A barren game indeed, but they don't all look so empty

20191005_221911 (resized).jpg

20191005_221535 (resized).jpg

And as mine won't be going anywhere, that leaves only 299 or less for people to fight over

While I had some disappointment that the code didn't get to where Ben was promising in posts/podcasts (mini wizard mode and mode re-works), once I came to terms with what the game was going to be, I do love it for what it is.

Truly a gem of a game in a sea of pins that often offer similar experiences--RZ completely stands out on its own. Absolutely love the crazy pop/sling action, callouts, and dots. I did need to swap in some different switches to get the ball rolling over them smoother and trigger properly, but I don't experience the game to be clunky at all (as some are suggesting).

I'm under the impression that RZ will continue to fall into the hands of those that will be reluctant to sell the game.

One factor that plagued RZ is that AMH was fetching crazy prices before the release of RZ, and a bunch of flippers/speculators jumped in on RZ that had no love for the theme.

RZ was able to be flipped for a profit early on, then likely left some toward the back of the line bitter about the later drop in value. Many that shouldn't have been in on the game in the first place dumped their games and publicly panned it, and complained about "taking a bath" on it.

Pair this with servo/switch issues, irrational negativity for the theme/art, and at the time, negativity toward Spooky in general, and plenty hopped on the hatred bandwagon.

Early code at noisy shows in family mode couldn't have helped either.

It is indeed a theme you have to enjoy to give a chance, and the only way to properly experience it is at home on adult mode.

Not a flawless game--it could have been much more, but certainly not "that bad."

Greatest callouts in pinball IMO, and having Rob, Sid, and Sheri on them is huge. Also some of the most surprising animations.

The complaints about the crazy sling/pop action baffle me as it's one of the top features that makes it play like no other modern game and stand out in a collection.

All subjective of course, but I'm glad to be on the side that can appreciate the game, and all the mods I created for it were passion projects for the dream theme.

There are absolutely people that love the theme and not the game, and I can respect that, but I didn't miss it (just not addressed).

Mine has been reliable since replacing the finicky switches and the one that was trapping the ball in the inner orbit. Shouldn't be too daunting to own once sorted out.

However, I find nothing wrong with the geometry...

Not sure about pics, but I swapped my problem switches for the rounded Sega style switches.

https://www.pinballlife.com/sternsegadata-east-rollover-switch-assembly-left.html

Can easily access them from underneath the playfield. May require some slight housing modification (think I cut some plastic on one switch).

If you aren't having issues, then no need to fix what isn't broken.

When the really odd stuff starts happening, it's often damage to the switch under the upper playfield (have to pull the upper playfield to get to it). It causes all sorts of havoc and failed things such as the VUK not working. Right above the murder ride, there's a switch that can get smacked enough to have the pins touching--needs to be pulled and prevented from happening again (after fixing with heat shrink...that ultimately failed after being smashed enough again, I may have ended up hot gluing those pins to prevent it).

With the playfield propped up and a bright flashlight, you may be able to see if those pins are touching at all.

Other switches should be easy to find, and good experience for a pin owner to sort out.

I can understand that. Working on the games is part of the fun for me, but I know it isn't for everyone.

I've never had the ball get stuck in the outer orbit (just the H1kC/Murder Ride inner orbit before the fix). Did have some other switches that didn't like to register properly though.