I picked up this awesome game a couple of days ago, and now I'm having a huge issue. The optical sensors that trigger the drawbridge are not working at all. When I run the test, I notice if I run my fingers through, it will detect. But anytime I pass the ball through, it does nothing. I've tried pushing them in a million different directions to realign them, and nothing. However, if I push down on one of them, and then pass the ball through, it usually works.

I have no idea what is going on, but I'm totally frustrated and disappointed as the game is rendered pretty much useless without being able to open the drawbridge as I'm sue you'd all agree.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

Oh, I sent an email to Planetary. So CGC is who I need to go through?

I tried wedging something beside the sensor, and nothing works. Then I noticed when I touch the screw that holds the opto board in place, and I roll the ball through, it work.

Could it be some sort of ground or connection issue?

Also, the machine is 3 days old. Do I go to the store for service (I know they give a 90 day warranty) or do I go straight to CGC?

Thanks

I'm not very technical at all, but I'm thinking it's something lose. Seems like it needs some sort of touch, even extremely gentle, to be able to detect a ball going through. It does detect my finger most of the time. But usually closer to the black sensor. The white one seems to be the problem.

If it is something lose, how would CGC service this? I am in Canada.

Thanks

Seriously?!?!

For this kind of money, you would think they would be sending someone over in a tuxedo to fix it.

I'll have to see what the store I bought it from ensures.

Hahaha, yup!

Man, I just want this thing to work. I love the game!

Any suggestions on the best way to approach this? See if I can get the part replacement from CGC, and get a local tech to put it in?

So the machine is back up and working, but there's a hilarious story that goes along with it!

A tech from the store came by (btw very impressed with their timely service) and he started diagnosing the problem. He tried everything I had. Realigning, checking connection, loose soldering, etc.

He was scratching his head. He said he was baffled. Then by chance he just happened to have his hand above the sensor and noticed it changed from "open" to "closed".

He waved his hand back and force over it in the air and said, "this is some voodoo s#!+".

He looked up, turned to me and said, can you turn off the light.

And then it was! The stupid light was interfering with the sensor. It was not making it think it was "open" and balls were not registering. My fingers would usually work because I'd cover the light as I tried.

The two of us laughed hysterically when we realized this.

Anyhow, super nice guy and all is working now!

Was playing tonight, and out of nowhere, the right flipper started to jam in the up position. It would eventually go back down, but it kept taking longer and longer.

I went under the playfield, and I noticed a bolt was lose that was holding the flipper mechanism in place. I found it and put it back in, but I noticed that there was a lot of space and play on the right one, and nothing on the left. The video below shows this.

I tried wedging something under it, and it does reduce the jamming, but the flipper is still slower and weaker than the left one.

Does anyone know what needs to be done to fix this? Do I need a replacement from CGC on this part?

Thank you

Here some more videos of the issue showing the difference betwwen left (good) and right (bad) flippers.

Random question... What are the dip switches used for?

I think mine shows 1 and 2 are one, and the rest are off.

Just curious to know where you guys have your game levelled at. Haven't adjusted mine since I brought it home and initially set up, but I'm thinking it might need some adjustments:

pin_level (resized).jpeg

One other question for MMr owners... Is it just me, or are the side drains on this game just relentless? Seem to get a bad bounce and the ball is gone!

Also, off my right flipper, if I send a shot to the castle gate, there is a very good chance that it hit and bounces right back for a drain down the middle.

I've only had the game a few weeks, and my highest score is 75 million. Based on the leader boards, I'm doing pretty horribly. What score do you guys usually put up on average?

Yea, I totally get that it's just pinball. It's just my first pin, and I was just curious to know how I'm doing. It doesn't really matter, i just go on for a few games each night and enjoy it.

Also, can anyone comment on my post about the levelling? Curious to know where you guys have yours.

Thanks

Having an issue where my left troll is not registering hits. The test shows the left switch is bad. When I go to the test mode, and I try to select it, it won't even raise it, saying something is bad about the up switch.

However, when I play, the troll will go up, and with a good strong whack, it will register. But definitely not working the way it was, or is supposed to.

Anyone have any ideas what this could be, and how it can be fixed?

Thanks

What is the best way to test? When I go to test it, it will not pop up. So what is the best way to get it up to see if hits are registering?

Just went and took a look at the troll, and I noticed that one of the two screws in the back of the trolls head has come loose. I think this is preventing it from rocking back, which I assume is necessary to register a hit with the sensor.

Now the problem is, how the hell do I get that screw back in without taking the whole troll assembly apart. I can put the troll head forward, but the space is limited. Tried to put a dime in there to see if I could tighten it, but it's only enough space for about half the dime.

