That picture almost makes it a horror theme

I think it looks like the death star. What are you expecting?

I have enjoyed playing the Pro and I don't think it is too bare. I really like what they are doing with the screen and modes and it really seems like it mixes things up nicely and keeps it interesting in my opinion. I like that the made so you can turn off stacking. That may be great for tournaments or people that don't really care about the theme or a very good players, but as a Star Wars fan and average player, it's probably just a little too much in your face at once. I'm super pleased its now an option.

They JUST NEED TO FINISH IT! FINISH THE DAMN CODE! (and eliminate glitches like how the ball fell out of the loop and the Death Star flasher didn't work)

If they finish it on par with what is already in the game at this point, I think it will have really turned out great. They have improved upon the things that were the worst/ugliest/confusing/annoying. However, if they leave some mission/mode or wizard mode incomplete than it's going to be a real pisser like fingernails on a chalkboard annoying.

I'll buy one next year for my 50th birthday (yikes, I'm getting old) if they don't screw up wrapping up the code with a bow on top. This isn't a given since Stern has this tendency of getting games to about 90% +/- 5% done and deciding that's close enough -- next project! Given they often sell these games for years now, they really do need to polish the games code, especially with the advent of the LCD screens. For better (I think!) or worse, I think bad coding/visuals, etc. will be made all the more glaring with the LCD. I think the advent of the LCDs will almost force them to up their game (excepting the sad state of BM66 I suppose). What used to suffice for images, sounds and rules on a DMD system just doesn't cut it anymore. The bar has been raised.

Troy

Premium = less bang for the buck, but I like the loop.

May be better to get the premium rather than mod a Pro to death (for those that are into that). I prefer functional toys vs. pure eye candy. I like the hyperspace loop and enjoyed Getaway when I owned it and Star Wars is a much better game (rules, visuals, sound). Getaway's toy (considered to be one of the best in pinball) on a better pinball machine is not a bad thing at all if you are willing to pay for it. Clearly, the markup by Stern vs. the BOM and engineering hours feels somewhat steep but their pricing is up to them and I can decide to pay or not.

If I had one wish, it would be that they had left the single playfield magnet shown in the original design in the game. Taking it out still feels like a miss from a Star Wars "force" standpoint. Other than that, I'm pretty have with what they have done.

After playing several 'bash toy' Sterns at league all in a row, it all started to feel all a little too much the same and I got tired of having to hit the bash toy repeatedly. I have no problem with a non-bash toy Stern to mix it up for variety.

If you are out of tune with the mainstream movies, etc. that's fine, but IMO don't knock Stern for their themes when clearly some of their customers arent on top of current stuff either.

I suspect there isn't hard data to back up the claim of a softening market but I perceive it is softening a little. It could temporary; it could be certain areas; it could be an incorrect perception.

So we're basically confirming some pinball enthusiasts are out of touch with mainstream. There is a big shock.