To me this is a case of the pro having everything the game needs to satisfy the game's full experience while the premium/LE trims are giving you some perks and extras that are nice, but really not worth stretching the budget for unless you're a Star Wars mega fan. For the additions to gameplay, it's all very minor. Few pros suffer much from the "stripping down" from the premium level. Ghostbusters and AC/DC, I say it's worth the extra? Star Wars, go pro.

If the hyperloop does really nothing compared to the pro, I think I finally prefer to pass this one.

If a justification of funds is what you are looking for you will not find it. The sensible thing to do is not spend thousands of dollars on a game for our house. Especially because you are just putting it next to another game that you spent thousands of dollars on. This is not a sensible hobby. So it's a good thing we are not sensible people. SWLE is it worth the extra money? Probably not unless you need to have that game that has a limited number of production. Big money difference between the PRO and the LE. Now we will discuss the Premium. It has everything the LE has. Rails and powder can easily be added at a much cheaper price point. Translite? The premium translite is The best. I switched my LE out for the Premium one. What else? That's it! Now PRO to the Premium No matter what you do you can't make a pro into a Premium. The whole point of the game is the hyper loop and death star shot. If you do not like that feature I ask why are you even looking into buying this game? The pro is a fun game but imo it will not have staying power due to its lack of features. Now is not the time for sensibility. Buy the game as it was designed to be played. That Death Star Shot into the hyper loop is probably the most satisfying shot in pinball today.

Just my opinion others may have a different one. But do not rush this decision play both versions alot before choosing. The best thing about Star Wars is how addicting the game is. Fun, Fast, Shoots Great, Video Animations and integration the best stern has ever done, Amazing lighting effects, Music is outstanding, playfield and art is good not great, Button on the lock down bar is annoying but I love it. All these little things come together perfectly making Star Wars a fun game suitable for anyone's collection.

Play Better!

again I disagree. I value your and anyones opinion,
The game is not centered around the Hyperspace loop/mb and not centerered around just the death star . it is about Choosing a path for one of 4 characters and finishing said path of missions and become a Jedi Master. which is not about just shooting a death star.
As far as that shot being the most satisfying shot in pinball,NO!. Hitting and making the Death star shoot is hard and satisfying yes, But best in Pinball. That is a Bold statement.
I love Pinball and I am a Star wars Fan . I love the game and As far as the element of the Fork ramp and Nascar loop and Opening Ball save gate is not missed one bit and saved me thousands on a game Tile I relate to and love . PRO PRO PRO PRO PRO / Great game great flow and the path to Jedi MB and Victory are worth the price of Pro admission . I will not ever miss the features you get on the premium . And as far as staying power . Just like any Few trick pony pinballs this won't be leaving soon if ever / Again. Opinions vary across the board. Do soul searching play all the models and see what works for You as an individual. Or As a Couple if the Wifey is involved . IMHO the extras are dumb

And that is why we love pinball. I speak from my thoughts and experiences others do as well. Perfect analogy why some like chocolate others like vanilla. In this case at least both are still enjoyable. Bottom line is Buy at least one version of Star Wars. I don't care which one.

Funny, I had the same thought. There are some things I don't try to justify, but I can always blame them on Patron.

2 grand for the Premium seems like a lot just to add the hyperspace loop and death star shot. The artwork is about equal in quality. The difference in GB was a lot greater to the premium. Still kind of leaning PRO.... hoping to try the Premium at some point in the pgh area.

The premium/LE hyperspace ramp comes into play during the game. Shooting the deathstar can have multiple effects. The magnets will grab the ball sometimes during mode selection and then drop it back down the ramp. Other times it will send it around and then feed the flipper lane. During hyperspace multiball you can load balls into the loop to get a bigger multiball. I don't think the pro allows adding balls at all and is just a 2 ball hyperspace multiball. I'll agree it's subtle differences, but there is a difference already and my guess is code will make it a bit more interactive too.

