For those with an LE - what's the side art on the backbox? Batgirl or Robin?

I played a Premium yesterday that had just been unboxed at Colorado Game Exchange. It had Batman and Robin on the batbox instead of Batgirl as shown on the flyer. The Premiums are supposed to have Batgirl, the LEs Batman and Robin.

My dealer asked Stern specifically - the backbox on the LE is supposed to have Batman and Robin, not Batgirl. The response did not specifically mention the Premium.

My LE will be here Tuesday. I'm hoping the factory screwed up my backbox (!) as I really want the Batgirl art ...

Those that just paid $15k probably sure don't think it's only $12k worth of cool ...

Well, I hope Batgirl on the LEs and B/R on the Premiums is correct.

I'm hopeful based on the pictures of LEs so far showing Batgirl and the Premium I saw this week with Batman and Robin on the backbox.

Great idea. The top one with the lettering underneath is the closest to the labeling style used on the show.

Except that apparently the flyers are wrong. Batman and Robin are on the Premiums (so far), Batgirl on the LEs

I emailed my dealer and asked if the LE had Batgirl on both the translite and the backbox. The response: "Only on Backglass not on side decal. Just confirmed with Stern. Flyer is a mistake."

Now, that statement is a bit confusing because the question was prompted after seeing a Premium in the showroom with Batman and Robin on the sides and not Batgirl, while the flyer shows Batgirl on the sides.

I suspect Stern's comment that the flyer is a mistake refers to both the Premium and LE flyers, which would be the case if the backbox side art was swapped. If so, I'm happy about the change as I wanted the Batgirl art on the LE, but I'm sure many are upset that the actual art doesn't match what's depicted on the flyers. I'm guessing the parts department may process more orders for replacement side art then on a typical game.

If Batman and Robin is the correct Premium configuration, it should be easier for those with an LE to get their art to match the flyers than those with a Premium that want the Batgirl art.

It is a pretty big miss by Stern.

The Batgirl art was a deciding factor for me. If I was certain it was going to be on the Premium and not the LE I may have waited and just gotten a Premium later in the year. But I would have had to give up having an LE in hand.

I hope the dealers and Stern will work with Premium and LE buyers so everyone can end up with the backbox art they want, even if it's just providing replacement stickers.

This is pinball. We don't have to be rational.

I can't tell you what's on the backbox sides of most of my games either, but I will know what's on the side of my Batman and if it's not what I want or was expecting, I will be disappointed.

Stern has upped the game with the new pricing model. I'm going to be more forgiving if I pay $5k for a machine than when I pay double (or in the case of the SLE, triple) that. Some of the problems being found on the SLEs are mind boggling given the absurd premium pricing.

If Stern waits to address customer sat issues until they think the noise level is loud enough, they will find that it may be too late to win those who were or feel burned back. The collector portion of the market is finicky and demanding in a different way than operators ever were. Stern is now dependent on collectors whether they want to admit it or not. The acquisition cost of a new collector prepared to buy a new machine is extremely high compared to most products. If a pinsider reads about something bad that impacted another's purchase, they feel bad and commiserate. But they think "that won't happen to me". If it does, it's a whole different mindset.

I suspect the two librarians in my family agree.

True, but it's possible that (a) buyer's aren't aware of past problems or (b) have a reasonable expectation that Stern would correct quality issue from game to game (code notwithstanding).

Actually, I didn't know about the GB problems until after I committed to a BM66LE, but I've not been following things closely the last year or so. It's fair to say I should have known, but Stern can't afford to piss off the hardcore hobbiests. The one time casual homebuyers aren't going sustain the market.

For me it's simple - if I have any long term issues with BM66 that don't get resolved, I'm not going to buy another Stern game NIB. Period. Burn me once - shame on Stern. Be stupid enough to try again expecting different results - shame on me.

Other than STLE, yes. Didn't play them enough to care. I was disappointed in ST code until Dwight did his thing. I'd line to see a final cleanup, but don't expect one.

Which ones can you choose from?

Problem is I'm not sure anyone here knows which numbers Stern assigned to which gadgets. Batmobile is #1. I'm guessing the lower the nummber the "sexier" the gadget, but that's a great list of numbers to choose from. I would just pick your favorite number from that list.

And I would pick a Gadget unless you like the title on one of those episodes. The episode plaque artwork doesn't fit the game well, IMHO.

