I feel like AIQ did this and still gets generally poo-poo'd. (I got to Battle Thanos in my first 25 games without really knowing too much about what I was doing).

While I believe the concern about incredibly long modes is valid, Los also said you get a LOT of resources to be able to blow through those modes if you want, be it either the 'Boom' buttons or upgrading the van, so I don't think it will be as bad as some modes like Rush. Now if you go into a mode dry with no action buttons qualified or no mods on the van, then yeah, it might feel long, that's why those are part of the game.

I just don't want that role-playing game level of complexity in a mode.

Yeah I see where you're coming from, well hopefully there's settings or something of that sort to make them quicker if they are too long for your tastes.

So is the premium really worth the extra money over the pro? No locations have it yet near me. Talking a lot of money between both right now. $2700 price difference.

No premiums have been made yet, it may be a few weeks before you see one to play. Pros then LEs.

There's not an objective answer to this, for any Stern pro vs. premium.

In general, the differences are rarely "worth it" if you're simply trying to do accounting on a ledger sheet. But...

Oh ok. Thanks for the heads up.

This is something I’ve been contemplating as well. I mean really it’s two toys and the Area 51 playfield which can’t be more than 20% of the machine. Yet after tax or shipping it’s as much as 3500 more. The pro is super fun and I know they will mod the saucer and the van so price wise I think pro cause the shots are the same. If you plan to keep it long term maybe wait until a used premium comes out and sell your pro later for the same value and you might end up only spending 2k more waiting and saving a little cash.

Also, sadly no "dead post" on the Pro which honestly if it had I would probably have moved down. There is no way it is "worth" 2700 more but that's what it costs as more than likely the LE and Premium profit is subsidizing the Pro from a gross profit perspective. I think Stern has rightly figured out there is a Pro cap if they want them at bowling alleys and bars but collectors have no ceiling to what they will pay for an LE... yet.

This was a dilemma for me with Rush. I didn't feel the VUK, instrument ball lock, movable ramp, and clock on the premium was worth 2700. I'm quite happy with the pro and suspect from what I'm reading that FF is similar.

The pro is the way to go I think, but a way to add the dead post would be amazing.

I say go with the premium. By the time the pros ship. If you decide later that you want to go to a pro, you can sell the premium to do it.

Whose charging more to ship a premium? I certainly don't believe sales tax is 40% in california.

It's $2700 more. unless they can make enough that distributors are willing to sell prems for 9500. (Is that the lowest they're supposed to sell Premiums for now? Lowest I've seen.) Pros are min 7k

I’m in the opposite camp where I appreciate marathon or really difficult modes to complete like in Rush. There’s a massive sense of satisfaction in completing any of Rush’s main modes (except I guess Spirit of the Radio, which is easy to speed through if you want).

There’s very little reward after beating the first set of villain modes in Deadpool to me. 95% of pins have a difficulty in modes comperable to Deadpool and it’s a breath of fresh air when there’s something different and more difficult. I’m excited to try FF even more if it has modes similar in structure to Rush

Question, as this is my first pin. What type of things are good to have on hand over the first year with regular play? I noticed people talking about replacing the rubbers with silicone ones etc. Anything else worth just having some extras on hand as they typically wear out and need replacing?

Coil stops and balls.

Absolutely not, financially speaking.
-Anxiously awaiting my LE without regrets.

I told my Foo-fan wife "now there's a premium and there's a pro, and here's what the premium has vs. the pro" and she said "Well...if one has things the other one doesn't, I'd want that one..."

I didn't explain there were LEs / what an LE is.

Take the win and move on. You did good

One of my local distributors start at 10199 and plus tax it adds up quickly.

0C90A25E-53BC-4C50-993D-84B92A819CAC (resized).jpeg

How is that possible if Premiums are not shipping until mid-late April ...?

Same way Expo was full of Bond pros & premiums that no one could buy.

*wasnt at Expo and couldnt care less about that Grandpa theme*

Fuck that distributor.

Even if I liked the distributor in my state, I would order from the next state over to avoid sales tax. (just kidding, FBI Guy)
And I'd be making sure that I was getting it for MSRP + free shipping at most. Plenty of dealers sell for that.

Same boat but I didn’t trouble her with premium/pro details. Also, anxiously awaiting “Our” LE.

Jack is signing LE plastics on twitch at 7pm est

The green pen colour looks amazing
Screenshot_20230322_101759_Twitch (resized).jpg

Your wife sounds awesome. Is she single?

Three of these: https://www.pinballlife.com/flipper-coil-stop-for-sternsega.html
Three of these: https://www.pinballlife.com/2-316-coil-sleeve.html
A couple of these in the middle strengths: https://www.pinballlife.com/ball-shooter-plunger-inner-spring-standard.html
A couple of these: https://www.pinballlife.com/ball-shooter-plunger-barrel-spring-075-long.html
A couple of these in 3/8": https://www.pinballlife.com/e-clips.html
12 Balls
Titan Silicone Set for the Game
Titan Low Bounce Flipper Rings
Titan Little Box of Calm
Titan Pocket Driver
Titan Telescoping Magnet Tool
Titan Pinmat
Nice Magnetic Nut Drivers 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" (Not Titan / Harbor Freight / Chinese Junk)
One of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KFM8833/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title
Basic Screwdriver Set
Basic 3/8" Ratchet & Socket Set with various length extensions
A nice flashlight

That's what I would start with if my house burned down.

Pure Pin Porn.

Thank you! That list was perfect and amazing and exactly what I was looking for. Just all of those parts you wish you had on hand.

I’d also suggest a roll of mylar & adding a pair (or more if you envision growing your collection) of these to your Titan order: https://www.titanpinball.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=138

Love the drop shadow the paint casts on the background , gives it a nice subtle 3d pop. That one is mine BTW

I’ll just put this right here….haha

Found one and just send you a PM, best of luck.

Same. If anyone has a lead, please let me know!

Yeah Jack seems to be really focused on attention to detail and going that extra mile to add little touches like that this, it’s not just a job with him and it shines through with this stuff.

Except these premium games are show games that people will take home...

I’ve paid for one of the premiums at TPF and we aren’t allowed to take them home until the Premiums start rolling off the line at Stern. Sucks but thems the rules from Stern.

Who has already rendered pictures of what color they are going to powder coat their premium? I’m debating between blue, purple or green.

It will be my first time getting powered coating but I have a feeling this machine will stay!

Also going to be upgrading the speakers and changing the t molding to match

I’ve thought about purple or red. The red will go very nicely with the FF logos.

WHAT? That is nuts. So where does the game go in the meantime??

Someone already posted pictures of all the different colored armor. Check the gallery.

I was thinking red as well but after seeing the premium in person I think there’s too much red already and it would be overkill.

I’m thinking blue or purple would be the nicest to highlight those colors in the art.

Green looks awesome on the LE but I’m not sure it would look as good on the premium.

I have a nice blue and green on two of my pins already so I might transfer a side rail, leg and lockdown bar onto FF when I get mine to see what looks best. Hard to tell by the rendered pics that were posted but it does give you a good idea, at least.

As a follow up to this, I messaged on ebay and was told LE’s were available.

I'd go sparkly yellow, or just solid yellow powder coat on FF Premium, but that's just me, lol.

Anyone know where to get a purple pin gulp?

I’m leaning Alien Green
Or perhaps trying to match the classic car look that they have on sling plastics the RED with yellow FF lettering.

Yellow would certainly work also.
But there have been too many yellow Stern pins past few years lol.