I had no idea they had already done this.

As someone who operates games casually that are used for tournaments, it sucks imo. I already feel like I should have the led kit on stranger things and if this topper unlocks other modes or something It would be worse. I hope it’s something as simple as a carry over feature that some have mentioned already.

Feels like ops might get pressured into this sorta stuff because having the game itself isn’t good enough anymore. But does it have the topper with the cool modes? The black light kit? I would rather cosmetic stuff like stranger things UV over unlockable code.

No way will I buy this for my JP and I’m scared what’s coming next for tmnt and onward.

What if JJP announcement was DLC snd Stern is scooping them

I'm not saying it'll be same mode...but bet it'll be something similar. You collect the MUSTANG letters (carried over from game to game) and got a special Mustang multi-ball. It was like russian roulette for multiple players...playing...and that was fun. I certainly wouldn't have paid extra for the feature.

You collected the letters at the back of the play field....

Stern20PinballMustang20Pro131-510x491-510x400 (resized).jpg

F#ck the cup then just pour it in my hand for a dime

0 (resized).jpg

If the DLC is free, great - thanks Stern.

But the fact that these games cost thousands of dollars, and now you have to spend an insane amount on a cheap topper just to get some extra code that should be in the game to start with is super frustrating.

I don't know how I feel about this. On the one hand JP is an awesome game and I was just talking to my wife about getting in on a Prem. On the other hand, I certainly don't want them to think that me buying a game from them is in any way supporting a DLC model. I mean, if a small company like Spooky will give out free toppers, what does that say about a giant like Stern?

$220 tops

It means stern is laughing all the way to the bank, because people don’t learn. They bitch and moan then bend over and take it anyways.

yeah, that's why i'm hesitant. What's there in JP is already great, hence us wanting in on a Prem. But Stern has shown repeatedly what they're willing to do to make a few extra bucks. I get wanting to profit, but nickle and diming? Do they really not care what their customer base thinks? I guess ultimately dollars speak the loudest.

All the talk in this thread about bending over and taking it is pretty hot. Keep it coming fellas!

I’m trying to contact Tilt Toppers. I’m sure they’re getting bombarded with orders now...

This is the same as the car dealership selling us rust proofing!

So a topper may be worth $600+ but not this one. Maybe if it had a LE plaque. It would be worth it if included in the hugely marked up LE but not without. On top of that, it sold out before anyone could really complain about it or even buy one. The things we have to put up with around here.

Typical Stern crap. After what people shelled out for the SW topper this isnt really that much of a surprise. Until people stop buying their overpriced crap Stern will continue to push the envelope.

I saved $450 for this topper. I thought surely it won’t be more than that. I saw that black knight was $450. Black knight topper is so Worth the price if you could find one.

I wonder if they make this topper in the pro model....

I don't get that...there wasn't even an official announcement for it....I would love to have the BK Topper. Are they going to make more? Every BK owner I've talked to, wants one.....

I've only bought 2 NIB, and both were from Spooky, so yeah, I'm usually a secondary market Stern buyer.

Probably, fml. I hope they make another run...and not start a sh$t show like this one.....

I bought my Jurassic Park topper by Tilt Topper months ago. I enjoy what its designed for. All letters light up . Only $225.00. Thanks Dan!!

dang right we can't blame Stern, we keep buying this crap. It is our faults.

I got one also and it looks way better than Sterns

Stern might consider this negative feedback 'growing pains' with any new 'business model' but I really hope customers don't buy and show it's viable.
That said, I'll bet most Stranger Things customers felt 'forced' and bought the light-kit. And too many people are able to justify $9k for a Stern LE. That's amazing.

Yeah, there's nothing new about the concept of the mode. BK2K had RANSOM. Rollergames had WILLIAMS. Surfin' Safari had DOUBLE. The list goes on and on. Progressive modes have been around for ages, just like progressive jackpots.

The 'innovative' feature here is selling it as a $600 add-on.

Not following your logic here, can you explain? How did you decide what "code should be in the game to start"? The topper is an optional piece, apparently with a separate set of letters that light up individually that are not elsewhere on the game. So including this particular code on the game to start would make no sense.

It's an available extra.

LEAKED IMAGES OF NEW TURTLES TOPPER!!!!!!

It'll cost $1599 but it includes an actual slice of Leonardo's pizza!

turtles-pizza (resized).jpg

Seriously though, jump on these and make your own:
https://www.wish.com/product/5c9362005c27086f4d249f3c?share=web

It would make a lot of sense. These are $6-9K games. Modes shouldn't have to be purchased after you... JUST SPENT $6,000 to $9000 ON A GAME!

$6-9 THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! (resized).jpg

It's a free market economy. They make it and people obviously buy it. Can't blame them for finding ways to make a dollar.

-- HOWEVER --

The all mighty money grab makes the company look greedy, and the recent after-market add-ons feels a little under-handed. The playfields -- arguably the most important mechanical part of the pin -- still get battered and dented. The company doesn't seem to care about its customers or even its product.

I was a huge fan not too long ago. They kept pinball alive in its darkest days. It's like growing up to adulthood and finding out your dad never really loved you back.

