Funny how this turned into another VE vs 2010 thread. The differences are trivial, and it's dumb to use words like "superior" in comparing them. Pick the one that has the features you like, they're both great! I prefer my 2010 IM, more rare.

IM is like speed chess. There may only be 6 different chess pieces, but many many books have been written on chess strategy. And when you get "check...and mate!" with IM, it's tremendously satisfying. If you can't enjoy playing IM, you're doing it wrong.

A troll says what?

Because....?

I just hope you guys realize that the only reason IMVE even exists at all is because guys like me championed IM when people here were dogging it as "cheap", "plastic", "barren" and all other kinds of stupid nonsense. I.e., respect your elders.

I also prefer the plain black panel around the DMD and the old-school wooden cabinet. I want IM to blend in with the Sterns I already have, because I don't plan to buy any more new pins.

Both versions need tweaking to get the best gameplay experience. I played my buddy's VE, and a shot to the left orbit would always hit the slingshot. Easily fixed, but my point is that anybody who says they PLAY different is just talking smack (and I'm being kind). All of the differences are superficial.

Interesting that the main response is "Got boring fast". I wonder if they are referring to the rules or the game play? IM isn't deep, but I've never felt bored playing it. Mine is set up fast and hard, though. I can see a slow-playing IM being pretty boring.

BTW, you can make the ramps much faster with Plexus:

http://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Spray-Cleaner-13-Can/dp/B002MQCYO0

I'm afraid to try this on my playfield, but I imagine it would work well there too.

I guess I need to tighten up my outlanes. 30-50M is a good game for me.

I know...I had Bogie Scoring, Double Scoring, War Machine MB and IM MB all going at once the other night, and it was all I could do to stay awake.

Being more serious, there are a few changes that could be made to make IM more "interesting":
* Add a mode with "roving shot"
* Add a super skill shot
* Make DoD MB achievable

Other than that, it's perfect for what it is.

It's more fun to start Monger by shooting up the middle. I don't think there's any danger of the game being too easy because I have it set up that way.

I've tweaked the lighting on my IMOG a lot, and here's where I ended up:

Color-matched LEDs under all colored inserts
Cool white LEDs under the lane guides and the large War Machine plastic
Incandescent everywhere else

LEDs wash out the artwork and fade the reds, when used in a red area of the game. I think Stern's indiscriminate use of white LED lighting everywhere in IMVE looks like ass. Fortunately, it's easy to fix.