Hello Everyone.

Went to my local distributor today and played some of the newer pins. For whatever reason Stranger Things didn't really wow me when it was announced and I had dismissed it. ST ended up being the game I liked the most out of the 8 or so new pins I played (also liked the shots on the new Star Wars, AIQ seemed kinda fun as well but seemed as though there was too much going on and a bit too much start/stop). What wowed me about ST was the visual aspect (I played a premium with the UV kit), and something made me want to play it over and over again. My only concern is longevity, does it get tedious? Seemed like so much of it was focused around shooting the center Demagorgan (however you spell that) shot, but then the problem with playing a new game is not knowing the rules and what I really should be shooting at.

So how about it, for those who have had it for a while do you still enjoy playing it over and over? Is the code well thought out and the rules a lot of fun?

Is it a game that is more prone to issues? It just seems like it has a lot of new tech in it that could be subject to problems.

Sorry for not reading all 149 pages, I'm sure these questions have been asked before, but it would take way too long to read everything!

Hope you guys won't mind me butting in on your Stranger Things party. I played one at a distributor a few weeks ago and fell in love. Problem is that I'm only allowed to have three games at a time, happy wife, happy life. Just thought I'd throw this out there if there's anyone on the West Coast who has a premium and maybe has gotten bored with it or is just interested in mixing things up. I can't let go of my Sopranos, and Led Zeppelin is brand new (and the wife went halfsies with me on it), so here's my offer. I have a players condition Funhouse, all works 100%, LED lights, NVRAM upgrade, new CPU board, extra set of cabinet decals. I'd be willing to throw in up to $3,000 cash, plus my Funhouse if someone has a Stranger Things premium with UV kit to trade.

LZ premium on order (I added it to my collection prematurely). Did play the pro at the distro and enjoyed it, think the premium will be worth the extra $$$.

Hoping someone will take me up on my trade offer...

Also a soon to be new owner and super excited. I can remember playing Stranger Things at the local distributor’s shop back in early 2021, was on the fence until the fence fell apart and there was no more game to buy. She’s the one who got away! And now I’ll make up for that.

Also interested in knowing which plastic protectors and rubbers work best with UV kit, and are the Tilt Graphics art blades the best for UV, or something else???

Yes, that’s a legit site for the UV kit. I think the MSRP is $9699.

Happy to see I'm not the only one chomping at the bit for a premium.

I did confirm I am in on the November run. I'm scheduled to host our pinball league on December 14th, hoping to have it in time for that. Would be a fun way to break it in.

My topper that I ordered separately did arrive today!

Here's a question that probably has an obvious answer, but I'd just like to be sure.

As I mentioned above I got my deposit down on the November run premium and I am super excited to get this game. In anticipation I have been ordering a bunch of stuff for the machine. One of those things being plastic protectors... So, the UV plastics that come with the UV kit, plastic protectors won't have any adverse affect on the UV plastics, right? Because the UV effect is just on the top of the plastics, right???

I also ordered glow in the dark titan rubbers, assuming those will "pop" with the UV kit...

Thank you. Your game looks beautiful! I considered that chamber mod (or whatever it is called) but man, that is an EXPENSIVE mod!

A list??? Oh, I like lists. Please add me to this might happen list.

Next month!

I was told this past weekend by a distributor friend that Stern had told them first week of November. Pros will likely be run first, but it is also possible premiums could be run concurrently. Also heard UV kits should be ready by the time the games are ready to ship. ...Fingers crossed...

Question in anticipation of getting my premium next month. I ordered the UV kit, topper, and cooling fans @pinmonk. I see that the topper plugs into a power source in the head, where does the UV kit get power? I'm also planning on hooking up a shaker. Am I going to need some sort of power splitter??? If I am going to, do you nice people have any sort of recommendation on which one to use?

I ordered mine from Gameroom Mods. I don’t have the machine yet, so haven’t installed them yet, but I was very impressed with what I already received. Looks like a very full set of protectors that appear to be high quality.

Who else is concerned about them building their game on Thanksgiving week? I know I tend to slack off that week, I wouldn’t be surprised if Stern employees did the same…

Lots of them. Of the ones I’ve owned, Jurassic Park, Led Zeppelin, Rush.

FWIW, I sold off my Deadpool premium to order my Stranger Things premium. I personally thought Deadpool was tedious and I got bored with it.

I haven’t received it yet.

On order for this current run.

Strange things??? Sounds kinky. Tell us more!

I went with these ones: https://www.tiltgraphicsinc.com/product-page/stranger-things-gameblades-stern

Now I just need my premium!!!

How are these projectors failing if they do? As someone who’s been into home theater for decades, having front projection from the CRT to LCD to DLP and on, I’m familiar with having to swap out bulbs. Is it just the bulbs needing to be replaced? Have we determined if there’s a replacement bulb/lamp?

