I don't think Stern ever said "only 200 TWD Toppers will be made" - it's not like it's an LE. They just posted 200 available on the ordering website, and the counter counted down until they were gone. Basically, they only made 200 in the first batch and now they are making another batch - nothing wrong with that.

To get this post back on track and the correct mood...

- TWD Code update coming!!!!
- And it's going to be awesome!

I think TigerLaw made a resolution to not buy any NIB Stern until the code for his current game(s) (TWD) is relatively complete.

You should get some play time in on a Premium/LE after the code update before making a decision, especially since that should be happening pretty soon. All good game choices BTW

I checked Sterns Facebook page, and did not see any new TWD videos.
Is this a video or just a picture?

Zombie Bombs!!!

I just had a game where I lost my 3rd ball and needed a few more hits to start WW multiball - boom, boom, boom -> 3 zombie bombs -> Start WW and keep myself / my game alive!

There is still stacking of multiballs, just not Well Walker and Prison. Lyman is adjusting the scoring opportunities so it's not imbalanced - which makes for a better game. It was too easy to just stack Prison and WW - so that's what everyone would always do -> ultimately becoming too repetitive.
Also, this is not a final update. They wanted to release a version for Memorial Day weekend, and this is where they are at right now. There's a lot of new stuff, and it's a great update!

I'm pretty sure Lyman is going to make it easier to start Crossbow multiball, but I'm not sure if all the changes are in this version. BG ramp goes up, so that shot is easier. I think crossbow get's lit more often too.

Someone has already added show voices via pinball browser. The same file will work with any new version of code, it just needs to be "adjusted". Which will definitely happen - so no need to worry about it. If we're REALLY LUCKY, Stern will work out the licensing and add the show voices - but that may not happen. Either way, you're still good.

You can always get a 1 Million WB shot, but you have to select it using the flippers before plunging.

You do realize that Horde isn't the big wizard mode, right? Horde is NOT easy to get on most TWDs, and what's wrong with big scores? Ever play AFM? The rules are shaping up quite well and there is more to come as well as tweaking/balance. It's not night and day at all - you're just basing your judgement on way too little info.

This is just like AC/DC - Song Jackpot is where all the points are, and that is NOT a multi-ball only feature. The scoring opportunities come from combining the right set of features, and this is exactly what Lyman is getting to on TWD. The big scoring on the modes is when you stack them with a multiball.

The comparisons to Metallica are misplaced. Crank-it-up is a mini-wizard mode - these are normal game modes, not mini-wizard modes. Metallica doesn't have normal modes - it's coded differently (which is fine). Modes should be worthwhile or they are meaningless. This is a major problem on many games -> worthless modes that might as well not even be in the game.

IMO this is a major improvement on TWD, and Lyman is doing a great job! Modes that are worth trying your best on!

Maybe I didn't describe my point well enough - lol. IMO modes should be worth going for, and TWD is taking that approach (not just Tunnel mode) as well as encouraging the stacking of a mode with Multiball. Also, Song Jackpots can grow well beyond 50 million and be cashed in multiple times, so Song Jackpots are more valuable in AC/DC than Tunnel Mode. Maybe Tunnel mode does score too high, maybe not - I'm not sure at this point.

You should also consider that a mode on TWD can only be played once, until all other modes (and Horde?) have been completed. This gives you (typically) one opportunity per game to cash in what you can when you start it. Having a mode that scores high and can be endlessly repeated frequently renders all the other modes worthless in a game (Demo Man is a good example).

It takes more than one night of playing a game to get a real feel for the plus/minuses in a game. But I get it that this is an initial reaction. Just like my opinions are initial reactions - it'll take some time to really judge it.

You explained it great -> Risk vs Reward. Risky shots should be worth more AND it makes pinball more exciting. The guy that's afraid to go for Tunnel mode will go for it on ball 3, because you'll be obliterating him and it's the best shot he's got to catch up!

lol - Your comparison of TWD to a fine lady seems to change...

I like the change for this particular game. There's still plenty of risk vs reward. This adds to the frenzied, crazy action TWD gives during MB as you have to keep thinking about what should I do now. TWD may have the most frenzied, crazy action (in a good way) multiballs of any game out there.