As for feeling empty, it just doesn't feel that way when playing. Everything is a switch and needs to be aimed for. The outlanes, the drops, every stand up jedi target, the loops (each way on each), the ramps, the standups under the screen and even the pops (although I would like to see them). The game is packed full of shots and is coded to use them. I agree the Pro looks empty, but when playing the premium it doesn't feel empty at all to me. It feels like no matter how good of a game I have, then I could have made just one more shot in multiple places to have had a better game. Oh and then add in the multipliers and ability to move them. There is so much going on.

SW is definitely a different feeling and non traditional game, but I'm having a blast with it. I love that it's different from AS, GB and any other game out there. There seems to be a focus on playing the 'game' that is in the code. It's more than just hitting the shots on the playfield, you have to really pay attention to the mode(s) of the game to score big.

I've played some of those home pins (I keep one at the church running), and the SW pro is nothing like them.

Anyway, I think most people that get either SW is going to have a blast with it, but there will be some that just don't like it and that's fine. It's great that there are so many new games from Stern and others that we have a choice to be super picky.

I've spent some time on the pro and le. Imagine how Getaway would feel if the supercharger was removed. I say give them both a try and buy what you like. I happen to prefer the gameplay and excitement on the premium/le version when it comes to SW.

That's just ridiculous.

If you consider the Spider-Man home model a home model, then yeah, it does a bit. I like the Spider-Man home model game though. Haha.

I don't think so but I don't mind that home model Spider-man either.

I think the Premium or the LE is the way to go but "Home Model" Wow that is harsh. Funny but harsh.

not true you can add up to as many on the Pro as LE . Both Games hold 6 balls . I have gotten up to 3 so far. damn inner loop hard to hit under pressure / Shoot up the deathstar / hyperspace inner left loop it locks another rinse and repeat and it only gives you a certain amount of time to add just like the Prem

Both versions are very fun and similar. I currently have a Pro and am on the fence for a Premium. I would just sell the pro and upgrade... I go back and forth with it. Really you can't go wrong with either. Some observations:

1. The pro is faster. Sometimes the Hoth shot is slowed down by the fork ramp on the LE. This isn't necessarily a mark against the LE however since it is nice to have the frantic pace slowed a bit sometimes. The Pro ramps are a bit faster also.

2. Metal Ramps are better. The artwork on the plastics is easier to see on the pro since the ramps are clear. But the metal ramps look soooo much nicer.

3. The cabinet is upgraded compared the pro. Reinforced front leg brackets and cabinet triangle brackets.

4. The pro is easier because the Death Star shot is much easier to backhand.

5. The hyperloop is awesome. I wish it was used more than it is currently but maybe they can code it in more.

Always gotta down vote that one

I like metal ramps.

Quoted from kermit24:
2. Metal Ramps are better.

Ok, maybe 'better' is a bad word to use, but I think the metal ramps are better looking at least on SW.

As you can see by the downvotes it's never been a popular opinion, but I've always preferred plastic ramps. But true i didn;t even think aboot all the habitrails in the prem...plastic wouldn;t cut the mustard there

Because they can break and discolor over time. That is why they are better. Duhh!

It really depends on the game and the entrances and exits of the ramps. Metallica, for example, is ramp bliss with its metal ramps. No one in the world could convince me that plastic ramps would better suit that game. TF has metal ramp entrances with plastic returns and feels awesome to hit. Other games like ST or GOT are a hybrid plastic/wireform ramp which work very well - GOT would not work well with metal ramp entrances on the center and right ramp. As for SW; I'd have to play an SW pro again, but for some reason i didnt like the SW metal ramps as much as i remember enjoying the SW pro plastic ramps.

The seem a bit smoother to me...a lot of it probably has to do with the 90s boom going W/B used plastic.

Don't have to worry aboot discoloring much anymore.

What are you talking aboot? Canada A!

The heat from incandescent bulbs.

