I hope your early run games are trouble free, enjoy them!

Typically I thought it was whoever got the pinball machine in their possession first. I don't think #32 BallyKiss1978 would meet that criteria. Even if it was to the first home use only pinball.

It's kind of funny how when one concern is addressed, another new concern pops up. After your official stream, the narrative was it's too easy, this will never be a tournament game. Now we have an owner that set the game up hard and essentially answered that question, and now we have a new issue, the game is too HARD!

I've been a voracious consumer of all news Scooby and I can say the critical review didn't even move the needle for me. People should express their honest review of their experience. However, the rest of us less fortunate folks that haven't played Scooby shouldn't let one review determine how we will feel about the game. Yes, it sucks that the Scooby you went to play wasn't setup to complement your skill level, but don't let define your opinion. If it was me I would have walked away and thought, no way in hell will I be playing on Zoinks difficulty ever again, and those outlanes are going to move to an easier setting.

One last note before everyone starts abandoning the Scooby ship. Many people commented on the deadpan expressions of players, first the game was setup hard. No one showed up to get their ass kicked by Scooby and the Gang. Secondly, it's a new game that people have limited exposure to and don't yet understand the rules or how to qualify modes or other things.

If anyone takes something from the review, I would think it would be Spooky personnel. Maybe they could take a look at whether or not the rules are clear or that the machine callouts are making it clear what shot you are supposed to hit. All of this is speculative and opinion on my part, so you are welcome to disagree these are just my thoughts.

I agree it is great that Spooky is engaged and responsive on Pinside; however, I wish they didn't need to be in regards to quality issues.

I can agree to a point, I've purchased about 8 NIB Stern's. I had an issue with optos on my Deadpool Premium and a shooter rod issue on Rush, but outside of that I can't say I've had to tweek anything else.

I'm not trying to bash on Spooky or make it seem like these issues are bigger than they are. Spooky is ramping up in terms of difficulty of games, so there are going to be growing pains. At some point though, the narrative will have to change. They can't be the underdog forever, nor do I want them to be.

I agree. If we see these same issues in later runs that is where I would become really concerned. We are early in the run, so some issues are expected.

I agree with what you are saying in terms of resolving the issue.

I do think it is a good thing that these items/issues are posted here as well. It's helpful that owners share their issues so future owners know what to expect/look for in terms of possible issues.

I watched the entire stream, watching Karl on Mystery Machine Multi-ball made me feel sleepy, after the Quadruple Jackpot it felt like I was watching wood being chopped, but less entertaining. Point values were extremely low to be in that part of the Multi-ball. Also something needs to be addressed with the music during that mode. It becomes almost an unbearable loop.

I completely understand, Karl is the exception not the rule. However, I can't help but compare Karl's stream to Jack Danger's Foo Fighters stream. They should be around the same code level, but being honest the entire time watching Foo Fighters was enjoyable. There were times watching Scooby where I was actively yawning. This is a problem for me personally, Scooby is my grail theme, but I found myself enjoying watching Foo Fighters more. Also the Foo Fighters theme doesn't even register as a theme I would be interested in. Yet I found myself really into the flow and animations, so much so I put in an order for a Pro model. Also there were really good players, playing FF and it didn't seem like they were absolutely wrecking that pin.

I'm not going to cancel my Scooby order, but I'm definitely at a different point of excitement right now. I'm probably not cut out to be an early adopter. I thought it would be nice to watch Scooby's code grow and it probably will be, but man it's going to be a slow progression, based on what we are seeing with the early code of a Stern product.

SpookyLuke

I understand and thank you for the response. I watched the same caliber of players on FF, it didn't feel like what I watched with Karl on Scooby. It felt like the pin was defeated, if that makes any sense.

I'm definitely still in on Scooby, I just have some reservations all.

I know this is probably coming across pretty harsh, but it's how I feel. I want Scooby to turn into an amazing irreplaceable pin.

Man, I definitely didn't intend to regurgitate your points. Sorry if that is the case. I don't think I was actively defending Scooby. I know I wouldn't have said, Foo was bad. I loved that stream and the game. I also said I ordered a Pro on Karl's stream.

I'm trying to remember what I could have said, if you are referring to when I mentioned comparing Spooky to Stern in early code, what I was trying to say is it's not a fair fight. Stern just has way too many resources and top level coders. I was trying to say something similar to having the best college football team go against the worst NFL team. It's not a fair comparison.

I completely agree, that is the point I was trying to get across. I probably didn't do a great job. Thanks for clarifying.

I just re-read my previous post that you down voted, I was wrong. I did actively compare the two. You are right, that isn't fair. I thing I'm a little tired and talking out both sides of my mouth. It was a fair call out on your part.

I think he is talking about me, not you.

No worries, just wanted to reign you in before you got too riled up.

Haha, fair point! I think bond is a result of a difficult slow licensing issue.

