Xaqery or anyone question: Didn’t the 180 scoop come down every time after shooting the ball through the horseshoe from the left side? Now after code update 1.01 it no longer lowers unless scope or ambush is initiated. Am I missing something? Is that the way it should be? Didn’t the 180 diverter also come down during “Try to Escape” before 1.01? What are the times the 180 diverter is suppose to lower?

Surprised no one else has seemed to notice that since 1.01 update, when the hurry up “Try To Escape” happens, the 180 diverter ramp no longer lowers. It has to be a bug. It was so much more fun when it lowered in that part of the game during the hurry up. Made it more intense than just a regular through the horseshoe shot like it is now.

Fully agree, it did not come down too much and is the best shot in the game, because its tougher. In fact, it feels like a lot was taken away by the scoop not coming down as much and seems like the 180 scoop is way underutilized now. I did speak directly with Dwight about this and he was kind of enough to reply to my concern. I don’t think he’ll mind me sharing it here:

Hey Man -

The 180 scoop doesnt come down now becuase there is no more advancing toward AMBUSH. How to get to AMBUSH has completely changed.
I will think about adding the 180 scoop to TRY TO ESCAPE.

Right now it comes down for all the super jackpots.

Thanks for the chat

- Dwight

So hoping he adds it back in, as it was one of our families favorite parts of the game! Was so intense and exciting with the music and all, which made it one of the most looked for shots in the game. Completing it with the red light flashing on top, is pinball nirvana and makes one feel like they’re in the Mando universe successfully escaping. Only coming down during super jackpots is not near as fun.

I’m going to take mine back to the old code till Dwight puts it back in. Not as motivated to play Mando now, with that shot eliminated. You could so easily activate it whenever during game play, but chances of making it were hard, hence the feeling of escaping was so cool when the shot was made.

Interesting as it doesn’t according to Dwight. It only drops for super jackpots in 1.01.

First chance I’ve had to go through 1.01 more thoroughly and you’re right, the scoop is still dropping during escape/ambush, as well as all supers. However, still hoping Dwight finds a way to put back in the “try to escape” drop as well. Still a very exciting shot to make. Don’t think the dropping scoop ever can be used too much, as it is an important feature of the game and challenging to hit consistently. What a game Mando has turned out to be and so fun to shoot! Dwight is as usual doing a stellar job for us on code.

Loving SW Mando as one of my goto fun machines. The layout is superb! Here is my version of it…

6D1346AB-4736-462A-A5C5-89CB94670DD3 (resized).jpeg

Having played both a lot, Mando blows CC away as a better shooter and exciting code. CC does have some cool things, but the code is so meh. CC was meant to be played for 15 minutes by throwing in a few coins. Mando is meant to be played in the home with far greater code breadth for longevity. Not sure why some think Mando is a tough shooter, unless you’re not a trap up player. Backhanding right ramp is super easy if you let the ball roll down the right flipper and bam hit it 80 to 90% of the time. Back hand scoop and other shots are easy peasy. Only simple slap players will find Mando layout on the challenging side. It is one of my go to shooters for great fun and exciting RPG style code using the foundry. It is perfectly integrated with the Mandolorian theme and Star Wars universe. Addictive game play. Sorry, CC in comparison is a snoozefest.

Find this a fascinating concept that we can somehow beat a $10k pinball machine, like a $69 video game and then just move on? Thought it was about the sport and improving skill and high scores, not just beating the last “boss”?) I do get affording a few games and moving them on to allow new challenges, although.)

Wasn’t really speaking directly to you and your situation, but this idea of beating the game and done is prevalent and the reason Stern is making them so hard to beat, lol.

It is cool you beat it.

A fix I heard about some time ago is changing the right sling bottom star post to a standard thinner post Stern use to install there. It opens up the right ramp shot much more, for easier backhanding.