Any suggestions?

And, do you think that this is what is causing the "L. Troll Up Switch Bad" error?

Thanks

Nothing I can stick in behind there just to tighten that one screw?

When leveling the machine, is it fine to use a leveling app? I'm using one on Android.

Also, where should I measure? I put the phone horizontally between the flippers and I get 8.2° (x) or if I turn it vertically, which puts the phone a lower lower, I get 9.2° (y).

Then if I move up on the playfield, for instance, above trolls, those numbers change to 7° (x) and 7.8° (y).

Does this seem right?

I have read the sweet spot is 6.5°, but where is that measured from seeing that different parts of the pf will give you varying measuments.

Thanks

What leveler are you using? What are your thoughts on using smartphone levelers?

Here's a question for fellow MMR owners. How many of you have reached BFTK?

I have destroyed all castles but the final one once or twice, but did not have any of the other requirements completed. I also once reached Royal Madness, but again, didn't have anything else completed to get close to BFTK.

I've only owned the game for a month, and prior to that, I hadn't played pinball in almost 2 decades, and only ever played stuff on consoles.

From where I stand now, it seems impossible to ever reach BFTK.

Just curious to hear about your experiences.

Cheers

I thought it was 10 trolls, but exactly my point! Has anyone actually completed this?

Awesome to hear some of you have completed it. Pretty exciting, and hopefully one day I'll get there. No rush.

Excuse my n00b question, but what is multi all save, and how do you use it?

And lastly, I have the tilt bell on. Do you guys use one? I imagine getting to BFTK would be a lot more viable being able to nudge the machine.

Definitely agree that I'll have to learn how to nudge?

So to add onto my question, has anyone completed BFTK without nudging?

INSANE! What would it take to get you to film one of your games and upload it to Youtube?

Would love to see your strategy and game style. Tonight I was just playing around trying to figure out how to control things a bit. Seems to work when I let the ball eject from the caste, roll down to the left flipper, bounce over and catch on the right flipper, and send a shot to the castle. Had one game where I destroyed 3 castles quickly, almost perfectly putting every shot right at it. Then my age went to shit.

Trying to find a way to calm things down and take out the castle. Then I guess I'll have to figure out a strategy for everything else.

Game seriously has me determined to beat it one day!

Am I seeing this right?

If you have a MMR Standard, the cost for the color upgrade chip is $399, but if you have the LE, it's $199???

See: http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PPS-MMR-HDC-LE

Have a question for all you owners. When the ball ejects from the left side of the castle (say after entering the moat) and it comes down the left side, does your ball go directly down to the left flipper, or does it occasionally hit the left slingshot?

When I first set up the game, I'm positive it was coming straight down. But now that I've adjusted the slant to 6.5 degrees, it seems to be inconsistent.

Just curious... Thanks

Can I ask what slant you have your game on?

And, when coming down the right, say after a launch, does it roll straight to the right flipper, or hit the right slingshot? I get that this one varies a bit based on how quickly it shoots out from the jets.

Oh, and one last thing... Are you ever at any of the TOPL/DRAPL things?

Coud I bug you to take a photo of your bubble level on your machine? Want to see how it compares.

Were you at Luch's yesterday?

Man, I just looked at your collection and wishlist, and I swear, that is pretty much everything I would ever want. Awesome stuff there!

How you completed BFTK on your MM?

They have a price and release listed for this yet?

Hahahah noob question... What is a ball guide?

Question for all MM owners...

Is there a way to set the goals of the game to an easier setting to get to BFTK more easily?

I was browsing through the menu quickly, and saw a bunch of things that could be changed? If so, what would it really change? How much easier would it be?

Being new to the hobby, I would almost consider taking the difficulty down for a little bit, and increasing it as I improve as a player.

Just curious to know what can be changed.

Good advice... It's not only for myself. My wife also plays a few games here and there, and I'd like her to enjoy the excitement of getting deeper into the game.

Tonight I had my best game yet. Completed Trolls and Catapult, defeated 5 or 6 castles, and finished Royal Madness. It was all happening so quickly that I lost focus. But ended up with 108K as my score, and felt pretty good about it.

I think I just need to get some rubber casters to keep the game in place, then figure out this whole nudging thing, and I'll get closer to that BFTK goal!

Wish I was closer to MD... Would love to see your collection!

Question about the game settings. Is there any way to change the way the ball ejects from the left side of the castle? Seems that this is what is causing my ball to not fall down directly to the flipper, hitting the slingshot occasionally.

I manually rolled the ball from both sides, and the ball goes directly to flipper. But once in the game, the ball ejects, and it's not always a drop straight to the flipper.