Yep, $3k lower than a Stern LE.

Almost time for me, #301. Strange you seem to be the only one above #250 to say they paid. Did they give you a timeline to expect shipping?

So I finally gave in and decided to go play a Scooby Doo. There is one about an hour and a half away. To be honest, I had to go play it. After Karl DeAngelo's stream I was having serious second thoughts about Scooby Doo.

So here are my thoughts. The first is the game looks gorgeous as you walk up to it. When you look a little closer there are a few concerns. The first I noticed was the stand up targets are pretty beat up and already had damage on the stickers. One of the stand-ups appears to be partially broken as it is hanging off to the side. Another thing is the lockdown bar was extremely loose. The white inserts for the modes and characters are bland and look unfinished. I think Spooky thought the RBG would overcome this issue of blandness, but it doesn't. I have a similar issue in respect for the 2 three drop target banks. They look bland and unfinished. They could have easily made them colorful like the actual Scooby snacks boxes. Are these huge issues, absolutely not. Just things I observed.

In regards to the lcd screen, I've always had an issue with the font and the way the clue found text looks on the screen. I don't know what I expected , but it looks poorly Integrated into the screen. I guess I expected them to use the same font they used on the backglass for the game's title. It looks like someone just inserted a text box on the screen, without thought to integrating the font style into the theme.

The scenes before modes are great, no complaints.

Onto the gameplay, which is the most important thing for me. The shots are all pretty easy to hit on the lower playfield. The horseshoe shots are satisfying and return safely to the flippers. The two three drop banks seem pointless at this stage of the code. The two three drop target banks do a good job of guiding the ball to the inlane. The center ramp is easy to hit and the drop target between the flippers prevents frustrating center drains. The spinner shots are ok, I can't place the reason, but they aren't as satisfying as they could be. I think it may be because they have structure over top of them. I like my spinners out in the open to see all their spinning glory. The spinner sound is great and the sling sounds are well integrated.

The upper playfield is different. The Cutler shots are fine, but all the shots off to the right are underwhelming. The ball seems to trickle to the ramps then lazily fall down the wireforms. Maybe the operator turned down the flipper strength. I want reasons to be on the upper playfield that are short in duration. Maybe this is because I don't find the shots satisfying up there. The bookcase flipper is interesting, but it was weak on the Scooby I played so the shots to the right side were very underwhelming. Also I didn't expect the upper playfield to be as big as it is. It's huge.

I played for about 2 hrs, we were the only ones there at Ocelot Brewery. I was able to play most of the modes over the course of the 2 hrs. The Creeper mode seems to be the easiest to complete. It's not always clear to me during the trap phase what to shoot at. One specific callout said to shoot the cemetery, I had zero clue where that shot is on the playfield, nor could I see an insert flashing to tell me the shot. Miner 49er was difficult, I think my best effort was three of the four shots. Space Kook and Captain Cutler are fun. I do wish they could find a way to allow multiball with modes.

The mystery machine multiball took a little time to figure out, but it was fun once I started to get it. I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to do in Captain Cutler.

I went to play Scooby, because I needed some serious reassurance that my decision to get Scooby was the right decision. I honestly can't say that I feel any better after playing it. The lower playfield shots are satisfying, the upper playfield offsets most of that satisfaction. When I'm bashing Captain Cutler, I want to bash Captain Cutler, not lazily watch the ball gently caress his helmet. At this point I'm still where I was before I played it. Unsure of whether or not to go through with the purchase. I know the code will get better and that will help, I'm just not sure it will be enough.

SpookyLuke,

I'll admit I should have checked the pitch. Good point!

I take Buffalo with a grain of salt on Spooky. They have valid points, but I feel the needle would have to move in ways not possible for them to even consider changing their opinion on Spooky. They are well entrenched into their position on Spooky and unfortunately there are enough valid concerns still out there to support their position. It doesn't matter how trivial the issue, if it's an issue it supports them staying in their current position.

Are you referring to the ball being stuck in the left horseshoe? That was the only issue I encountered in my 2 hr play session today. Ball search didn't resolve it for me, I had to give the machine a little shake to coax it out.

The only long stop for me was at mode start and waiting on the ball to come out from the mystery machine. Also the scoop to the left takes a while to pop out. I did get one ball hangup in the left horseshoe.

Thanks for the review. I felt the game did just enough for me to keep my order in .

They stay lit, but the ones you need to hit still flash.

That is what SpookyLuke said as well. I bet you are both right!

I should be able to post a valid opinion to the owner's forum come late April or early May when my Scooby Doo is delivered.

The circular standups don't seem to be holding up well to direct hits. The one on the right side of the center ramp looks beat up like the one I saw on the machine I played.

Not worried about the decals, I'm referring to the actual target. The target looks like it's already leaning to the right, as if the circle part of the target is breaking.