I've had my game for a few days now and can echo all of the other owner's reviews. This is STERNs best pro pin on release since possibly LOTR and one of their best pins ever even when comparing to fully developed games like TWD, MET, etc. I just sold my GOTG and all I can say is the swap was the best pinball move I've ever made.

Highlights:
- Many levels of "wizard" modes in this game. Cyborg Multiball and Two Minutes to Midnight both seem achievable on really good games but definitely not on every game. The final epic Number of the Beast wizard mode looks like it's going to be a big challenge to get to, but at the same time seems reasonable that some time in my owning the game I will get there (those soul shards or whatever they are, are tough to get but cool as hell when you get one).
- Zombie Yeti nailed the artwork. I mean nailed it. I'm a huge Riggs fan, but honestly, I'd go with ZY's art any day over Riggs as it just lends itself to pinball so much better. As a fine art piece I'd hang on the wall, maybe not, but even then it'd be a tough call. I can't wait to see the Powerslave premium art package.
- Four flippers. I mean four $%&@ flippers. This game has the flow and fury of a fan layout but looks and feels anything but. My line-up is stacked with two flipper games with mostly standard fan layouts and I was getting tired of it. this layout is a breath of fresh air and really offers a new pinball feel in a decade of very similar playing games.
- Modes and theme integration. I can't state it enough how awesome it is that they really took some time to think about the modes and how to make them really relate them to the playfield. Rime of the ancient mariner and how you have to shoot the albatross down by hitting the target like you're sharpshooting it in real life and then the boat is veering left and right and you gotta get it back on track is just brilliant. the aces high mode shooting down planes, flight of icarus and how you're literally trying to combo shots of getting the ball up off of the playfield like icarus trying to stay up off of the ocean, etc.
- Skill shots - i mean, it' simple right, but every game you've got at least 3 of them and it's great to see the skill shot options. and I love that the EB is potentially redeemable on the skill shot. I was on my third ball with the EB lit, and then I hit it off the skill shot and it just felt GREAT to do that, see that shoot again insert light up and then move on to the next task at hand.
- Every shot matters. I love this. I can't tell you how much it sucks hitting a ramp or an orbit and have it be worth nothing and no advancement towards something greater. with the power modes constantly being built up by their variety of shots it just feels good.

Some of my initial concerns have been squashed. Long ball times may be an issue for some people, but it hasn't been for me. I've had really good games and some really, really short games. set-up will take care of whatever ends up happening as I get better and better at the shots. The video integration was initially a concern too, but in real life, during normal game play I think it's been great. there are some really cool animations and the overall screen presentation seems to work and jive with the theme. I can only imagine this is going to get better too as they do more with the code and polish not only that but the presentation as well.

If I had one wish at this point, the only thing I would honestly want (and this is really nit picky) is maybe fewer mode based multiballs. with trooper MB, mummy MB, and the wizard MBs, it feels like there are already plenty of MBs to go around and I'd rather tackle every one of the song based modes in single ball play; but to each their own.

I hit 6 ramps in a row yesterday playing the Flight of Icarus mode. It was a rush. The ramps are definitely difficult but not impossible. If you're expecting Star Trek or Iron Man type of easy ramp shots then you're in for rude a surprise though. Also, my game the left ramp actually feels easier than the right even though those pops psyche me out a little sometimes. The rest of the shots again are tight and challenging, but when you actually hit them they feel fantastic and are smooth as hell.

Anyone poo-pooing this game because they think the music sucks is going to miss out big time and mostly for naught. The game is so intense and there is so many call outs and other sounds happening during game play, that quite frankly, I barely even notice the actual Iron Maiden music. most of my concentration goes into keeping the ball alive let alone paying attention to the background music. I also have a feeling when the premium gets announced it's going to have a much less eddie-centric art package and will appeal to a much larger base of people. If you can't find something good about the rest of ZY's art, then you're in a rough spot.

