I think that's a fair comment. I didn't play it enough to have a great understanding of the full rules, but it does seem to be primarily based on destroying the reactors while trying to be in multiball mode for the final critical shots. Having said that, I don't think it's trying to compete with it's modern contemporaries. I think that's a big reason why it will be a huge success.

I thought I overheard that there were other builders interested and that Scott choose Spooky. Either way, it's good for Spooky.

I could be totally wrong, but I thought someone said..."____ was mad that Scott went to Spooky instead." Could have been a joke or something totally out of context. It really doesn't matter anyway...Spooky IS building it!

I'm getting super nit-picky here, but what do you guys think of the center target bank? That's just such a key shot in the game that I almost want it to be something besides three basic targets. Maybe add drop targets in front of basic targets or something. I just know you're going to be shooting those often, so they need to feel super rewarding.

I get that. The challenge does make for an interesting decision...do you use multiball to start the reactor or save it for when the reactor goes critical.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend Scott or anyone here. I just really like thinking about and discussing pinball design. I understand that Scott has way more talent than myself; but it is still enjoyable for me to discuss what shots I enjoy or don't enjoy. In many ways having the discussion helps me to understand the "why" behind my feelings. No doubt a lot of thought went into each aspect of the game and I don't expect any changes to be made based on discussion within this thread. As is it's an amazing game and very deserving of best in show.

As of Saturday at the MGC Scott said the maximum number he had seen beaten was four. I'm unsure if that was specifically at the MGC or including previous showings. He beat 3 or 4 in the game that I played with him.

That's a cool art style for an 80s theme. The neon looks great.

If you had to compare it with another game that's a good choice...and high praise. Starting the reactor does feels a bit like shooting for castle multiball.

Should play faster with the playfield vs whitewood, correct? Can't wait to play this version. Amazing!!!

That's what I was thinking. It was fast before, but with this it seems like it would be a blur, especially in that reactor area. Beating this thing is going to be a battle.

I might have a friend looking for a FT in a few months (located 15 minutes from Spooky).

I think that it is a one way mission, that I'm sure I'd never have the skill to ever witness.

Played TNA again tonight. It truly is an amazing machine. This is my new definition of a "just one more game" machine.

In addition to the physical design things mentioned above, I'll add that the keypad targets are angled to feed balls directly to the exposed pop bumper (left flipper). Speed is also designed into the rules. The aforementioned quick return scoop is the most obvious example, but additionally when a ball is saved it's auto launched instantly. The only break that I've seen comes when you start the reactor. When it happens you'll hear players finally let out a breath..."wheew".

I hope vendors embrace it. I think it would do very well on location.

PS: Honestly asking, what other games offer an extra tilt as a bonus?

In general the rules are fairly simple. There is a good risk/reward with the multiball. I'm not a good player, so I need to use the multiball to start the reactors, but a good player can lock balls and use them as a multiplier when trying to overheat and blow up the reactor. Additionally, jackpot through the drops is a lot of fun. The drops are timed to reset when you are going for jackpots, so you really have to focus on that to succeed. There is also a super spinner, where the sub will make you forget the machine doesn't have a shaker.

I really don't think anyone is going to regret buying a TNA. For a route I think it will be a nice earning machine in a location where it targets social adult players. It's a machine where you'll want multiple players at once, so you can yell at the player in front of you to "lock some balls".

PS: I am a Spooky fan, but this really is my favorite game off of their lineup to date.

How many TNA do you think will be sold in the next 3 years? I was asked recently, and I really wasn't sure. Most say it's amazing, but I really don't know how that will turn into sales. Will they sell 50 or 500?

It probably only really matters to Scott and Spooky. I was asked that question recently and I ventured a guess of 500. I really didn't know. My thinking was it would sell better then RZ.

I find DI to be closer to the machines you already own. They are more story/mode driven. If you want more of that, I'd go with DI. If you want something different, I'd strongly consider TNA. You could probably play a game of TNA while waiting for your turn on WOZ or TSPP.

This is exactly right. The more pinball I play the more I'm finding that it's the simple, yet challenging, games that have the most replay value. Those are the games that I just keep hitting the start button on again and again and again. Don't get me wrong, their is certainly a place for epic games. I'm trying to add one to my collection, but while I originally thought I'd want multiple games like LOTR, TSPP, etc. I now feel my dream collection is 2/3 fast brutal to 1/3 deep.

I like all of the themes you mentioned. Sherlock Holmes is something I haven't really though about and it could be done pretty well. Having said that, in this case it's all about you versus the machine. Having the machine as the reactors makes just as much sense as anything I can think of.