The more I think about this, the more I wonder who it's intended for.

In a home environment, a progressive mode/jackpot is generally less interesting than a non-progressive one. Skill can accelerate it, but skill isn't required; you'll activate the mode every few games by pure chance. It can actually become an annoyance, because it means that you're in a major scoring disadvantage during the games when the mode is out of reach.

In an on-location environment, a twelve-letter mode seems like too many letters. You want that progressive mode to feel within reach, to draw players in. If I understand what the mode is and does, and if I just see JUR lit up when I walk into the location, I'm going to feel less interested in playing. (And for the players who don't understand what the mode is and does, it's pointless.)

This now makes even less sense. Sold out in less than 12hrs for a mode that nobody knows what it actually is. If it’s actually an in game mode that’s pretty shitty nobody else can get this mode enabled.

I’m guessing it’s just a topper light show, not anything in the game, and they only produced 10-20.

I don't see why everyone's panties are in a twist for this topper. At any time, any software can have additional features added. There's really never a true "done" state, so saying that the current code is incomplete because the topper adds a mode is not valid. Honestly, how many people like extra junk on top of their games? Most wouldn't want a topper, priced at $200 or $700 so why is this any different. It's good that there's a choice and that paying the crazy $600 gives you something special.

when we get the code I'm sure a chimpanzee and two trainees will be able to unlock the new mode...

Neil.

Don’t care about the topper. MIGHT care if it’s a mode that I’ll never be able to play because not only is it $600 but also sold out in less than 12hrs. Depends what this mode is though.

Edit: If this progression and mode is available free without the topper and the topper is only an extra display I’d be fine with that. That’s the only thing that makes sense to me is having the topper be a fancy tracker.

To each their own... but I overcame this topper dilemma a couple years ago by pulling them off of all my games that had one, selling them, and then never buying one again. With the money I saved I bought more sensible stuff like beer and guitar pedals.

In the Apple app store they disclose what additional charge items are part of any app you get. This really shouldn't be much different.

Having secret features or code they plan to charge you for and not disclosing it when the game is released and sold just comes across as being shady.

Doesn't matter if Stern is within their right to do it, this is about how they're handling a customer. I think it all comes down to Stern needing to be upfront with the customer and disclosing what additional purchase items will be available later when those items are known at the time Stern introduces and sells the machine.

Trust is a big deal in the buyer-seller relationship. Not disclosing things about a product your customer is buying can break that trust quickly.

Spooky Pinball 2020

Spooky 4 LYFE!!!

Only company I’d buy a pin from at the moment.

I do agree to a point, these are not 60 video games and they cost a pretty penny to buy but the R&D and overhead can only be spread around to a few thousand units sold.

I believe that the price is not reflective of how much it costs to build but more likely what Stern can sell them for. I have a few new Sterns and can feel the quality is not the same as it was (example Metallica pro was a $4600 pin) now the pro pins are a grand higher and arguably can be said to be made cheaper. But also the new games have a lot of value added content like the larger color display and often more code (or at least more assets, I mean SW will use a lot more film assets than Tron or ST as examples). So looking at say a ST pro vs SW pro you can maybe feel more in the ST in terms of build but the SW has a lot more film assets and has a much larger color display for free (* we gladly play $400 to color DMD to upgrade from the red dot display).

Anyhow the Stern pro is still the cheapest real pinball you can buy. I often grab a premium because Stern can often add just enough that will make me pay a bit extra. But I rarely (never) buy a Stern LE anymore because the price jump from the premium is not worth near as much as what Stern charges.

I view a topper as not essential but as a luxury (like paying more for an LE instead of a premium). I mean if Stern charges more than I feel it's worth then I won't buy it. I am sure Stern is selling enough to make a profit on the toppers, maybe could sell more at a lower price point but Stern knows how to make money and I have nothing against them anymore than I have against Apple for selling a phone for $1K or Honda for selling a car for $40K it's supply and demand.

Now I don't know what means if Stern starts selling game features/modes with toppers. To me that would not be ideal but leastways Stern still sells the cheapest real pinball machines around.

I can understand the outrage, but let’s be honest here. We have supported the whol pro/premium/le and the standard/le/ce from the get go. I don’t see how this is really any different. You pay money to get extra features.

Repeating it in caps doesn't help explain WHY you think that Yoko2una
Do we agree not all games have toppers on them?
Do we agree owners of games without toppers should not have to pay for any feature that requires a topper?

If yes to both of the above then I think you're left with every owner should get every feature and accessory for free?
Does that apply only to factory accessories? Why or why not?

I rather buy a color dmd for one of my games and save 200

With on line play just like golden tee

Is this the idea where you don't really buy a discrete product anymore? You've bought into an income stream?

No, we didn't. The manufacturers decided that is how they were going to sell games and we had to accept it. There aren't enough manufacturers for everyone to just to buy from someone else who isn't doing it (American, Spooky).

An yes, I know: Spooky's BSE, but that's purely cosmetic... no playfield or gameplay changes. Stern pro/premium have different playfields, JJP doing the Wonkavator thing, and now we have this "value-added" aftermarket add-on crap from Stern.