit the left side ramp, kapish.
get off the computer and go play it somewhere and you will see what i mean.
Quoted from J85M:I haven't got my game yet, is the cover just a flat clear plastic? If it is let me rephrase my question would it give the game a more premium look with enclosed wirforms?
It's a long clear plastic that is attached on only one narrow side, so due to the long length and not being secured on the other side, it flutters a bit when a ball goes through the ramp. I don't know if the game would look any better with enclosed wireforms, but that section should have been enclosed and the entire ramp should have been mounted a little more securely. I like the look of the ramps, but they do feel a little flimsy.
Yeah, seems like a modern Stern to me. And if they are going to have toys flying off the game on day one, may as well at least build a chute into the game so kids can collect their prize. Pindemption done simultaneously very right and horribly wrong, as is the Stern way
Quoted from cavalier88z24:Ok I thought I would post my first impression here after I already play it. I mean really feel it, touch it, have a beer with it. With nobody around standing in line waiting to play it. Just real one on one time with it. So a local operator put bat66 premium on location today! Pictures speak for them self. Someone told me about it and i went to go play on location. Heres' my first impression
Remember this is coming from someone who has a BDK. As a shooter it's just like BDK. Ball can barely make it to the skill shot. Crane felt the same, commissioner gordon target same place. Did not like the catwoman ramps they felt difficult to shoot. Like they are angled wierd or something. When you hit it your like finally. I love the rotation mech. Plenty of cool toys and features.
Things i liked opening the orbit loops more flow. The left drop targets pushed back more room. Love the LCD screen but long over due so theres no wow factor. Same skill shot clips over and over. See it all after 3 games. Needed a liitle getting used to. Differently makes my BDK feel dated.The bat phone noise started annoying me. Because it wont shut up. But they put alot of drop targets in wierd places. I love that. But if you have BDK this game is a slam dunk for you. Shoots the same. I almost felt like i knew what i was doing. Also the flipper gap is wider. See pics
So as far as stern's "quality control" and the argument about dimples. FIRST day for batmam 66 premium in location. I put 5 dollars in played great but honestly after that since i own BDK I had enough. But still, new game and im a junky. got a refill beer put 5 dollars in. No real price break except 5 dollars for 1 free game. Hit the batmobile turn table the batmobile came flying off screws went everywhere. Just exploded. See pictures. Just crap quality.I also noticed dimples in the playfield. Mainly because on the reflecting off the glass. I saw how deep they were and took notice. I went back home and looked at my 10 year old stern Dark knight and it doesn't look like anything from that day one todays's stern. I own one stern game Dark Knight. Ill keep my basement full on williams games any day
Quoted from Rarehero:Yeah I felt the same. I think maybe it's the audio. When you start the crane on BDK, the music becomes very dramatic ...and each hit has a really cool and intense sound effect. Then - the final hit takes your directly into multiball with another intense music change. The associated sounds make the hits and events more satisfying.
I was also thinking my old BDK had a flipper fidelity sub and a shaker, it made a huge difference. No shaker in Premium could have thrown it off as well. The crane without a shaker is like nacho's without the cheese.
Quoted from stoptap:This is what I would call normal dimpling.
For those that think dimpling is because a steel ball is harder than wood, lift the playfield and strike the un-clearcoated wood underneath with a ball and see if it dimples there. It might surprise you.
Quoted from pinmister:The crane without a shaker is like nacho's without the cheese.
Literally made me laugh that hard juice came out my nose post of the year right there
Quoted from Rarehero:Yeah I felt the same. I think maybe it's the audio. When you start the crane on BDK, the music becomes very dramatic ...and each hit has a really cool and intense sound effect. Then - the final hit takes your directly into multiball with another intense music change. The associated sounds make the hits and events more satisfying.
Agree with that, from the vids I have seen it certainly is not as dramatic and focused as BDK but what with the code being so early still I like to think Lyman will address the presentation side of things once he's got the modes fleshed out and polished.
Lighting was also more dramatic during crane mods especially crane hits I used to love the flasher and light show when you hit the crane on BDK. I am confident Lyman will make the crane on BM66 as impressive as BDK can't see him making it worse second time round that just isn't his style, if anything I'm sure he would take this as a chance to improve all aspects of BDK and the crane.
Quoted from Hi-Fi:Batmobile also exploded
This could be made into a feature with the next code update.
I played BM66 at GEX yesterday. I would agree that it should have been priced more like a pro. I thought gameplay was fun, but the build quality seemed cheap, and the turntable was meh / clunky. I think this will improve with code releases. They can start with villian callouts. Need both the Jokers and the Riddler's crazy laughter in there....
Quoted from robotron:the left side ramp air ball plastic on the ramp is held by just 2 screws. the one side of the plastic not screwed into ramp flaps/vibrates like crazy when you hit the left side ramp, kapish.
get off the computer and go play it somewhere and you will see what i mean.
Quoted from taz:It's a long clear plastic that is attached on only one narrow side, so due to the long length and not being secured on the other side, it flutters a bit when a ball goes through the ramp. I don't know if the game would look any better with enclosed wireforms, but that section should have been enclosed and the entire ramp should have been mounted a little more securely. I like the look of the ramps, but they do feel a little flimsy.
Hold up guys,
I think he might need jusssst one more explanation of what's going on with that plastic on the ramp before we continue on here!
I believe we were also promised "nachos" at some point...
Quoted from J85M:let me rephrase my question would it give the game a more premium look with enclosed wirforms?
While it would indeed look "Hobbity nice", I think the B66' ramps are fine as is. They just need another anchoring point for the back of the left ramp shield.
