I got the pro didn’t see enough difference to spend the extra money. Instead I spent the extra money to get Pinball Refinery edition which in my opinion will blow away the stock premium version. Will post pictures when I get it includes all kinds of extras.

I have an LE [you're nuts hating the artwork] and I tried playing a pro locally last night. It wasn't nearly as fun to just have a captive ball there without the interactive mechanism. To me it's worth it by far as I like fully featured pinballs, but if you're value conscious, this pro model gives a decent bang for the buck.
I wouldn't say it "slow the game down" as it's just part of the game. The animations fit perfectly with the pauses. It's not like it makes it Twilight Zone stop and go. Nowhere near that.
It's actually kind of a welcome break so you can glance up at the screen and see how your are progressing towards your shots.
my .02

I was originally going to get a premium but I decided to go pro the main reason I decided to go pro is I like the artwork better don't get me wrong I think the premium art is cool but I just love that trooper cabinet. I also thought the playfield differences where not that major and did not really change the gameplay of the game so I decided to save money and get the pro.

I have a premium reserved. Have any been delivered yet. I would like to see photos of it in the real world. I wasn't overly impressed with the LE until more pics came out. Really, really want to love it.

I have played both Pro and LE and have ordered the Premium.

I thought the extra mechanisms in the LE were totally worth the extra money and it helps to know that it was Elwin's intended original design.

I also like the Premium art package the best, but art is very subjective.

Have you seen it or got a description of features/add-ons?

I’ve put a few hours on each, ordered a premium. I like the way the LE plays more.
I wasn’t to keen on the LE art until I seen it in person, it’s awesome!

Edit: misspelled stuff

I agree and feel you have to play them both to appreciate the extra features. I was playing the pro for a few weeks and after watching videos of the LE I was skeptical if the extras even added that much. However after playing the LE for a few hours I wouldn't want one without the features now. The pro is still an amazing game for the price so you can't go wrong either way

The foil decals are really nice in person and you cannot capture how they look with pictures. The backglass is amazing and looks so much nicer then my other machines with translites.

I have an LE but prefer the Trooper artwork on the Pro model.
To each their own.

Did I say the LE artwork is better? All I said is I like the effect of the foil decals and backglass on the LE in person.

Was gonna go premium also bc i love the artwork but im not sure the extra features are worth the over 1700 price difference.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; Stern not making the premium with Metallic Royal Blue powder coat (think Wolverine X-Men LE, but maybe a little darker) is a missed opportunity. I'm sure Stern doesn't think so from a price standpoint, but I think from an art package/wow factor standpoint...miss. Someone with Photoshop skills should make this happen so we could all see it.

i am going with pro. seems its still alot of bang for buck.
you should add poll to this thread.

I have been playing the pro that we have on route at a local bar quite a bit. I set up a friends LE Friday and played a few games. Really didn't see much difference in game play from the pro. The Borg jackpot style shots at the right flipper are really cool. The ramp lock is neat because of how fast the 2nd ball pops out when mummy multiball starts. There was also some kind of crazy strobe light thing going on during Powerslave that I did not notice on the pro.

I definitely think the LE is more fun to play, but the pro plays just fine. I am getting a premium but would say the best bang for the buck is the pro. The pro art is closest to classic Iron Maiden too so that is a win.

I have been holding back on saying this but I think \m/ might be the most fun Stern ever.

Thanks for this statement - I think that just iced it for me to get the Premium - been on fence between the Pro/Prem. For value the Pro is hard to beat and agree not a lot of step up to the Premium in features/art. But the game is fairly fast and hard to look up a lot as you progress. I really like pauses in games where I can level set myself where I am and take a longer look at the animations (and grab a quick sip of my beer ).

It's nice to have a title where all 3 versions are great and offer something for everyone.

I have my LE at home and set up. Plays great and is one of the best games ever IMO. I was very worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations as it is my first and likely only NIB. Took a few pics on my iphone but they look like shite so I won't even post them. Not sure how much longer for the Prem models but I think Prem over Pro is well worth the difference. The Pro in the showroom of my dealer didn't impress me, it was Prem or LE for me and I am happy the wife pushed me to the LE.

Steve,

Played a LE last night and it's Pro all the way. You won't be missing much and it's so much cheaper, especially here in Canuckistan.

Hmmmm. I’ve been saying that all week.

I'm back on the Pro/Prem fence damn it. Been reading the 29 IMDN threads and seems like some issues with the mechs on Prem/LE that are not necessarily fix once and forget it. Seems like potential design problems that could lead to longer term issues/more frequent adjustments needed.

