The side art is literally the art from Zep III as I’m sure you know. They really pissed you off with this one I guess.

Right on Dave. One thing that keeps me buying some games NIB is that many seem to hold their value okay still (because new prices keep going up). But the more expensive they get, you start asking "why am I under the hood more than playing this damned thing"? until you get everything working right when in theory that shouldn't be the case with something "new". The answer is simple "because pinball machines are a pain in the ass". As the prices rise, people feel they should be perfect out of the box, and they never will be. But good playing, reliable, dialed in 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000's games are every bit as fun and becoming harder to find so it's hard to want to sell some of those for the new stuff.

GNR is fine, but the rules need a lot of work yet. Everyone is mesmerized by the light show and the volume increase when you start a song I guess. Same mushy flippers and weak slings as all JJP games, and really, really unbalanced scoring, long multiballs, etc. Not really a "player's" game at the moment, more "it's like you're at a concert!!!"......

Hope all's well in NZ!

Yeah, I'm not into the whole rose-colored glasses because I own the game mentality. Been doing it for a while (playing, collecting, etc.) and most machines, in my opinion, are either over-rated or under-rated. I know that sounds counter intuitive but what I mean is, the separation between the "BEST GAME EVER!!!" games and the "WORST GAME EVER!!!" is far less than most people care to admit. So when everyone declares a game "BEST EVER!!!!" before the scoring even has balance and there are missing modes, etc., they are excited for the experience more than objectively considering the pinball game itself. Again, just my opinion.

GNR is a lot of fun, and yes, the light show really is the best ever. But as a pinball "game", the code needs a lot of love yet. And there's no helping the mushy flippers. Really, 60's EMs with 2" flipper bats have more snap than JJP flippers. I can't understand why they can't get that right.

I host pinball nights a lot (pre-COVID), and will again once we're past all this. I'll msg you when I do.

The shots are alright. I like the middle spinner by the scoop shot, and the upper loop is repeatable (but not worth anything). Otherwise, it's pretty left ramp focused, at least on the LE. Hit the left ramp, starting "Throw the lights" multiball instantly. That multiball requires ramp shots so keep shooting those and you'll collect band members with misfires and/or patch collects (from the left ramp). Lock balls on the left ramp. Qualify the bass on the left ramp. Start the amp multiball from the left ramp. Choose the Gibson patch so you don't need to bother with the spinning record the rest of the game. Start song. Flail. Hit scoop when green for add a ball. Cash out early on the first one for extra ball. Collect the 4 "sponsor" patches (left ramp) for extra ball. Repeat.

The same as all JJP games. A lot of people like the feel. I've never gotten used to them. The CGC remakes feel the same way.

I'm sure you do. But they don't. At all.

Ha! I'm sure everyone is stocking up on those "mods" already.

It's a seller's market right now. Buyers don't care it seems. All the Wonka CEs just got scooped up from distributor stock last week in the frenzy over the "almost sold out" news. Wonder how many of them have pooling? They would have been made during the problem time I think.