https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jurassic-Park-Feature-Matrix.pdf

It’s going to be hard to find a LE as they are sold out so you will have to find one used. Premiums are backordered till August.

Best bet is just to order a NIB Premium and wait a couple months. The differences are only cosmetic and most people I know prefer the art package on the Premium. You could also look for a used Premiun but prices right aren't great on those due to short supply.

Jurassic-Park-Feature-Matrix (2) (2).pdf

My guess is they sold thru to distributers?

This is correct but I saw a few distributers are sold out now too.

Most people that own machines are not on Pinside. That is why Stern created Insider.

Hopefully one of the modders will create a mod that can unlock the extra mode that comes with the topper.

Hmmm. Wonder if there’s going to be another code update soon because of this topper? Or, if somehow it’s built into the topper somehow? If it’s built into the topper maybe it’s not much of an extra mode. Hope that’s the case. Or, maybe it’s already built into the current code? I guess we’ll fine out once these toppers start shipping.

In the Flippin out video the new mode already appeared to be baked in to the existing code.

Yea already seems to be in the 1.01 code. Since the code is encrypted now blocking pinbrowser the chance a modder can enable this mode without the topper hardware is slim to none. You would have to find the hardware addresses used etc. doesn’t seem worth a modders time.

If the code wasn't encrypted (is it actually encrypted?) you could just skip over the check for the external board so it always returned a "yes" installed.

Then reverse engineer. I’d be pretty impressed if someone were to pull that off. They would have to obtain a topper before even starting the work. Just doesn’t seem worth it besides maybe a fun challenge for someone.

Something is keeping the pinbrowser from working. I’m not 100% sure of why but I thought I read encryption somewhere. I’m in IT so I try to stay out of the technical weeds when it comes to hobbies. Pinball takes my mind off of work

I assumed it was just that Stern changed the format so pinbrowser didn't recognize it. Has anyone verified it's actually encrypted and not just a different format?

I believe I saw the same case with Elvira. After the JP topper it makes sense, but again I’m not sure.

Just received notice my Premium has officially shipped. Ordered first of Jan so it's been a long wait. Hoping it wont take to much time to dial in once it gets here.

I'm in the same IFPA batch as you and just got my notice as well! Its been a long 6 months but I know it will be worth the wait!

enjoy the process, its half of the fun

So you ordered in January as well? Didn't know orders were backlogged so far. I ordered mine in April and my distributor is saying it is close.

MikeS and my order were through the rewards program. Distributors generally get priority over the rewards purchase games. Thus why my ship date was pushed twice. I believe they only make and ship a small set number of rewards games a month.

Here's something weird....

Premium machine.

Started System Boot - chased the blue targets and went helo-pad for the second to last shot to set up the Control Room (last shot of Sys Boot). On the fly from the helo-pad, I hit the Control Room shot. The lights and screen go flashing - awesome - but the Control Room shot is still blue and no Fossil Award. Ball drains as I try to look at the screen to see what the hell just happened.

This has happened to me twice on the newest code (v1.02 I believe). I haven't noticed this behavior before.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I have a friend that is seriously considering the topper. I'm against it. I'm not a super fan of the artwork, I'm not really a topper guy, and I'm not cool with the cost for a secret mode. I'm also not a DLC type of person with video games. I buy the games that I want and play them as is while I know a lot of people that want the extra adds that companies put out as DLC.

For the cost, I would love to see a topper that mimics the T-rex head as you play the game. When the game roars the topper opens it mouth and roars. When the head and neck moves left and right on the PF the topper head eyes move back and forth like it's looking around. That, would have made me a topper guy. I just can't get behind plain plastic (with lights) for a topper but that is probably why my only topper is the GOT one as I love having the dragon flapping it's wings at me.

Cool. What is the Rewards Program? Maybe I need to sign up.

I bought the Tilt Topper before this was announced. I wouldn't have paid $600 for the Stern topper even if I hadn't already purchased one.

I just dont see $600 in value there but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If you finish out the calendar year in the top 1000 players in the world rankings, you get a discounted rate on one NIB Stern pin per year that you qualify.

https://www.ifpapinball.com/menu/sternrewardsprogram/

Gotcha. It will be a long time for me waiting to get that discount

I started playing competitively in '16 and took until September of '19 until I raised my game enough and qualified. Now my wife... she played for about one month and earned one of the biggest mover spots! So there is always hope!

may i ask how often and long did you practice per week?
do you have a training routine? i have no possibilty to get taught on location, so i just can watch streams, tutorials and dvds(pinball 101 etc.)
do you have any hint for me? i play about 1 hr per day and have a few machines at home.
thanks!

