Can't blame Stern and Joe K. for capitalizing on the pinball "collector market".
That's all this is. There are plenty of "collectors" that will probably buy the platinum and diamond versions.
I doubt there are near enough "players" out there to buy the non collectible "gold version".
After "players" get tired of playing a game they typically don't let it sit around like a boat anchor collecting dust.
The "collector" will relish it, caress it, look at it, love it and probably rarely play it.
The Sports Cardgument goes like this
Wilt Chamberlain 1961 PSA Graded Rookie Card - SAME piece of cardboard in different condition
PSA 7 $2,500
PSA 8 $8,500 Population 172
PSA 9 $23,000 Population 31 (one auction last yr. and mostly unobtainium)
Buy your flavor, put them in your collection, pull them out and admire what you have every now and then!
At least with a Beatle's "collector" pinball machine you get to enjoy it, listen to it, and get tangible enjoyment out of it.
Are there 1964 pinball machine "collectors" that will want this pin? Maybe, who knows.
Bottom line, the "players" shouldn't hate on Stern for addressing the "collector market". Just move onto the next one.
Even if you’d have to have your head examined buying one of these things at those prices