Great point. I'd think more along the lines of the RPG elements, which I think would translate really well to pinball. Collect a key (Shot A), use it to open door/chest (Shot B), get special weapons & unlock a mode (Shot C), to defeat boss mode. I'm not a designer/coder, but that's sort of what I envision as a massive Zelda fan. Alice Cooper has something comparable with collecting items to better defeat monsters, etc. Mandalorian has the shop where you can by armor/weapon upgrades. We're on the right track!

I envision a Zelda pin to play like the original NES dungeon crawler. Navigate a map on the playfield a la JP, arrive at dungeons and hit lit shots to progress through, collect weapons/ potions items etc that can be used against bosses / enemies (activated by lockdown button) pops and slings collect rupees to be cashed in after boss is defeated (bonus x multipliers) collect fairies for extra balls and reduced hit requirements on boss battles. Each dungeon requires more shots than the next to complete. Boss battles play out in multi ball and certain weapons work better on certain bosses. Collect all of the triforce pieces to unlock battle Ganon Wizard mode, defeat him and ride out victory laps with the princess. Would really make for an incredible pinball experience.

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I think the perfect version would be a pin that encompasses Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness. So much they could do with each movie alone, but since they tie together, it would be perfect to have a deep game with both movies represented!

Dude, it's like we're the same person. Well said!

Pokemon is THE video game to make for pinball. The theme is perfect.

Put me and my whole family in for a CE on this all the way. Easiest sell to the wife ever!

Granted I've only played it a handful of times, but isn't ACNC basically Castlevania? Metroidvanias core concept of explore a map, get new items that let you go look at other parts of the map seem like a decent jumping off point for pinball adventures

It'd be fun if one of the items was a lantern/candle that changes the game lighting from bright to dim to off. Maybe that's too difficult and it should only apply to insert arrows guiding you to finishing the mode.

Maybe doing a particular combo (could be custom to each dungeon) gives you the compass which lets you skip right to the end of a dungeon, or at least reduce how many shots to get to the end of it.

Is that an episode of Scooby Doo?

Kind of, my understanding of ACNC is you progress through "rooms" of the castle to battle monsters. One of the objectives is to collect items in order to help you defeat monsters more easily. I have one on order, but haven't had much play time on it yet! You're right, there's some Metroidvania aspect there, though you're not really using items to unlock things like Samus does. More of an optional objective in this case to make battles easier, which I guess is how secondary items work in Castlevania, so we're not to far off here. Regardless, totally agree the Metroidvania-style elements would translate well to pinball, and it wouldn't be all that different from what we do now in modes (shooting lit shots, qualifying modes, etc), just different terminology and objectives. As younger designers/coders get involved, I think we'll see more of this kind of thing.

You're right. It's not really gating off areas then giving access, it's more about doing extra stuff to make other things easier.

Really it's I see the map in the game and just instantly think Symphony of the Night

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Dang, the hedges are still there? That’s pretty cool. Are the houses there as well? I should make a trip one day as it’s only about an hour away to check it out.

Either way, I like the concept or even a mix between gated/non-gated collection. It’s what I wanted Mystery Castle to be the first time I played it. You collect all these cool items in a awesome castle setting, and it’s really just a scavenger hunt for points. How much more fun would it be if you use the Candelabra to light a tunnel you couldn’t access before to progress, or use the skull to scare the troll guarding the dungeon, etc?

Oh. I was kind of thinking Outrun. The map was my idea. I do love me some SOTN though!

Ill take those unwanted TNA's you must be referring to

After Halloween/Ultraman I’d love to see Spooky build an Archer pin.

I just listened to the podcast, I am super stoked. Im not really a podcast guy, as I'd rather just read, than listen.

Cant be more excited for this pin!!

Oh yeah, I see that now. Although those games are more of a Christmas tree with multiple ending locations

It also kinda reminds me of the diamond design that is best typified by Telltale Games like The Walking Dead. The story branches into two distinct paths, but they converge back to the same point like a diamond shaped path.

TNA is different. It had been played at shows and had a hype built up already. Not the usual way games are revealed/sold.

As long as we are all dreaming, a favorite theme would be Sega’s Thunder Force IV. The music alone would rival any rock pin by any band. Pure metal guitar bliss!

(Been playing it on Switch and it’s now on fire!)

Never played the game but am digging the music

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Johnny Lawrence has spoken

So, original themes can sell if you take them to shows and have a hype man? Can this process be repeated and done better some how?

I'm down for:

The Thing

Evil Dead/Army of Darkness

In this order. I have spoken.

This is what happens when you have some free time in the studio.

Congratulations to everyone who pre ordered this pin and @spookypinball ! This pin really looks amazing!

Shit...I’m into it

Also….it sold 550 units. I forgot how long it was for sale, but it was not some instant sales hit.

Granted good enough for another run in the future now that lots have played it.

Not bad not bad, but I still prefer Ronald Jenkees.

