Hey everyone, it appears this game's code is getting better and better (I only played it on initial release). Thoughts on the Pro vs a MET Pro? Not talking ratings on Pinside, but those who own both. Thoughts on flow, gameplay and longevity between the two? Just looking to get some honest pros and cons between em. TIA

This is exactly where my thoughts are, after 3 year with it. I have a small collection and have a MET Pro, being offered a very good trade on a STH Pro with UV kit straight up. Thank you for the feedback!

Hey Pro owners. How interactive is the shaker on this game? Worth it or pass for better mods?

So my Pro arrives Friday, my first Spike system. Adding the speaker/headphone volume adjust, light up buttons and some other minor protective stuff. Any mods out there you all recommend for the Pro (also pre-ordered the light up shooter rod).

imagamejunky which blade art did you go with? Mine has the UV kit installed, and I saw a few options out there.

I am in for a set of these day one! They look great. Nice job.

So my new Pro came in last night. Did the latest code, added my usual little stuff (shaker, button protectors etc). Have a couple questions on dialing it in. Airballs on the right ramp, anyone getting a ton of them? Worried about the glass and the plastics breaking. Also getting some airballs on the demo ramp. Thinking of lowering the flipper power just a bit. Also, anyone close the outlane posts in a notch? I am getting killed on the right outlane like crazy. I gotta say even for a Pro, the light effects are impressive!

Right at the bend actually, there isn't a cover on the ramp. That's why I am wondering if the flippers are just set too high.

That explains it. Just reached out to him. Thank you!

I dialed my flippers down to 245 (they were at 255), I think I am gonna go a little lower. The ball hits the glass quite a bit. While I get it won't "crack" the glass, it can scratch and chip over time. I have HD glass on a couple of my machines and have seen it happen. Also wondering how much abuse the plastic ramps can take with the ball flying around. May order an extra set of ramps now in case they become unobtainium later.

Shooter rod sold out already. Checking with the local disti's. Hopefully they make more of these. Anyone put black chrome mirror blades in their machine? I usually do regular, but I think the black chrome would look great on this machine.

Thanks Chuck, I was considering just making one myself. I like the light up factor though, kinda goes with the UV theme. I will keep you/your friend in mind though.

Just a heads up for you Pro owners. My right ramp didn’t come with an air ball deflector. I haven’t seen any Pro with one in pics yet. I have had massive airballs and the ball whipping so fast it doesn’t go thru the optic. I emailed Chas and two days later the deflector showed up. Looks like the Prem/LE have em. But reach out to Stern and they will take care of you.

Yeah, mine didn't have one (hence the insane amount of airballs). I have seen a couple others with the same issue. No biggie, easy fix and Stern sent it out right away. Just wanted to share for anyone who may not know a deflector should be there.

I was wondering the same, I usually put mirror blades on my games, but I was also looking at the black chrome instead for this one. It didn't look like the art blades were UV reactive, can anyone confirm that?

Anyone notice Mystery doesn't light up if you close all the lower lanes while in a mode? I was playing last night and it happened twice. Didn't get credit for the lanes being lit, just reset them. I don't recall if that was the case previously.

Thank you, didn’t realize it was a two x.

I have a Pro, UV kit, speaker lights, shaker. Just added the blue plastic protectors and they pop well with the UV kit. I am not able to crank my pins up, so I install headphone jacks to enjoy them. Installing the art blades tonight, then it’s done. Congrats on the game.

It’s a matter of preference but I like the blue. I feel it matches better with the lane plastics and it adds a nice effect with the UV to the lanes and slings. Good call on the translucent sling rubber. What size did you go with?

I was in the same spot. I usually put mirror blades on my machines and thought the black chrome would look awesome on this with the UV kit. But alas, I was in the moment and bought the Stern art with my shooter knob.

Fellow pro owner, ramp is down in attract as well. I also have a line building on a new machine. Only a matter of time now.

Anyone having a ball get stuck under/behind the demo resulting in having to tilt the game to get it to release? I am trying to see where it's getting stuck without having to take the demo assembly apart. It gets "stuck" when I shoot the middle shot under the actual demo about 30% of the time now. Haven't had this issue since adding .96 and .97 on the machine. I don't think it's a code issue, but something just needing an adjustment after the amount of plays on the machine.

That's gotta be it!! Looks like you had to remove the Demo assembly above to get to it? Thank you for the pic!

Hoping it's not $699, topper prices are crazy. It

It is only blue, I have it. I has a nice glowing effect in attract mode. When you hit the outlanes or do anything good, it blinks. I wouldn't consider it interactive, but I like it.

Assuming the official topper will be interactive with the .98 code release notes, anyone have any thoughts on what it will be? I just hope it's not a $600 piece of acrylic like JP. Something like BKSOR would be ideal. Maybe the Mind Flayer or something with the final mode? The code updates have been solid and Stern has made this game into an unknown gem now. Great value for a new game, let's hope the topper, tops it off!

Thank you! Wonder if the topper is coming soon now that the armor is shipping. Could coincide with a 1.0 code release.

I have a Pro with the Stern shaker. Settings for the shaker are on max and it isn't used much at all compared to many other games I have played.

It's tough, I enjoy the Cleland mod so much but I really appreciate the balance on the new code, even though I haven't hit Final Showdown ever. Maybe it's in my head.

