My friend who owns a 30 game location has said that RBION gets fewer plays than most or all of their other Stern machines. I agree with your gut. Pinheads like it, but others will walk past. They won't know that it's a fun, reasonably complex Lawler game. They will just see it as a goofy theme.

Funny thing is that I was going to make a similar thread today asking what titles earn well in the wild that aren't on or close to being on the A-list. My same friend had a DESW front and center when they got it from another friend of mine in early 2015 and it out-earned everything for several months. Since then, their TWD pro has taken it's physical spot and earning spot as well. They say that South Park does really well among the .50 games. They have high ranked Sterns at .75, lower ranked ones at .50, most DMD's at .50, and the few EM's there at .25... for reference.

I have half of an 8 machine location and am wondering what title I should be looking at in the same range, but likely in the sub-3k range.

Wow, lots of similar posts all at the same time. Since SMB was brought up, here are my % for the last 2.5 months, which is when all 4 of my machines have been at the location at the same time.

diner: 22.01%
ice fever: 20.91%
Mario: 31.60%
police force: 25.47%

I run events at this location and in both types, games are either played once, or picked at random, so should come close to 25% split in the long run. Mario gets plays from casual players more than my other machines. On the down side, there is no way to turn off extra balls, and there is a way to get several extra balls per ball, so having players plunge extras at events is quite a chore.

Yes, when I am there and see children playing, it's always SMB. I can't blame them. Between my games and the 4 games my buddy owns there, it's the only theme that would appeal to kids.

Non pinheads, no matter the age will gravitate to a theme they like if they are going to play.

AP, really? I want to want that game, but the toilet is just, blah. Have only watched gameplay vids though, and not seen one in person. But, in that range, I'm likely to look at something else. But, just like SP, I'm sure AP is a casual player magnet.

OK, I'll make it and then the OP won't have as much noise in here.

This is basically where my location is sitting. I do events, but the location doesn't get casual foot traffic, like bowling alleys do. You are either there to play hockey or soccer, or you are there to watch somebody play hockey or soccer. Everyone else is playing pins, and I already know them. My next step is some sort of advertising. The building is right along the freeway, and they have a huge banner on that side, so maybe a Tucson Pinball banner right below it. It's also just off of a pretty busy street, so maybe a street sign. Tucson has some pretty odd laws about street signs, so I'll have to research. There isn't a marquee with backlit slots for the various businesses, or that would be what I would do first. This major street is backed up every day during rush hour, so lots of very slow moving and very bored eyes will wander to any new sign.