Blows munsters away

It's a shame that Munsters doesn't play as good as it looks.

Their is no comparison with code...Elvira by a mile!

Honestly, I can’t agree more. For the record, I’ve actually played both.

There is no comparison ! Having unboxed both in LE models ones a keeper
The other lasted 9 days

Elvira !!!!

I've only played munsters once when it first came out. Not great, but why all the neg talk about it? I dont hate it. It's a beautiful looking game, the soundtrack was my biggest gripe

I know code is supposedly no good, but some people play for enjoyment, not depth of code

Elvira is better.

There's the problem right here. The first thing 95% of people say about Munsters when they are trying to say something good about it or defend the game is that, "It's a beautiful looking game". When the first thing about a game you have to go to in order to find positives about it...has nothing to do with how fun it is or how the game plays...you know you are in trouble. It's like a talent show when the judges critique someone's performance and instead of discussing the actual performance, the first thing they say is "you look so beautiful tonight". Translation...it means you suck and they are trying to let you down gracefully so they can't comment on your actual poor performance.

I have played both games. I actually own a Munsters LE That was NIB and it’s a beautiful game. Yes Elvira plays better and looks fantastic but the only thing is the price. I paid almost 1300 less than what there quoting me on a Elvira LE. Do you all think it’s really worth it.

Elvira is way better than munsters but pretty much any game can say that hah. I've only had a handful of games on Elvira, it didnt blow me away but was fun enough. I'd rather play most of the other new sterns over it tho.

Elvira is the best pinball machine ever made!

I have a Munster LE. I like munsters stuff in general..so, keeping it for that reason. Honestly "Neither" one is worth the cash. I had (and sold) a Scared stiff with less than 600 plays, with a Bill Davis coated playfield from day one, it was perfect...I mention this because it may show I have a history with Elvira...just had it too long and time to let it go..made a bundle.

As much as I hoped "This" Elvira would do well, it also disappointed to "play"..love the look, but that's it, and no reason to go into it as this has been talked about on other threads. I have all things Munsters, this i just another collection piece for me. Elvira best game ever?? I think we all know better...then a statement such as that...but, glad "you" love it...just not for me at this time..as with munsters...maybe code will help.

Both are beautiful.

Why would you do a "vs" question comparing a new game with a game you hate anyway?

Seems like a trolling topic, doesn't it?

I have Munsters and I played Elvira at the Chicago show.

I guess I am one of those mentioned above that likes to play purely for the enjoyment. I have tried to join leagues and various contests, but it always sucks the fun out of the play for me. I could care less if I win or lose, but I always end up surrounded by people who get too serious and uptight about how they play, how others are looking at them while they play, how level the game is, etc. I just like to play for the fun of it. I don't crave deep games, but they don't turn me off. I love how Lyman thinks, but I end up getting lost in some of his code......it's why I just can't seem to love my BM66 no matter how much I like the theme.

So with that said, I do like Munsters for the theme and the play. No, it is not deep, but it is fun for me to shoot, and I like being able to rack up some good scores. Ramps and shots are pretty easy, but the reward is fun. I Had a Pro and an LE at the same time because of a trade deal I made, and I ended up selling the pro. I thought it played faster, and probably the one thing I could do without is the lower playfield, so I sometimes wish I had sold the LE. I don't hate the lower pf, but it is not my favorite part of the game.

I will be honest and say I did not like the looks of Elvira when I saw the images and watched the first streams. Not really sure why, other than I guess I thought in my head the artwork would be less cartoonish. If ever there was a spot for Franchi-style artwork, it woud have been on Elvira. I watched the streams, and I couldn't figure out that whole "floating head" thing they had going on. But I played many games in Chicago, and my opinion started to change. I like the layout and the shots. I didn't think it was any better or worse than Munsters, but it is a bit faster, and I dig that. I still don't like the artwork or the "floating head" and although I am a huge fan of old "B" horror movies, I just am not a fan of the way everything is implemented. There is too much stop and go for me.

So both have pros and cons as with any pin, but neither is an outstanding top pin in my opinion. They are just medium level pins that are fun to play for me. I could own either, but neither would be bolted to the floor. I thought about adding Elvira at some point, but it will be a ways down the road. The licensing costs drove this pin up to the BM66 levels, and it is nowhere near worth the NIB pricing....but then again, neither was BM66.

Just about every machine is better than Munsters.

The code is not complete on Elivia, but with Sheats doing the code should be great in a year or 2.

Equal

I’m curious who actually voted Munsters better. That game is almost as bad as Thunderbirds. Hey, I just thought of a new topic.

Elvira or Munsters?

NGG.

If comparing current code, Elvira wins hands down.