Topper light show...interesting. Might we see something better than some plastic and LEDs for this one? Perhaps upside down integration as well? Hmmm, come on Stern. I need to spend some stupid money.

I hope the topper isn't 1k. That is a crazy price, BKSOR was a value for sure and it's a great looking topper. I get it's a money grab but that's 1/6 of the cost for a loaded Pro.

pinballslave I have always just reformatted the USB stick, then in Windows 10 used the OS extractor. This will put the two files in their own folder. Cut and paste both unpacked files directly onto the USB drive. No folders or other files can be on the USB drive. Insert drive into a USB port (either one is fine), turn on power, you should see a prompt to upgrade, open the coin door to proceed with the upgrade. I usually do full and verify (takes longer but I do it when I have time anyway). Once update is done, power down the machine, wait a few seconds, remove the USB drive and turn the pin back on. The nodes boards will update and within a few minutes the machine is ready to go. I have never had an issue updating code with these step by step instructions.

C0untDeM0net I have a Pro as well, and I have noticed getting mystery awards more and more even if my shot doesn't hit there. With the new codes I feel the shot delay has grown. I see it on hitting the Demo as well. Not saying that our issues are the same, but with 1.0 I feel like the CPU can't keep up with the fast action of this game.

Anyone feeling a sense of lag on v1.0 of code? Hits and animations not keeping up. Especially when modes are stacked and in MB. I love the game and this new code overall, but I feel like the little CPU in the backbox isn't keeping up as well as it did in prior releases.

Good to know, I have sent several emails and a couple videos when I could get my teenage daughter to not be on TikTok or "doing homework" online. Hopefully we see fixes over time.

https://cointaker.com/t/stranger-things-mods

Just uploaded and played several games and the Final Showdown feature. The shaker is used more. But this is my first Spike game with one. My Metallica would shake the glass with intensity. The entire machine shake like crazy. I feel more rumbles in every mode they listed (my intensity is set on high). It will probably me my last Stern with a shaker but it is better than previous code.

finnflash That looks awesome, how did you mount it if I may ask? I have the same ornament, it's soft plastic so I think it will survive well in that spot.

As a pro owner, I am happy with this one. It makes sense the Prem/LE gets the swipe, thinking this will add a little risk/reward in some cases during TK MB. Love the progression for this machine. Just when you think it is done, bam more code comes! Now it's time to see the topper for the last money drain for my machine!!

As a pro owner, I would be inclined to agree it "can be done" in software, but I am fine with the Prem/LE having an in game feature the Pro doesn't have. Just a personal thing, but I think it's good for Prem/LE owners to get something extra. Especially on this machine given the issues and original hate it got.

My old Rocky and Bullwinkle actually gives you a bonus for it.

I am guessing it will be like JP or Avengers, an expensive piece of plexiglass that has light interaction with the playfield based on the code updates. I am "hoping" for a mind flayer and something unique to give this game one final push as it is being retired from their line.

If anyone is interested, Mike at Great American just got a shipment of shooter knobs in, likely the last run. Guessing other distros are/have as well, but I bought mine from Mike since he is local. Just a heads up for those looking.

Anyone have the armor on their Pro? I am not sure I am a fan of it, but don't wanna buy it if it looks bad. Haven't seen a single machine with them.

FWIW I picked up two machines at my disti (I am in Chicago area) and asked where the hell are the toppers for Stranger Things, he said Stern has been very sporadic on shipping them to distis. Likely supply chain issues. When I emailed Melissa at Cointaker she didn't have an ETA on my order with them either. So it looks like we just have to wait it out.

FWIW I heard from Cointaker, my topper order from 3-24 ETA is now June. If anyone else is waiting as well.

Pin_Fandango I have both games, while STh is a fast no mercy game, the code is incredibly deep and I find it made me a much better player on other fan layout, DP included. I never get enough STh yet (even when I am pissed at it) and it's been here just about a year. DP only a month FWIW.

Anyone heard from Cointaker on TopperGate? I am guessing Stern will release the last batch of toppers with the UV kits, but I was told early June from Melissa when I ordered, figured I would see if anyone else had the latest news.

I think it's pure looks on most games, the wow factor as you walk up and for those spectating. I have been waiting for one for months and the reality is, I don't look at the topper when I play the game. But I personally prefer the complete look of having one on my machines. I blame my Tommy for the silverball on top, it's what started my desire to have one for every game.

All these UV kits shipping, let's hope those of us that have been waiting 6 months for a topper will see them soon as well.

I ordered my topper from Cointaker in March and it just showed up last week. No email or shipping notice from Cointaker. I know they had to take some time off recently and they are getting crushed with Alien. I stopped asking for updates but it appears the toppers are finally shipping along with other accessories for Stranger Things. I agree with the comment about Zach, very open and responsive.

I have seen some posts for people that use blue/purple UV ink on the art blades and they do react with the UV kit. I am going to have one of my daughters do this to mine.

I keep mine at stock power but I have the flipper cooling fans from Pin Monk. Game changer.

My shaker is also very soft on this machine. I swapped it with my DP shaker to make sure it wasn't a bad motor and had the same issue. Minor vibration when it goes off. I would like to have a little more on it, but not rattle the glass like DP and my GnR do.