Good post and work on allowing geometry to be a bit better, like it should have always been. Don’t think this was a Brian Eddie decision in design, as every machine use to have the slimmer posts, so its definitely not cheating imo. Think it was a factory decision to take stress off the PF to prevent pooling etc, because of much wider bases on the star posts. But now that the clear coat is thinner with no artwork under the posts, its not necessary to use star posts and can easily go back to the thinner posts like Stern use to always use before . Star posts are just too thick and get in the way of vital backhanding shots. Precisely the reason Stern use to always use the thinner sling posts.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/this-is-the-way-the-mandalorian-owners-club/page/90#post-6824302

I was quite hesitate to make the change, but just followed what you recommended and can say without a doubt its pure nirvana now for everyone in my family and me. The most critical shot in all of the game, just became 90% of the time back handle-able from the right flipper from the cradle position. Its almost like I can’t miss now! Before I had to really be on my game to get that shot much of the time. For family members back handing, forget it. If everyone made this simple change from the fat star posts to the skinny posts, it changes Mando shooting experience from frustration to absolute joy! So much more fun, can’t recommend it enough.

It only makes sense geometry wise. I’m sure Brian Eddy did not design that shot with a star post in mind, since its so critical to the game to advance. Trying to hit that shot from the left flipper is very dangerous and the reason some people give up on the game imo. Players become too frustrated when they don’t need to be and its not cheating in any way. Sure it was a factory decision to put the star post in after Eddie had already designed the layout. Brain wouldn’t make Mando that frustrating on purpose.

Prior layouts at the time he was designing were all installed with slimmer posts on the slings. Just fix the geometry of the right flipper shot by reducing the blatant right sling lower post obstacle and wow, night and day experience. The shot is just too close to be otherwise and only becomes a pros timing shot of letting it roll down the flipper, then shooting and even then, its quite tough. If those that wrote off Mando tried this, they’d be back in for sure, imo. Thanks for the suggestion JSholtz! (I did add a small nylon washer under each of the slimmer posts.)

1FBF90F2-6DB8-4361-928F-2BCF9864E3A3 (resized).jpeg

5F4C6322-6FE6-40A3-8091-91ADFA25C0A6 (resized).jpeg

I was concerned about that, but used super thin washers. Probably not necessary since there is no artwork there anyway. No noticeable raising of the posts in comparison to the other 2.

BTW, I have a purest son that didn’t want me to change them, but I told him, its not changing the layout, it’s only removing an obvious obstacle that shouldn’t have been there to begin with. I asked him, if a part that comes from the factory blocks the flow of the game, do you leave the error/mistake because it came from the factory that way???

He and his brother could only make the shot maybe 40% of the time and his sisters could rarely make it at all and our guests, forget it, lol. Now everyone can, so purest just being a purest because the factory did it that way, hmmmm, makes no sense to me. Most key shot in the game just became doable. Now the game is finally fun instead of frustrating!

No, there is hardly any wiggle room and makes little difference compared to the skinny post. Not sure why anyone would want to keep the fat star post in there when the skinny posts does the job so much better? After all Stern used them for years on all their machines.

Why go to all that trouble? Just buy a few cent skinny post and problem easily solved. Plus with post size differences so dramatic, you could never drill it large enough to make the best difference. Since Star Post = 11mm, is almost double the size of a straight post = 6.75mm.

Fair enough if that look is important.

You’re so right and I agree what you’ve said in the past, its one of the best shooters around.

Lol, that’s why Mando has that just one more game; press the start button again and again feeling. Mando’s unique design is why its really one of Eddie’s all time best, but so underrated. Honestly, can complete AFM and MM 3 times over in one game session. Mando has some fun challenge to it, where it feels good to complete shot after shot, even addictive. Along with ST, Brian has really improved his designs from the long ago past, imo.

Excited to see what else they may add or come up with. Mando code is getting better all the time! Thanks Dwight and team!

The reason this price gouging reminds you of Disney is because Seth Davis the new Pres of Stern hails from the Disney ilk. Hmmm, wonder if all this gigantic price raising comes from him? Taking the fun out of it for us loyal fans of Stern pinball. This topper should have been $1k tops. I remember when George said the new SW topper was going to be expensive and it was only $750?

And Stern was making a nice profit on the Black Knight topper too, when it sold for what now looks like a true bargain. Gary has forgotten his roots of making good products for a reasonable profit. How many jokes have we heard about his penny pinching just to stay afloat. Now he’s joined the ranks of the super rich and has forgotten his long journey of being prudent and giving his customers value for reasonable MSRP costs. It’s now time that some other company steps up to the plate and takes on Stern with a value for money proposition. Even distributors think stern pricing is crazy high and not worth it now. Bring on a new market high volume competitor! The market will be theirs!! Big volume, not small boutique pinball competition will bring Stern to their money grubbing senses.