I like the Munsters layout, shots and art (especially the B&W Premium) and love the theme, at least as much Elvira if not more. I was so excited when Munsters came out but the one-trick pony code and lackluster theme integration has taken it off the radar.

Elvira is overpriced (more so than most) to the extent it feels like a cash grab to take advantage of the fan base. The art package on the LE is very good and looks significantly better in person. The game is fun to shoot and the theme of returning monsters from the haunted house to film is brilliant and perfect with Elvira. The game complements the first two perfectly. But the crown jewel of Elvira is Lyman on the code. Elvira may not be Lyman’s dream theme like Batman 66 was but he’s always wanted to do a haunted house game, so I suspect the code will end up being epic and deep enough for any home buyer.

I have no skin in the game, but man Munsters is such a bad ass looking machine but fun factor isn't there for me.
And I tell ya what, with Stern taking up to 3 years to update code to make a game decent - if the game isn't panty dropping fun outta the box ya better not be buying it. Doesn't take a smart man to realize with as many new pins that Stern pumps out every year and the need to stomp bugs on new releases first ... I suspect code update releases are going to get worse.

I've posted this a few times around pinside. I thought some of the ideas and concepts for the Munsters code was really cool... But, in execution it doesn't turn out that way. I've played it a few times. I think I've gotten close to Munster madness, but never gotten it. I know people claim its easy, and I think it is... But, I've never really wanted to keep playing and truly get dialed in on the shots for Munsters. It just doesn't hold my attention.

The videos/animations/callouts and even the shots lack energy. I know people bash on the bash toys... But, at least it has toys. Yes, they should draw more attention to spot, but I do like herman. For me though I find the Herman shot... Not hard. Just a bit not where I'd expect it on the flipper. As I said I could solve that by just playing it more and getting dialed in... But, I just don't have fun shooting it.

Its not about the depth of the code. Its just BORING... To me... Only to me.

I think the game looks amazing and I think the way to go is the black and white Prem... But, man so boring. IT really should also give you a booby award like how Iron Maiden does. In maiden if you fail to start a single mode you get Aces High locked in for your third ball. Munsters should do something like that. For all the talk of no Ball Saver and making everything closer to the start button... Then why don't they have something in the game for the people who get like first two balls basically house balls...

They don't, and to me that is something they SHOULD have thought about. I hate the no ball save. Sorry, but I do think its a nice feature. Because, I hate it when I'm playing with a friend and I drain out right away. Then have to wait 2-3 minutes, and then I drain out again right away and have to wait... Yes, play better I KNOW!!! But, this game just doesn't fit with how I play. I'm not a bad player, but I seldom get good games on it. Just don't like munsters...

What I think Munsters needs. Is more upper and lower playfield action at the SAME TIME. I've never gotten a mb on top and had the mb on the bottom. That should be something that happens all the time... Is that Munster Madness???? Anyway... Even if its just a 2 ball mb... You could activate Grandpa's lab on top. Hit the saucer. So one ball is locked. And then it tells you for a nice good jackpot size to hit a certain shot.You have like 10-15 seconds to hit it. So you got to either trap up quickly. Or just keep flipping and try to do both...
For having 2 playfields the integration between both of them, and even the code itself... Well its garbage. It really is... And I think Dwight is a better coder than I'll ever be, but he is not thinking outside the box for what you can do. There is potential in Munsters to do amazing things... But, they kept it simple... And its BAD because of it.

Simple code doesn't have to be boring. They could make it simple, but still implement a lot more things.

Elvira on the other hand... I think the shots are more exciting to shoot. I know it has better videos/callouts, and animations... And they will be getting much better. The artwork I think is slightly more scintillating for Elvira. And the modes are so much more fun.
I've already completed all the house modes multiple times for Elvira, but I still enjoy shooting it. And Elvira has more MBs... But, I think the Junk in the Trunk mb... is a bit of a let down... But, I do like how currently you can enter a garage mb and then stack that with Junk in the Trunk. But, you can't do the opposite. So that is actually really nice. Just with Elvira. I feel sometimes too many balls in play... But, that is a minor gripe.

Munsters is bad.

I just played Elvira LE and it was meh. I mean it didn't knock my out. Maybe it's the code yet. The floating heads bother me, they don't seem to give much points so they are just a little chore or something to throw in there like whatever. I don't care for that, if it's not wow great mode just leave it out (IMO).

