New to the club after a few months of waiting. Can't wait to power it on and actually play it! Still haven't actually played bksor but I miss the hell out of the BK2K I once had.

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I was reading up on sound options and it seemed there was some sort of 'retro' option I could select. I thought I did that in the menu but I don't really notice much difference. Did I misunderstand what that is or did I presumably do it wrong?

Polishing the upper was a DISMAL failure but it still looks less awful than it did...I guess. I should probably go ahead and order the $150 replacement from PBL to have in hand for an eventual swap.

Otherwise, today was quite the adventure. But she's in my basement, nestled next to my EBD and playing well again.

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I guess 'alternate soundtrack' doesn't say 'retro'. So I probably did notice the difference and it just wasn't what I thought I was getting. Other than the retro multiball (which I've come nowhere near achieving yet) which I understand does play some 'retro' sounds/music/whatever, is that all that serves as any kind of throwback to BK/BK2K? I probably just misunderstood what I read in the update notes, nbd.

I did a quick (GENTLE) wipe with the paper towel as the upper had BLACK dust on the bottom. Then I switched to a microfiber and novus 1, then 2, then I used a headlight power ball / 18V drill and Meguirs ultimate polish. I'm assuming the ball was just...too rough. I probably should have used my DA instead, but it's got 6" pads and I didn't think that was going to do me much good, at least without stripping it COMPLETELY down. It still looks better than it did but yeah.. That sucked.

I see PBL sells new uppers for $150 so I might just buy one to have laying around. Idk. Looks like there's a TON of crap on it to remove and reinstall which looks... Less than fun. I'm fine with it the way it looks--for my personal use--I just would hate to have that be something that tanks the value down the road (I'm NOT looking/planning/considering selling, I just like to keep that in my back pocket, for all of my machines).

Loving the game thus far although it's definitely a mean-spirited bitch! Lots and lots of super quick games...

I switched back to that, so maybe that'll be more up my alley. ngl I pretty much immediately switched to the alternate soundtrack (after playing maybe a couple of games) so I didn't really analyze the main setting. I just assumed I was pursuing something that I clearly wasn't.

Shipping quote to 66605? Might be interested, idk

I'll agree if I ever finish the hardtop and get these custom pops dialed in. It's been a real nightmare.

This is the other side!

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Yeah the bottom of the upper was far and away the dirtiest part. That's where that nasty black residue came from. I can probably still buff out the mess I made but that can be for another day. At least it's 'better' than it was, because it looked really bad when I got it.

Yeah maybe I shouldn't have jumped to the polishing compound like I did, but I've never had an experience with it quite like this. It was more likely due to the Powerball than the compound, I bet. Thinking about it now, that thing is probably more aggressive if it's meant to cut into the old hazy UV coating on headlights. Far, far too abrasive for this particular application. Ugh.

Everything about a BK game with no upper just seems....wrong. Even if the game is probably better without it. Lol

Heretics!

The pro seems faster and more brutal. But the premium seems plenty brutal also, and for me..an upper is required equipment for a BK game. Jmo of course. I will agree the upper feels kinda...lacking...similar to BK2K. But I can't imagine not having it, personally.

Alright so I cheated, glass off, to get to retro MB which I absolutely loved so now I'm curious.. What's the best strategy to actually get to retro MB during a game? The path I took (WAR lanes) seems nigh impossible to actually achieve during a game... At least for me.

Damn, there's ANOTHER mode? Okay I need to glass off on that one too so I can see what I too will never see in a game!

Eyyyyy I had a good game (that was a BLAST) and actually hit retro MB too. Now if I can repeat that again without playing another 9600 games to get there

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Mine likes to call me a loser....

I meannnnnnn... Technically I accepted what I felt was a lopsided trade in my favor (an Avengers Hulk LE I had picked up for $4000).. but bksor was on my shortlist as something I wanted but didn't figure I'd be able to afford, especially after dropping $7600 and $7000 on Tron/Metallica

I love the game, definitely more so when I can hit some shots than when I can't!