Ha ha. Think I have about a .01% chance of getting it by league hosting night of 12/14. Come on Stern, build them!

I mean the layout is identical. But… the projector is bad ass, that’s why I’m waiting on a premium…

Yeah, I haven’t been asked to pay my balance yet…

Sounds like my premium either shipped today or is shipping tomorrow. Hope it’s on the super fast Fed Ex truck!

Who did you order from?

Can you ask them to drop it in your garage?

Got mine today as well. It’s a beautiful package of art and unique pinball technology. Gorgeous to look at and fast and fun to play. I am unfortunately having issues with TK lock, about half the shots get rejected. I’ll give it some time and additional plays and hope it settles itself out before digging in to anything. It’s kinda fun to just play warts and all, and then weeks from now when the new smell wears off I’ll start tinkering. Something to keep me busy at least. I’m sure getting a game like this dialed in is a reward in itself.

IMG_0192 (resized).jpeg

IMG_0198 (resized).jpeg

Premium is worth all the additional money!

Buddy of mine bought a premium at the same time as me. He’s several states away so I can’t just go over and help him. Plus he’s a bit of a novice pinball owner. I had him go into diagnostics and the coil for the diverter fires. Not sure what to do. Any advice you guys can share please?

image000000 (resized).jpeg

Does your third ball go SDTM like it does to me sometimes???

Well, not the worst thing that could have happened, but I just had one of the white screen pieces fly off of the drop target of one of the left ramp locks. Figured before trying to get it back on that I’d clean the drop. Went to go look for alcohol and couldn’t find it with the wife’s stuff, but saw this eye makeup remover instead. Put a dab on a Q-tip to clean things off and figured I’d try the front where I was getting some scuff marks. This stuff immediately and easily cleaned off all the scuff marks. Maybe I’m being an idiot by using it, but it says leaves no oily residue, so

IMG_0207 (resized).jpeg

If and when this happens again, is it a bad idea to put some glue on the backside of the mini-screen when putting it back on the target???

It does. Send him a PM if you want it.

I hate to admit that I think I’ve gotten to my point of admitting my frustration with my TK lock. It only took one week to get there. Too many rejects on ball 3 leading to SDTM will do that to you. It does appear ball 3 is the issue, balls 1 and 2 are having no problem locking.

I think an easy code fix would be to have an option for virtual lock on ball 3. Stern if you’re listening that would be a great option to have!

I did see the sticky post with the fix that someone did. Unfortunately I’m not comfortable enough with tools to attempt a fix like that which if done wrong could easily make things worse.

Until Stern (hopefully) comes up with some sort of fix (won’t hold my breath), I think sadly I’ll skip a premium feature and set it for virtual locks.

I found the setting. Man, if I was near you I’d plant a big, sloppy kiss on your cheek. Or if this was Reddit I’d pull out my wallet and spend real money to give you some kind of gold star. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I was having the same issue. Happy to find out there was an easy fix/setting unless you’re feeling adventurous and want to try the fix that is a key post. https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stranger-things-club-join-our-party/page/395#post-7934107

https://www.titanpinball.com/kits/index.php/browse/bygame/5746

Never mind. Figured out my issue. I was being kinda slow…

Did the screen upgrade to my machine last night, adding that Starbright 9 material. Well worth the time and effort, makes a significant difference. For now only did the main screen, in the coming days I’ll work on the drops and other spots, likely do ramps last.

Some photos showing before, during (sides), and after.
IMG_0246 (resized).jpegIMG_0258 (resized).jpegIMG_0264 (resized).jpegIMG_0265 (resized).jpeg

Didn’t bother, just put it on top of the old screen material.

All I’ve heard from my distributor is end of this month.

I have the titan glow in the dark currently and just ordered the pinball life UV reactive ones the other day. Plan to swap out both every so often.

I did the screen upgrade myself and I’m literally dangerous with tools or any remotely sharp objects.

I’m just saying, if this self professed idiot can do it, you all can too.

Seem to be missing the setting for how to expand the image on the “drive in” main projection screen. Currently have small black bars on top and bottom of it. Understand there will be some spillover if I expand it out but don’t mind that. Can someone please point me in the right direction of how to make this adjustment?

Pants on the left reminds me of this:

Let me just say. You make a great product that I’ve used on a few of my games. And you’ve proven to be a very helpful Pinsider, I can’t count the number of posts I’ve seen where you’ve given out super helpful information and always in a pleasant manner. Keep up the good work sir!

So… we thinking UV kits will be built next week???
Game won’t be complete until we get them.

