I actually think this theme is kinda genius. All the other companies are zigging more for the home market so you zag and make a game like this. Huge appeal for kids on location, kids fun centers, adventurelands, go karts, dave & busters, etc. As long as they integrate the theme well I think this will do really well for them. It's not really designed for home users who aren't already Hot Wheels fans, granted, but that markets already a bit saturated isn't it? This is kinda what they were going for with Oktoberfest and bars I suspect but on a much larger and smarter level.

Also, fuck Kenada. Used car salesman con-man extraordinaire who runs fake auctions for charity. D-bag.

You are grossly exaggerating what all kids like. Kids love pinball that's a fact. Jurassic Park is not a pin designed for kids. Hot Wheels is. And there is crazy money in kids entertainment these days, panic rooms, vr arcades, etc. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this American Pinballs wheelhouse? They sell these kind of things as well right?

I'll repeat again, this game is not aimed at the home collector who isn't a fan of hot wheels.

You still seem to think it's an either/or proposition, it's not. Pinball & Arcade games go great together. Also gives something for the adults to do. You aren't thinking outside the box, which is what American Pinball need to do here. Playing the same game Stern & JJP are has already proven to be a losing proposition.

I think you guys are seriously underselling the appeal of a Hot Wheels theme.

Writing off Hot Wheels as some toy for kids is pretty silly when we're on a forum dedicated to pinball machines...

Hot Wheels makes what, 80 billion dollars a year? There are millions of adults who collect them, millions, not hundreds. Adults collect all kinds of dumb crap in case you haven't noticed. Transformers, TMNT dolls, MTG cards, you name it. Just because you think collecting toys as an adult is dumb (I would tend to agree), doesn't mean it isn't a huge industry.

This only has to sell like 500 machines to be a hit right?

On top of that I still think the theme plays very well for kids/teens at fun centers/d&b's stuff like that. The game could be really fun as well if they utilize the hot wheels "ramps" to good effect.

I'm on a wait and see with this one I really don't understand the hate, and this is coming from a self-admitted hater.

PS this current concensus opinion that "theme is all that matters" is kinda stupid if you ask me. This is an idea pushed by marketers and advertising execs (cough kenada) because they live and die by the idea that most people have to be conned into purchasing something.

Let me ask you this, what sold Monster Bash, Attack from Mars & Medieval Madness.....arguably the top 3 games of all time. Theme?

but I digress...

I definitely didn't like Houdini or Oktoberfest as a theme but this one definitely has me interested. I just don't think people should write it off before seeing it that's all. American has solid build quality so if they can do something fun with those trademark orange ramps, could be a winner. And at the end of the day isn't fun what pinball is all about?

Why the immediate hatred for a theme that isn't really that bad is it? It's light years ahead of the last 2 at the very least.