I think it's different for everyone, but for me doing your homework and learning optimal strategy was a one big portion. I did that through streams and playing pinball arcade on my phone, as well as talking things out with fellow players. In the meantime I was playing as much as I could. I too have games at home. During those sessions my focus was initially on basic flipper skills, starting basic with bounce passes, and such then moving on to more advanced things like drop catches. The next thing was just playing in tournaments to get used to the competitive aspect. Finally learning to slow down and focus on small tasks during a game. The biggest challenge for me playing at home is keeping the focus and discipline to not revert back to flipping away at ball needlessly.

Watch the competitive pinball streams. Watching the top players will help you understand not only the rules of the game but also flipper strategies that will help you greatly. For instance, the easiest technique to accomplish is the most over looked and can take your game to the next level real fast. It's called the dead bounce. I learned to drop catch and live catch over time and while those two skills have helped me a lot it's the dead bounce that was last to come to my arsenal of skills and has become the most useful. It is almost mandatory to be good as early SS and EM games.

Next thing is just to play and try to still have fun. Getting to work up over the competition and chasing points can take it out of you quickly. In order to get to top 1000 you really just need to do decent in some larger events. My highest ranking was 250ish a couple years ago. I have yet to win anything but a local league event. My absolute best finish ever was 4th at TPF. Hopefully that shows that you don't have to win these events (it helps though) but if you can find a way to qualify in A for 50%-70% of the events with 100+ players you will very quickly move up the ranks.

thanks guys, dead bounces and drop catches work quite well for me and live catches are getting better over time.
so i guess i just have to keep doing what i do. i feel like multiballs, shot accuracy, code strategy and personal stress level are my weak spots.

(going down as not more playing but) i'm still in the top 1000 spot, do you want my ticket ? ...

I picked up a Premium this week and was having the TREX issues mentioned at the top of this enormous thread. I tried adjusting it manually by loosening the nuts in the back of the TREX and moving it as suggested but when that didn't work I realized what the issue really was, which I did not see mentioned here (tho I did not read through all 5500 posts) The backbox bolts that secure the BB in the upright position are too long and hit the top of the TREX mechanism when screwed all of the way in. Back that left BB bolt out a few turns and watch your TREX drop down into the right position.

Mine catches the ball virtually every time now.

Good to know. My Premium arrives tomorrow. Crossing my fingers I get a good playfield. Sounds like everything is good with yours, right?

Well that is a very interesting find that may help a lot of people.
Mine seems to be working fairly well, but I will certainly look at it to see just how close it gets.

SO CLOSE!!!

I literally was one White arrow shot away from the Vistor Center today, with the Pterannodons captured....all I had to do was trap up and hit the TREX ramp to advance and I got so giddy, I screwed up, choked and drained...Oh man was that close....one day

As my cousin Allen always likes to say "That's-a-dee-Pinball"

I've been out of the loop for a while. Did they fix the clear coat issues? If I bought a JP now could I trust that it won't have pf issues?

Buy at your own risk. Some do, some don’t... no guarantee unfortunately.

So far, yes. It’s a great game.

Mine had some minor scuffs in the playfield from either testing or buffing. I waxed it before the first play and it looks fine. The balls it came with are cheap so I swapped them out for some better ones. It took the 2.5GB code update without issue.

Perhaps it’s just me but I feel the inserts don’t look as high quality up close as those in my Stern ST or Chicago Gaming MBr but they look fine from playing distance. I would be curious to know what others think about the insert quality tho?

Enjoy your machine.

I would like to add some lights to the playfield. I think the middle is bit dark. But not putting pinstadium in there, since that will block my sideblades art. So looking for normal spotlights, but these are just normal spotlights, any ideas how to cover them in the theme? Like in pirates I used barrels, and in Ghostbusters they are slimed. What would fit JP?

Wow. After all this time it's still an issue? Bummer. My wife basically pre-approved me to buy one but I can't risk it if it's still a problem.

Some newer Stern have ugly insert or maybe it's an ink problem?
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/continued-playfield-issues-with-jjp-and-stern/page/105#post-5650371

I just got a NIB Premium (Mfr date 6/05) and the clearcoat looks great! Inserts look good, no pooling, no wood grain, etc. The clearcoat is a bit thinner than other games but I'm very happy with the quality so far. That's not a guarantee that yours would be ok, but a good reference point in making your decision.

This is right. I have an LE with a beautiful playfield and no issues at all... but have friends with pros that were chipping around posts Within a week. Just hard. Hoping TMNT comes with a good playfield!

Does anyone have these Pingraffix pin blades on their machine? https://www.pingraffix.com/product-page/stern-jurassic-park-pinblades

I’m getting my JP Premium today and will probably buy some pin blades soon. These seem like they would be a good match for the game art at the back of the machine with the blue. I’ve seen one or two other art blades though so would be interested in any feedback and opinions.