there is even an 80s text generator to ape this look.

https://m.photofunia.com/effects/retro-wave

the irrational exuberance is depressing.

finish a game. then i'll get excited.

yeah, i think Stern was merely going for an 80s retro look based on the GOTG soundtrack, and their designer happened to be inspired by the same stuff the TNA designers were inspired by. i mean they probably started off the brainstorm session googling "80s logos" and just kinda latched on to the same visual queues.

"Rocket figurine with coil assisted gunfire recoil"

is that a fancy way of saying if you upgrade to the premium, they put him on a spring instead of a metal bracket? talk about over-selling a feature.

overall i really like this reveal, but i agree -- the classic rock songs were a HUGE part of the character of these movies.

"coil assisted gunfire recoil" = they put Rocket on a spring. when the coil fires, he jiggles. that's the "recoil" they're talking about.

Pro:
- i love the art.
- the playfield layout is a proven winner. i mean it is 95% Metallica. that's a fun game.
- functional toy! Groot's mouth opens and closes, and spits out balls! cool!
- a real mirrored backglass on the LE, sweet!

Cons:
- Metal ramps and wireforms would have been nice. those ramps look flimsy.
- Nobody can say with confidence that it will ever have complete code.
- No classic rock from the soundtrack. I normally wouldn't care, but this particular movie is a special case. Those tunes were a huge part of the main protagonist's character. Peter risks his life multiple times for that music. The tape and those tunes represent all he has left of his mother (they were her gift to him), and he is wracked with guilt over fleeing from her on her deathbed, and his devotion to that music is his way of making up for that and maintaining a connection to her. Every major emotional moment in the film is backed by a particular 70s pop song because it's such a huge part of what makes him tick. the soundtrack has a lot of meaning in this movie and i'm sad it's apparently not represented here.

Overall:
I am impressed and optimistic. I am sure it will play great, and I love the way it looks.

for that matter, the layout is identical too, right? that's a positive in my book.

Groot Translation Guide:
"I am Groot": "Hey Chucky, you're up!"
"I am Groot": "Ok, who brought the dog?"
"I am Groot": "Shoot the Pyramid!"
"I am Groot": "LIONMAN!"

yeah -- every new pin i've shown my wife, she has rolled her eyes and said something like, "you're not getting that, are you?" shockingly, i just showed her GOTG and to my surprise, she said, "oh, cute!"

nah, i don't think they do anything.

Just carved this after reading this thread.

105D8E27-B349-467D-ACAC-F638A9AF8DD4 (resized).jpeg

alright, whelp, guess i'll be placing an order with JJP this week.