By the time I had been alerted that my final payment was due and the game was ready to ship, I was nervous. Really. Fucking. Nervous. After all, you people had branded this game a huge turd. The Pinside Mob had irreparably damaged the pin's value and, potentially, the likelihood that Stern would see it through to intended completion. Being the intractable pinball addict that I am, though, I dutifully paid the final $7,000. Two weeks later, the box was in my garage. And two nights ago, I unboxed it with the help of a friend. And we played it.
Straight out of the box, one glitch: when I turned it on, the screen said it couldn't find Node Boards 1 8 9. Oh shit, I thought--I'd have to wait for a part to play the game. But no! The game hasn't since said that, and it was ready. We played. The projector was bright and good. The game was working in all respects. Back legs out all the way to where the bolt sits flat with the end of the little socket inside the leg itself. Backboard lock? Check. Held all three balls three straight times. Demogorgon? Check. During the first game, I made four consecutive shots, and five of seven total. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Pinsiders, go buy this pin on the cheap while its value is low. Fear not.