Hello everyone.. I'm writing you from my honeymoon. I must tell you it is the longest honeymoon I've been on so far. Me and my Star Wars LE are having a great time. I will let you know when we get back.

Take Care!

yeah it adds a lift to the habitrail that gets supercharged around a metal ramp (in yo face)that spins in a fast clockwise circle. Can't see how that not adds to the game ! but in the end the same shot . Lol Glots of IM

Myself and others have no trouble backhanding the death star ramp on the LE.

Rob

We backhanded it a few times but the shot had to be near perfect to not roll back down.

which begs to question if flipper coil strength of all premium and le"s and all pros / do you get the same strength ? or depending on Build and fastening to playfields during manufacture have a variance of levels of power . So some can and some will not.
kind of like I feel others have an easier time hitting and activating the battering ram shot on the Game Of Thrones . Some smooth some tough. I need to still adjust my Ram .

Just imagine the LImited edition.

Now Pretend it has no hyperloop.

It's really not that big a difference.

Except it costs a whole at-at load less loot.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

The pro is exactly the same, it just doesn't have the gimmick or the escape thing that never works right

And it's just as fun.

I see both arguments. When we say that the Premium/LE has specific scoring opportunities that the Pro doesn't, my thought is that it is the point of the design. As much as I would love one playfield with two or three trim/art tiers, Stern has clearly decided to take a different route.

I'm a fan of Star Wars, Stern and Steve Ritchie, but that doesn't mean it is an automatic buy for me. I like plenty of companies and products that don't get $5-9,000 of my money every time they make a product.

For the early adopters, I can totally see the numerous pros and cons to be argued now. I think code and the lower prices of the used market will increase my desire to have one of these.

For me, It's too soon to choose. I played a very early Premium model and enjoyed it. I've played a Pro model once as well. On first impression, both need more code and polish. The Pro feels a little bare and the Premium is a little too pricey for the extras. I think this will be a really great game in about a year.

My friend was over last night and we played for a couple hours. He wants to buy a SW now and asked about the differences in models and what the prices were. When I explained the pro to him--as well as the price--he immediately said "That's out" when he learned the hyperloop wasn't there and there were plastic ramps. He's looking for an LE but might "settle" for a premium. That's how much more fun the hyperloop is. (But yeah...the pro is still pretty fun!)

Hey, it's his $2K, right?

Guys an extra 1,800? it's their money. Let them spend it on whatever they want. How much money do we spend on Mods? Some games I have spent well over 2k just in getting the game to look the way I want it to. Lets not even talk about the money spent in complete referbs. Some things you can't mod into a game like a hyper loop. That is a feature if you want it you are forced to buy the Premium or LE. So at the end of the day buy what makes you happy. Lets just stop talking about a good deal or value it is all relative.

...and it was mine, too!

It's simple
I think that if you like the pro, try the prem/LE.
If the first time you make the hyperloop shot you don't get a smile on your face and think "holy shit that's cool!" buy the pro.

Having played a handfull of games on a Pro and an LE, I'd go with the Pro. I generally like more stuff, but the stuff detracts from the speed and flow of the game in this case.

Anyone know of a Premium / LE in the Chicago area? I've only played a Pro and want to compare against the other models.

I have not had a chance to play either SW models . This statement concerns me as I am very particular . On the LE/ PREM is this an issue you would agree with . From looking at photos the wire form ramp in front of the flippers would seed to be annoying . Thank you for feed back , Peace

Agreed, it sort of disappears into the background.
The game is so fast you won't have time to stare at it anyway.

Well like I said, I didn't notice it about 30% of the time. But I like to do a lot of drop catches and that's when I notice it as it messes with my timing. Then I get focused on it and irritates me. Plus there's a lot of side to side movement of the ball in this game which can cause the wireforms to catch your eye. Just my opinion. Maybe I'll have a better experience on it next time I play.

For me, it's a total non issue. I don't even think about it and it doesn't bother me at all.

Rob