Yeah, those ones from pinball life. Received them, but waiting for UV kit to come before swapping them out. Once that happens would be happy to post pictures. For now they just look like bright white rubbers.

I’m so confused. I thought with the new facility they were supposed to have a line for games and a line for accessories?

I don’t think anyone can argue that Stern has flooded the market with games, and that distributors are sitting on tons of inventory. Wouldn’t accessories be a guaranteed sale for everyone??? I mean you’re making things for customers who already have the games, as well as for games that are soon to be sold. How does it not make sense to just pump out accessories. For the UV kit is there something in the BOM that is particularly unique and difficult to source??? Isn’t it just some bulbs, metal brackets, some wiring, and plastics??? What am I missing???

Looking at the photos and comparing to my Darkstar I’d say Darkstar is superior. And it’s super pliable and tough. I had no problems cutting it with an exacto knife.

There’s a pinstadium one, but I’m holding out for the Stern official one.

This is what I’ve done and I don’t feel like it detracts from the experience.

I’ve gotten it at least a few times, but it is few and far between. Is it an adult setting? Maybe yours is set for clean mode?

Yeah, set that for two and you’ll be good to go!

Alien would like a word…

The other 15% is mostly where the F is my UV kit???!

Looks like out of stock already.

I’m getting no response when asking my distributor.

I went with black mirror blades and love the look.

IMG_0355 (resized).jpeg

IMG_0356 (resized).jpeg

Pinball Life

I’m still waiting on my premium UV kit. This is super annoying.

Just checked my email and saw a shipping notification for my premium UV kit from Flip N Out! Yay!

My understanding is that they do not.

Don’t understand why the apron couldn’t be compatible with IC. We don’t mess with it much anyway, and we have the home team thing set up anyhow.

Think it will be a problem to just leave it plugged in and hanging like I have it now with zip ties?

IMG_0433 (resized).jpeg

I installed my UV kit yesterday, wow, it really is one of the coolest features! Best part is that the wife was not really feeling Stranger Things since we got it, she hadn't truly been wowed by it until last night when she went to the Upside Down for the first time.

So I'd heard all these tales of projectors going out of focus when people went to replace the apron. Mine was out of focus after doing it, but a quick little tap to the projector in the spot where the focus wheel is luckily put it right back into focus. However... everything seemed to get mis-aligned. And I know I can adjust that in settings, but the beam seems to be so high now that it can't go low enough to not have black, unprojected spots about 1/3rd from the bottom of the drops and stand up targets. I have a picture for reference, should have taken the photo when the drops were up but unfortunately did not.

I think I know what I will have to do, adjust the apron. But after tearing into it yesterday I'm just not ready for that headache quite yet. What concerns me is that the projector seems to be in there pretty darn tight without much room to physically move and adjust. Makes me wonder if there's something else I can do besides that? And I also know that there is an adjustment called SCL (scale?) but that one doesn't seem to do anything for me. I was hoping it would make each projection bigger, but like I said, does nothing.

Also a little curious if anyone knows what a "Factory Reset" of the projector does? It won't totally mess things up will it? Just thinking that out of the box it was much closer to alignment than it is now, maybe start with that if it won't totally mess things up.

IMG_0434 (resized).jpeg

Really appreciate the informative, detailed reply. Thank you.

Was talking about distributors at our last league night. Consensus was, never order from Cointaker. They’ve got a bad reputation but still seem to do a lot of business. Wonder if they’re mostly selling to first timers?

Same thing with mine. It’s a bug in the code. He’s working on a fix.

I mean, I put the upgraded screen material on top of the existing drive in material, so I can’t say for sure.

But if you bought the suggested double sided tape from Amazon, and you have the Brightstar 9 (or whatever it’s called), those are both thick enough where I would venture a guess that you should be alright.

Count me in as someone who really likes the look of my radiant rings. Had the glow in the darks and the radiants are way better looking. They really pop under the UV light!

Radiant Rings powered off, powered on, and with the UV lights flashing. (Is there no way in test to have the UV lights stay on??? I couldn’t figure out how to do that). The UV picture doesn’t really do it justice. See the difference in color at the bottom right of the flipper? That’s how they all look when UV is all the way on.

IMG_0538 (resized).jpegIMG_0539 (resized).jpegIMG_0540 (resized).jpegIMG_0542 (resized).jpeg

Is that an Alonso helmet on your profile picture???

I got his autograph a few years back. By itself and then with Phil Hanson and Lando Norris when they were co-drivers for the Daytona 24 hours. Alonso was pretty friendly. I still think if he’d been in better equipment he’d be at the top of the list of F1 drivers.

Hey, I went to Le Mans last year too! Going again this year. If you’re going back we should meet up. This will be my sixth Le Mans. It’s my favorite event in the world!