I'll be setting mine up more on the difficult side when it shows up, but I have no doubt this game is going to be pure 90s magic.
I've only played it at expo, but even there I knew it was a great shooter and just fun - and the more I play over time, the more I appreciate fun vs deep code anyways.
Speaking of code, it's great that this will have 3 versions to choose from once Lyman/Sharpe code debuts, that makes it unique on it's own and bittersweet/special for being the last game Lyman worked on.

Very excited to bring this one home.

I’m guessing that the 500 SEs haven’t all gone out yet, and the first batch was extremely limited.
Is it possible more will be going out before April?

I would love it if the tributes made it in.
Here’s to hoping!

Awesome details so far, hopefully someone will upload the seminar to youtube.

I did the exact same thing.
I guess I'm crazy for not caring about the topper or taking into account future resale before purchase of my SE. When I purchase a game it's because of the game's merits and the fact I just want to play the game. You're not going to kick yourself if you just want a great game with the option of new code down the line.
That seminar with Butch was excellent and CGC obviously made a great hire there.

You shouldn't require anything that's even the slightest bit abrasive. Use good wax every 500 plays or so, check and replace with quality non-pitted balls, and that is all you'll ever need.

You have to go into the cgc menu , not the regular wms code menu.
You get in there by holding down the test button for a few seconds, and you will see all the specific cgc options.

Oh wow, I’m surprised they moved to one menu. Sorry about that!

I'm wondering if CGC is supplying to distros that didn't get their first wave at this time, or has it been confirmed that even distros that did get the first wave also are getting more?

In the club finally, hope you all get yours soon.
#1586 with a build date of 4/27/22

Is it on a specific screen/animation when it happens?
Have you checked the backbox for any cables that might have shifted over speaker wires?

I should also mention the packaging was top notch, they even show the pin/cabinet orientation on the outside of the box so you know where to use your dolly. Thanks to this I was able to get the game in the house while boxed easily and with minimum movement unprotected. The whole game was strapped down well and with high quality foam and cardboard protection. Maybe they finally got all their packing supplies to help get more machines out.

897BC1BB-BB14-4FE3-9BF4-37579F38EBE4 (resized).jpeg

Just a few random bits of feedback so far after getting some plays on this game.

#Build quality
Like all CGC games this thing is beautiful and built like a tank, every place I thought might need a protector such as the ends of the ramps, entrance to the ramps, mine hole, outhole etc have already been protected. The playfield looks absolutely gorgeous in terms of the clear, especially after a wax. All of the components in the backbox and under the playfield, especially wiring were all run very neat and uniform.

#Gameplay
My game shipped with the outlanes fully open and I'm finding the game plenty challenging for the most part with the exception of a few games where everything clicks - I prefer games harder this way for longevity sakes.
What I really like about this game is the sense of urgency and the way they are tied to different and sometimes random shots, it's really well done and makes you want to shoot for these objectives vs games where you just tend to go up the middle.

The shaker motor is a must, it's integrated so well on this title

The gun fight LEDs are pretty disorienting, I still leave them on for now as they add an extra challenge, but I may end up turning them off completely

#Issues
I did have the issue where one of my bad guy drop targets would drop back down right as quick draw would start up. I attempted to loosen the tension on the spring and ended up making it way too loose. Luckily I had some extra flipper kit springs and they worked perfectly - a 2 minute fix.

The ball eject solenoid power had to be dropped down in the diag menu as it was causing the ball to ricochet off the shooter lane rail, right back into the trough.

I still have yet to try the older code, but I can say that I'm really excited for the release of the new code - there are so many ways they can make this even more fun and the game is going to end up in the top tier no doubt.

CGC knocked yet another one out of the park on this, Well done Team!

Would it just make sense to proactively trace just behind the legs with an x-acto knife?

Someone was over playing the game and they said this piece fell off from up top somewhere and ended up down at the flippers. Any idea what this might be?

DC5675A7-ED99-4B09-A413-B6F5173A2428 (resized).jpeg

I haven't played more since it came off, will need to take time to go through everything and check the bottom of the cabinet for anything loose.
If I had to guess its part of the Bart mech.

Update on the mystery piece, it was indeed off the back of the Bart mech and only held in by one screw (no nut)
I was able to re-attach but needed a right angle bit as it's too tight to get a screwdriver back there.

GCG Ticket was handled super fast on this one, great support.

