Man, this is such a good point. I've been renting a premium since Friday, and I can already tell this game is going to make me better. And it isn't just the shots, which are demanding and oh-so-satisfying when you hit them. It's also how the modes require you to attack those shots and gain control. In other games I've played I'll just bash away at a multiball and snag points - here I am working on catching, cradling, and aiming for shots during the chaos on Aces High and Mariner. Then there's Icarus, where if I can nail one ramp I've gotta hold myself back from ripping the loop shot so I can get back to the lower playfield quicker and keep trying for the other ramp ("No, your other right!" cracked me up when I first heard it).

Combined with the music and callouts, I keep thinking of one word to describe this game: exhilarating. I'm looking forward to it kicking my ass for the next month and it's now on my shortlist to own in the future.

Unfamiliar as I'm not too far into my rental, but what's the bug on Icarus?

Oh dang, thanks for the intel. I am definitely not good enough at hitting these ramps yet to even get through the mode haha. Frozen timer would be delightful.

How long are home-use owners keeping this bad boy in their collections? Are you feeling like it holds you over long enough, or moving on quickly? Would appreciate any insights as I contemplate a purchase (even if I've only been renting it a few days).

For reference, we currently have MMR, MBR, and GB Pro. MBR likely getting moved in 2021, and not gonna lie I could consider moving GB as well.

Productive night! Icarus Combo King (5-way) and Mummy Multiball Champ (19.7 million). Probably not the most impressive but definitely starting to get the hang of this bad boy.

Good stuff! I'd been on the fence for this one and noticed it was sold. Enjoy!

Hey so I am renting a Premium right now and loving it - would love to get one for myself but also looks like there might be more Pros available. I know the ramp opening to the underworld scoop is a big gameplay difference - do you just start modes on the Pro by hitting the bullseye?

Correct, was curious for the main gameplay differences between Pro and Premium - I know sarcophagus lock is physical on Premium, too, but that's about it right?

Is there possibly more Elwin on Fear of the Dark, or did I just notice it more this time around? Either way, glad he's still in there, cracks me up.

Yeah the melting face and burn burn burn is a little excessive, but the rest of the mode is improved imo. I think I liked the old revive animations better but I'm barely looking at the screen on this game - the audio cues are huge for me and my skill level (or lack thereof).

Hoping to join the club with a verrrrry routed premium - I actually rented it at the end of 2020, and it kicked my ass so hard that I got sick of it. I've become a lot better since then, and I got out on location to play a pro and just loved it. I forgot how immersive it was.

The premium is available and has several thousand plays on it, but I'm not overly concerned given how beloved this game is - even if I have to put some time/money into it I think it'll hold value. But given that this one has had some wear over time, anything major I should look for or be ready to replace?

Picking up a Pro and could not be more pumped to join the club! Now a very very important question (lol):

What color flipper rings, slings, and post sleeves are ya'll working with? I'm leaning dark blue Titans but would love to see some photos of other options. Up the Irons!

The icons here are amazing! Did you make those yourself and then drop them in on PB?

I'd like to have a couple different SD cards going to make some swaps. Is it sacrilege to switch out Fear of the Dark for Caught Somewhere in Time?

^ That backglass is killer

Just picked up a pro, and it's a ripper! This game is such a blast, and I was stoked the finally see TMTM on the first day. Can't wait to keep going deeper.

I am having the dreaded shooter lane issues, but unsure of the fix. Game is as level as I can get it and set at 7 degrees, but manual plunges (and 95% of autos) end up hitting the post just above the skill shot target. Is there a decent fix for these low plunges? This thread is verrrrry long so I apologize if it's in here somewhere - I've read about people fixing issues with hitting the upper flipper off the plunge but not as much the low post.

Worst case I leave it and get better at the target skill shot. But I would like Trooper MB staging to be mostly reliable. Thanks in advance for the advice!

I love the Premium, but imo the Pro is the value here. Nice to have a physical lock and the lifting ramp, but not almost $3k nice.

I think everything coming out of Stern now has it.

Haven't found any yet but some of the imagery - particularly the extra ball animation - isn't super kid-friendly depending on their sensitivity to gore.

Imo this is one where you really don't miss a lot on the Premium. The underworld scoop is fine but it's a scoop. Captive ball at the orb makes things a little less dangerous. Really you only miss the sarcophagus lock, but having rented a Premium before purchasing a Pro I can't say I feel like I am missing out. The core of the game - shots, code, tunes - remain regardless of trim level.

As far as I know this is the last run - better get it while you can!