Quoted from NimblePin:Hold up guys,
I think he might need jusssst one more explanation of what's going on with that plastic on the ramp before we continue on here!
It floppy.
Quoted from Rarehero:It floppy.
Is this machine going to be a future Batf*ckers you think?
Rare hate or not, I'm pretty sure at it's current price-point "Walletf*ckers" is more appropriate.
(Served with a side of rogue Batmobile...)
Quoted from Who-Dey:Is this machine going to be a future Batf*ckers you think?
No, a floppy plastic doesn't affect gameplay.
Quoted from NimblePin:Rare hate or not, I'm pretty sure at it's current price-point "Walletf*ckers" is more appropriate.
(Served with a side of rogue Batmobile...)
LMFAO!!!....spot on....( wait, I bought one AND am in on AlienLE...shit.....my wallet has already been f**ked)..
I picked up an LE. Got to play it for about 3 hours and it died. All the lights started flickering, flippers died and that was it. Two weeks later still dead. Replace node board 8 and Light mechanism above bat mobile. This fell off and damaged Bat mobile. This new batmobile car is coming. Now node board one is dead now. Apparently the cause of all this is a led failed. It is crazy that an LED failure can cause such issues. I am really concerned with the spike system to be honest. My game is on early code. My new code download failed. I think due to the bad node board one. Anyway, I enjoyed the game but the code needs a lot of work. Maybe the new download will help. Hopefully the game gets online this week.
Quoted from kvan99:This could be made into a feature with the next code update.
Can the opto in the ball trough differentiate between a pinball and the batmobile? If so, I have faith in Lyman to make it special.
Quoted from tslayer71:I played BM66 at GEX yesterday. I would agree that it should have been priced more like a pro. I thought gameplay was fun, but the build quality seemed cheap, and the turntable was meh / clunky. I think this will improve with code releases. They can start with villian callouts. Need both the Jokers and the Riddler's crazy laughter in there....
Agreed. BM66 is a pro-level game. Gotta hand it to Stern marketing. For a brief moment, they actually had me thinking about making a stupid video to prove I am worthy. Making a fool of myself, just for the privilege of having a slight chance to be selected to fork over 15 grand for a $5000 pinball machine.
I've now seen this twice on the same BM66 prem in the middle of games: Right after the ball is plunged the game reboots it restarts in attract mode. I don't recall anyone else mentioning this. I saw it once with code 0.60 and again with 0.65. Is this a known issue with the code or some problem with this particular example?
Quoted from twenty84:I've now seen this twice on the same BM66 prem in the middle of games: Right after the ball is plunged the game reboots it restarts in attract mode. I don't recall anyone else mentioning this. I saw it once with code 0.60 and again with 0.65. Is this a known issue with the code or some problem with this particular example?
Hasn't happened on the one we have. Sounds like a possible intermittent physical short or bad node board.
Quoted from twenty84:I've now seen this twice on the same BM66 prem in the middle of games: Right after the ball is plunged the game reboots it restarts in attract mode. I don't recall anyone else mentioning this. I saw it once with code 0.60 and again with 0.65. Is this a known issue with the code or some problem with this particular example?
hasn't happened to mine at all.
Quoted from calprog:I picked up an LE. Got to play it for about 3 hours and it died. All the lights started flickering, flippers died and that was it. Two weeks later still dead. Replace node board 8 and Light mechanism above bat mobile. This fell off and damaged Bat mobile. This new batmobile car is coming. Now node board one is dead now. Apparently the cause of all this is a led failed. It is crazy that an LED failure can cause such issues. I am really concerned with the spike system to be honest. My game is on early code. My new code download failed. I think due to the bad node board one. Anyway, I enjoyed the game but the code needs a lot of work. Maybe the new download will help. Hopefully the game gets online this week.
Did Stern have any ideas/explainations on what caused the hardware failures?
Quoted from frolic:hasn't happened to mine at all.
Same here, not a problem so far.
Quoted from PinMonk:Hasn't happened on the one we have. Sounds like a possible intermittent physical short or bad node board.
Quoted from frolic:hasn't happened to mine at all.
Quoted from taz:Same here, not a problem so far.
Quoted from MK6PIN:Ditto...
Thanks guys. I lifted the play field and looked at the switch and followed the wires to the node board. Couldn't see any obvious issues. Tested the switch lots of times in test mode and couldn't find anything either. I guess I just wait and see....
Quoted from o-din:For those that think dimpling is because a steel ball is harder than wood, lift the playfield and strike the un-clearcoated wood underneath with a ball and see if it dimples there. It might surprise you.
To make it a fair test, I think you need to do it at least another 100 times, just so we can see if it evens out
Quoted from vicjw66:Dent is less noticeable, but still there. Probably due to lack of clear, which I would imagine, enhances any dents.
Now, do that on the back of your Scorcerer and so we can see if there is any difference.
The reason for extreme dimpling is because of the plywood Stern has sourced. There are different grades of wood with different density and some of the older playfields with less dimpling were most likely 10-11 layer vs 5-7 layer. Previous manufacturers might have also chosen better wood strains that are more dense. Using dense woods instead of soft woods like Douglas Fur and Pine. All wood will dent and create craters but to what degree is the question. The harder the wood strain and the more layers makes the plywood more dense and rigid. Cost cutting by choosing a lesser quality product is becoming the norm in the attempt to streamline production and maximize profits.
Quoted from DCFAN:Now, do that on the back of your Scorcerer and so we can see if there is any difference.
Challenge accepted
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