That's good. Now you can turn around and flip it for way more than you paid.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/114699

LZ is really a lot of fun to play. Again: A packed playfield does not equal a fun game. AFM, Tron, STh, and others are all "barren" playfields that keep you hitting the start button because they're so damn fun. And let's remember the Grogu doll does nothing. Take it out and it doesn't effect the gameplay at all...does it make Mandolorian a better game because it's there?

This is the Pinside I’m used to, some calling the game meh or possibly the top10 of all time depending on which side of the purchase you are on.

Like many of you I am disappointed in many aspects of this pin. I'm a huge original trilogy Star Wars fan and did like the Mandalorean show. Cara Dune was one of the best characters on the show, most definitely should have been included in the artwork at the very least. I see the design as a wasted opportunity. Many of the ideas floating around, including having the baby carrier as a target that opens up to reveal Grogu, and then perhaps even further having purposeful animatronics utilizing the magnets to do something more interesting with the ball capture. Heck, a Grogu head like in Funhouse that eats pinballs in a mission about his egg eating would have been interesting and fun. Overall I am passing on this.

Guess having a Grogu that eats pinballs and spits them back up for multiball would have been too much for the kiddies? I think it fits the show since all he did was eat, nap and baby babble when he wasn't helping out Mando in a tight spot.

Cara Dune was more than likely a politically driven decision from Disney, I seriously doubt Stern had anything to do with that.

But that would’ve been exactly like Groot, hence more bitching and same ole stern.

I cant wait, this will be my new prized possession! (after alien of course)

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Sorry you feel that way, but I can tell you with certainty that there is nothing to worry about. I volunteer and know the people who run Project Pinball really well. Simply put, these raffles truly come down to the luck of the draw. They put their hearts into the Charity and would not do anything to put it in a bad light. In particular Dan Spolar is someone who is well known across the country and around the world of pinball. There have been over 60 raffle winners to date and none of them are suspicious and all have gotten their machines. Many of the drawings have been live at shows and/or with guests like the mayor of Fort Myers or prominent pinball celebrities. Here is the list of previous winners. http://projectpinball.org/pinballmachineraffles

Looks like the Pro drawing sold out already and a new pro raffle should be online soon if not already.

Does anyone else think the upper playfield was supposed to be Slave 1? It is shaped vaguely like it, moves like it, and would make a lot more sense overall. My pure guess is that it was designed as Slave 1 but had to change for some reason (licensing maybe?). Depending on how it's integrated in the code, it might be an interesting mod exercise to change it. Not meant as a complaint, just an observation.

The game looks great to me so far. Can't wait to see footage and play it! I'm really glad Dwight is on it...he's probably my favorite programmer. I hope he goes slightly easier on the hurry-ups than TMNT and SW, but overall I can't wait to see what he does here! Amazing art too...every package is awesome. Very well done. Not to mention most machines look better in person than in pictures, so I can't wait to see this beauty!

No. Mando's helmet is so iconic, I think they wanted it on the playfield in some major way.

Plus it’s used for the encounter modes. Those have nothing to do with Slave 1. I do love that ship though. So weird looking, and those bombs it drops are so awesome.

This would be a cool effect for another game:

Balls load into the slave 1. At the start of MB, they drop out one by one and are caught by a magnet. When the bomb explodes with that awesome sound, the magnet throws the ball around simulating the explosion. Do that for each ball that comes out. One by one.

I agree with the Boob here. I sh*t all over LZ when it was first introduced. I was really disappointed on first look. So I went and bought an LE and now its one of my favorite games to play in my collection. Lesson learned. Need to play them before you can give a real opinion.

Vs. just sticking a doll there that does nothing? Not sure if more bitching over no Cara Dune or just a doll in the corner. /Fry Face

I agree with many of your points. Mando has a feeling of having items tacked on, some of which (well Baby Yoda) literally do nothing.

1. Baby Yoda: Does nothing
2. The Razor Crest ship: Has a huge ugly target with exposed screw heads hanging from it, it's almost as large of the ship.
3. The Upper playfield: What is this from the theme? Mandos head doesn't have a bunch of LED lights on it. Also, hitting standup targets only (no other shots on it) that are 3 inches away with get old fast

Stern has a done a great job with creating a world under glass on their other pins. In JP there's the T-Rex mold that eats the pinball, the raptor pen area that has mechs. GB has the Slimer toy that moves, the Ecto Goggles, the subway ramp and subway itself. TMNT, the Gilder diverter, the physical ball lock van, and the pizza spinner. There's just nothing like that in Mando in a sense of there being miniature interactive toys / features based on the theme. A stationary Baby Yoda doll, the giant target hanging from the razer crest, and the Mando head upper playfield...yeah.

