I have the L-5 version and I think it's great. Since it's the latest version, I would assume it to be the better although I hear a lot of people like L-2. L-2 they say has run the red light, but I don't quite understand this. In L-5 when you lock the third ball and just before multiball starts, it says "suspect ran a red light" and then starts multiball. Can someone explain what is "run the red light" in version L-2? Is it a totally separate mode when you reach a certain gear or???

It's a display effect. The DMD will flash the words RUN THE RED LIGHT individually and quickly, accompanyed by sound effects. It then it shows the whole phrase on two lines. with another sound.

It's a minor part of the game, but its removal is an example of "stupid voluntary censorship" and that annoys many people. It's a cool effect as lock three is lit and helps build intensity.

I've used both L-5 and L-2 and prefer L-2. I do want to try the prototype ROM and see what that one does.

L-2 here. That's what the game came with and after reading the pro's and cons, I decided that it's about 50/50 so stuck with it.

Always wondered what happened to L-4? Seems they skipped that level and went to L-5.

Where's the L2 vs L5 comparison list? Anyone have the link handy?

I had L2 when I owned the game... it had some kind of a glitch in it that caused the ramp to go up and down when hitting the right orbit shot. Triggering another switch would make it stop. I installed the L5 right before I sold it and the problem went away.

I did a ton of research on the matter... L5 is a good one.

I was L-2 for a few years, and now I'm L-5. Both are fine in my opinion.

For years I played it trying to hit the targets and running the red light. Then as it was at a friends house I watched him making a mad dash for Redline Mania. He was crushing my scores. Now that I have it back I am playing it the same way. Making the mad dash for RPMs with orbits, redline it, and then work for the super jackpots! If you fail, run it right back through the gears and keep trying. It made it WAY more fun to play. I'll still run the red light, but starting at the 100 million super jackpot makes redline mania the place to be.

I stand corrected. I was originally running L1... upgraded to L2.

L1 had issues. L2 did not.

That sounds more like it, L-2 seems to work really good.

L-5 here and very happy with it.

Mike

Mine came with L1, I tried P7 (liked it but missed the better graphics of the non-protos), but ended up happiest with L2. Don't think I've tried L5...

Maybe you should add a poll to this thread?

Thanks for the info on P-7, sounds like L-2 or maybe L-5 might be the better choice.

Yes, that's the table I posted...

I run L-2 and liked L-5, except for the multiball bug...which is really, really annoying.

I asked recently that the L-5 ROM be modified to remove the bug, but the response back was that WMS forbids their ROM to be modified, so to fix L-5 someone would have to rewrite the entire rule set; which is never going to happen.

Robert

The quote from the other thread on which game ROM to modify next...

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/poll-what-machine-should-i-write-new-rules-for-next

Robert

You can hack the rom all you want for your own use. No one is going to get cited for farting around with their own game, it would fall under fair use. Distributing the hacked rom, however, would violate WMS's copyright.

What is the multiball bug in L-5?

I would like to know this as well. I have the L5 version and I have yet to experience any multiball bugs/problems...