I think for perspective, if you look at the costs of some amusement equipment, pinball is not out of line. And if you look at the cost of a new pinball game normalized for inflation and taking into account the increases in the costs of raw materials and shipping (gas prices) over the last five years, there aren't too many surprises. The price of copper, as just one example, has doubled.

Pinball is being stretched in two directions I think: regaining viability in the location market, but likewise pleasing collectors. It's tough to please both especially when one market doesn't necessarily care about the whims of the other.

For example, when Ironman first came out it was often criticized by collectors for being too sparse. But in the last year or so, it has gained a sort of cult following for its brutal difficulty, crazy speed and simple yet addictive play. The short game times, in theory, boost revenues for operators.

STERN tried to please collectors with the costco lite versions, and everyone hated it. But the LEs are selling like hot cakes. So it isn't the manufacturers who are directing prices, it's your well-heeled fellow pinball enthusiasts.

For now, at least, it seems to work. At some point, the market may eat its fill and decide it's done spending big money on NIB games. If that happens, the mfg'ers will have to try something else.

The differences between the Pros and LEs are so overblown. I've played both of TF, TRON and ACDC and I think the gameplay is actually better on the pro for TF and ACDC, and almost no different on TRON.

The gameplay difference is similar in magnitude to TAF Gold, i.e. the additional content feels tacked on.

I think if people were less concerned with keeping up with the Joneses they would probably enjoy a pro more, since they would have more money left over to do a few mod projects like we're seeing on TRON.

The irony of this post...