I think Elvira shoots great but maybe too easy. I mean not a lot of dangerous shots (that I found). The ramps are butter, plays good but not sure I want to own it (over something like DP premium, Maiden even SW is getting me more interested than Elvira). Maybe I need to play more to get better feel but to me it was not that great. One aspect the center ramp is ok but it just sees like it diverts the ball left or right (big deal) and when it does raise I felt like I hit the sharp edge and I feel like that is gong to wear like crazy if that happens a lot. Not sure if it's a replaceable item (the flat plate that meets the PF will get knicked up ball >>> sharp edge of ramp flap). I am not sure if that was ever an issue on TWD for example.

This is not true at all; unless you mean GB which will always be a doorstop.

Greg indicated to me at Expo that the deadheads were being reworked to be more of hurry up type shots.

Wow…you beat me. My Munsters lasted last 2 weeks Huge disappointment…

that might work, I love hurry up shots. As it was just seems like they float around forever until you collect and you get not really great points for them so shake my head that is a side mission? But maybe a hurry up would be better?

I don't think that would be a good idea... I like the idea of them being a bit like Rudy from funhouse. Taunting you. And hanging around being a pest. And they should respond different the more you hit them. Getting angrier or behaving differnt. Flying around faster... That kind of stuff... That way the quicker they move you know the less hits they have left...

Some could be the opposite and slow down when you hit them...
And some... Like Aunt Surly... If you don't hit her for awhile. She could fall asleep and you have to wake her back up by hitting her...

Again... Lots of cool things can be done for them.

Yup - a whole lot of sarcasm meant lol

Only have an hour on it but I think Munsters is a lot of fun -- great art by Franchi, really enjoyable ramps, a Herman bash toy which is thankfully not front and center but back in its own little area where I prefer bash toys to be, I was surprised how fun Grandpa's Laboratory was considering I usually don't like lower playfields (though I could see myself tiring of it after a while), some fun call outs and clips, but obviously could use deeper and tougher code, and better theme integration in the A/V department. Why Munsters gets dinged on its clips yet everyone seemingly whistles past the graveyard when it comes to Stern JP, which might as well be called "A Dinosaur Game" for all it has to do with Jurassic Park in the clips department, is a mystery to me.

I think Munsters is a solid game. Could be great with an inspired code update akin to what happened with Batman 66. Even though I love JJP's Byzantine rules, I don't want everything to be like that. I also have a godlike reverence for 1960s TV, so I'm sure that plays into it on some level.

Everything that you said about Munsters is pretty much wrong. This is what's wrong with this site, too many people talking shit about certain games and they dont even know what they are talking about.

Wow... I don't generally down vote people... But, you went personal and fast. Telling me I have feces... I said my opinion. Which is what a forum is meant to do. Be a place to express and discuss opinions.

Also... How many times should I play munsters and not enjoy it.

I played the heck out of it at this years Midwest gaming expo...
Galloping Ghost has one, and I've been there 6 times I believe this year, and have played on their Munsters each time at least 3 games. I actually force myself to play it sense its the newest game they have there and I tell myself to play it, because in the wild its be at least a dollar per play. Yet, I rather go play AFM, EATPM, SS, BSD, CFTBL, Godzilla, AF, TZ,FH... Basically every pin they have but defender and space invaders over Munsters.
And lastly I played it again at the Wheeling Expo. I played it I think 3-4 times there.

So. Its not like I played the game one time and didn't give it a chance. Its also like I only ever played it on the launch code... Nope. Galloping Ghost takes care of their pins and updates them. Also at the wheeling expo that was in the stern booth. So... They would have the newest code there.

I never claim to be the most enlightened pinball player. But, I hold true to what I feel and experience and want in a game. If that differs from you. Than congratulations you are a human being and have your own opinion. But, try not to make it personal. Just disagree and go in peace.

Well, I have both side by side and I feel they compliment each other. I would agree that Elvira seems to have a lot more to do...that said, I also very much enjoy my Munsters and find it to be quite fun...simple but fun. To pit both against each other I don't feel is right as they each have different things to offer. To be honest, I am not much of a fan of these "this vs that" topics because "this" never equals "that"...if they did, why buy more than one game? Truth is no one will ever come away from this discussion with any certainty they will like what most people claim to be the best. It is all personal choice...play the game. If you like it enough buy it...if it turns out you were wrong, sell it. As the cliché goes, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink! In the meantime I will keep playing my Munsters...right along side my New EHOH!

E & M (resized).jpg

You just quoted some dirty harry on us... So now we gotta do Dirty Harry or Lethal Weapon 3. Which has the better use of the gun launcher? Or Dirty Harry Vs. T2 vs AC DC which has the better use of the pinball canon?