I noticed my outlane posts didn't have rubber on them either so I put them on, and I lowered the back legs a hair (the bubble is still in the 'upper' portion of the middle so I think it's fine -- I'll check the slope tomorrow to see what it actually is), and I replaced the flipper rubbers with silicone rings. Maybe that helped. Or maybe it was just a hot game. Idk. But it was a blast and hopefully I continue having a decent feel for it. I don't expect every game played to be a GC score (really I'm not that great at pinball to begin with) but I hope I continue getting better at bksor. I do really like the game!

If that's noob I don't wanna know what I am. I'm struggling to crack 100m today. But the few games I've had in the 70-90m range have all been fun. Whoever said backhanding shots was easier on this game wasn't kidding. It's so much easier and less prone to instant drains.

My premium suddenly doesn't want to auto plunge the ball to the upper for some reason. The sleeve looked fine but I went ahead and replaced it. I maxed the power and sometimes it will make it... But probably 50% it doesn't. And when it comes down it almost always immediately heads for the left drain. The LAST thing I needed was to make this MFer any more of a challenge right now. Any ideas, on both the lower PF feeding (surely it can't be right that it goes right to the left drain?) and on the auto plunge not making the upper?

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I'll check that out too. I think my game is up around 3500 plays.... Lol

I took the entire bracket off, reassembled, and made sure it looked centered. Still pretty inconsistent but I haven't checked the ramp yet. The actual manual plunge seems perfect; I've never had that not reach the top with a full plunge.

Are the sides of the auto launch supposed to be bent in just a hair? I assume yes, but figured I'd ask.

I'll keep messing with it.

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I guess at this point I'll just manually plunge every time I can, and hope to beat the auto launch. If I don't, at least it will keep the balls moving. Blah.

No idea what's going on with mine. I've tried everything I can think of and the issue persists. Sometimes it works great. Sometimes it makes it alllllllmost there, then falls down..a lot of those go right for the left drain. Some only go about halfway up and then come back down. I assume there's different programming to shoot the ball to the upper vs half shots depending on the scenario at hand.. Right?

I wouldn't think the code is this smart either, but I'm just trying to one up with patterns when it's falling. I don't really get it. It seemed to be working fine before (or at least I hadn't noticed it), now it sucks. But I see nothing mechanical that would support the overall....crappiness.

I removed the upper screw because it seemed to offer kind of a...burr? Idk, but it wasn't level with the ramp. I thought that seemed to improve things but a few games later it came right back. Dropped the legs all the way to the floor, for the weakest slope possible....nope.

I don't get it. Nothing seems obviously wrong from any mechanical standpoint. The alignment looks just fine from what I can see. And yet it persists. But sometimes it's fine. It's crazy.
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I can't imagine how, but I don't remember having these issues prior to removing the upper PF... Is it possible I reassembled incorrectly? I can't see how that would have anything to do with the launch ramp since the only piece that fits on/over the upper is that scoop, buuuuut... I've tried pretty much everything else. Maybe I should remove the upper and put it back on, again, and see if that fixes it? I'm completely stumped.

I did that test and it was all over the map. Sometimes it made it, easily, sometimes it was lazy. But I see nothing out of whack with the mechanism. Everything is smooth and I've already replaced the sleeve. I have the power setting at 255 which is max. Doesn't seem like I should need to have it that high, but even that isn't consistently getting it there.

Sure, I'll take that today as soon as I can.

Mech seems just fine. Nothing wobbly, new sleeve, moves smoothly both in and out of the machine.

The only potential issue I saw was with that screw but I removed it entirely and it didn't seem to change anything.

While I definitely agree and am absolutely willing to consider that the upper may not be installed correctly, I still don't see how anything other than the flap itself could have anything to do with the auto launch. But maybe it's got the entire thing twisted or something, idk. I'll take it apart and reassemble again after I get some video today. Most of the shots failing to reach the upper don't seem to even be making it to that flap.

Welcome Koji! Nice topper!

Carted for my next order....

Probably going to order another auto launcher assembly too. Mine seemed to work decently well when I bent the tabs way in, and it already sucks again. I'm tired messing with the flimsy piece of crap.

Yikes! Something THAT bad on the playfield? That sucks!

Random, why is the auto launcher so thin and flimsy compared to Tron? I'm convinced I'd have no problems if not for this flimsy pos.

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Mine worked great for a couple of games. Lol

Currently it's back to lazily throwing it halfway up the ramp and then immediately down the left outlane.