Any ideas?

Was considering that change last night. Good idea!

Cheers man!

Anyone know where to get these?

I just got my color chip in the mail from Planetary. No instructions included!

Seems simple, but wanted to check in first. I'm guessing that you turn the machine off, put in the SD card first, and update to 2.0.1?

Do I start the machine up first, or put the color chip in at the same time?

Does the chip go in a certain way, or can it be reversed?

And lastly, two of the pins were bent? Should I just straighten them up?

Thanks

Thanks dude!

Just installed it, and it looks fantastic! Did nothing for my score though

It seem I get one good score 70-100mil, and then for the next few days I'm lucky to hit 50mil!

Curious to know what your strategy is when playing?

Lately, I've been starting out by trying to hit the ramps and orbits. Not sure if I'm being strategic, but I like to get each Madness lit individually, so I can get a few double ball multi-balls. When I get multi-ball, I go for the castle.

I've been to Royal Madness twice, and finished it once. But aside from that, where do I rack up the points? Should I go for more Damsels, Jousts, etc...?

Do you get more than one multi-ball on item? For instance, after getting the multi-ball after saving the first damsel, do you get another multi-ball after saving 2, 3, etc...?

My highest score so far came from a game where I got to Royal Madness, finished it, and the points just seemed to be pouring in.

But at that point, I couldn't figure out what to shoot at.

Interested in hearing your strategy.

Cheers

Was looking at the Cliffys, and it looked a little daunting to do the catapult and moat jump & ramp protectors.

Can anyone comment on this, as I'm new to the hobby.

Also, are there any videos showing the install?

Cheers

Curious to know how you game plays when you aim for the peasant and damsel ramps.

For me, the ball has to roll almost to the very end of the flippers, and then you get a smooth shot up ramp.

Just interested in hearing how yours plays

What's the best way to ensure that flippers are aligned?

So I wedge a toothpick under the flipper bat rubber (I'm assuming the bottom of the flipper) and then place the other point of the toothpick in the alignment hole?

Then tight the bolt that holds the flipper in place, and see how that works?

For the straight edge route, can I just use a short ruler or level?

I don't recall getting a goody bag Just the manual

So I could put a toothpick in the hole, rest the flipper on the toothpick, and then tight it up?

I had adjusted the flipper once before by eyeing it, and I recall it was a pain in the ass trying to tighten it back up and keep it in place.

Do I push down on the flipper so that it does not raise off the playfield while tightening? And to confirm, it's just the one bolt that it parallel to the playfield, and is facing downward towards the front of the machine?

Thanks

Yes, please post a pic

And can comment on the other question about how to loosen and tighten it properly.

Thanks

Thanks so much for the pic LTG!

Any chance you could take a photo so I can see what the nut on the panel is? And if I'm only loosening that a bit, when am I tightening another bolt after?

Thanks again

So just loosen that, adjust flipper, and tighten? Should it be very tight, or just some resistance?

Also, when I loosen this nut, will the flipper also rise up from the playfield?

After doing the alignment, should I push down on the flipper while tightening?

Thanks again

What I meant by raising, is will there be space between the flipper and playfield, as if you were pulling it up off the playfield?

But I think you answered that by saying I should only loosen slightly so that I have to force it a bit to move?

Wouldn't it be easier to align the toothpick in the hole if it were easier to move the flipper up and down though?

I'll end it with a link to this video in case anyone else ever needs this (skip to around 1:04:00):

nosro i totally agree, and will keep that in mind.

Thank you all for the tips. Realigned the flippers tonight with the toothpick, but noticed that after measuring with a ruler, the smaller end of the flipper is not lined up with the inland ramp. Not sure if this is how MMR was set up, because if I have the rubber of the bat lined up end to end with the inland, it will sit above the alignment hole.

Regardless, I learned something new a out my pin today, and the game already feels a bit better!

410 million... Holy s#!t!!!!!

Good eye

I'm chasing down BFTK, but dammit, I just can't get it.

Tonight I knocked out almost 5 castles, and then failed at Royal Madness.

Such tough game!

This is my first pin, and I've owned it since January. I have it at 6.5 degrees, all factory default settings, except I moved the outlane post down to the easiest setting.

My average score is about 20-30 million, with my GC score of 108 million.

In the first month of owning it, I think I got to Royal Madness once. Now I get it after playing a few games.

So definitely improving, but nowhere near BFTK. I also haven't figured out how to start the video mode. I know it has something to do with lighting FIRE.

Such a fantastic game though!

I was reading someones breakdown on how to get to BFT, and they mentioned that when the ball ejects from the bumpers down the right side, they can hold the right flipper up, and the ball with stop on it.