And heres the thing. I think most of us can agree on this(I HOPE!!!). Pinball generally no matter how garbage the pin. Still is fun. We all just might have more fun on other pins. But, there is only one pinball machine I will never play. Other than that I will always flip a machine if I have the opportunity. Just some are worth flipping more than others. Just because, I might find some pins a bit boring. Is not to say I never have fun playing them. So the more pins the merrier.

It wasnt anything personal at all, I just pointed out to you that you dont know anything about the game and that's obvious by reading your mile long post. I'm not even going to waste my time dissecting your post but you say things like you think the game is easy and you have played it many times but yet you have never gotten to Munster Madness.

Also you dont even mention the main goal of the game which is to stack the jackpots and then build your multipliers and try to cash them in lol. That's literally what makes the game a blast and you didnt even know anything about it. I'm not trying to be a dick but you really shouldn't be giving in depth game reviews when you dont know much about the game.

The real truth is, Munsters is a blast to play and it's a very difficult game to achieve the goals that you are trying to achieve to get a good score. You will fail almost every single time I promise you. Getting to Munster Madness is not the main goal of the game.

With that being said though the game could use some work on a few of the modes and I think that it will get a nice code update soon. In the meantime though it's a fantastic game and tons of fun regardless of what alot of people are saying. I guarantee you that if you played the game with me you would walk away with a different perspective about the game.

Ditto that. Got em both too side by side

Throw in my JPLE and Stern is F ing KICKING ASS right now

Shockingly my Munsters pro out earned my Star Trek premium at the brewery this month. Simple and fun for casual fans I assume. As for at home, Elvira is the way to go. I played a few games at expo and couldn’t hear what was going on, but the house and crypt are interesting

It looks like a Munsters next to an Elvira next to a Batman66 is a modern pinball renaissance. More fun than any other lineup could ever offer. If anyone wants a real challenge lets put these three against MM, MB, and AFM in any barcade anywhere and see which lineup earns better today.

Don’t forget JPLE Mike. And I have an MBLEr too. Sold my AFMrLE

Earn better? They are all awesome!

It’s not just him it is a lot of us. I have played It many times and I dont know the game either and it is obvious that there many on here that dont know the game like you describe either. It doesnt stop people from having opinions on it even though they dont know the entire game.
You have provided some insight and for that, I thank you.

I know about the stacking jackpots. I actually don't like those. Its just me and what I prefer... And I'll tell you this.
If I wanted to park myself at the munsters and just play it to get through to munster madness I could.

I don't... Because I don't like the game. Its fine I don't like it. Some people don't like Iron Maiden. Some people don't like AFM. Those are two of my favorite games.

I can and have blown up many games. In fact I've blown up Batman 66. Without stacking the jackpots. Which is a similar feature. I really enjoy batman 66. Munster no. I was looking forward to it. And then I played it.

I'm more of a theme over gameplay pinball player. I'll admit. And I love Munsters. Seen every episode multiple times. Seen their movies. Own all their episodes and movies. I think Yvonne Decarlo is a fox. I still hate the munsters game.

So... I'll tell you what. Next time I'm at Galloping Ghost. I'll kick the games A@# and then I'll post my score. And probably my opinion won't have changed all that much about it. I don't think having a great score matters. Because... Again munster madness from what I heard is not much of a wizard mode.

Edit... Since when is telling someone that they Sh#@ is coming out of their mouth isn't personal... That's a funny joke... And I'm sorry if you don't like reading my posts. Again... This is a forum used to communicate. Generally that is by words. Words form sentences, which can form paragraphs. I like to commincate and discuss pinball... Which is why we're here. And a post with VS. in the middle. Is bound to have people of differing persuasions. The joy in life is not to stamp down those who don't agree with you, but rather listen to their take... And then you can point out why you "THINK" they're mistaken and/or why you disagree with them.

So I thank you for pointing out the stacking rule. As I said I knew about it. And I have watched some tutorials as well... Just not a fan of how it shoots. And as I said I've given it a chance. And I voted with my wallet. As I was thinking about getting both a munsters and an elvira. But, I went with the latter. No regrets.

I mean, we all have feces. Hopefully we all try to unload it daily, rather than hold onto it dearly.

Always, always....unload the feces. Don't hold on, it'll come back the next day, I swear.

You know what they always say about letting love go....well, same with feces. Same. With. Feces.

LOL... You got me man. I was hoarding my feces... Got me laughing my butt off here.

Lol you can think it was personal all you want but trust me it wasnt. I just tell things like I see it and that's how I saw it and there is in fact a bunch of people here that are on the Munsters hate train that do it just because they love to hate on Stern. I can respect that people dont like the game as long as they truly do know what they are talking about. There's probably not a game out there that everyone likes.

I think almost all pinball is fun, haven't seen too many games that I don't like yet, especially recent Sterns.