I just picked one of these up last week and I am really liking it. I did a partial teardown and really cleaned her up good and she's so much faster and more fun than I ever expected. And the clear coat on this sumbitch is outstanding. In comparison to every other Stern I've owned, this deck almost feels like a Bally/Williams a diamond a plate. Totally unexpected.

Rules are solid and keep you on your toes. More here than meets the eye...but ya know what? Speaking of, this machine is very pleasing to the eyes. Artwork (playfield) isn't as good as the classics, but it has a cartoon feel and excellent color and vibrancy. They coulda photo-shopped this one very poorly and didn't. True Lawlor style if not actually classic art. Wonder how many people even realize this?

Playing the game: I'm hoping this thread will have good conversation, and I'll withhold some comments on game play for the time being. Wouldn't want to gush too much in the HONEYMOON phase - -(but I do really like it so far).

Question:
Can anyone please chime in on how they've tweaked their R-A-C-E letter achievement? For MB progress? When I received the game it seemed I could get MB multiple times per game and it was just too easy. But after setting to factory "Hard" with absolutely nothing spotted and having to hit the target banks every time to qualify a letter, I'll now play multiple games without even getting MB. So I'm looking for the sweet spot. I don't think MB should be a gimme, but it should be easier than I've made it.

I just updated my ROMs (from version 1 to the latest basically) and don't notice that big a difference in gameplay.

I also just finished a full LED replacement and that's a bitch on this game! Looks amazing but seizure inducing in a dark room...and an already too dark playfield is now impossibly dark. This game needs spots and strips bad, so that's next.

The lighting is pretty stunning on this game. I'm considering an OCD controller. I also have invisiglass on mine, which is the best mod ever.

The game is growing on me a lot. I need time to let a game sink in and reveal all it has to offer. Whether I love it or hate it the first 50 plays it takes me at least that long to know. I'm looking forward to brightening up this game.

I think a shaker would be awesome.

Loving mine! Rules are fantastic and it's a great game for strategic scoring.

The Scanner seems much less interesting though with the latest code. It basically lists the same 4 items on each column of the DMD, and nothing silly anymore. Can anyone confirm?

Scanner guys? Latest code? Anything?

What does the scanner show when you hit it? There should be 8 alternatives. I'm getting 4, doubled up.

You NAVL from Nanuet? Surely (may I call you Shirley?) you jest. It's like 2 miles!!

What kind of name is Shirley anyway?

Love my NASCAR. It's a weird, small deck that just plays huge.

What code version are you on and what settings? Just "factory"? I saw all sorts of truly random awards on the early code but not since I upgraded. I'm on the latest code now. How do I get the two columns to list different awards?

TECH:
Game doesn't understand a ball drain sometimes. Trough opto issue or sink holes with issue? Or something else?

Haven't checked switch matrix. Never understood them and totally cryptic on this game.

It does occasionally go through the "missing Pinballs" thing.

Is this era of Stern the one with the cheap switches?