So imo you were right on the fix, I just think maybe my bracket is worn out. My game has like 4000 lifetime plays.

So, talking to PBL it looks like it'll run me a hair over $60 to convert to the more robust configuration stern used on Tron. I might have to order a connector too, idk on that one. Might just go ahead and do it though, I'm tired of messing with it.

Kinda what I'm thinking lol. I'm surprised more people aren't having issues with the damn auto launcher. Looks flimsy as all hell to me. Not sure if the fact that mine has 4000ish plays is the reason.. Maybe it's just worn out. Idk.

Yep, I agree with everything you said. It's not noticeable on my Tron or metallica because there's no additional incline to the launch. The design is crap for sure. Thicker metal on the tabs would keep them from bringing l bending out over time I think but you're right that the design still sucks. PBL is special ordering a new (stock) kicker arm for me, so I'll have it on hand one way or another.. I'm still kicking around whether or not to spend the $60 on the Tron style. Probably won't, for the reasons you mentioned, but idk.

For right now I bent the tabs WAY in and maxed the power and it's working fairly well. I'll just have to keep an eye on it. Just sucks to have to babysit it so much.

https://www.pinballlife.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=511-1942-43

Haha my hulk LE is what got traded in order to get this bksor. That launch definitely can be a pita too, I agree. I really don't mind it not making the upper all that much EXCEPT that mine seems to find the left outlane the majority of the time. THAT'S rough. Maybe I should work on adjusting that sightly so if the launcher starts sucking again at least it won't insta-drain.

Love the game but it sure as hell doesn't need to be MORE difficult!

Have not done either of those; thinking I'll try the post position first.

My bad, I completely misread..

BK without an upper is just wrong, idc if the game is 'better' without it. JMO. I haven't played a pro but I love my premium.

Sorry to hear about your friend, that's too bad. Kick the black knight's ass in his honor!

So I guess my game just isn't already tapped for a shaker, huh. Don't think the kit came with any #8 tee nuts, either... :/

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Surprise, maggots! Tapped but not drilled all the way through. Weird. Shaker installed, all is well. Lol

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Lmaoooo yeah I definitely had a good laugh at the QA stamp. Seems the staffer was too ashamed to put his name down though so... maybe that's why. lol

Initial thoughts on the shaker, it seems a lot less active than the one on my Metallica or tron, but that's just with a couple of games played. Not really a fair evaluation period tbh.

I don't believe they are. It's a 2019 game that didn't really sell very well. JP and IM appear to be doing much better for them. Not surprising with JP, and IM is just such a good game, I'm not surprised there either. Kinda like Metallica which they made for 47 years lol

Sadly for a lot of people I think BKSOR will end up just being a forgotten game and will never truly get the acclaim it deserves. Too damn many games coming out these days certainly doesn't help imo.

I don't mean it to be harsh -- I *love* my BKSOR premium. It's not going anywhere unless someone basically forces my hand with an absurd offer (that goes for basically everything I own). I just have heard all sorts of "meh" type opinions on BKSOR, primarily from casuals/players who aren't super serious. I agree, I think those who are skilled pinball players can derive a whole lot of joy from this game. Casuals (like myself) can also, with a bit of a learning curve. But for those who aren't willing to put in a bit of time to get up to speed, it's one that I could definitely see dunking on them 2-3 times in a row and they never touch it again. The split between Pro vs. Prem/LE doesn't help, either, as that just further splits opinions and can make it harder to sell one vs. the other.

I don't see BKSOR ever slipping to bargain-bin pricing, but due to the fact that it offers such a split between players across varying skillsets (and more or less dropping off those who are...well..bad at pinball) I just don't personally see it being a title that commands the kind of attention that would keep value way up there for years and years and years (See: Metallica), and similarly one that can be a bit difficult to sell at times. Those who know...know. And they'll keep it relevant in the scene. Because it really is a great game.

This is all just my opinion, certainly not something I'm pushing as 'fact' (aside from the poor sales figures which I've heard repeatedly so I think those have a bit more merit than being just my opinion -- but it's not like I can PROVE that, either).

I hope I'm wrong! I'm always happy to see other people pop up randomly on FB speaking highly of bksor. I think it's a great game and easily the best in the series (imo)...although BK2K still stands out to me as the best sfx/music pin of all time.

