At least if it adds some sort of cool new feature it justifies the insane markup for some printed plastics and LED strips.

If it’s a backbox feature like Eight Ball Deluxe or something, then easy to skip on. If it’s some sort of special multiball like Encore on Elvis, then that’s harder to pass up. Could be a progress jackpot feature which would be another homage to DEJP

I could see the outrage if they did this for a game like the Munsters, but Jurassic Park is full of content already. This thread is a dumpster fire of FUD

And I’ll double down on what I already said. It’s just a bunch of cheap plastic and leds. If the software does something unique with it, then it at least does something to justify the cost.

Would you prefer it without the software and they only charge like $300?

We all know Stern will keep selling these low cost items with a high markup. The whole hobby is ridiculously expensive so it’s wild to see so many pinball junkies get riled up about something they don’t need.

These will sell whether people like it or not. Too many rich people that don’t care and will buy buy buy.

Lastly I’m curious if the topper is rare if it adds any value to the game. Tron LE is special. You can make a Tron Pro look just like the LE, but it’ll never have the extra software for a meaningless multiball. That’s why Tron LE is the rare LE that actually went up in value.

If the bonus software is a neat multiball or something, collectors gotta have it

Are you not satisfied with the amount of content in Jurassic Park?

It’s a pretty robust rule set and even has the option to skip straight to its super wizard mode as a fun mini game.

Seems like they gave you a ton of software for the product you paid for already.

Idk. Why are you changing the topic?

We’re both advocating for the consumer but in different ways

Stern keeps raising prices. I’m arguing for value to be part of it. If they’re going to charge a ridiculous amount of money for a topper, then it better do something special.

You are afraid that they will see this as a reason to cut back on part of the core software as part of the purchase.

I’ve done the DLC in video game debate to death for the past decade. Until it feels like they purposefully cut content to resell it to you later and/or there is a dearth of content, I’m fine with DLC.

Considering Stern can never get a topper out when the game comes out, I’m skeptical they’re taking anything from the core design out to sell back later. The topper work seems to begin after the game has shipped. (At least for now)

Cool. What a great forum full of delightful people who want to engage in conversation

I blame people new to the hobby that joined right as Stern's price raising started to get out of control. It was trivial to flip a game because everything was skyrocketing as supply couldn't keep up with demand. Sell a used game for what you paid for it because the new games have gone up a couple hundred in the past year or two.

Now the supply and demand seems more even. But there will always be people who ask for a lot. (You can always lower your asking price, but raising it is difficult)

Not really the same thing (looks good though)

Without the topper's node board it's not going to do the synchronized light show and enable the additional software features. Someone has to make a knock off one of those and figure out if there is any software protection.