Cool!

lol. Clearly you don't know the history of the guy if you'd say this.

I'd need at least one more angle to be sure, but I think so...

Actually, they're usually caused by the angle of what the ball is hitting. If balls are launching up from the drops, for example, the drops are angled upward, toward the player. You'll need to loosen the bracket and shim it so that the drops are angled slightly toward the playfield. This is the same with standups, which is where this knowledge is coming from. Standups that are bend back love to launch the balls all over the place.

This reminds me of the stock market. People freak out over the smallest issues. Then the same thing always (and I mean ALWAYS) happens: money is transfered from the impatient to the patient.

Losing money in the stock market early on is a life lesson worth double whatever you lose. You either learn to relax or you go broke.

The devil.

Value is important to many who buy expensive items. Nothin won't with that.

You could start an Ultraman code issues and wishlist thread. There was one for IMDN, and Stern responded well to it.

You need to adjust the drops so they are slightly angled downward.

I'd just put a small piece of Lexan there. Easy peasy.

Violence has arrived!

Wow, this is the first club thread that has been so much fun!

THANK YOU SPOOKY

jackson.gif

Here's some perspective. What if IE pinball did a review for Medieval Madness?

He'd probably say the following:

1. The mechs are really cool. This game is pretty fun.
2. Will it last? No. It's mostly just shoot the castle. Not enough multiballs. The trolls are kind of a flow kill. Code is too shallow.
3. I'm selling it.

Everything is relative. Godzilla is killing it right now and rightly so, but UM/HWN are like a W/B machine on steriods. This is a GOOD thing for most non-pro tournament players.

These games are simply not trap and shoot sterns. They just aren't.

It's been a slow boil release, and the games are packed with really cool features. If these came out 2 years ago, preorders would be selling for over cost.

You're not going to lose your shirt, so stop losing your shit.

I had no idea you could play pinball on pinside. How is this done? Have I been pinsiding incorrectly all these years?

Are you putting a ridiculous amount of machines on location in Kiwiland? The wife and I have always wanted to visit...

So.... You sold your game before the code was done and don't know how to tweak a new machine. We've heard your sad tale a few times now. You've likely instilled all the tragic fear possible into the tender hearts of the preorder crowd. Great story, partner. Sadly, I think it's time you hit that lonesome trail.

The funniest thing about the whole thing is he bought a medium hold investment thinking it was a daytrade. LOL. What a fucking NEWB.

Just unboxed my UM. Super fun few games. I'm assuming the angle of the drops is not normal?

20220314_174600 (resized).jpg

Maybe your next flip will go better... Or maybe we'll hear about your loss for months again. I hope so. I have a little celebration after each post!

Well, I've had my Ultraman CE for a week now, so I'll give my two cents on what I think.

------------------------
THE GOOD
------------------------
- The layout is really good. I enjoy the upper PFs, and I'm normally not a huge fan. These are designed great!
- The shots are balanced with easy, hard and really hard. It's on the easy side overall, but it's decently balanced.
- The modes are all fun. Every single one.
- The drops provide some nice danger.
- The right side drop is a great skill shot and difficult ball save during play. The mb feature is more of a happy punishment.
- The currency collection is AWESOME. The standups can be lethal, but that extra ball is tempting.
- The art is great, and the clips are awesome. The campiness is so fun. The wife loves it too.
- The music is what initially drew me to this pin. I love surf etc., so it's right up my alley.
- The Lighting is really good. I dig the LED strips.

------------------------
THE AVERAGE
------------------------
- The ramps are easy. The right rejects with backhands (I don't actually mind this) and the left is clunky as hell and a gimmie.
- The modes are not balanced. For example, Pestar is medium/easy, not difficult. Some of the easy ones require orbit hits...
- The right side drop does nothing after you've utilized it once... That takes away an awesome feature.
- Spacium cannot be collected during multiballs. This would allow for good strategy.
- The Spacium store could have more variety. Maybe you could buy locks? Timed PF multiplier?