My choice was "LE or Premium"?

I was hoping to get a Catwoman episode if I got an episode (or "Enter Batgirl!"), but I'm happy I got a gadget.

Can you translate this to English please?

Did Stern have any ideas/explainations on what caused the hardware failures?

How many games played do these pics represent? Can you provide more detail on what Stern told you?

The magnet seems bizarre.

I hope you get a definitive response from Stern this week. I can't believe a playfield looks like that after a few hundred balls played (if that). I had thought about getting a full playfield protector. I don't like the idea of one, but unless Stern has a better solution, that may be the way to go.

This is good information and we can all hope it's the norm and not the exception. I hope all Batman owners will pay very close attention and report here in the next few months.

You have every right to be bummed - you've been impacted by quality issues on back to back games. I hope your distributor and Stern will make it right - whatever that would mean to you. Stern can't possibly want to deal with a bunch of returns from customers dejected by quality issues.

If you decide it's going back for a refund - if you can even get a refund - don't do it quietly. Make sure people know the manufacturing dates, serial number, what the response to your concerns were, etc.

I'll deal with whatever issues surface with my LE, but any thoughts of buying another NIB Stern in 2017 (I had my sights set on two more) are gone until there is clear evidence that (a) impacted buyers are being properly taken care of and (b) there is a statement by Stern on what the root causes of these playfield problems are (insufficient wood hardness/thickness, problem with clear formulation/application, not being cured long enough, etc.) and and a plan on how it's going to be addressed.

No one should have to go what calprog and others have been through with GB and Batman (and I presume some other titles). Pinball is supposed to be about having fun, not becoming quality control for the self-proclaimed leading pinball manufacturer.

I may be naive, but I believe Stern will do the right thing. Whether they do it in time to stop the damage to their brand and business is something else entirely.

LE = Red
SLE = Blue
Premium = Chrome

I'm sure you can get the ramp powder coated for a lot less then the $7k difference between a Premium and SLE.

Can we keep the kpg discussion out of the Batman thread?

Enough. There are already a number of threads where your (valid) issues are discussed. If you have any defect issues regarding a Batman 66 games, by all means post here. Otherwise, post elsewhere please.

I've commented nicely twice. Pinside does not exist for you to clutter up every thread by standing on your soapbox. Annoying everyone who may agree with or support your issue is really not a great strategy. I'm not going to put you on ignore because I am interested in what you have to say about Stern quality issues and your situation in particular in the appropriate threads.

Pinside also has moderators for a reason and if you continue thread crapping, I'm going to ask them to take appropriate action.

Indeed. But in the thread I started about it or those involving Rick's statements about the game, not in threads about unrelated topics or pins.

Initial reaction from my daughter and spouse about Batman 66 was quite positive, except for a comment on the super shallow code and the current extreme multipliers. They believe the theme has potential and that it is done well and aren't bothered that the TV Batman isn't "theirs" (other than from Nick at Nite) - they pointed out that the Batman movies really aren't theirs either.

My wife likes the asthetics of the game and the music, but she is not a fan of the show to the extent I am. She does like how it ties together some other elements in our gameroom. She was very annoyed we had to do QC and consider a playfield protector on brand new game (though thought it was a prudent move) and was annoyed about the broken Batmobile.

No one thought the shots were klunky (though we didn't see any ramp/airball/orbit issues during the few games. I have experienced a few of these however). Everyone thought the LCD integration was really well done and that it was fun to watch when others were playing and that the LE art package and topper was a much better choice than the Premium (though two are librarians and Batgirl fans). The crane was a bigger hit than I expected.

But no one was willing to call the game a hit or potential favorite until seeing what happens with the code. The general verdict for now was "pretty, but not exciting"

What problems are they seeing? Anything that hasn't already been reported?

Yes, all versions have the plastic.

Stern has redesigned it for current production models (longer), though the plastic becomes more noticeable. Some have cut a thicker piece using the existing plastic as a template and have reported that prevents balls from flying off.

Stern has redesigned the ramp cover that eliminates the movement.

See the owners thread.

Interesting. Since the initial tweaking, I haven't had a single bricked shot. Moving the left pad on the left ramp inside, relocating the ramp wiring harness and stabilizing the ramp. And increasing the pitch.

Where are your bricked shots ?