Makes one wonder if we will see owners modding this by changing the position of the screen by actually showing it in full frontal view? The screen seen directly will be hi-definition, instead of it just being reflected/faded onto another piece of plastic.

A resounding YES! Since there is an entrance opto, until its triggered why oh why should the upper flippers engage and increase wear and tear on the upper pf, along with increasing sound issues??? Makes no sense. In full support of an option to allow user to adjust to either on all the time or on when there’s an actual ball up there. Let’s all request this. (Not to mention coil dust needlessly falling all over from those unused flippers.)

Shaker motor is an easy fix. Take cover off and adjust one arm either 90 degree for medium shake or 180 degree for very mild shake.

Begin reading at page 120 to read our extensive discussion on the right ramp issue and fix.

Thanks for your hard work in making our stellar Mando games even better Dwight @xaqery! (Any chance of adding an option for us to turn off upper PF flippers, unless there is an actual ball in the upper playfield?)

Only time I try to hit the left scoop from the right flipper is when a RC MB is lit and I don’t want to start it. Other than that, back hand everything, except orbits. Such a fun shooter at that!

Has anyone installed a wedge on the topper? What material is Stern suggesting to use for the wedge? So with children in the house, topper needs the wedge to be seen properly?

Mando is actually quite an easy shooter if you’re a trap up player and use stock rubber everywhere (silicon is a nightmare on Mando - drain city). However, the small posts on the lower slings must be installed or suffer experience will be like what you’re describing. Mando is a backhand shooters dream layout. So fun to shoot if you backhand every shot, but the orbits and side targets.

Nice job promoting this stellar topper! Appreciate the video showing it off with different lights and “hologram” images. Making me quite excited to get mine! Thanks.

No wear if ejector power is turned nearly all the way down.

Just take both pieces to a welder shop and it’ll be fixed with less hassle and far less money than ordering a new one. My local shop did it cheap, better and even shined it up much prettier than Stern.

What wire from the cutoff plug goes where on a direct hookup? And do all 3 connection points shown in the photo need to be connected?

A topper that costs that much needs to be fully interactive to justify the price and utilize the screen feature. Here’s hoping Stern sees it that way too. If they put in the code to make it killer, then almost no one will care about the steep entry price.

They sell a board that will stop the madness of active flippers, when there is no ball in the upper pf? Wow, please send me a link of where to buy this board. Unbelievable that Xaqery Stern has not accommodated us by just putting a simple code update, that tells the upper flippers to not activate unless a ball is in the actual upper pf. So simple and inconsiderate Stern/he won’t do that, unless there is some issue we are unaware. Running flippers when nothing is there wears on the whole flipper assembly for no reason at all. Please Dwight, make upper flippers inactive, when there is no ball to actually flip.

No attempt of being “harsh”, only calling a spade a shovel. We’ve repeatedly asked for a long time now to fix this simple code change to make upper pf flippers inactive with no ball…many of us have been reporting as a bug. So yes, it’s now reached the level of being inconsiderate of how we owners feel about this issue. If we were asking for some major fix/change that they don’t have time to do, well then…but we are not. Really like Dwight’s coding, so that’s not in question here.

Very nice of him to send that cover, but why do you wish to lose sight of the ball on that cool u turn? Clear was done that way on purpose so ball travel is not lost. The whole point of pinball is to see the ball traveling all over the PF. That’s why Gary Stern will not allow subways on any Stern game, because they are pointless, when the ball is lost from view. Contact Stern and they’ll send you a new one.

If we get anything from season 3, it’ll be DLC.

Mando will still be your favorite after about 100 games on SD. Mando has so much more in every way game play wise. It’s one of my goto games in my collection. Such a fun shooter with interesting mechs and game play. SD has none of that in comparison, although it has some cute code, shooter wise, its pretty plain. Mando is made by the guy that made MM and AFM, two of the top five games.

Avengers subway is completely visible, the ball does not disappear.