Seems totally different from my game, where if I hold the right flipper up, it will bounce and generally hit the slingshots.

Right now, I left the ball drop from bumpers, bounce of the right flipper, then off the left flipper over to the right again, where I trap it.

Curious to know how your game behaves.

Can anyone comment on that bumper eject? Does your ball stop on the right flipper just by pressing it?

Wondering if I'm totally off with my flippers​ and level.

Yes, I usually do a live catch from the left. For some reason, the way it ejects from the right, I find it really hard to do.

But what I was asking is, when the ball drops from the right, if you just put there flipper up, will it bounce a bit, but stay on that right flipper?

Hey man, th

Cheers! Thanks for posting the vid!

Yeah, that seems normal. I couldn't figure out how that person had the ball drop, bounce a bit, and stay on the right flipper. Would make the game way too easy.

For me, I let the ball eject from the right, hit the right flipper, bounce over the left, and then back to the right where I trap it. Then I release the ball at about the middle of the flipper and get a clean castle shot.

Curious to know what you guys use as a strategy. Lately I've been doing what I mentioned to get castle shots. Obviously it's easy when the drawbridge is up. When I get to the gate, I have to nudge like crazy to get control of the ball on each shot, but if I'm having a good game, I can get it under control pretty quickly, and keep working on the castle.

When I get to the second or third castle, I then move on to working on the the Madnesses. Pick up the extra ball along the way, and then maybe even a Castle Multiball. Not so good at getting the extra ball on the Castle Madness, but I have done it once or twice.

So far, I've been able to get to the Royal Madness, and knock out 5 castles, but then things fall apart.

What is your strategy?

You guys should seriously put up videos.

I'm determined to get to BFTK, but man am I far off. I finished one Royal Madness, and had 5 castles knocked out a couple days ago. Then it all went to shit.

A friend came by last night and was killing the ramps. He saved 5 damsels. I've only done two myself.

Not sure I understand the importance of hitting ramp post???

Hahaha, yes I'm being facetious.

Seriously though, do you guys find the right ramp harder to hit than the left?

Haha!

Getting closer!!!!!

I was two left ramp shots away from Master of Peasants, and had everything else lit.

I also needed to destroy the 6th and final castle, and it would have been BFTK for me!!!

Sooooooooo glad I bought this game!!!!

Noticed that my left flipper is jamming a little bit. It happens for just a second, and then it drops down, but it's not happened about 2-3 times in the last week.

Any suggestions?

Going to buy plastic protectors, but wanted to know what you guys think is the best one to get (looks like one just has more):

https://www.pinbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_1&products_id=35&zenid=f0409a4313f1663ec9aeab4db0de538f

or

https://www.pinbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=27&products_id=164&zenid=f0409a4313f1663ec9aeab4db0de538f

One other thing... I noticed recently that occasionally I will shoot the ball through the "Lock", but it will see it as a hit to the castle. If I'm not mistaken, it has happened one the final shot to destroy a castle the 2-3 times it has happened so far.

Any ideas?

Good to know that about the plastic protector.

I'll get the Mantis and Cliffy protectors though.

By the way, someone who can get to BFTK, should really consider posting a full length video showing there full game to give some of us noobs a tutorial!

Yeah, except every video shows the game starting at BFTK... I can roll balls up ramps with my hand too and then press record on a camera.

I was trying to find a video of a full game. You want to help me Google that too?

You sir, are a rockstar!

Man, daddy life has me tired! When I search BFTK on Youtube, I basically only saw the end of videos, or most of them were the Pinball Arcade captures.

This one is unreal:

Guy has incredible control! I seriously need to work on my live catches!

Hmmmmm.... Guessing that would reduce side drains?

Question for you guys about this video:

Take a look at this ball he plays. When the ball ejects form the left, he just puts the flipper up and the ball basically stops right on it. He's not doing a live catch. I've had my game set at 5 degree, all the way to 8 degrees, and it would never do that.

The ball also seems to move pretty sluggishly at certain points.

Anyone think this game plays a lot differently then theirs?

Mine was draining like mad when I had it at 6.5 degrees. Bumped it up to 6.8-6.9 degrees, and seems to be playing a little better. What do you guys have yours at?

And if you check out the video I just posted above, how the heck is that guy just raising his flipper to stop the ball? Seems odd!

Bowen Kerins. He's a beast! Sniper accuracy!

I'm curious to know what others have theirs set at?

And stops on the flipper, or bounces off?

If I raise the flipper, the ball hits it, and then usually bounces off to the slingshot. In the video I posted, his ball jumps lands on the flipper with a small bounce, and stays on the flipper.