------------------------
THE NOT SO GOOD
------------------------
- The status of the code is pretty shallow when compared to the industry standard. I'm patient though.
- The status of the settings is very limited.
- The upper playfield seems to have a ball snag on the rubber in front of the flipper in all games. Should be fixed.
- Timers need to pause when the ball is in the system. There is too much stop'n go to just let timers run. It's painful to watch.
- I'm not a big fan of the middle PF being unlit at times. Letting a ball just drain out is so "unpinball" to me.
- The tilt code seems a bit broken. If the bob is set sensitive, you get all three warnings and tilt every time.
- You cannot collect spacium after Dada.
- Pigmon is listed in modes, but it's not really a mode. or is it? There is no Spacium afterward and no choice when to start it.
- Bemular lasts forever. It should be timed.
- Both Bemular and YourAss should be timed and have progress memory as default.
- I can't tell if Kaiju multiball has any purpose except keep getting left scoops jackpots?
- The sounds are so imbalanced that you can't utilize the system. Eg. the voice is deep in bass, while the main tune is all treble.
- If you start a game with "Switches Calibrating" on the screen, it sometimes stays there until reboot.

------------------------
THE BAD
------------------------
- QC on my machine was out the window, hands down the worst I've seen in all my years of collecting.
----- My center drops were so crooked that they barely functioned. See previous pic.
----- My trough was missing screws, had crooked screws and was dangling when I first inspected it.
----- My scoop rejected 100% of shots. I shot the scoop for about 50 shots. None went in, no matter how I shot it.
----- My playfield was missing two important rubbers that I luckily had spares to install.
----- Under the ledge of my backbox is all scuffed.
----- The inner cab has drill wear through the paint all over. It's also missing one of the cab support screws.
----- Minor, but my shooter capsule is missing paint all over the place.
- There still are pretty bad bugs that can completely stop gameplay.
- You cannot adjust the outlanes. They are too friendly for my liking. I'll prob put shrinktubing on the outposts or something.

------------------------

Now, I understand that games need adjustement. Trust me, I do. This game, however, was well beyond what I'd expect. I was going to have friends over to play it on day 1, but I instead spent the evening fixing the damned thing. I'm patient and want to support small companies, but I honestly don't want to pay 12kCAD for a night of work. Luckily I have the paitence, tools and skill to fix it.

All that being said, the game shoots well and will be great when it's done, I'm sure. My top score is 120mil so far, and it's been really fun playing it.

Here are some things I did to my game in case others have issues:

I used a C-clamp to squeeze the underside of the scoop rotector in order to flatten it. This is why I was getting 100% rejects. It is now at 85%. I think I'll grind down the front edge of the protector when I get the time, and I'll bend the rear delflector so it is round like almost every other scoop in pinball.

Here it is before:

20220314_213131 (resized).jpg

Here is the c-clamp application:

20220315_191927 (resized).jpg

Here it is after, with an extra piece of mylar.

20220315_202838 (resized).jpg

Here are the original screw holes for my drops. Notice the factory hole on the right that was missed by a full cm.

20220315_160509 (resized).jpg

Here is my wood filler fix:

20220315_193332 (resized).jpg

Here is how I dealt with the upper PF ball hang. I raised the rubber by rolling it upward, above the divot. Then I sliced it almost flat. If the ball is at a stop, it will still hang, but I can now nudge it free.

20220316_213440 (resized).jpg

Here are some areas that I installed mylar, based on other comments here (thanks guys):

20220315_185110 (resized).jpg
20220315_190516 (resized).jpg
20220315_190540 (resized).jpg

There really isn't much point in contacting them. I'd have to send the entire game back for the drop target fix. I just decided to do it myself to actually save time and headaches. The rest wasn't as time consuming. Just a little shocking and annoying. Hopefully they up their QC as it was pretty bad on mine.

Tilt is not coded well in the game. Sometimes if I get a warning, I'll get a second one 20 seconds later. Then I know it will tilt in another 20 seconds. Sometimes I can still collect points after tilt, sometimes not. Sometimes I'll get another warning next ball too.

Sucks because the game requires quite a bit of nudging.

Here is a link for those like me have not heard of the earplug mod. Thanks Chuck!

Untitled-1 (resized).jpg

Which game do you want schematics for? I'm assuming it will be Spike....

Ah. Thanks for the clarification.

The ball lock to the right is worth way more than any points you'll get from the red shots. It's like an extra ball if you avoid releasing it.

That's a hardware issue. Probably flaky opto. Check connectors and wiggle each side in switch test.

Really only one super vocal flipper. It's fine if some buyers don't like the game.

100% needs a gate

It really does depend on the code. Right now, it's still an incomplete game. I've played through all it has to offer, and I'm pretty bummed. I haven't even bothered installing the last update because I don't care about a wizard mode when the base code is tragically incomplete. I haven't turned the machine on in over a month. Once production catches up in the industry and the recession sets in, prices for these pins are not going to be pretty. Maybe they will fetch cost in ten years . . . maybe. At least it will likely (hopefully) be fun to play when the code is done in 2025.

