I agree. Everyone always talks about Stern's innovations in pinball. What innovations? Stern designs of the last 5 years are all pretty much fast and simple. Toys are sparse. There is nothing even remotely innovative (except for maybe color changing LED's) Mist multi-ball is in a 21 year old game. If Stern did that, they'd call it a super-premium and charge 9K for it.

True. But, isn't that really small potatoes in the grand scheme of things? Heck, most B/W magnets were hidden below the playfield so you couldn't even see the core. Seeing the core is NOT attractive. Sure, after many years, the playfield might sustain some damage, but not within a month of hard playing like on the magnetic Stern games. The metal cab protectors are cool. Circuit boards are cleaner and there's less of them. There are a few innovations, yes, but not 20 years worth.

On the other hand, this is pinball, so sometimes I'm not really sure of peoples' unrealistic expectations. But in the interactive toy category and just cool things to do on the playfield, most Sterns are just not that "cool".

Talk about a straw man argument. You are fixated on my use of the word "everyone". Okay, "everyone" is a stretch. I would think that maybe you wouldn't take the "everyone" so literally. How about "lots of people" instead? There are plenty of posts about how the new Sterns make the B/W games look so "old" and "outdated". Really? How?

Sterns are largely fast and furious. That does make them fun. But, how about a little diversity? At least Avengers added some diversity in terms of layout, albeit one major (but flawed) toy. POTC had several interactive toys. I really can't think of a Stern game post POTC that has had more cool sh**. I hate to keep referring to B/W games as I wouldn't have the affinity for them that I do if they weren't the best at what they did (in my view).

As for those in this thread stating that Stern and its investors are making a killing. You're right. And you're enabling them by buying any generic-playing game that they put out. I like a lot of Sterns and I've owned a lot of Sterns, but they could try harder.

Hey, we agree on something. It does happen every so often.

What can I say, but touche? I would like to buy an XMLE if the opportunity arises, actually. Thanks for reminding me. But, can you think of any others? I think an "upkicker" being something to get all excited about just speaks to my point, for the most part.

You've been on Pinside long enough to see a thread mutate. Furthermore, POTC is closer to XMLE in price as HUO POTC is $4500, XMLE is in the high 4's, 5K at best. XM pro is in mid 3's.