In a way it's like being concerned with the standard two flipper/2 sling layout at the bottom in multiple games along with two orbit shots... it's just accepted that every game has those today, even though there was substantial variation in those areas in the past.

To answer your question more directly, I have them sitting side by side and they don't strike me as similar in shots or rules. The third flipper shot is similar but unlike SM there are other shot options available for that third flipper. ST also has the same third flipper, so does Tron (mirrored), but no one seems concerned about the similarities with those games either.

I'd sell Spidey long before XM.

If Stern prices it in the premium range it's a simple attempt to recoup costs to redo all the art including the DMD movie animations. I originally was excited but I no longer feel compelled because the original SM's are already in the $4k range and after some analysis I don't think the original Spidey lacks a comic feel as it sits. It's is one of the better examples of a licensed Stern game that toned down the movie items... replace the plastics and actors are gone. Replace the translite and the comicy actors are gone too. I can't see they need to replace any movie characters in the art or rules, I assume they are all in the comics, no?

Retheme like that is a better idea than yet another SM. However, I've always said, once Stern starts re-releasing too many of their old games, they will have thrown in the towel on new pins outselling old... a possible point of decline in the industry. It hasn't happened yet, but it is one reason I'm not a huge proponent of re-releases. Focus on new!

Color LCDs actually cost less than DMDs.

After GoT, time is no guarantee of anything art related, though SM is more of a known quantity.

Wow, $1500 markup over Pro for nothing more than different artwork? I would hope Stern throws in powder coated armor, but they don't even do that on Premiums any longer.

For premium pricing the possibility is there... At least it will have LEDs and a switch under the front of the cabinet.

"could" being the operative word here. SM is already one of the better Stern art packages.

Stern has repeatedly said VEs will ship with their original boardset.

Nice SM's are already out there @$4500, but everyone is excited to pay higher prices for a new run of the same game. In other words what I see consistently on Pinside is people bitching about pricing then buy the games anyway... so pricing doesn't matter until consumers really do draw a line.... but with plenty of NIB sales @$10k+ and pre-orders still selling out, I don't buy all speculation about whether you guys will or won't pay up for a game that is not even confirmed. If it happens it will be bought.

In my book same rules + same playfield = same game. It will be refreshed, look different, people will rejoice, and pay premium $$ for it... that's basically what I was saying and you sounds like you agree.

At least with SM VE they are trying to refresh the game rather than making it a pure cash grab... but Stern loves to value a handful of cheap upgrades @ $2k.... customers buy it up, and then bitch when someone is trying to get par value for aftermarket upgrades. Lets face it, Pinball buyers are nothing if not inconsistent.

Not exactly...SM values fell into the $4k range many months ago. $5k and above typically have $hundreds in aftermarket upgrades.

I'm also still struggling to understand how you say the Tobey Maguire SM is so dated? The SM image has been very consistent over the decades...

smcab_(resized).jpg

MarvelTreasury_01_(resized).jpg

Looks brighter and more "comicy". I expected more redesign in the playfield art but it is just a restyle. I prefer the slightly darker theme and colors of the original, but I applaud Stern for redoing the art and dots with the VE rather than a simple re-run like they did with IM. Good stuff.

I think this new SM is an attractive upgrade for operators... it will be far more showy on location due to the original being dark due to the color scheme and incandescent bulbs. It will also be more attractive to the younger crowd due to it being based on the Ultimate Spider Man universe which is newer and teenage Peter Parker is obviously geared toward a younger audience.

Considering the value of this edition to operators, the fact that Stern always markets the Pro as the operator model due to price point (Premium for enthusiasts, LE for collectors), and the fact that the pinball core demographic pre-dates the USM universe, I can understand the confusion and complaints on the Premium price point. It's not as much a negative reaction to end product, it's that Stern continues to muddle it's marketing message. Ultimately everyone buys what they want anyhow, as I see plenty of Premiums and LEs on location.