I literally sold my GOTG Pro last Friday and brought Iron Maiden home on Sunday. There's no comparison. If you want to know what GOTG plays like go find a MET or Iron Man or half a dozen other similar standard fan layouts and you'll know. If you want to know what Iron Maiden plays like you have to go find an Iron Maiden.

Let's see...

1. New, unique layout that isn't STERN's typical copy/paste. Check.
2. Nearly complete code at launch that is well balanced, low level of bugs, addictive, and really fun. Check.
3. Amazing art package. Check.
4. Great call outs and other sounds. Check.
5. Service rails standard on a pro. Check.
6. It's only been about a week, but no obvious breakage areas (i.e. GOTG orb plastic, SW Tie Fighter, XM wolverine, etc.) or major design flaws. Check.

Yeah, I can't understand why people are excited about this game either... must be an awful game if the main things pinside is bitching about is the FONTS used in the display and the band itself.

I'm going to hold my pinside review until I play the heck out of a premium/LE, but I can tell you the rating is going to be up there.

Very true, I'd have to rate the pro a 1 in that category right now as well, for better or worse. Guess it also depends on what you consider a "toy" or a "gimmick" (four flippers on the main playfield and a jumping ramp shot to a two phase target could be considered as such). Might be what makes the pro such a good shooter... Either way, it sounds like the premium/LE is going to remedy this.

Lol... didn't see that. that's pretty funny....

Was the custom shooter rod on the feature matrix?

Yes. Feature matrix says the premium will have an "Egyptian themed translite."

GOTLE wasn't very impressive looking when first released, but when I saw it in person all new and shiny it looked fantastic. I have a feeling IMDN LE will look great in person when you see the colors and decals in the proper light.

It's been over 3 years since STERN released a new game with fluorescent tube lighting. Ever since spike, the back box has been lit with LEDs on the main motherboard.

I think pinside's public perspective on the "spotty quality" and perceived "cost cutting" doesn't really jive with the reality of the situation and the general masses experience. I've bought 8 NIB STERNs over the last few years and have not had any "quality" issues that were not able to be resolved quickly and effectively with STERN. I know many more people who have experienced the same; as well as a few who have had issues, all of which have been fixed and remedied. So, for many of us the quality and cost cutting concerns over buying NIB games from STERN is not as big of a deal as many on this forum would like us to believe.

Besides, no matter how you slice it, $5700 (if you're paying that much you need to know more people) is still a "deal" now relative to the other NIB pinball options. All of the other manufacturers games have gone up in price as well and sell for thousands more and typically don't ship for years from announcement. Spooky is probably the most competitive bang for the buck, but you're facing some lengthy wait times if you want to get a NIB game. So, yeah, if you want a new game, recently announced, $5700 isn't that bad comparative to your other options. You could always spend a few thousand more and get a NIB Alien, or a Big Lebowski, or, oh shit, yeah, maybe STERN delivering games and following through on orders isn't such a crazy thing after all.

Anyone else get a craving for Arby's after playing their Iron Maiden? I swear the call outs sound just like the dude from the commercial...

The call outs in this game are awesome. I've had mine for about 2 weeks and I'm still hearing new call outs that are funny as hell or right on point.

Try telling that to most of the GOTG buyers last winter...

Every code version of IMDN I've played allowed for starting Trooper MB within as little as three or four shots (sweeping the drops lighting all 3 locks, then hitting the lock shots and occasionally ripping the spinner and getting more than one lock on a shot) and within a few seconds of game play. Follow that up with some decent Trooper MB playing and you could get 50 to 100 million on the game in the first minute or two of play.

I wouldn't really consider this an "exploit" because sweeping the targets isn't exactly easy, and getting to those super jackpots is tough as well - - I've had Trooper MB's end with less than 5 million frequently. Considering average scores for above average players are well north of the 250 million range, I think 25 million super jackpots sound about right.

In any case, I don't see this as being a new code issue.