I finally got out last night to play some new pinball. I'm pretty behind on new games, really haven't played anything since pre-pandemic.
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Put quarters in Toy Story, Bond Pro, Madalorian LE, Rush LE, and Godzilla LE. My quick opinions follow, don't be mad if you didn't like your game, just some thoughts.
The only pin we came back to for more was Godzilla. I could probably never play any of the others again and not have a problem with that.
Bond was fine, I dunno, no real strong feelings on it. Was the only Pro we tried, felt pretty bare because of that I think. I'd try a Prem/LE later with more code.
Mandalorian was too easy, for a game I'd never played before the ball times felt too long. Upper playfield seems like a waste of BOM, just not really that fun. The RPG aspect of trading in Beskar isn't for me, felt slow. I think that kind of 'video game' approach is cool for some people, but it's not really why I play pinball.
I did not care for Rush. Not a fan of the expression lighting either, it needs more diffusing. In the dark room it felt like I was staring at too much exposed LEDs while trying to play. Just overall not a game for me.
The biggest study in contrasts was Toy Story to Godzilla. Man, I hated Toy Story. Before I even dropped a coin the clown puke attract mode was such a giant turn off. RGB lighting doesn't have to mean pulsing rainbows. But it never got any better after trying it. I felt like I could barely see the ball, the Lawlor approach felt more claustrophobic than usual. I think a spinner shot that plops into a saucer pretty much sums it up. It's like taking one of the best kinetic feelings in pinball and then sucking all the life out of it.
Godzilla was such a breath of fresh air after it. An interesting playfield design, but one you can see! Shooting the spinner mini ramp into Mechagodzilla was everything that Toy Story spinner wasn't. Every other game we played felt clunky or crowded or awkward compared to Godzilla. I definitely see why people are into it.
Also, Godzilla's use of the LCD screen in the backbox is better than all the other games. Less intrusive, better pacing, not so crowded. Rush I think was the worst in the crowding department, how are you supposed to read that while glancing up mid-ball? It's not a design I care for.
Really, I only have one complaint: after playing Godzilla LE there's no way I'd want a Pro. The extra features are too good. But paying $10k for a pin is just insanity to me. I loved it, I want to play it more, but did I ten-thousand-dollars love it?
I dunno, maybe at some point I'll move out my Metallica LE or modded Tron Pro and that would pay for one, but it just feels like too much.
I'n the meantime I'd like to get some more games in on it when I get a chance. And if prices weren't so inflated I'd probably be thinking more seriously about getting one.