Mando is a top goto game imo. Really fun once you learn where the shots are on the flippers and backhand most of them from a cradle position. Then the game comes alive.

Finally took the plunge on a topper and agree it’s way overpriced, but it adds a great deal to the game imo. It’s like getting a new giant mech that adds to the game play coding experience after having the game for a year or two. Mando is such an awesome shooting game!

As I already stated mando topper is way overpriced, but it’s a game changer for sure. Has caused me to approach Mando differently than before and adds so much to game play imo. No issues with 1st gen. Very cool to see a second screen showing different Star Wars assets from the main screen, during game play.

Whole heartedly agree with you. It needs way more to justify the huge cost. More interactive modes and animations on the display is a must. Please Xaqery do your magic and don’t let us down, since we’ve spent our hard earned dollars on your efforts to make it even better. At $2,000.00 there’s plenty of profit there to make additional code/assets.

Good ideas to send to Stern.

The price is ridiculous, but I’d buy it all over again. Adds so much to the game, although I hope Xaqery will add even more considering the price we’ve paid. And I do look at it while playing the game a lot to see what I need to do next to light up Mandalorian Madness and how much Beskar is needed to earn perks. With the new season 3 airing now, it’s great fun to play after watching the show, cause you’re in the zone, lol.

Posted this in the Grogu mod thread and thought it might be of interest in our club, since that other thread is mainly inactive.

Kind of late to the Grogu mod party, but finally decided it would be worth installing Lermods Grogu. It’s works well if you attach it to the “Child light” insert near the spinner. Runs only when the child is activated and costs nearly half the price of the Tekman mod. I’ve scanned through Tekman videos and there is not much difference in action, only subtle. Agreed it’s nice to have the right hand raising instead of the left, but other actions are not really noticed, as there is not time during play to focus on them. If the ball was held at the magnet that’d be different, but since it’s not, Lermods Grogu fits the bill. It’s the ambiance of Grogu coming alive that is key here, because none of these versions are coded into the game, other than reacting to the light or magnet. It takes an awesome game to the next level. Good job Lermods!

Another key is installing Grogu with the right wrist zip tied to the metal wrap right under his right hand and moving the hand so it’s facing somewhat downward. That seems to be just right for all movements concerned and does not raise the ramp when the left arm comes up. Our family is really enjoying Grogu coming alive in our fab game!

(Not attempting here to “call out” Tekman. His version is super deluxe, but no longer makes them.)

AB1322AF-0BC6-4D28-8F3C-E71E4FD5555A.jpeg

Was not attempting to call you out. Your version is deluxe, but you’re not making it any longer, so what choice do we have?

Interested in seeing what you’ve done.

Sounds like flipper fade. I’d back the flipper power off, to not heat up the coils so much. Also check to see if you have a broken coil stop.

Am I in the minority here? I regularly backhand every shot, except the two orbit shots with ease, using stock settings. I did however remove the fat star posts at the bottom of the slings and replaced them with standard skinny posts that Stern has always used there in the past.

I use Lermods and it works quite well. Have topper, Grogu, backbox amp, lower cabinet amp, all using one of the 4 connections off Lermods 4 way splitter. Thanks @lermods!

New code for our Mando out today, making it 1.42. Only IC related items however.

Yes, it’s a bummer alright. Wish Dwight would give some more code love to our fab Mando’s.

Add to what you’ve mention, more topper code love. Certainly Stern can afford it for the price they’ve charged us. Please Xaqery increase functionality of the best topper ever made! Am sure you got another $2k for online selling your topper TWIPY you just received, lol. (Referencing Dwight’s speech joke: good one!)

Thought season 3 was fun. Sure there were some stupid parts like Lizzo and Jack Black, but overall main parts continued the story arch. Just watched the 8th one last night. Would be good fun if Stern eventually offered season 3 as DLC. That’d be the only way they’d be motivated to offer it, I would think. I’m in if they ever do. Mando is one of my goto shooters.

Sure sounds like you have a broken coil stop. A couple bucks to change that out and should be good to go.