So we know at least 85 have sold in 24 hours, likely more that's just the highest reported number. Not to shabby for a machine that was originally a 1 of 1.

I'll help move things around to fit a TNA: burger, beer, and TNA sounds like a good time.

Wow, :23 seconds seems really low. I'm not a good player and it seemed like my average would have been quite a bit beyond that. It felt like there was a pretty generous ball both initially and during multiball. Then again, I guess sometimes you'd have those quick drains...so I'm sure that averages out.

I think that's one of the best things going for TNA...it's not another rehash. It's new and exciting. If I were in your position, I'd go for TNA then look at selling SM to fund a AFM. Whatever you decide, the fact that TNA vs AFM is a debate is a tribute to how good TNA is.

It depends on which reactor you are playing. At least the first reactor is accessible via either orbit. Later reactors are only accessible by one orbit...I believe this is hard programmed; but perhaps their is also some random aspect.

if it was Friday it would seem like you are in batch four. I want to say they were at 162 after the stream. but it probably depends when you distributor places the order with Spooky. Based on initial sales it's sure looking like this will surpass RZ.

Wow, I totally missed the "sac" reference until this comment. PS: TNA is going to be one of the greatest dollar games ever made.

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Winner needs to take a shot, so things even up throughout the night.

I thought Jetsons was always a run of 100, but perhaps I'm mis-remembering.

It's not bad. To me it feels like a very generic pinball machine. There is no wow factor, but it would probably be a good choice for a family machine.

The left ramp reminds me of BSD, but other then that it doesn't really feel like a BSD. I guess the center targets are similar too, but again I don't really think most would think they play the similarly. Even if they were priced the same I'd still choose BSD over Jetsons. I think Jetsons will go to many first time owners and hardcore Jetson fans.

I think this is totally personal. I think the sound in this case almost makes up for it not having a shaker motor. I think you will feel the game either way; so I'd probably hold off on the factory install and put that money towards saving up for an Alice Cooper . If you decide you really want it, you can always add it in later.

I may have misspoke here. I guess I was more just referencing that it's loud, so it's more of the "feel the sound" like at a concert. Either way, it's not a huge investment. I still think it's going to be a personal preference.

The drop target jackpot also does give you a shot with some time pressure.

Perfect for my Hardbody!

I'm assuming at the end you mean that "TNA is a whole different type of pin which is why I picked it instead of AFM". I think that your reasoning is very solid. I could be wrong, but I think TNA will mostly be sold to people who already have a collection of machines.

Cheater!

Looks like it's going to be their best selling game to date.

That would be what 550-650ish? I put my bet on 500 pre-production. I'm now thinking 350-400, but hopefully as more people play it there will be another push.

A perfect explanation. It's not randomness itself that is not liked, it's when things feel unfair to the player. There are dangerous shots on most games. For example, sending the ball into the pops in TZ. It's random, but I don't think it's unfair.

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80s reference...check
Spooky reference...check

PS: I really am just posting to be able to use that image.

Meatloaf

Madison pinball party...I'd honestly consider it if we weren't driving to the Dells tonight. I need more games on TNA.

That would be really sweet if they could get just those yellows, oranges, pinks and purples from the lower playfield. Although, the more I think about it, the chrome looks really good. Having more color would distract from the cutouts.

Chris, I forgot you were in Reedsburg. We go right through. How old our your kids? I have 6 year old twins, plus a 17 year old exchange student. Not sure this will be the best time but perhaps some other time. Our intent is to spam the Mt. Olympus desk for ski / tubing passes for Christmas Mt. Though we often buy the $8 passes for Chula Vista and drive up for a day. We typically head there 5-6 times a year.

PS: I am 15 minutes from Spooky too, so I really don't have much of an excuse.

I don't know if mine was ever recorded on the white board, but my guess was 500. Congratulations to Scott, Spooky, and all the happy customers.

Thank you for the Get Smart reference. I need to watch that show again.

Always a good weekend when you get to play some TNA. Thankfully, I'm living close to the only one routed for $.25.

I'm not sure may who built the games would do that, but it's awesome to have an operator that's willing to put their personal game on location while also donating the coin drop to the local fire department. We played quite a bit of TNA and some RZ on Friday. Got on the high score board for TNA and the worst score for RZ. It's so tempting to just try to finish off reactors, but you really need to max them out. I think my highest score came with only two reactors.

I had a dream about TNA last night. Unfortunately, it was about beating reactor 9 and not the other kind of TNA.

Perhaps, but they are a small (but growing) company. They seem to be stable, which in the world of startup pinball companies is probably what's most important.

