Quoted from Black_Knight:

Still seems like a hypothetical problem to me. I know the early machines had high failure rates, but Stern stepped up and provided replacements well beyond the warranties. I had a v2 board go out and it was easy peasy to get a replacement.
I haven't heard many issues with the late version boards, and only vague rumors of a couple people actually paying for replacements.
They will go bad eventually, but I believe aftermarket repair capabilities will catch up by the time it is a widespread problem. How was the reaction in the 70's when the first boards came out, were techs immediately capable of repairs?
At the end of the day, a replacement board is about 5% of the cost of a new machine, so it's not great, but it's not a life changer. I've had 5 spikes and had $0 out of pocket for boards.
I'd love it if stern charged a more reasonable markup, but based on the pinball market these days, that is really unlikely.

Quoted from konghusker:

So how comfortable are people to buy and keep these games long term like 20 years plus? I don't own any spike games, but this has definitely scared me off a bit. I want a SW, but I would probably never sell it if I do get one, but want reasonable repair costs.

Quoted from branlon8:

Is it possible to order the node board elsewhere? None of the online pinball part suppliers sell node boards to my knowledge here and the distributors only want to sell them to their direct customers as I understand it.

Quoted from kermit24:

Marco has quite a few node boards in stock.

Quoted from kermit24:

Game Room Guys may have them also:
https://www.gameroomguys.com/search?keywords=node%20board

Quoted from TheFamilyArcade:

Allegedly though, right? Sounds very vague. A rumor if you will. I’ve heard numerous “stories” exactly like yours, but where’s the proof?

Quoted from J85M:

Same node that’s just gone out on my BM66.

Quoted from Rager170:

What annoys me more is Stern knows they have issues with these boards due to vibration. They should be giving these board replacements out for free when they break.
Dont get me wrong, I actually do like Stern and they have been helpful in the past. But in this instance, I asked to get a replacement and that was the response.

Quoted from mollyspub:

So should someone purchase replacements now just in case down the road they aren't available?

Quoted from phil-lee:

45 Posts and nobody can identify a repairperson capable of fixing these boards. Stern borrowed a manufacturing principle from Apple, use proprietary components so you control the repair (or lack of) your product. They do not make money from used machines, used machines keep them from selling new machines.
Built in obsolescence is the norm in a throwaway Society. Imagine how much money Stern would make if all of these 20,30,40 year old machines could not be repaired.

Quoted from TheFamilyArcade:

It was a joke. Sarcastic hyperbole using some of the very phrases you used. Trying for comic effect.
Meaning anyone that doesn’t believe you - or think this is a real issue - is plain wrong.

Quoted from J85M:

Ok so has anyone had a node board go dead on them? I have a replacement board in hand is it a simple case of swapping them over like for like or do I need to re-run the latest code update for the node board/s? Thanks

Quoted from DaveH:

You have a typo in this causing all kinds of confusion.

https://www.betsonparts.com/amusement-redemption/manufacturers/stern/stern-walking-dead-pinball-machine-front-center-large-led-board.html
$247