If I want to move on with Godzilla, I make money. If I want to move on with UM, I lose money. Market value is a loss. Same with stocks. You may gain value back, but your logic is that such a thing will happen. It doesn't always happen. He wanted to move on. He lost money.

Very few instructional callouts. Menu system is beyond a home brew. Side drop barely coded. Timers running during stop and go. Mode difficulty not gauged correctly. Upper pf integration lacks cohesion. Sound balance is out the window. Still occasional game stopping bugs.

Putting out a wizard mode before fixing base code is pretty lame, and letting ppl skip to it like we're code testers instead of product owners is pretty lame as well. The game has very little Polish to it. I would rate the current code as 1.0 code for other companies' releases.

All that said, the game has potential. The layout is okay, but as I said, it will all depend on the code. To me, they aren't fixing the foundation, which may lead to an unpolished game... Who knows. My guess is 2024 or 2025, if they can keep going that long.

I don't see the value of this thing ever fully recovering. That is why ppl are walking away from deposits. I'm all for cheering on spooky, but reality is a bitch sometimes. This game is "a fun shooter" at very best, and only if the code is polished.

With sincere objectivity, this game feels like it's being created by an inexperienced crew, starting with the 20-something year old voice callouts. They do not inspire confidence.

Deciding if I'm going to sell my UM or keep it. Played it for a while until I had an epic game. Almost cleaned out the modes, bought an extra ball and was loving it. Then... It gave me multiball for an unlit scoop on the left with unlimited ball save. This completely ruined the game

Johnny rozin up your bow....

Yeah, my rejects were 100% before I fixed it. When I looked at the sticker stating "so-in-so" inspected the machine, I was thinking riiiiiight.... There clearly was zero inspection.

To me, that means five shots (with pretty big scores attached) end in an extra ball of sorts. Well worth it. The sad part is that after you use it, it is an absolutely fucking useless feature for the rest of the ball. To code it to reset to five shots would literally take 5 minutes....

The code could make this a great game, but my faith has withered. The implementation of spacium is confusing to new players and time consuming to the experienced. The basic rules still lack clarity and polish. That's not even mentioning the lack of callouts, instructions, and bugs. No manual, almost no adjustment menu, 3d printed parts, and hot glue... Even if it's an entire year, I don't see this thing ever being completed to industry standard.

I hope I'm wrong. I'm locked in for the ride because of the financial hit, so we'll see...

I have maybe 80 total plays on mine as I made it through the code pretty quick and learned that the game is a box of frustration. The layout actually works, but the code completely kills the experience. It's playable without the game ending bugs, but even without them, it's missing sooooo much. It's the slowest, worst code from any somewhat major manufacturer in recent history. Pricing is getting down to half of nib.

Didn't HW just get an update?

Its unlikely to recover and will only slightly raise in value of they can fix the code. That's a huge if. This game still lacks any sort of polish to the base code, which means it likely will never go beyond that. Competitors have tons of nuance in their code. We can't even get basic navigation, proper display, balanced sound or fully coded hardware. Don't forget about 3d printed parts and hot glue technology. By today's standards, it's a dumpster fire. The price reflects the state of the machine, and it's simply a massive disappointment and a good cash-in on fomo based almost purely on Rick and Morty's success. Never again.

I don't think expecting base code in the first six months is the same as longing for instant gratification. Features I would expect on day one are still missing 13 months after I recieved the game.

Either way, it is what it is. I wish spooky well.

I think the issues come from the way the scoop works. I'm not sure why they designed the game so that if you drain from the middle pf that you get awarded the scoop. This encourages draining from that pf, which is so un-pinball. Making it a classic drain (no reward) would be 1000% better. And utilizing the right-side shot of the middle pf would help.

For example, you're in Jirahs and you drain down to the 2nd pf. Now you have to hit left stand-up, then drop target (which resets - no scoop for this as it slows things down here), then right stand-up, then far right shot. Maybe make it that it has to be done in order or it resets. This could be another way to start the mb and would be FUN and challenging, and there would be no desire to drain.

The timing in the game is also a bit of a mess. If spacium stand-ups are lit, there is a desire to drain out to get to them, and the lifters kill needed time as well. I'm always finding that the game is working against me to gain spacium. Any timed feature in the game often leads to frustration because I'm always waiting for the ball.

I totally agree on the lack of display effects.

On the positive side, this can all be fixed, but it won't be easy, and our year of promised development is running out quickly.