In order for me to do that, I have to live catch it. But this guy is just raising the flipper and waiting for it.

6.5 feels a bit floaty. Closer to 7 is faster and flows nice.

Regarding the flipper, I'm just curious as to why some machines would have the ball land flat on the flipper, but mine bounces all over the place.

Not looking to make it easy... Just curious

Seem to have it nice centred side to side. Do you normally adjust the side to side by the rear or front levellers?

I actually have two digital levels and a standard bubble level

I have a small digital level that I can line up anywhere in the playfield, and that seems to get an accurate read on the angles.

For me, I think it's more slant. Trying to find that sweet spot that I enjoy the most.

I'm really puzzled now as to why a few of you are able to just raise the flipper and cradle the ball, and on my game, it bounces and either go to the center, or ends up in the slingshot.

I'm the same as you on the right. I actually can't even do a live catch. On the left I can fairly consistently.

I think being able to more dependably cradle on the left would allow me more control to hit castles and get closer to BFTK (which I'm determined to get!)

I took a video, and even added music for your enjoyment haha.

This is 3 consecutive ejects on the left and right, showing how much they vary, and never really hit the flipper and settle.

Can anyone comment and let me know if this seems like the ball is bouncing normally.

I'm curious now that a few people have said there ball drops and stays on the flipper.

Thanks

Totally agree! Just was seeming weird that so I kept seeing and hearing that balls would stop on flippers, and mine was totally not doing that.

I bumped mine up to 7 degrees, but might go back down to 6.5 and play there a while. The game just started side draining like crazy this week, and it totally wasn't like that before. I'm guessing the game plays differently as you get more wear on it.

It's my first pin, so I'm definitely learning all of this for the first time. Love it though!

Nope, rubber is factory still.

Can you possibly get a photo of yours later? Curious to see how mine lines up.

I was under the impression that we did not need to wax these newer games for a while?

Heard it a couple times this week too! Curious to know what triggers it.

Like this?

IMG_20170427_212451 (resized).jpg

So I put 3 levels on to be extra sure.

You'll see both digital levels read 0, but the bubble level is not centered.

Is it due to it laying flat? Standing up I get a centered bubble, which is even more confusing.

I'm so lost!

IMG_20170427_212154 (resized).jpg

IMG_20170427_212244 (resized).jpg

You totally should make a video of it, and even include awesome music like I did

Harsh, man!

No hard feelings brother. I know I'm noobing it up here, and probably annoying some of you, but I'm definitely learning some stuff, and although I suck ass at pinball, I must say my skills have improved

Thanks all for putting up with me!

Decided to play a couple of quick games before bed.

First game was rough. Second game everything seemed to be flowing, and I ended up getting the closest I've been to BFTK. Had all the blue "master" lights lit, and just needed to finish off the 6th castle!!!

If I only got the extra ball from Castle Multiball, I could have done it! Damn this game is awesome when it's all dialled in right!!!

I'm right there with you! I bought a TZ recently, and I'm not really feeling it. I know everyone puts this at the top of the list, but I just don't get it. I find the left jets and drains defeating, and I find the excessive punishment for missed shots to be a buzzkill.

So, I'm debating parting with the TZ, grabbing a Getaway as my second game, and perhaps saving for a AFMr

Only thing holding me back (aside from $$$) is the idea that a MB remake might be coming next!

That's totally fine by me. To own that game, brand new with new tech, and pay less than it's going for on the market today, is well worth the wait

Looks sharp. Where'd you pick that up?

Do you have your kits listed anywhere that we can check out? Interested in your moat kit.

I can't catch the ball on the right flipper coming out of the jets, so I usually just let it bounces off the right, over to the left, then back to the right for a cradle. From there, I'll go for Peasant and Damsal, then slow it down, work on Joust, and hope to get some lucky bounces over to Catapult. Hope to light up all four and then hit Merlyn for Trolls. I just need to get better at using the Multiball to take out castles. Got to Royal Madness twice in one game last night, and squandered both

Question for you guys... Is it extremely difficult to aim and hit Catapult?

I can hit it direct for two shots by cradling on the right flipper, letting it roll down, and shooting at almost the very edge of the flipper. It's a shot I rarely make, but often regret

I was cleaning my pf with Novus last night and noticed some white hazy trails on the inlane down to the flippers. It's obviously from the ball traveling, but is there any way to clean it up? I've only had the game 3 months, and can't imagine what it might look like in a couple of years.

And the mylar are the trolls seems to be coming up a bit. It's at the point in the middle of the trolls at the bottom, where one edge is slightly overlapping the other.

Any help would be appreciated