I was expecting to see Baby Yoda grab the pinball at least, that would have been awesome. For the upper playfield that rotated with the 6 rumored drop targets I was thinking it would have moved to reveal additional shots. What was revealed though is a disappointment in my opinion. Code can certainty save it and we've seen that before.

Really doesn’t matter what they chose. The bitching would still occur. It’s never going to be what everyone wanted. I’m not a super fan at all, but I do like this show and Star Wars a lot. I think the game looks great.

They are leveraging the video assets for this, but yes huge miss here as stated many times

Good lord, folks. You guys are picking apart a game that you've never laid hands on. People are bitching about some ridiculous shit. If you want to experience realism and immersive youself into the Star Wars universe, turn on your TV and watch the show.

Pinball has never been about replicating a universe to scale... It's a game that's full of blinking lights, exposed screws, and things that are out of scale.

Pinball collectors are weird bunch. You've got players, that want to be entertained... you've got players that are cut throat about getting high scores... and then you've got players that are really more like toy collectors, stomping their feet for a fantasy universe to cater to their specified needs.

I just want to be entertained. I bet this game can achieve that - it looks like a great shooter. I'm sure the light show is going to kick ass. The video assests will probably be fun... and I'm not even a fan of the show.

Your right Pinside will bitch no matter what that put out!I like the artwork and it is better then some other Stern offerings.
But just slapping the doll from Walmart on the playfield was lazy and there's no denying that.It's like people trying to claim the artwork for a certain music pin was great!

I have made my purchasing decision.

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I was reading about Gina Careno, the article said Disney fired her after many SW fans had been calling for to be fired. As if that ever was the reason, if so KK would have been fired ages ago.

I’ve got a Deadpool prem arriving soon. That Wolverine action figure does nothing, neither does Dazzler, and the Lil’ Deadpool just bobbles. The magnet sucks too because it doesn’t even exist!

Plus, there’s no Cara Dune.

Deadpool must be one of the worst pins ever

Thank you for this. Your post put a smile on my face.

I had the exact same experience with my grandson. Although I wanted a EHOH, I needed something family friendly that he could enjoy for years. I was debating between this and JP.

I asked him "Which machine should I buy? Mandalorian or Jurassic Pa..... He immediately smiled and shouted "Mandalorian!!!! I love Baby Yoda!"
Me: "But you also love dinosaurs."
Him: "Baby Yoda! Baby Yoda!"

Ordered the pin, went on line and had my enthusiasm mildly deflated by the usual handful of Pinsiders and K crapping on it while comparing it to...what else?...GnR. Happily, I've been here for 10 years so the angst didn't last long.

Also ordered the Pro (yeah...yeah..."Pros are for Ho's"...whatever.) because of the lack of upper playfield and the translite.

Can't wait for it to be delivered!

I'm going to buy a pro. I'm so out of the loop on NIBs at this point, what's the street price on these?

In regards to the helmet , someone pointed out to me that the helmet is central to the theme of the show. How he never takes it off(until he does) etc... so I guess from that angle it makes sense for it to be a prominent feature. The lights are just there so you know if you hit the target, I mean if they could have made them drops would have be sick...but I see how that would be an engineering challenge to fit into that space as well as the budget

In the podcast everyone seems to really be proud of that moving playfield and that it was a lot of fun to shoot, so we shall see!

$6199

(Edited) Just double checked....$5,999. Sorry.

Maybe this is all just part of Stern's plan. Leave her off the game, then release a Cara Dune version after they bring her back. Like BM66 Catwoman Version or Star Wars comic version... Release a variant of a popular game to boost a new round of sales.

Where's the owners club? Just secured #374

I would keep asking around as that's higher than I got quoted at every dealer I asked.

Talked to my distro today. They are disappointed and surprised that the demand is quite low so far (only) les are sold out with long waiting list.

Oops...I'm a moron.

$5,999.

I really do not mind the helmet, and complaining about adding target lights to it is a little silly. It's pinball...not a sideshow replica. I think it would have been cooler as Slave 1, but the helmet is fine.

I kind of wish Grogu and the Razor Crest would have their sizes swapped, but that's also a really minor complaint. With how popular the character is, featuring Grogu that prominently will definitely pull in players that may not have been interested otherwise. I'm interested in seeing more of the prem/LE magnet in action. It looked to throw it around pretty good in the shots we've seen so far. If there is no lane change, that could make lighting them all pretty interesting. Gives it a more random bagatelle feel than your typical lanes. I appreciate that since lanes are kind of boring and overused normally.