Oops, you put those backwards

It’s not even about a hype man. Scott made TNA for himself. It was a homebrew. People played it at shows and really wanted one - so things worked out with Scott & Spooky to do a boutique run. Most pinball companies are factories that need to constantly churn to make financial sense. They need the allure of a nostalgic theme that people will pay for before they even play the game. Any company making an original IP risks buyers taking the “wait and play” approach. Dialed In sold slowly due to this. Oktoberfest sold horribly due to this.

I am upset since I was in Pasadena the day it was released!

They’re still available at a couple distros

Or sometimes its just a good game vs a bad game. The point was unlicensed CAN sell. Nothing more.

My distro took care of me while I was flying I’m in on a CE.

Nice ! I’m sure we’ll be seeing gameplay soon enough .I’m really exited to hear what kind of custom music they added .

They can sell. But in lower numbers & over a longer timeline. Most factories can’t afford to function like that.

Seemed liked it worked out Ok for Medieval Madness.

I feel that part of the success of TNA was that it was a very niche game. It wasn't trying to compete with Stern or JJP. A non-traditional layout with no ramps for $6,000? That's going to be a non-starter for many buyers. So while being niche helped to drive those initial sales, it also created an upper limit.

Different time. Irrelevant comparison. People weren’t buying games for homes, everything was for arcades…which were dying. The game actually DIDN’T sell well when it came out. Over the years, as collectors snagged them, THEN it became beloved….and because the numbers were low, it became expensive. Which led to the remake.

Totally different situation than where we are today.

I thought TNA looked cool, but I wasn’t gonna take that gamble. Then I played it on location & fell in love. Bought a used one from a friend.

Even tho I love the game and it’s practically my “desert island pin”, my journey to the game didn’t help Spooky. Well, maybe long run it did, cuz I bought R&M and Ultraman NIB.

You mean one of the most highly acclaimed games of all time with a large nostalgic factor that was one of the most expensive used games on the market before the remake? Seems obvious why that one worked. (Fun fact: NBA Fastbreak came out the same year and out sold it)

Cactus Canyon remake will be interesting because it doesn't have the same acclaim or nostalgia factor for it. It's got a lot of interesting mechs, but most people know of it because it is rare/expensive and the last traditional WPC game. Are people into cowboys? Idk.

I love TNA!

Even though I sold mine, my avatar that was inspired by TNA remains.

Thing is, this is what every home owner should be doing, but we've turned into the gotta have it now people. Look at the CGC thread, people actually complaining and the sky is falling because they haven't announced anything recently. Insanity.

Companies are using this to their advantage. Thing is, it cannot last forever. It's already lasted longer than one would have thought.

No kidding. I seriously lold at that comparison. Lets keep the comparisons to the last 20 years, shall we.

Unlicensed themes do not sell as well as licensed, its a fact.

They sold 4000 plus units in a pinball downturn. That is more games than Spooky has ever made in total to date times 2. Check your facts before you start making claims. A good game will sell.

The point I think people are tryign to make is, operators are not the primary consumers now. It is home users. Operators buy almost everything that comes out. Home users have to pick and choose. Factories do not want the 'wait and see' approach. They are taking major advantage of the current FOMO to get people to hand over the money before they have much info on the game.

This is EXACTLY why DR, and other failed projects have been able to take advantage of people.

My little TNA story:

The TNA whitewood was on display at the first ever MGC I ever went to, just months after getting our first machine. At the time, I was a complete noob and knew nothing of designers, companies, who's who, etc. Walked up to TNA literally knowing nothing about the game or the person. I saw it with infantile eyes. I stepped up to play it, and this guy starts talking to me, telling how to play. I told him it was a fun game and went on my way to see the rest of the show. My wife and I came back at least another 4 or 5 times to play the game, given all of the other games that were on the floor. Old stuff, new stuff and everything in between. I noticed the same guy standing over there thinking, man, he must really love this game. Chatted with him for a bit. Come to learn later that it was Scott talking to us about his game, and we had no idea that he made it. When it was announced that Spooky was going to build it, we decided almost immediately that we were buying one. No hype man, just a man with a passion project making fun-ass pinball.

The Houdini prototype was at that show and there was a long line to play it. I played the limited 2 balls on that game and never went back.

Dude MMR isnt a new theme for crying out loud, its a remake of a theme from a different time, when pinball was 10x more popular. Sure its a blast, but to call it a new, unlicensed theme is ridiculous. Dialed In is a new, unlicensed theme. Its fun to shoot, but i bet if it were licensed, they would have sold 2 or 3x more.

My wife surprised me with TNA for my birthday. She actually put in a deposit for ACNC, since I had been talking that game up. After playing them both again I must have came home and said something along the lines of liking TNA more. She called up Spooky and switched the deposit. I did eventually end up trading TNA to fund an AFM Remake, but I wouldn't be against buying another one if they do a 2.0 run. It's a great game.