I always go pro.

I always play first to decide and in the few games I’ve bought I have always went pro.
This time I ordered premium.

Shooting under the jump ramp is far superior to starting the modes. Vs having to nail the back target.

For that the premium is a no brained.

My 2c

Hey if you got 17 hundo so a ramp moves then there you go.

Pro if you want 100% reliable captive ball and Orb mechs unless you like ball searches and taking the glass off to adjust switches. Bonus points for non color-bombed GI lighting too.

C'mon Mike... thats just ridiculous. Lets not turn a couple of leaf switch gaps into the next Metallica Hammer (also gets a bad rap). My captive balls are 100% reliable.

I mostly kid but it does seem like there have been issues with the sarcophogus mech on every LE stream I've seen. Even the Premium/LE games I own (TWD/ACDC) seem to have more glass off moments then their Pro counterparts. That darn TWD crossbow was a PITA the first month I owned it and it took a lot of monkeying with the left ramp to get it to shoot right... And those lower playfield stand-ups on ACDC suck as well. Pros are just more reliable overall.

I would think Feeding the Upper flipper would be better than dropping it down to the bottom, no?

Depends on the mode. Definitely not better for Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

I was watching owl's stream. When it opens up after the mode start it feeds right flipper perfect for a drop catch (check out 17:00). Gets you into the mode faster, and also gives you a moment to breath. Also it's a lot easier to hit, vs hitting a power shot up the ramp to the target.

Is it worth the extra $$? Well to me yes. I want the best version of the game.

Yeah the lift ramp is awsome.
I thought it was gonna be dumb before I played an LE but it’s just great fun.

Lift ramp is a great idea of course. Def wish the pro had it

No, that would undercut future LE sales. Plenty of really nice figures available out there. I'd void the MacFarlane POM Eddie that for some reason looks odd - more like Lurch than eddie. Others are nice.

I think the premium is the money package here (IMHO) it just has seamless theme integration and most of the bells and whistles of the LE. I really feel you LE buyers should get a more customizable product for the amount of scratch you are laying out, but that's just one man's opinion.

I'll take the free shot at one of the upper x targets are the beginning of the mode. Usually at least one of those is needed to get your multipliers going. I'd rather the ball start at the top for every mode because of this.

On my Pro, if I hold up the left flippers during the ball release, it bounces off a rubber on the right and deflects for a safe catch on the left flipper, perfect for a shot at the target for Rime.

Do the math on the extras that come with the LE. I think all 3 models are awesome, but the Premium is the worst value overall.
That said, if you buy one and it’s a keeper, it’s still “great value”, but not as great as the others.
-upgraded playfield glass
-shaker motor
-side armour
-artblades
-metallic side art
-mirrored back glass
-upgraded speakers

Ok. But the premium is still for sale. The LE isn’t. So who cares?

I wouldn't turn down the Premium graphics package, but the real question is would I pay for it... nah

If you do the math the LE has maybe $1000 in cosmetic extras over the Premium and costs $1500 more. What makes the LE attractive is that it's limited in number and should hold it's value relatively well. If you just want to play the full feautured game and don't care about cosmetics the premium is a much better value.

I bought both and have them side by side. Premium all day.

Gotta love these vs. threads after each Stern release. The “value” comments stay familiar as uncle Gary keeps rising those prices!

4 Premium's in route to our store that will be here, Tuesday. I"ll be happy to take pics and add them on this thread.

One of the Premium's is for our home. I've played the Pro and the LE and was hooked. Had to order one for the casa.

Ice cold and waiting for me for Tuesday night

IMG_5198 (resized).jpg

Trooper beer ready for when my premium shows up as well.

image (resized).jpg

For me the LE mirrored backglass and art is the deal maker. It’s incredible looking. For some reason the “parade-marshall” eddie on the Prem translight really bugs the shit out of me. Too cartoonie or something, not the Maiden I know.

Other than that the other upgrades are nice to have, but any other game I’d be a pro buyer. This one is special.

Well, you got me there. I took all those red LEDs out and just put in normal white bulbs like the others. I can't stand when color is under GI [metallica being the only exception as it somehow works with the plastics on that game].

I tried blue and purple and still washed out the plastic's color. It's still an OK effect with fear of the dark [being same as pro]. If they had additional bulb sockets that were only active during those modes, it would be much better ala Space Station or Black Rose etc....