Well, I guess I couldn’t wait for the weekend to unbox.
I’d like to point out a couple differences between the PB Alien LV and the previous Heighway LE (I have not played a standard alien, only LE and LV - owner of both). All in all, I’m very satisfied with the purchase of the LV. Set up was cake. Version 2.5 was loaded and I immediately upgraded to 2.6 before I even pressed the start button. There don’t seem to be any issues. I’m revived on my love of pinball in general. So, thank you PB for getting this thing out to us!
With regard to pinball fun, for me personally, I would say PB LV is leaps and bounds more of a positive experience than the Heighway version. The main reason for this is the anxiety of when it breaks. I don’t have the technical capabilities like some of us on here, in order to be competent to own the heighway version, without being anxious about when something goes wrong. Even though the original version has a tremendously wonderful, and helpful community, I still worried every time the thing would shut down unexpectedly, or some part would break. With pinball brothers, an active company trying to make its way in this industry, the anxiety of playing is gone. That makes the game way more fun.
With regard to game specifics, here are some pros and cons, not in any particular order…
Audio: Heighway Version was better. Not a bummer for me - easily upgradable. Will need to boost the bass to get the same sound effect as the original version. Audio is important for me so I will be upgrading. Even though it’s not as good as the original version, the pinball brothers LV Audio is still better than most other new games that I’ve played.
Cabinet, back box, trim: it’s toss up. They are different. I like the PB tiltable box better, but I like the heighway liftable, removable glass better. Trim: I liked the Heighway Blue best but never saw that one in person. The PB Blue is a close 2nd. I was never a fan of the green. Short versus tall flashers make no difference to me, but one of my kids liked the tall ones better.
Cabinet art: Also a toss up. I like both versions probably equally. They are different.
Back Box art: PB LV version is amazing. Aurich hit it out of the park on this one. I actually thought I would like a bigger screen better on the box, however I’ve completely changed on that one. I like the smaller screen better b/c the art is so good.
Playfield art/lights: Heighway takes the win on this one. Even though I did not use the playfield screen during gameplay, I did like the lighting effect that it had.
Ramps/toys/apron: LV is overall better. I do like how shiny the mirror ramps are in the new version here, but I think when some more time gets on them, the ball trails will stand out. The heighway version had a more industrial look. The Xenomorph toy seems to be much louder on the PB LV version which is a negative. Even though there’s not much to it, the metal apron is a huge improvement over the plastic piece of crap that came on the heighway version.
Gameplay: The updates are huge. The software improvements for the PB version make the game way better. This includes the attract animation art. I really like that scene. Incorporating the flashers more often is great. Having the extra magnet to hold prior to the upper left playfield shots was a fantastic idea.
Feel: Both the LE and LV versions are widebody tanks, heavy, and difficult to move. Luckily I’m not small. I don’t know if my previous LE got too tossed around in shipping or what, but now that I’ve got this new LV, there is a noticeable difference in the sturdiness. The LE felt rickety, felt top-heavy on swaying legs. The LV feels very solid comparatively, which I definitely like.
The win goes to PB. But I am definitely biased as that is the current version that I own! Ha!
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