Not the 090-5032-ND part, which is for the coil itself. The coil stop (pictured below) that’s at the end of the coil is what I think you’ll be needing. The way to test if it’s the needed part is press your finger against the bottom of the coil stop directly on the rivet and if it slightly moves, its broken. This is the exact part I’m talking about.

https://www.pinballlife.com/flipper-coil-stop-for-sternsega.html

IMG_0517 (resized).jpeg

Yes, some tilted during shipment, with the only way to fix it is to take cover off, then adjust. At your height you should be able to see the bottom of the screen squarely. Topper made for 5’3” to see squarely and bottom of screen with wedge in place. I’m taller and see it no issues squarely, but my daughter is 5’4” and also see’s it squarely at the bottom.

Good looking mod from Lermods. Works well if you put it on the child light and zip tie right wrist to ball gate. Get attract mode shut off switch too.

Show us a photo of all the mods on the PF, thanks.

Mando, one of my all time favorite shooters. Change out the bottom star posts for original Stern slim posts and you have a completely different easier shooting game by back handing the all important right ramp. With slim posts installed, hit right ramp 90% of the time. I contend that’s the only reason for Mando being so underrated.

I see MarklarD listed where to buy the slim post already.

Was quite hesitant to make the change, but decided it’s not cheating, since Stern has used that slim post since the beginning on all their machines. They changed it at the build of Mando. Now without a doubt it’s pure nirvana for everyone in my family and me. The most critical shot in all of the game, just became 90% of the time back handle-able from the right flipper from the cradle position. Its almost like I can’t miss now! Before I had to really be on my A game to get that shot much of the time. For family members back handing, forget it. If everyone made this simple change from the fat star posts to the skinny posts, it changes Mando shooting experience from frustration to absolute joy! So much more fun, can’t recommend it enough.
It only makes sense geometry wise. I’m sure Brian Eddy did not design that shot with a star post in mind, since its so critical to the game to advance. Trying to hit that shot from the left flipper is very dangerous and the reason some people give up on the game imo. Players become too frustrated when they don’t need to be and its not cheating in any way. Sure it was a factory decision to put the star post in after Eddie had already designed the layout. Brain wouldn’t make Mando that frustrating on purpose.
Prior layouts at the time he was designing were all installed with slimmer posts on the slings. Just fix the geometry of the right flipper shot by reducing the blatant right sling lower post obstacle and wow, night and day experience. The shot is just too close to be otherwise and only becomes a pros timing shot of letting it roll down the flipper, then shooting and even then, its quite tough. If those that wrote off Mando tried this, they’d be back in for sure, imo. (I did add a small nylon washer under each of the slimmer posts.)

BTW, I have a purest son that didn’t want me to change them, but I told him, its not changing the layout, it’s only removing an obvious obstacle that shouldn’t have been there to begin with. I asked him, if a part that comes from the factory blocks the flow of the game, do you leave the error/mistake because it came from the factory that way???
He and his brother could only make the shot maybe 40% of the time and his sisters could rarely make it at all and our guests, forget it, lol. Now everyone can, so purest just being a purest because the factory did it that way, hmmmm, makes no sense to me. Most key shot in the game just became doable. Now the game is finally fun instead of frustrating!

Just a reminder how cool this game really is: https://www.ign.com/videos/mandalorian-pinball-machine-gets-pinballs-craziest-mod-ever-a-2000-holographic-topper

Mando is such a great shooting Eddie game with top notch code by Dwight. Exciting every time I play it. Finally saw the last stage all the way through. Only motivates me to get back there again and again, because the layout is so addictive. Shots are balanced with easy medium and harder. But for backhanders, they’re all on the moderate except side shots.

Use mainly stock settings on 3 ball. But have increased ball save times in certain areas. That helps a little. Mainly just trap up and back hand every shot. My drains come mainly from shooting the side targets and going for Hunter. Usually get all episodes every game, plus upper pf, but Dwight made qualifying Razor Crest more difficult by requiring Hunter to be completed and a Razor Crest hurry up in between each regular. Very addictive game. Not sure why some don’t like it. If they played it dialing in the shots, they’d like it. The other major help is changed the 2 lower sling posts to skinny, so backhanding from right flipper to the all important right ramp is made far easier.
IMG_9248 (resized).jpeg

Yea, struggle getting to x5, because shots to 2 stand ups are very dangerous.