I might get flamed for saying this, but it seems like Pinball manufacturers are going backwards with utilizing technology and creativity and just phoning designs in and utilizing old designs and mechs. Jump ramp and pop-up bash toy? YAWN. Been there, done that... 20-30 years ago. I'm more excited about the bridges on GZ Prem- and while it's simple, it's cool and fun. So Nothing really has to be crazy when making a new game like this... a little effort for something different goes a long way IMO. I was thinking maybe there was some surprises that we're not seeing... until I saw the features list. Nope.

Now I'm all up for a classic style game like this, but given the absurd amount of time it took to get this launched and the fact they've been seemingly working on this one game for almost 2 years.. I was expecting so much more.

When I look at this, I think my 10 year old niece would love it. Not quit sure if this hits a large group for appeal, at least initial appeal. When I was thinking Toy Story theme, I had all the classic movies in mind like most here. The 4th movie is just that like most series... it will never compare to the first 2.

I don't know why, but the last time I was at Hollywood Studios in Orlando I was thinking a Slinky Dog ramp would have been awesome... just like the roller coaster.

Can't wait for someone else to buy this so I can play it.

I've never been so bored watching a pinball release video. I hate saying that. But 20+ minutes and all I can think is JJP needs new blood, someone like Elwin! Not convinced Ritchie is going to save them. Hope I'm wrong.

My thoughts exactly. Anything removed and then you have a Stern Homepin (almost).

Watching more of the gameplay, it doesn't excite me. The loop shot to the third flipper is just uninsipring and boring. I guess how GZ did the third flipper shot, while simple, is just fun and new. Sure it will be fun because it's pinball. But I expected a mind-blowing, look what it took 2 years to design machine.

The design team just seems out of touch in the video about what's going to be exciting and what really is exciting to me.

Let's face it, with JJP we were promised a world of loaded out games and toys.. things that were missing in Stern pins. That was the premise of JJP. And you paid a premium for it. Now they are just trying to make more profit, like stern. Kind of like saying you're starting a premium car company to offer a premium car (let's say Ferrari), and now you're trying to be more profitable so your cars are now built like high end Fords. Nothing wrong with the high end Ford... unless you wanted a Ferrari. LOL.

Now you are getting a dressed up game without the toys and things that were the basis of buying a JJP. The flash is still there. And the price point is still high. Where's the rest?

First, you have to accept the theme- If this is a star wars pin, this is the equivalent to Episode 1. Then there's the higher price point. Then the fact that toys and mechs are just not there like we expect from JJP games.

Look at the stand-up targets for forky- One thing I LOVE about the hobbit is the mechanical stand-up targets that cycle and make you hit a specific target... just so damn cool!! Then the shot that takes you to a subway behind the stand-up target. It's things like this that make a game stand out and you KNOW it's a premium unique game.. even if the theme is off, it has a mega cool factor that no other game has.

The choice to throw in cheap, fixed stand up targets just goes to show they didn't care about making it special mech wise... for starters, of course.

I priced one out- $12,000, plus tax, plus shipping, is more like $13,000. Everyone is different money wise... but you can get some of the best of the best pinballs in existence for that price point... vs. something that's just new and different.... but not mind blowing or even a theme I want.

On a final point, this just seems like a game geared towards appealing to children. Toy Story is/was a children based theme with massive appeal to adults, yet they have peeled most of that away for some odd reason. There's just too many head-scratchers for me on this one.

Sure it's new pinball, sure I want one because IT IS NEW and FUN and I WANT TO BE THE COOL GUY on the block with the newest JJP machine... owning it would be a "F/U I got money to burn and I'm a cool cat in this hobby" kind of move, don't ya think? I can be the guy that people are saying, "man, Pinball-wiz has one and he doesn't care". You know this machine has wallet-flex written all over it because of all the factors (you're paying top dollar and don't care its TS4 and all the other crap).

I don't know what to think of Pinside. I see people now criticizing those that haven't played it, like.. "how dare you until you flip it!!". Like we don't know pinball!

Under normal circumstances, I'd agree.... flip it first. But I'd define normal circumstances in pinball as the following:

1. Not a machine that is $3K more than the competition and $3K more than their last release with LESS toys.
2. A title we can relate too that makes sense (IE, Toy Story 4 vs Mandalorian). Imagine if the Mandalorian came out and was then based on a movie no one knew of that happened to feature Mando, for example. Toy Story 4 MAKES NO SENSE.
3. Artwork that matches a good, neutral representation of the title. Here we have a very strong 10 year-old ish girl feel to the machine and art. Not Slinky Dog, Mr. Potato, Army men, etc. A carnival with a girls head (
gabby gabby?") WTF.
4. A machine that took 2 years to make. TWO YEARS. This machine should be absolutely ground breaking and blow our minds. NOPE.

Also, while I was able to forgive the problems with the GNR playfields because I loved the game... now imagine taking a risk on this one, paying $3K over, and again being told to pound sand if you had a legit problem.

ZaphX, I appreciate your enthusiasm and absolute willingness to be optimistic about this one, but there's more here than just... it's a good flipping game. It has to be a good flipping game for price, with a good theme, and should all around feel good. BTW, you're youtube videos on GNR is one of the reasons I bought one. But I feel the price on that one was more acceptable, loved the theme, and the pin made sense.

Looks like Jack took too many naps back in his office...

The SDTM video review just seemed fake and forced.

I like their reviews, but come on guys.

Either way it won't change how I feel about the game. Going to play it on location and doubt I'll ever buy it.

I'm sorry, but having an opinion, either negative or positive, is OK. This is the internet and we're here to discuss Pinball. Besides, it shouldn't matter how I feel about the game. Make your own decision but leave mine alone? Get over yourself and your righteous attitude! WOW. It's OK to disagree with someone w/o attacking. Seriously.

There's just so much to unpack here and I wish I did have a positive outlook! I really wanted to love this game! But let's start with the unpopular Toy Story 4 theme and work from there ($12K price tag, lack of real toys in the game, nothing really exciting to look forward to besides it just being new). On top of that, even the side target bank is plain stand-ups and not drop targets.. something a JJP game should have to bring that "premium JJP feel".

What's worse than me, (an experienced pinball owner and player) bashing a pinball game "I haven't played" is YOU bashing me without knowing me. See how that works?

Let's be honest here, it's not the "lack of toys" on this one, it's the Lack of toys FOR THE PRICE" and "Lack of toys FOR A JJP PIN".

Delete

Spot on.

So in GNR, you have 2 guitar necks, drum sticks, cymbols on the pops, etc.... on a toy story game, you have... no toys.

Yes, beating the dead horse LOL