I probably average two reactors. A good game for me is three, a great game is four. Yesterday, I was playing a quick game at lunch and drained with the third reactor critical with two balls locked. That was exciting for me. This might be a dumb question, but what is your go to shot from the left flipper? If the grid is completed, I will backhand the scoop to start the reactor. Otherwise I typically go for the lock, but I have much less confidence then shooting it with the right flipper.

I'll have to practice more. I've only tried a few times, but I can't post pass regularly on my TNA. When I try my usual technique for B/W games the ball ends up going way to high.

I agree with all of these. From the right flipper, I have decent confidence with locking balls, hitting grid targets, or hitting the spinner. I've also finally have a decent feel for the plunge. On this game it's super important to have a plunge that will get you into the reactor area consistently. Hitting that super skill shot is also a huge benefit; 120,000 points and starting the first reactor on the plunge. I typically go for the "O". From the left flipper, I'm still struggling to find my go to shot. I agree that right orbit is tight.

Sure, but in the same post you also said the following...

I think there are six shots on the lower playfield that you absolutely have to have down to be successful at TNA. Left to right they are: spinner, scoop, grid 1, grid 2, grid 3, and lock. I guess that's just one over a handful, so touche. There are another seven shots on the lower playfield that are required to progress in the game, but they are more dangerous. I'm not sure it's possible for anyone but the best players to really have them down. That's where I think mastering multiball and/or the save system becomes important. There is a reason for that extra save timer display. It's nice to be able to tell when you can shoot for those more dangerous shots with less risk. Plus, then you also have the upper playfield. At this point it feels like trying to control chaos, but perhaps there is a strategy I just haven't found. Bottom line, I'd still put it squarely in the "easy to learn, but difficult to master" category. I might go so far to say, if TNA isn't in that category for someone, then there probably aren't any games in that category. For that player...pinball is easy.

I totally get that TNA isn't going to be for everyone, but 250-300 seem to have sold without crickets. TNA would be in my dream lineup of six machines. I guess it just plays different (in a good way).

There is strategy with knowing when to start multiball. As I become better at the game I'm actually using multiball less. I only want to start it when there is a decent chance I will still have three balls in play when it's time to destroy the reactors.

PS: It takes a decent amount of skill to reenergize the locks after multiball. The drops can be dangerous, when the balls aren't locking. Especially the last one. I only shoot them when I have a ball save.

That's exactly the case for me. It's counter intuitive, but simple, brutal, quick games are the ones I find myself playing over and over.

Ain't that the truth. My friends and I joke about just starting over when the "D" is randomly selected.

The great thing about TNA is that it's the only game like it on the market. Maybe that will change with copy cats or Scott's next game, but right now it's the best 80s era game (made with today's technology).

Can't wait to welcome you all to the future. The game is a rush.

This probably wouldn't work, but I think it would be cool if a game like TNA could function as an jukebox in attract mode. Allow the owner to hook up a mini usb loaded with .mp3s, then have the machine play random songs or allow the player to pick songs via the flippers.

Would the hardware on TNA not support it or would it be a matter of coding?

Mmm...love the blacked out look. I agree, the colors really pop.

Worse then Pin Stadium lighting?

So called "deep" games are the ones that I get bored with the quickest. I don't quite know why.

I'll admit it I also tent to restart games when I'm playing alone and have a terrible first ball. With TNA, I short plunge before restarting to avoid the time of it falling through the reactor, spitting out the scoop, and finally settling. It sound dumb, but yeah it would be quicker to restart if the orbit opened. Perhaps that's not the goal though.

Cool! Dumb question...Out of curiosity, is there a certain amount of time programmed between the end of the ball save display and the end of the actual ball save? Feels like there is about a second or two on most games, but I figured you would know for sure on TNA.

Has anyone setup their TNA like an EM? I don't know if it would be worth doing, but part of me wants to lower the slope and turn the power way down on the flippers, slings, pop bumper, and scoop eject. This for sure wouldn't be a permanent alternation, but wondering if it would be worth doing to try it out.

Side drains kill me on most EMs. Those damn sling being up higher seems to just push the ball right into the outlanes. I was actually more worried about slow rollers right down the middle. Actually, my main concern is switches not registering with the week flippers. The foam behind the targets in mine still seems to be breaking in.

I only installed the round target decals. I did not install the decals for destroy targets, drop targets, or scoops.

1) Download
2) Transfer file to USB Drive
3) Remove backglass
4) Insert USB Drive (machine should be off)
5) Turn on machine
6) Wait
7) When prompted power cycle the machine
8) Enjoy

PS: So easy a child could do it.

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It has to be damn close to the "final (?)" number of 550.