I have been surprised that this machine falls in the overall ratings, but then again MB is so high...

My last game of this I was the closest I have been, beat scratchy's revenge, beat AI, completed the hurry ups, did pretzel (not needed, but still rare), complete daredevil, but needed one more super jackpot, and although I did mystery spot and didn't win, had only one more 2x to light for it, and had two locks on the couch for the reg multi ready... I was so close.

If I could have started both and stacked them, I would have had a very good chance to get the last two things. 367M, which is now my GC.

There is no doubt an argument to be made that this is the best machine ever made.

So you got to the SDMEWM?

What are they? I don't think there is anything wrong with objectively noting what you do not like. I would like to know though, as I can't think of much wrong with TSPP that I can think of, other than I would have liked the otto shot to kick out much faster.

Outlanes closed? As in you have what, a rubber completely blocking balls from entering the outlanes?

I love the stacking in the game. It allows for great points, and to rush you through a bit. It all fairness, the modes in TSPP don't have all shots lit, only monorail, but you have to return to the couch to reset. In fact, in trying to think about this, each mode other than mono has only one shot lit at any one time... Wiggum starts with three, and goes to one, but really, you're going to the otto first, but that means for the most part even if you stacked three modes, only three shots for the most part at any given time are lit.

Not to mention that TSPP is also one of the most difficult machines to restart a mode on: right orbit, hit garage, enter garage or treehouse, upper left to behind TV, but you usually want to bat around the unlock a lock first before starting. Although I have started I believe three to four modes at once before, it's not easy, and all the stuff to even get there usually times out the first, and I can't imagine you doing to well on the second with the time left. When I do stack modes, it usually happens with homer's mode, as it's a natural transition back to starting another one, provided you work in the right orbit at some point.

I like stacking for any machines, and maybe that's just a personal preference, but in games where it isn't, I usually feel it should be there. But I take each game as they are presented for the most part. TOM is a "you are doing this now" with no stacking whatsoever, LOTR allows stacking with MB's for modes, but modes can't be stacked. TZ and TAF allow everything to be stacked. I enjoy what is presented.

In all fairness, you never really do as well at each mode if you have too many stacked anyway, it's more for getting through the modes, rather than giving you a better opportunity to do well at each. In TAF, I try to avoid, and don't like when I stack tunnel hunt with séance, as if you light the mode start again by hitting the ramp while doing the tunnel hunt, then you are going to start séance when hitting the chair, and then you are racing to get the last 15m shot of each mode, which are big important point shots for this machine, and the time for each allows for only a small amount of error. Nice touch mind you, as you have to really consider your shots.

As for the female voices, meh. I guess it would be nice, but all of the call outs now are so well done, I wouldn't want to lose any of them. I think this is so small of an issue as well, not under minding your issue of though, because most people that haven't been actually *told* about this, don't even realize that a female voice is not in the game - I didn't. You're like, "oh yeah...." when you first read about this, which means it's not really all that missed.

If I had my say for what changes I would like for TSPP, I really can't think of anything other than speeding up the return of the otto shot, or just making that loop instead of stop. I really think the game is near perfect. The height of Stern was seen when TSPP and LOTR came out, Keefer did us all a huge favor with the rules for each.

I didn't realize the timer restarted if you started another. Either way, if you are stacking modes, you are doing it on purpose, and not accidentally like in other games. It's a lot of work to do, so you are there again because you wanted to be.

I rebuild all flippers on every machine I get, this one got all 5 at that time as well. The upper ones are still under the main PF, making it much easier to work on.

The treehouse shot I find is easier if I bend forward and try to watch is happening directly above. I have never done this with another machine, but this seems to work for sizing up the angle. I also find I can hit it easier when it comes around the left orbit as opposed to popping out of the otto saucer, I'm guessing because the orbit keeps it snug to the right side.

I always found the upper flipper shot stupidly hard on RBION when it would trickle back down, as it may not be against the orbit guide, or the spinner might change its speed. I hated that shot, made those upper PF shots overly difficult.

I had another huge game last night on it, and I think I will actually change my position on the otto shot. Despite it being slow, I always forget about how handy that comes in during MB. Shooting a ball to the otto shot, holds it long enough to do something else, which is important when trying to get all the supers. I got all 5 last night, and each time it's a hold one or more balls on the left, open the garage with the right, at least one left ball shot into the otto, upper left flipper shot to the tv, then which ever trickles out first, concentrate on a couch shot.

I wish it would kick out fast in single ball play, stay the same in MB. As it is it actually comes out faster in MB play.

It seems to be intermitent though, as I do this, and sometimes it spits out faster, other times it seems like it's doing nothing. Not a big issue by any means, like I noted, if there was one thing... But this machine has so much. I don't know, it's hard to decide which Stern is, in my opinion, the best ever. Super close between TSPP and LOTR.

Stop and go comments are dumb though. All games have some level of stop and go. I enjoy flow games like AFM and DM as much as heavy stop and go games such as TAF, TZ and TSPP. I enjoy pinball.

I love the mystery spot just for the reversed flippers, as it's such a cool and unique idea, but I do think AI is the best MB in pinball - genius. FOTR is the most exciting MB in pinball I think. I wish there was more hoopla when you complete stuff.

No kidding, great thread, I love seeing the love for this machine, which although is rated well, seems to be undermined in the mix of all.

I think not enough people really know the potential of this powerhouse.

I went cools. I don't change up whites with other colours unless there is too much of it in a game, like with DM. blues work good in some of the inserts there.

This is half the fun. If you know exactly everything and all the strategy, you’ve just taken away some of the adventure in the game. Take it all in, and learn what there is, figure it out. TSPP is the endless onion for that. Take in a couple points here and there, but don’t spoil the adventure of it for yourself.

Almost all never see the wizard, so don’t get frustrated that you are not getting close. I have been very close a couple times, but still, this is the only machine I have ever owned that I have not been to the final mode on.

One day, for sure - one day.