Quoted from snaroff:I don't get the Platinum/Diamond editions...there is absolutely nothing compelling about them (except rarity). The Gold looks the best IMHO, and offers precisely the same gameplay and features. The only difference is armor color and artwork. At least with Stern's BM66 Super LE, you get a fancy topper and some other goodies IIRC.
One day, this game will get the respect it deserves. Having a modernized 80's vibe/gameplay is awesome. I love the 80's games and still own a couple, but most of them are beat and hard to maintain for most people.
I suspect that the platinum and diamond edition "pricing experiment" was fueled by the successful sales of Stern's ridiculously priced Supreme pinball machine.
Stern has been unable to replicate that pricing phenomenon with its fab four upcharged versions because us old-timer fans of the band are arguably less motivated by branding and more drawn to substance. We recognize the value of the gold model.
The more limited production numbers of the platinum (250) and diamond (100) and the diamond's crystal glass backglass simply don't justify the large pricing differentials. The gold too is limited in production, 1614 units. All models have nice quality trim, albeit different colors.
I very much like the 1964 Beatles invasion theme and I play my gold version often. Nevertheless, I can imagine a late-sixties Beatles theme in which a collector edition adds a subterranean yellow submarine feature or something substantial to attract buyers above the $10K mark.