Impressions.....first, shout out to Helicon Brewery who if you didn't know by now, is the premier pinball bar in western PA and probably the world. Also got to meet Coolpinballdino too! Chris and Chris at Helicon really do bring it with all the new games including MMR Royal, TMNT and Hot Wheels.
Speaking of Hot Wheels, don't believe the BUY BUY BUY hype. I played the game and was so BORED, I reset the game with money still in it. I've been a fan of American Pinball simply b/c they give you a lot for your money and the quality is sky high. This game is SO cheap looking that when you stand over it, the game SCREAMS budget. On top of that, the hot wheels integration with the dinosaurs and the dumb storyline.....it was just a carwreck. No pun intended. PF way too open - just not fun at all. I would take their earlier two any day of the week over this one. I was disappointed b/c buzz has been good but then again, I realized the pump was really strong on this one and should have known better. Awful.
OK - so turtles. Long story short, stern is going to KILL with this one. I will say up front that the worst things about it include some oddball callouts (w/bad voice acting - although not ALL bad, just some), the layout is great but felt very familiar, April is still in there and has to be the worst art I've seen in some time and the code is not the clearest on what's going on.
Otherwise - wow.
- pro is loaded.
- Light show is really good for a pro
- Turtles van looks surprisingly good!
- Although familiar (which is why I think JP will likely be above this one) - the layout is really fun and feels great
- Pizza spinner moves that ball big time.
- Overall art package on the game and on the cabinet, including that translite is so good
- I actually had a smile on my face smashing that center button for the pizza mode. reminded me of the beat-em up simpsons where you smash to inflate the balloon
- The game is so fast, I would really struggle to hit that center button for the diverter. This experience confirmed my assumption no question. I was also really impressed by how much the ball moved with that pizza.
- Left ramp and right ramp just look great with one being metal, the other clear plastic. Random comment but it stood out. In fact the entire game just looks great. It's the complete opposite of the feeling i got when standing over Hot Wheels.
- code definitely felt good but again, a little confusing and I've actually seen the reveal videos. I wouldn't say this is a negative though at all - I just didn't get a full appreciation on how it all comes together but what's good to know is there are def many things to do and it didn't seem redundant.
- TMNT cover, which is terrible compared to the original (absolutely terrible) - is OK when you're actually playing b/c you can't really hear it that well but it sounds like the song you want to hear so I was OK with it. Pinbrowser can come soon enough though.
- love the selection screen in the beginning. Nice touch with some add strategy.
- LCD overall was very good. Yes, some rough scenes but it's solid.
Prob some more I'll add but overall, this is going to be a homerun for stern. I didn't even get involved with the coop which will be another great feature.