Oh Boy.

Before this goes down in flames I will say Stern is the best for Designs, Price, & Play.

I guess there's other things to other people that matter more. Takes all kinds.

Whoever makes JAWS first will be the best.

JJP is a real PIA to get parts or service from.

I own games from. Multimorphic, Spooky, Stern.

And so far. Multimorphic is the best when it comes to responding and helping fix issues.

Spooky has been good with communication.

Stern takes a bit if you need parts from them.

JJP, leaves you stranded most of the time, and have no place to order them yourself.

Stern

Stern's & JJP customer support and sending out replacement parts sucks, just go read through this thread about Stern:

Parts trouble? !?! (Operator can't get parts/support from distributor or stern)

Loyalty of customers:
1. Multimorphic
2. Spooky
3. Stern
4. JJP
5. American Pinball

Appeal to the masses:
1. Stern
2. JJP
3. CGC
4. Spooky
5. American Pinball
6. Multimorphic

Most pissed off customer base still making pins:
1. Dutch Pinball
2. Homepin
3. Pinball Brothers
4. JJP
5. Stern
6. American Pinball
7. Spooky
8. CGC
9. Multimorphic

Most likely to be producing pinball machines in 10 years.
1. Stern
2. Spooky
3. CGC
4. JJP

If you told me they were making a new pin regardless of theme the most likely to be the most fun overall package would be:
1.Stern
2.CGC
3.Multimorphic
4.JJP
5.American Pinball

Yeah ever since we lost Chaz it's been a quick downfall. I was able to order a new part & shipped in 2 weeks I think; but honestly I'd rather not have to deal with Costumer Service anywhere. If the stupid ass node board could have easily swapped a simple opto it would have been fixed in 30 minutes!

As long as George Gomez is there, and current designers and software personnel, Stern. CGC remakes are top notch though, but they are not being re-designed, so its more of a manufacturing pick than anything else at this point.

Best website built in Microsoft Frontpage 97
1. CGC

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Just buy the games you like, there's no such thing as a pinball that doesn't need things adjusted or fixed. You're in the wrong hobby if you're uncomfortable with that.

They're all good for some reasons, and they all suck for others. Just the way it is.

It can be hard to judge when games are shipped so unfinished. Customers get turned into testers, and sure they may get fleshed out and finished over time, but there's no real guarantee of that. It's been an increasingly frustrating problem in video games. Games just don't shipped finished anymore, and that's bad for consumers.

Hands down JJP

Meh. My NIB JJP has been great and the two issues I had were resolved promptly and painlessly by the company. My NIB stern had issues too - some lights were wired wrong and the thing didn’t even shoot straight. Stop perseverating. If you want a machine get one. No company is fool proof. They all have problems out of the box. It’s not like buying a toaster. This is how pinball machines are.

Not like PPS is any better. For reasons I can’t understand, Many companies, manufacturers, dealers, parts and mod suppliers that are related to pinball - are old school when it comes to their websites appearance, intuitiveness and functionality.

That's about what I was going to say. All have their positives and negatives in gameplay, build quality, and tech support. And everyone's experiences are different. Having owned many pins from all those companies (with a PB Alien due soon and a P3 next year) there's a slight difference in how each support team works, but in the end it's all about the same: You'll get tech support immediately if you get lucky, but eventually you'll get it regardless. You'll get parts if they're in stock (which they haven't been lately), and have to wait if not. Etc.

Chicago Gaming.

I am biased.

LTG : )

CGC - best quality and value. Have to be patient though (9.9 out of 10)
Stern - good quality, stable and typically fast shipping after release. Love their flipper feel (9.8 out of 10)
Spooky - awesome themes and integration, but need some tweaking in my experience (8 out of 10)
American - owned a Houdini once and it was pretty fun, layout was tough, but beautiful machine (7 out of 10)
JJP - have owned Wonka, Pirates, and Dialed In. Dialed In was the best. Ran into numerous problems, but support was decent (6.5 out of 10)

Haven't played a pinball bros or multi.

Spooky has had issues with boards as well as fit and finish on games including recent TNA 2.0. Service is responsive but busy. They have made some adjustments with Scooby Doo so hopefully it improves.

Thanks for sharing. Shoot us a message if you've got any questions!

Sterns customer service was nonexistent for me on my last purchase nib.

Dragging me along for two years on an approved playfield replacement for Jurassic Park Premium.

Last email…….I got nothing

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STERN, until someone else pumps out 3-4 games per year with solid code and great designs they are still king.

It took them 2 years to replace my MET playfield, but they finally came through.

It is not that I dislike Stern games, some are great. It is hard to describe but they all feel "flimsy" compared with other manufacturers. CGC and JJP just feel more "solid". American too. Sorta like the feel when I drive my F150 (good truck) versus driving my wife's Tundra (great truck). Right now, with an AFMr and CCr in my collection, it is hard to beat CGC on any level.

CGC came to the market with the most solid build quality and combined with their more decent price level compared to Stern makes them my favorite. Stern as king of the business of course tops them all in development power and speed.

Ok thanks.

Our Stern Mando LE is built like a tank. I've torn the playfield down to the sticks for installing a playfield protector and re-populated it. It's an impressive build. Glad to have one to play at the ready, no issues yet after 1.5 years.

Definitely agree regarding CGC, I just think Stern is right there as well, at least in the case I am mentioning.

I have always found Stern to be the opposite.

Crap PSUs
Crap coil stops after a decade+
Cheap metal in mech parts
Crap audio knocker
Crap pf wood sometimes
Crap brackets sometimes
Crap Chinese pot metal tilt bobs
No more stainless for pros
No more easily repairable boards

They make the BEST games, but quality has never been their strong point.