I really hadn't seriously considered TNA for my second NIB. But I thought it would come in at a higher price point. At under $6k this is a killer deal.

Uh, is this a joke?

Really dude? If you don't like it that's okay but your comment is a little over the top. It's supposed to look like a 1980s game complete with a 1980s techno soundtrack. As such, it's a freaking cool concept and well executed.

Yeah, but you're being a jerk. Remember the guy that designed the game and the guy that did the artwork read these forums. In fact, the guy that did the artwork did the cabinet art for Magic Girl which is arguably one of the most beautiful games ever produced. So you comment about why don't you hire a professional is insulting. It's comments like yours that makes Pinside suck to read. Show some class.

I get it. I have KISS and I replaced several of the songs because they're just terrible. But they do contribute to the overall theme and, much to my chagrin, I can't help but walk around singing Lick It Up after playing a game. Besides, I bet those driving synth BASS and electronic drums will burrow into your brain and you'll be feeling the urge to dance, dance, dance to that techno beat in no time.

He has every right to say his opinion. I also have the right to call him out of he's being a complete d!#k.

Some people didn't care for the the way in which the artist was attacked knowing that he likely worked his ass off on it and likely reads Pinside. That was unnecessary.

I happen to agree with some of your criticisms. Overall, I like the art package. However, I think there could be more detail on the playfield. I would like to see more of the thematic elements from the backglass brought down onto the playfield and side cabinet art. I also like the idea of the main character in the place of the pyramid in the lower playfield ala the Xenon. This machine is not in production yet so perhaps we could see an updated art package with constructive comments instead of insults (not meaning you).

Thanks for the information on your approach to the artwork on the playfield. That really helps explain why it looks the way it does. Great job.

In case you're interested, here is more of Matt's work...

http://mandraws.com/

I couldn't agree more! I like licensed themes and understand the many benefits of starting with such a theme. But I also feel it is "creatively lazy." We don't see new and interesting worlds but rely on ones that already exist. That's one of the reasons I like DI and TNA so much.

I believe I did see an interview recently where Scott did say he liked constructive feedback. I understand its his vision and I can completely respect that. At the same time, the capitalist in me says "listen to your customers." There is no doubt that pinball people love detailed hand drawn art. I'm guessing that Spooky and Scott are hoping to make some money from this venture so it would be in their best interest to at least weigh the feedback.

Personally, I love the art package. This is not the game I was looking to buy this year. It looks so damn enticing that it does have me really looking hard at TNA instead of DI or Houdini. I do wish there was a little more tie into the backglass even if it just had the cool 80s heroine on the playfield. Hopefully that is constructive!

Does Spooky do factory tours? I was just watching the Spooky documentary and thought I'd see where Benton was on the map. Turns out I've been very close to Benton on several occasions and I only live about an hour away. I'd love to come see TNA in person.

Although I've been really, really interested in getting this game the short ball times worry me. I don't like brutally difficult games. Are there adjustments on the game to make it less difficult?

It sounds like this game also shines as a multiplayer game but I play by myself 98% of the time. Will this be enjoyable as a single player game?

Since I've been looking into TNA I've been hearing this term "dollar game." And what's the purpose of a sac rack?

Mike at Homepin is doing a lot of things right but I was shocked to hear him say that. There is no sane reason why you wouldn't want to be able to update in the home via USB. The cost associated with doing board swaps (the painful process was described by Mike) makes no sense.

I'm strongly considering TNA and I only have one machine. I'm only going to ever have 2-3 games so I'm very cautiously considering but there's a lot to like about it. The thing I'm worried about is will I get bored without modes to explore and conquer over time.

I made a road trip to Benton today to see TNA. Charlie was great to meet and TNA was a blast! Still on the fence with so many new pins coming out but I would clearly be thrilled with a TNA in my tiny collection of two machines. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a TNA. Damn, it's fun to play and absolutely beautiful. Really a great value.

Tim

Yeah, 95% of the time, I'm going to be playing it by myself. And I only have 1 game now, a KISS Pro, so it doesn't seem like the right choice for a 2nd game. does it? And I was looking for a game with super deep rules like DI. I also hate brutal games. So what the hell am I thinking looking at TNA?

I've only got maybe 5 games of TNA under my belt but I think it's got legs. It is crazy fun to play. It is depth is in how difficult it is to destroy the reactors. Increasingly difficult. The game fights you. It engages you very quickly. The rules are super easy to explain but there is strategy. And it looks freaking amazing in person.

Charlie turned the lights off when I played it and it was semi-dark. The light show was amazing in the dark. I didn't find it too bright. There is one moment when the machine goes crazy and it was like the 20 photographers snapping your picture. However, it just adds to that 'machine fighting back' feeling.

It's very deceptive. The 'toy' in the game is the entire upper third of the playfield. Compare to a SW Pro for example, instead of ramps and a little loop that returns the ball to the flipper, you have a crazy nuclear reactor with a mini flipper, 4 coils, an LED display that feeds the ball into a scoop that fires the ball back at you faster than a ramp could deliver the ball to the flipper. That's one hellluva a toy!

And the reactor area has a clear purpose in the game. It is super exciting to get the ball up into that reactor when it is overheating. Great emotional build up with the lights, sound fx and callouts.

I was worried about the lack of modes (still am to some degree) but instead of modes, you are battling a reactor and it gets increasingly difficult. So each run you make at a reactor is kind of like beating a mode. No one it seems has gotten close to beating all nine reactors.

I feel like Chevy Chase on the edge of the pool and Christie Brinkley tempting me "Well, are you gonna go for it?"

When I got the factory tour last week they were just ramping up for the first batch. Still some Jetsons on the floor to be shipped out. It appeared that everything is just about set to begin. Charlie said it would be slow going at first, then accelerate as they get more familiar with production process of the new machines.

I'm guessing that Ed's game was kinda like a dress rehearsal for TNA production and didn't mark the start of the full run.

Just so I'm clear about what you're selling here. We would use the side rails that come with TNA and this is back lighting for under the side rails, correct? What is the anticipated cost? $79? Do you have a video of Aerosmith? Hard to tell from the pictures on your site.

Just a little marketing advice... you might want to be more specific and explain where to find more info.

I can understand the comments about this is a good game for a larger collection but I am seriously considering hopping in and I only have one other machine that is not deep. I was looking for "super deep" as the next game but TNA is seriously fun and looks freaking amazing. I can see myself playing for hours trying to get to the next reactor level. I only have played 5 games but it sucked me right in.

I'm so, so, so freaking close to pulling the trigger.

LOL... you guys are evil.

It's magic! Charlie gave me a peek into the inner sanctum where a small devil tortures the playfield. Opps, I wasn't supposed to divulge the mechanical wonders in the inner sanctum!