BK2K mode is definitely my favorite, at least from what I've hit, even though it's not QUITE as cool as BK2K itself. It's definitely very short lived for me lol.

BKSOR is still *easily* the best of the three games as far as I'm concerned. Truly a great game.

Man I'm jealous of those. I wanted to order some when they were on sale but they weren't in stock... and I didn't really have the cash anyway. Hopefully eventually.

I keep having lazy shots get stuck here. No issues from hard shots. I haven't taken anything apart yet and it looks like there's some kind of gate there..is it probably just not actuating properly?

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My bubble is smack-dab in the middle between the range. I don't have my levelers set up aggressive at all -- the game is frustrating enough like this! I suppose I could jack it up some, but I was hoping to not have to. I had balls get stuck like this in probably two consecutive games, but that doesn't necessarily mean it happens *every* game..if that makes sense. As mentioned in the previous posts it really only happens with slow-rollers, not with direct/hard shots. But it's definitely super annoying.

Are your targets bent to the side -- do you need splints to straighten them out? I suspect I may have to do that with my center POWER target because it doesn't seem like it registers for sh!t. I haven't tried to investigate it at all yet, but I assume that's what's going on. I'm not sure which target you're talking about so if I'm way off base..just laugh at me and tell me so. lol

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that, but it's not like I can realistically afford anything newer than my bksor anyway so I guess for me it's irrelevant

lol

I'm wildly unfamiliar with the pro but that wireform mod above looks CRAZY. Awesome work. The pro looks like an absolute punisher of a game, lol. I love (and miss! -- it's not at my house and is on its way to being sold soon) my premium..but I couldn't imagine it being any MORE difficult than it already is!

A BK game with no upper just seems like no BK game at all, to me. Not even getting into the "is the pro better or is the premium?" argument, I just can't get past a BK game with no upper.

That said, I already committed to letting mine go in order to bring in my two top wishlist games (not my favorite decision of 2021, but it is what it is). I hope someday maybe I can rejoin the club, or that someone nearby buys one so I can keep playing. Mine has actually been out of my house for a few months now. NGL I do miss it.

I don't mean it to sound snobby in any way, I wouldn't have even been able to buy ANY moderns if not for a hell of a lot of selling down to do it. My opinion of a bk game "needing" an upper is solely my opinion and it's perfectly fine to me if others don't agree. Just wanted to clarify lol.

I think bksor is a great game and tbh the pro DOES look like it flows better, although to me it looks brutal as all hell. I don't think I'm good enough to play a pro!

I mean, the upper is pretty sparse, at least compared to bk2k but my personal opinion is that the ONLY reason bk2k could cram so much up there is that there's just so little in the lower. So it's got a better upper at the cost of a pretty boring lower. Bksor imo has a much better lower at the cost of a much more boring upper, but is by far a better game than bk2k. I miss my bk2k but mostly just because of the music and callouts, some of the absolute best in pinball imo. The game actually felt kind of boring to me tbh. I've never once felt that about bksor.

I feel like the pro is the right choice for absolute stud pinball players who can really work a machine. The upper helps those of us who aren't so great to actually have some chance to keep the ball in play for a bit lol!

I remember on my high score game, I eventually got so bored I just let the ball drain. BK2K was such a cool game...but it's just not very fun. Still, I'd probably 'waste' a slot for it in an 8-pin collection just because of the music, callouts, and overall 'cool factor' of the game. I think I could be okay playing it sparingly so I could have all the ambiance it offers. Maybe someday I'll fall into one again. I hope!

Too funny, my general description of BK2K is that it has everything you'd want in a pinball machine except for gameplay. lol

I wish BKSOR had a bit less cheesy callouts but that's one of very few gripes for me. I think it's an awesome game and is way underappreciated.

According to my last recorded Pinside score, I checked out around 12.5mil or so. I could have kept going, I was just really bored at that point. Selling my BK2K brought me a World Cup Soccer, which I still have. I don't regret it, but I do miss that BK2K.

I hate that I agree completely and felt similarly, but still talked myself into doing it. Money sucks. BKSOR does not.

Back in the row for a bit so I can clean, install new silicone bands, and polish the upper. Ignore the mess below, that's on the list to take care of tomorrow....

45 days to TPF, hopefully I can have it ready by then.

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