I still think SM is one of the all time great Stern games but I think some of the newer games like Met and ACDC make it feel kind of outdated as far as rules/lighting goes. SM has a great rule-set but it feels somewhat traditional instead of the more recent risk/reward rule-sets that Lyman has come up with. I think ACDC's rule-set really changed the game in that it no longer requires a 45 minute game to rack up huge points. Met is the same way. All it takes is a big Song Jackpot or Crank it Up mode to propel your points into the stratosphere! I think color changing LEDs and the stacking potential has also been improved dramatically over the past few years.

I'm still excited to see what SM VE is all about and if they do actually make enough cool changes to the game I would be tempted to buy one NIB. Or I may consider buying an old SM HUO if prices fall into the $4K range. It's just a solid/good overall game.

I think a re-vamped Spidey would do great on route and my personal policy is to not buy any machines for home if they available to play on route! Especially if they are updated and play as well as the games that Madisonpinball has setup

I think Met Pro has more features as SM does. Metal ramps, Sparky, inline drops, magnets, captive ball, 2 scoops, etc.

Real price on Spidey VE delivered will be <$5K. Original Spidey will still have the slide rails and lollipop playfield rails that the VE will surely lack.

I wonder if we'll see improvements like color changers in the web arrow inserts to make the game more current?

It's too bad if they don't because the 6 white arrows would be perfect for them! They already have code in those inserts to change the intensity which is difficult to see with leds. If these were color changers it would be much easier to see when you have a 2x multiplier lit. They could also correspond by color to the mode lights like they do in Star Trek.