Quoted from pinballphil:OK, First I'm a little reluctant to even post this and I'll try to explain why. I have been in the Home Arcade business full-time since 1978 and have never seen such a buzz about a new release before. My main business is home service calls and I am very busy in the Chicagoland area. I only say that because I am not a regular pinsider and don't really have time to get too involved. I can offer periodical updates. I've been dealing with Chicago Gaming for 20 years. I was involved since the beginning of this project as well as their successful Arcade Legends game. I personally know the owner of the factory producing this game and I can say that they are a very reputable company that have been in business for over 100 years. They build many cabinets for many coin-op brands. I've even seen an antique trade stimulator that had their name stamped on the cabinet inside. All this as a background for those that don't know me to understand why I have no reason to make this up but rather would like to share in my excitement.
Now for the best news!! I just played the prototype yesterday. It is awesome! It plays just like the original with their new electronics. It's still early in the stages but it is a phenomenal copy of the original. It is running with Williams software and their own new electronics. I will say from a technician's view, the new system is incredible. It will make service so easy. Connectors for switches, no lamp or switch matrix, interchangeable processor/driver boards, a reliable cpu, a lot less wires. Did I say a lot less wires, I mean like hardly any! As for reliability, these surface mount LED's and components have improved so dramatically, there is no reason to ever consider building a pinball the old way. As for the LED's, they look great! Their light fill the lenses completely, with a perfect hue and no strobing at all. The cabinet and playfield graphics looks better than any repro I've seen. I've seen it right next to an original.
Anybody that knows me knows this is true. I don't need to endorse anything and this pinball doesn't need me to help sell it. Obviously it sells itself. 1000 in 3 hours has to be a record. Major kudos to the crew at Chicago Gaming and Planetary Pinball, they hit a homerun!
Sincerely, Phil Hubbert @ Arcades At Home
In your honest opinion does it seem like $8,000 worth of a machine?
It just seems with so much stuff reduced, I.e., wires, boards and R&D that $8000 would give you something way and beyond just a replica of a MM.
Itasca, IL
