They kindly asked me to wait until the end of March to get a better handle on orders. I wouldn’t be surprised if the update on vouchers also gets delayed though. My plan is to continue to be patient with fingers crossed.

I’m not. And I owned Heighway LE version. The playfield screen meant little to me. The airlock screen was more useful. What was chosen to fill the area of the playfield screen isn’t the best choice in my opinion either. I guess I’d have preferred something that tied in with the art better. What I would like to see on the LV would be the thick powder-coated armor and removable attached glass. Those were fantastic features of the original. The feel of flipping OG Alien LE was different than any other pin due to those rails. Lots of surface area of cool (temperature) powdered paint for the palms to rest on. Doubt it will happen but would be great!

Playfield screen WOULD have added much more to immersion of the gameplay experience if it would have provided different information, images, or video. But the back box and playfield screens play EXACTLY the same material. That’s why the airlock screen is the important/useful one that adds to the game. The playfield screen added lighting but not content.

With regard to which is better, OG LE or new LV, I’ll wait to have some time on the new one before chiming in on that.

Not better. Different.

I didn’t find much difference in looking up to back box or airlock vs. looking at the playfied screen. Ever flown with or driven with a HUD? Playfield screen was kinda like that. Your eyes and attention are focused on the ball and the flippers, as well as targets. The pf screen is there but kinda seems like background information seen in peripheral vision. Need to focus on the pf screen and absorb the information. During that time of focus, could easily drain the ball unless it’s under control. If under control, easy to process info from any of the screens, or any other info coming in. Agree it looks cool and added to the lights, but not really functional. Now hearing Aurich’s take, I really wish he’d have been involved in the art/function of the replacement for that area.

LV deposit in. It’s been a LOOOoOoOoOoOooooonnnnnngggggg ride. Super stoked to have this title back in the house. Look forward to the sequel in the future!

Yeah, that’s how I read it too, right after dropping a deposit for the LV!

Prrrty

Why?… Romanticizing new games, including new themes, new mechanisms, new art packages, etc - no matter where they come from - is practically the reason for pinside. Wishing success to boutiques is positive for the hobby. Boutiques open doors for new possibilities and push larger manufacturers towards a better product.

I’m not sure if the airlock protector is the same as was on the OG LE, but if it’s the same that came from highway, it was crap and basically got destroyed after a few months of light play. Cliffy had a set for the OG Alien and his airlock protector was far superior! I’ll definitely purchase from Cliff if the one Cato sends is an OG part.

???!

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People on here are just rad… and thank you for answering my question!

If you are, or know, a pinsider and Alien fan that wants an Alien LV now, and do not want to wait, let me know. I would be willing to sell my NIB LV for MSRP plus shipping ($11.1k) to someone in this group. I have another pin up for sale and if that one sells, then I reserve the right to not sell the LV. PS - no I don’t WANT to sell it. Hopefully will sell the other first but we’ll see.

I really don’t know… I think maybe b/c I put an actual $1k deposit down in 9/2021, but I had been “on the list” for much, much longer with a $1 deposit. Who knows though?

MSRP $10,695. Shipping $418. Total $11,113. Good news though, looks like I sold my other machine (pending pick up) and will be able to keep Alien LV. Unbox this wknd. I’ll share my experiences here too.

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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LV #25. But that number was specifically ordered from the get go to match the other LE’s in the collection. Super happy that little detail worked out.

Yes. And hopefully yes. Try first just decrease coil strength (or increase it). Assuming your playfield is level.

Had such a great game last night. 168 million and won’t be beating that for a while. Was in a zone for sure. Felt like I actually knew how to play pinball. Seemed like I couldn’t miss intended shots - especially the upper playfield shots. This machine highly rewards skills with amazing flow and energy. I can’t say that about most machines. There’s just something really magical about those two upper playfield shots - especially when timed right… Worked my way through all alien modes and even won a couple, then to self destruct (has to be my favorite). Playing that wizard mode in the dark, by itself, with the flashers going off and the sound cranked - the best experience that pinball offers in my opinion! Made my way through all multiballs with a couple tremendously satisfying super jackpots. Then on to aliens modes where I drained the last two balls relatively quickly. This was first time I was actually even thinking about all out war. Someday that’ll happen. Someday.

After what I’ve seen on pinside over past couple days, I’m thrilled with my past self for pulling trigger on the LV. PB will take care of you. There will be issues. Some small. Maybe big but less chance there. Put in a ticket and they’ll take care of it. The game is just so good. And rocks the theme perfectly. Good luck with your decision.

Some people use the down vote as disagree. Some use it as “I don’t like your comment”. Some people perceive it differently too. Don’t let it bug you. Keep posting. Lots of your comments are useful.

… my favorite shot in all of pinball.

I purchased my LV through Cointaker. Went smooth and communication was good.

Yes, I believe this to be the case. I remember straining to see the ball at times on the previous HW version but the LV lighting is adequate enough for flipping at all times, even in full dark room (preferred). I don’t feel the need for additional lighting. But wouldn’t hesitate to get it if I did (speaking from experience on WOz 2.0 lighting).

Sometimes I can hit that shot every time as intended, other times zippo. Back when no magnet on the OG, it was even harder and was then my favorite shot in pinball. Still is actually.

Agree with love/hate. Makes it fun.

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Third! Thumbs up!

I actually like it this way. Makes for a different experience than other games. Just part of the uniqueness of this awesome machine.

C’mon Pinside! This isn’t even a picture of the Alien LV. This is a Heighway version, and one of the worst shots LCD screenshots IMO. I know HW version is within the group, but the version ranked as #1 should be in the shot.
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.

Yes… oh well.