Quoted from Rarehero:Fanbase doesn't = pin buyers. The Tron fans that gobbled up Tron LEs were arcade game collectors...they're Tron-INSANE and for many of them this was their first NIB pinball if not their first pinball as it's a Tron-nerd's grail to have in the gameroom. Hardcore Star Trek fans already have Bally Star Trek, DE Star Trek & STTNG representing the original series that they love. Star Trek fans aren't necessarily fans of the new movies enough to plunk down big bucks on the pin.
There is a sega star trek arcade game. I have it as well as both tron arcade games.
I am a star trek fan. Liked the original series. disliked much of next gen, deep space 9 and voyager. But I did like enterprise and I liked the movies (though the ending to 2nd movie was poor). I am probably in the minority in how I feel about the tv shows. But how it translates into pinball, I would not want to own the bally star trek, I have the DE, STTNG, and now STLE.
My point being is I think the market for pins has changed since tron LE came out. I think bigger factors in its success is that Tron LE is its very different from the pro model and the price increase. There are far more quality pins in the market now to buy once PP made its announcement. I can see how it hard to justify spending $3k-$4k more than what a STTNG costs today to get the STLE. But I think it will still find a market and all the LE's will sell out soon.
My buddy almost bought an LE. He is a huge ST fan (lots of autographed ST and STTNG stuff). It would have been his first arcade game. I showed him the 3 older pins as well as the various new stern models. He really wanted the STLE, but his wife said no. Maybe when they play mine he will find a way to change her mind.
San Jose, CA