IMO they were trying to go for the tension/build up, and then excitement of the show - and they've succeeded big time. If it weren't for the license issue with the voices, TWD would have been much more popular right out of the gate. I still think AMC would be better off letting Stern include the voices - it would be better marketing for the show. I know they don't *need* it, but every little bit counts.

Wizard Modes on TWD...
- Siege is a mini-wizard mode - X jackpots (or X multikills?) during Prison MB to light.
- Horde is a mini-wizard mode - Complete all Multikill lights (5)
- Last Man Standing is the big wizard mode - Get 115 zombie kills (numbers surrounding LMS light).

Also 4 multi-balls...
- Prison
- Well Walker
- Blood Bath
- Crossbow

It adds an extra level of excitement to the game, to have the ball speeding directly at the flippers at ultra high speed more often!! Papa does all sorts of things to their games to make them play harder, so I wouldn't really count them.

A little mod like the felt doesn't "butcher" anything. It just a slight adjustment
I do this type of thing all the time, to make the games play as good as possible. Things sometimes get out of alignment, or sometimes aren't correctly aligned at the factory. IMO just set the game up to play the way you think is best - but you'll only know if you try it. So just try it, and if you don't like it take it off.

Just added the shaker tonight - one of the best uses of a shaker for sure! Highly Recommended

Also got to Horde and...


... I predict TWD will ultimately end up very highly rated as a top game, but it will take a while.

A lot of haters out there, as is typically the case initially for brutal games like TWD. But the challenge is a big part of making it a long time keeper. I'm not surprised some say it isn't doing well on location - neither did Twilight Zone. I have to agree with John Borg too

I agree that Pinside ratings may never reflect. And it may take years for the consensus to build, but ultimately the word will get out. It's just too cool a game to stay buried by ignorance and misinformed judgment calls. Of course that's just IMO.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/twd-left-orbit-shot-mod

I was thinking of trying this too. It's such a close tolerance, just a little nudge keeps the ball flying!
Thanks for posting, now I'll check it out and see which I prefer.

lol - Is your friends initials KME?

Horde is the kind of creativity in pinball that takes a game to a new level of immersion and fun. If it's too easy, I'm sure Lyman can/will tweak it - maybe an adjustment in the menu for different difficulties. What's easy for some can be difficult for others. Horde in a game room with no other distractions (dark and quiet) is absolutely awesome!

This is the kind of mode/immersion that many other themes can't achieve, because it just doesn't fit the theme. If you're into the theme and have the right setting - Horde is definitely one of the best modes out there. And it's not even the final wizard mode - Last Man Standing awaits! Go Lyman

To Start Blood Bath you must first Understand the Drop Target Lights...

1) Each of the 3 drop targets has a light in front of it: "First Aid", "Weapons", "Food"
2) When all drops are UP -> 1 of the lights will flash at a time, rotating in sequence
3) The first drop that gets knocked down "Locks In" which target/light the Complete Bank will award
4) When you complete the bank - the locked in reward is awarded. Either "First Aid", "Weapons" or "Food"

To Start Blood Bath....
Step 1) Complete the 3 drops targets - 1 of the Awards is Given (FirstAid, Weapons or Food) AND STAYS LIT
Step 2) Only when the 3 drops are UP -> time knocking down the first drop when 1 of the 2 unlit rewards is flashing
Step 3) Complete the bank of drops -> now 2 rewards are lit (for example: Food and Weapons)
Step 4) Only when the 3 drops are UP -> time knocking down the first drop when the final UNLIT reward is flashing
Step 5) Complete the bank of drops -> You have now completed all 3 rewards -> Blood Bath will be lit
Step 6) Complete the bank of drops to start Blood Bath

Add A Ball: While in blood bath, every time you complete the 3 drops (up to 3 times), it adds a ball and lights the ball saver

NOTE: It is harder to start Blood Bath a 2nd time (not sure of the exact change).
Most of the time, you complete drop target banks without thinking about it. But it can be important to focus on "Locking In" the UNLIT rewards - or you'll never light Blood Bath.

The walker hits left are displayed in the middle of Well Walker animation screen.

It's right in the middle of the screen, with no caption/label.