If you payed half of MSRP, it's a great time to get in!

Not being able to adjust the outlanes really, really sucks. They are way too forgiving.

So much talk about the skill shot... You have to full plunge. Why does that matter? It encourages more difficult play. That is a good thing. Don't like it? No soup for you. Let's get the basics in the game, not tweaks to rules based on minority preference.

Difficulty settings can fix mode difficulty.

Hey, at least the power switch is in the right place.

Hopefully it's big. I'm still one or two codes back I think. Maybe I'll update it and play it for this one...

They will sit. This machine is currently seen as just above home pin status by the public. That's what clunky ramps, 3d printed parts, hot glue technology and slow code gets you these days.

I like the game, but I'm not going to ignore the obvious issues. If you paid full price (I did), you got burnt. No two ways about it.

Doubtful on both.

Nitro orders games for stock, not just preorders. Very few ate the 2k on release.

Staged balls would make this game be considered somewhat cool instead of an absolute turd. No one's complaining about venom. Speeding up slow ball management is desperately needed.

Logic 101:

"The physical ball management on the machine is slow"

"You can fix that by playing better.”

Finally updated two updates and played. Flame me all you want, but it's a hot mess. New mode comes with audio instruction booklet. Feels like fetch questing design in video games. The store should be completely removed - this is the biggest waste of time on the machine, and the implementation of collecting spacium and the timing to spend it is poorly done. It's a great effort, but it's never going to be a cohesive machine. Bummer.

Is Halloween the same?

Do you seriously have to ask this question?

Clearly you haven't read my history. I was rooting for spooky from the beginning. But this game has been a dumpster fire from my perspective. Worst QC I've ever seen, worst build quality I've ever seen, and what I see as rookie code development. This game has been clobbered from all angles.

I'm not selling because it's at it's lowest price point and I'm hoping we'll win the lottery and it will get better. I'm stuck with my dumpster, like many others. You're acting like I'm in some sort of minority here. This game is well known on Pinside as something to stay away from.

This is a forum where ppl discuss pinball. I respect opinions from those who love the game and I expect the same in return. I enjoy reading criticisms about games I love.

I also try to provide evidence for my criticisms, but if that's too much for you, and you prefer an echo chamber, just use the ignore button

yawn.

Someone suggested I update my code. I did and gave my opinion. I'm glad you love the game and won't criticize you for your opinion.

Collecting a lot of spacium if I remember correctly. Then light the store. Then press buttons deep into the store menu to select extra ball. Then select your prize. Easy peasy.

With modern machines, pretty much never. Just wipe off the grime now and then.

It's like buying an IPO for the first time and watching it drop to the basement on day one. Anyone who bought a NIB Ultraman is a bag holder for life. I have no idea what I'll do with mine. I play a few games every second update... When the code is done, I'll probably just take the big loss and move on. Maybe I'll keep it in storage to donate for shows.

Never know I guess. This one seems destined to stay low for a very long time.

I think it's been two updates since I've looked at the game. I do every second one, so I suppose I should try it.

It's very cheap for a reason. I personally wouldn't recommend it for a small collection, but if cheap is your first criteria, it is a good deal. Again, for a reason.

Look carefully at the QC on any UM you might buy. The recent posts about cabs not aligning because of leg pressure should tell you enough.

Get a Twilight Zone. That was my only machine for a year and I loved it. Still do.

UM is not cheap because of code. It's cheap because of build, design, QC and code.

Lots of ppl love it in here, but I'll be honest with my opinion. It's by very, very far the worst machine I've ever owned. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I only have it in hopes code will bring up the price so I don't lose 50% on it. Aside from thunderturds, this is likely the biggest loss nib in recent history.

The ramps are clunky, without the proper curvature that they should have. This is a big flaw. The scoop is almost worse than home brew design. Search this thread for the rebuild that ppl are doing. The lifters (mechs) are 3d printed. The light above the scoop is attached with hot glue and the bulb cannot be replaced. The board set is a one-off. The sound is unbalanced and may never be fixed.

To be fair, I've had some fun on the game, but it is clunky as hell. The design is just not very good. If you could get one for 3k as an oddball in a large collection, that would be about right.

My advice, get almost anything else.

I don't wanna rock the boat too hard here, but all you guys claiming that spooky has such great service, don't you think it's odd that they are not sending out a fix for their terribly designed scoop? If I designed a machine where a large number of my customers had to redesign a part, I'd be fixing that shit and making it right. Just sayin.