Wow...haven't even thought about RGP in years. Just went and looked, and it's crickets there.

I like how everyone feels the need to come here and either shit on it or hype it up and then announce if they are getting the game or not.

How about this. I don't know if I like it, I'd like to play it and see. I am not telling anyone if I will get it or not and which version I get if I do. ITS MY SECRET.

Great story. I’m likely getting a Premium.

This thread reminds me of how people were complaining about how crappy Sterns Lotr looked when it came out forever ago. Glad to see the pin world still complains about every new machine.... game looks great to me!

I love Stern games!!
But sorry, just because someone works hard and loves what they do .. doesn't mean what they produce is quality and doesn't warrant automatic praise

She was a great character in the show but can't understand why everyone is fauning over her for the pin.

It’s a public message board the whole purpose of it is to talk about whether you like it or not. Why would you publicly keep a secret? Lol ridiculous

My take on things so far:

It looks nice, with a not-so-standard-layout.

Mini playfield looks boring and takes away space on the playfield. Moving is nicer, but one flipper may be more fun to play? Just some targets in a row with nothing else doesn't appeal to me at all, but who knows if it may be fun once you play it....trying to not judge too much yet.

Ramps seem nice to me, 2 pop-bumpers is fine, no need for 3 all the time.
A doll that doesn't move doesn't bother me if the game itself shoots well.

Do I care if there're lights in the helmet? Not at all: a lot in pinball doesn't really make sense, and who'd bother. Does anyone think this miniplayfield has more to shoot for than Guns 'n Roses: I can't imagine anyone could state that, even if you'd hate that game (which I don't, but to each their own). I think some people jump to extreme conclusions (either good or bad) way too early: we haven't seen gameplay yet, let alone played it ourselves. In the end to me it all comes down to how it plays and what the software is like. As with any game, whether I like the theme or not, I'm looking forward to playing one someday.

Good choice.....The Premium also looks terrific!

I was considering a Premium but, in addition to the things I mentioned, my repair skills aren't the best and I was concerned about the rocking upper playfield needing maintenance.

I'm a little bummed about not getting the magnet but I don't think my grandson will care.

Lots of people criticizing the reveal, the toys, the mech's. It doesn't fit the theme, another miss for Stern, blah blah.

Yet, IMO, the art packages are all amazing, the shot layout is quite unique and not seen in some time and the hanging drop target (while ugly) hasn't been done before, to my knowledge. If the code and assets deliver I can see this being a staple in many people's collection for years. My only real worry is the upper playfield that while beautiful, doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the layout. Lot's of convo on the LE, collectibility and scarcity - but as a Pro buyer, this thing seems stacked and to be one of Stern's best offerings in this space in years!

Is the power activated up/down scoop on the premium/LE controlled by the action button like Shadow ramp diverters but vertical? Sure looks like it. Video starts at the diverter being used.

Just going off previous releases i would wager
Pros start hitting distributors immediately after the first Deadflip stream in 9days and keep arriving for the next month.
LE's likely start arriving mid June and and Premium owners will start seeing ours in July sometime

It's possible that Stern scanned an existing toy, no idea, but the figurine is custom designed using sculpt software and probably SolidWorks. That effort and process is there, not lazy at all.

I believe it’s automatic during ambushes.

ok, I think I am coming to terms with this layout using my own logic to convince myself to take the leap of faith and trust that the designers' criteria on what a fun is all about.

Judging by one the layouts of one of the most famous pinball games of the last 30 years (AF), where to me the layout always felt 'meh', one can say that the actual pinball experience comes alive with a combination of music, sounds and callouts...
If you did not know how/what AF sound like, what would you say about this layout at first sight:

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To me it looks bare and the hand mech (always though it was lame) but the worst part of this game to me what THE HUGE bookcase mech that looks like a bag of shit in the middle of the PF, nothing more than an ugly bash toy that only rotates to revel a scoop, wow... Nonetheless, this game is still one of the most sought after games 30 years after it was made...

Sooooo, when I a compare this layout to Mando, I think Mando is going to be a home run in comparison.

C'mon, everyone knows you're a Prem/LE guy!

Agree though. I couldn't give two flying farts about anything SW related, but definitely interested in flipping it.

Guess we will have to wait to see some gameplay. Im hoping its used more then ambushes and not automatic but wont be a deal breaker for me.

Can anyone confirm yet if mini pf gradually tilts steeper as you as you keep the ball alive or random?