People like that in my experience tend to not be truly into pinball, usually they are speculators who wipe their possessions with diapers and simply exist to drive up the costs in a hobby, all so they can make a few bucks.

It's subjective, but if I want a game I'm willing to overlook cosmetic issues for the most part because I want to play it.
Anyways, it does suck for those that are having it happen, obviously no one wants this to be happening, but CGC should be given the benefit of the doubt for now that a resolution will be reached.

Worse case as already mentioned the decals can be cut to prevent further spread and protectors placed over that, anyone putting up a stink during a potential negotiation over this is probably not even worth dealing with.

Hope those affected can still enjoy their games, life is too short.

Can we all just agree that toppers are ruining the hobby?
I get people like to mod up their machines, and I even get that some toppers actually interact with the game in a small way - but when toppers start to dictate models, or impact when models ship - what good are they?

I think CGC makes the best toppers period, but there is no way I'd hold off on getting a game based on a topper and I'm glad they still offer a regular ol' pinball machine option...

Yeah that thing is pretty bad ass.

Curious if you have better longevity if you lower the flipper power?
I do this on all CGC games anyways as they feel more like OG BW, usually -4 - and I've never ran into fade, even with a recent 10 hour play day at my house last week.

Never has been a problem for me hitting any shots, I keep my pitch at 6.5.
You may also want to check your switch gapping fully extended, and bushing gap to ensure they aren't part of the problem.

With respect to the game getting old - any game is going to get old if you beat it quickly in the home environment.
I'm starting to wonder how many people actually have their game set up difficult

6.5 and up pitch
Outlanes Open as possible
3 balls only
No extra ball awards for everything
No adjustments to increase ball save timer, or after first ball etc

I think a lot of people do all this and then say the game is too easy etc, especially with 90s B/W games. My game plays lively as hell, especially with the slings and the left outlane is brutal lol. Meanwhile I'm doing better on harder games like Jurassic Park than CCr.....

You should be able to loosen/adjust them to get where you need alignment to be.
Also what pitch/level is your game set at? Try it around 6.5-7 if it isn't already.

Sorry, yep I meant you can adjust the flippers to get the correct angle.

Some days I just go for combos, the game is set up for some amazing combos and it rewards you for them, that alone keeps me coming back every time. For me personally , I approach every game with trying to find the best flows and combos and this game feels fantastic with plenty to hit. Somehow I pulled a double orbit shot into two successive left and center ramps and it was like …. Damn that just happened?!?

Why does it have to be an LE? You can get an SE right now.
I can assure you the SE plays great, and there is no way I'd miss out over some cosmetics and a topper.

I have my lanes wide open, 7 deg level, dialed back ball save settings, and I can assure you the ball times are not long at all.

Where the hell is Richard's game! I wanna speak to the manager NOW!

richard.jpg

Ever notice most women who like to start shit are built like this?

More chance of airballs, dimples, broken plastics - just ensure the game plays smooth, if not then dial it back down.

Having a spinner in front of Bart doesn't really add much in my opinion, you're going to shoot for him anyways.
Now, if it was something that took a few hits before opening the path to Bart..

talking.gif

It already comes with one from the factory. Doesn’t seem to be hurting gameplay in mine whatsoever.

Anyone else turn off the interactive RGB for the GI and do custom? I did this last night to try and create an even more warm GI look than the default presets (basically heavier on the Red and very little Green/Blue until you get where you like it)
I actually like this but the only downer is the bad guy targets lose their illumination - not a big deal though as it really brings out a lot of the red in the playfield.

Are your outlanes wide open? Change the ball saves, timers, and extra ball rewards.
And I'm not saying you're doing this, but I've literally seen people say this on many games only to find out they set theirs up with 5 balls per game.....

I keep seeing people saying this game is easy and almost every time it's because all of the settings are toggled beyond easy, outlanes as closed as possible, with 5+ balls.

GCG really needs to change how these things are shipping out from factory.

It looks like there is no set position based on different responses I guess. Better to be wide open than too closed imo.

Try turning off the LED flashers completely, and I highly recommend turning off Interactive GI in favor of doing warm/custom RGB - The game looks really nice this way , warm based on the reds in the playfield at the costs of losing illuminated bad guy targets (worth it imo)

Regrettably I'll need to leave the club for now, really bummed because I love the game and was really looking forward to the upcoming code.
I'll probably be putting up an ad for the SE early next week, but I hope to be back one day.