I'm not a fan of Star Trek - not even a little - but I do like that pin. It's totally fun and if you get the chance to own one, jump on it! I think it would have long-term ownership.

IMHO, it's not only Steve Ritchie's best, but one of the best pins ever made, period. It's not super deep, but it's deep enough that there is a good deal of strategy involved if you want to maximize your score. It's got cool flowing ramps, great DCS sound, fun canon toys, and a nice assortment of shots. What more can you ask for? Unless you absolutely hate Start Trek, I don't really see how someone can dislike this pin. I'm still amazed that you can get mint examples of this game for well under $3,000. Considering how high it is ranked on most lists, this makes it one of the best bang for the buck pins out there.

It should be a top 10 pin!! There is also warp factor 9.9 which is kind of like a second wizard mode.Great game and theme for me.

It is a great game, challenging with killer outlanes but ultimatley rewarding. Very good sounds and rules and a great flow.

If you're just going for "The Final Frontier" then yes. However, there's a bit more to do such as Borg multiball, the warp shots, three missions in the neutral zone, the Q continium (one of the modes but allows for a different high score post), one video mode and two secret ones. And the modes that lead to final frontier are also pretty varried.

Don't forget one of the most satisfying shots in pinball....the Picard Maneuver!

haha, definitely. If you're going for layout and flow, this one is top notch. Also, this pin has some of the better toys seen on a pin like the two cannons that allow you to manually shoot a ball (used as a start up option and also during one of the modes) and the Borg ship that shoots a ball directly at you during multiball.

I totally agree with this statement. That shot is awesome. Also the 9.9 warp factor is so hard to shoot for. I've put up scores over 16billion on this game and yet I can only get to warp 9.4

Too repetative, not a fan of mode based games... and the horrible bounce along the top of the slingshots as the ball makes it's way towards the outlanes is very frustrating! very hard to judge the right nudge to stop it draining!! The artrwork is not my cup of tea either, and the sounds are a bit repetative... the tune has a terrible habbit of burning itself in your memory and tormenting you for days!! Also the right connon can shoot the ball into the swirly wire rail, so that can be a bugger to adjust... apart form the it's excellent!

Warp 9.9 is the only real letdown on this game. It's so hard to do, and rather anticlimactic when you finally achieve it. I half expected the game to explode the first time I did it!

LOL! That's funny, and very true. I've been waking up this week with the Funhouse theme going through my head. Damn you Rudy!!!

Got me started on my pin addiction and gave probably played it more than anything else. I never get tired of it and there are always new challenges to find. Decided not to buy it for my first pin just because I wanted something a little simpler to take care of. Will own it someday I hope.

Didn't like it on first impressions.

Played it again and like it a lot more.

Heard it breaks down a lot though.

I have a love/hate relationship with STTNG. It's the only machine I have at the moment. Had another trade offer for 2 other pins today.

It can be a BRUTAL game(I'm no pro, and couldn't IMAGINE getting 16 billion!) But when it flows, man does it flow. It's as deep as you make it, rather how well you can play it. The right outlane is a b****. The left is the same, but I set the kickback to easy, and that kinda evens it out. As it is, it is VERY hard to get to The Final Frontier with only 3 balls and no outlane extensions.

When I decided to buy a pin, this was the first one I really wanted to own. My personal Holy Grail. But there are days I am tempted to trade the hell out of it. Then, as soon as I decide to call someone to make a deal, it gives me an awesome game and reminds me why it is truly one of the greatest pinball machines ever made.

if i had to get rid of one of my games this would be it. i like the play alot but this game is really prone to breaking down, and i am not great at fixing pins. the outlanes are killer to add to the frustration. finally, it's a beast to move with all the weight it has.

a solid game but would be the first to go.

p.s. it is nice with leds and flipper fidelity speakers.

It's a great pin top 5 for me. Had a nice one sold it at the beginning of this year,regretted it the day after (I want it back gweempose ) I will buy another one some day soon.

I have one in great conditon that is set up properly and I find it real challenging. Miss a shot and it will swiftly punish you. And I miss a lot of shots. Love it though and its making me a better player.

I love the wide body. The cannons. The sound. And my SHAKER mod! Not hard to fix. Excellent manual and diagnostics tests. I upgraded bird of prey to hallmark version.

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Looks nice with LEDs too

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Nice mod AV8! This is definitely one of Ritchie's best games. It will surely be in my basement some day.

I recently go this on a trade and man Im loving it. The more I play, the more I learn and get into it. Very satisfied and it may be a long term keeper for me. Two questions though....Funny Roms? Alternate translight? Tell me more please.

I have the funny ROMs. They are pretty cool, and there are definitely some hilarious quotes such as "We will never surrender ... unless you pay us enough!"

Whoa now, you never mentioned this before

For what it's worth, my buddy has a STTNG and a Fathom. Fathom is on his "will never sell" list. STTNG is on his "won't sell unless I need to make room" list.

Oh, and last time I was at his place STTNG powered down right in the middle of a game the two times it was played. The Fathom was rock solid as always.

I'd go for the Fathom any day, but if you can get both, then do that! If you find you don't get on with the ST, you can always move it on... One of the great things about ST:TNG (in fact, THE best thing in my opinion) is that there are always lots of people interested in taking it off your hands

Ah scotch and pinball. Sounds like I may have to schedule a little side trip the next time I'm in your neck of the woods. Actually the growth rate of your collection is making it very hard to resist!

I say if you can swing it get both games. If space is an issue and you don't want to thin the herd then do what I'm doing. I fold a game or two, put em in storage and rotate them out. It's my new space management system, and so far the wife is ok with it! LOL

+1

Sounds like you could do with a gamesroom extension/out-building/loft conversion... Nice collection by the way!

Thanks! Actually I have lots of space, but I have to keep the "balance" so it doesn't look too "arcade-like". (Wife's term).

*edit* Holy crap I just checked your collection, awesome! Are they all set up?

I wish!! I only have one set up at the moment (WH2O), the rest are in storage waiting for me to build a games-room... it's gonna be a long wait I fear... hopefully I'll live long enough to see it through to completion!!

the rest are in storage

It's very frustrating to have them like this, but at least they don't need fixing!!

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Nice, I see lots of gems in there

Do it!

Looks awesome. Personally, I'd prefer more of a profile pic of the Enterprise. I'd also be very interested in who can do that kind of work. Wouldn't mind having an alternate made myself

That's excellent!! I'd leave it exactly as it is... why add any lettering at all??

That's pretty sweet Atomicboy. I'd love to see the finished product. Keep us posted.

I love that pic as well, and can kinda see it looking awesome without the lettering. But I'd probably put the lettering on it. Needs the logo for the, as you said, translitie feel. Keep us posted. Would love to see that project completed

Yup, I can't remember the exact phrase you used to describe that dog, but I laughed for days every time I thought about it...LOL!

My wife used to threaten getting a cat for every pin I bought. Thank god she didn't go through with it cause 13 cats is pretty much Crazy Cat Lady! And yes I'm aware 13 pins seems obsessive to some

I know what you mean, but on the other hand, it would make it unique and kind of special... That image alone has a kind of dynamic to it... you can imagine the ship moving... I think the lettering would kind of kill that!

Good question! I used to buy old vans and store them in there... a lot quicker than building a shed!

Conrats on the IJ... a better game than ST:TNG in my opinion!