Everything in Dialed In feel's like it part of that world and is something that the player can interact with. There's 3 miniature drones that each rotate, there's the quantum theater toy that interacts with the ball in multiple modes, the large molded physical ball lock representing station 3 from the theme, the quantum mechanic which mom jeans or not is incorporated extremely well and is used in several modes. There's the QUED moving electric toy that is used to charge the phone and then can be hit extra times to "super charge" the phone to increase scoring. The magnets in the game are tied directly to specific modes such as the EMP mode. I would say that the phone toy itself is very innovative as it's not just a mini LCD display that shows mode information. The phone features multiple custom animations from characters within the theme that interact with the player during modes and there's multiple character animations for each Disaster Mode. Finally the art, sounds, and music are all custom, all original and tie perfectly together with the theme. No compromises had to be made, no movie clips playing that are stuck on loop throughout a mode and and where audio from the scenes is missing.
Besides the mini LCD all of the features in Dialed In are miniature items from that world. When I look at Wonka and see the giant spinning Gobstopper I can't help to think "what does this do for me as a player"? Honestly, nothing. I have the Hobbit which features a toy that doesn't interact with the ball, Smaug but at the same time Smaug interacts with the player throughout the game, hell it even talks to you after some games. A giant spinning Gobstopper toy does not.
From a code perspective everything in Dialed In's ruleset is tied together extremely well and there's multiple mini wizard modes to go after. Two of the most innovative code elements to Dialed In are the "Big Bang" shot and the "SIM" card feature. If you light big bang hitting it in during any mode collects all shots on the playfield, that's cool. The SIM card feature extends the life to modes as it gives the player something else to go after and collect after modes are completed. Finally each are tied together as you can light Big Bang, hit it during a mode, and then immediately have the SIM card shot lit. Want to play a game and just attempt a handful of Disaster modes to go after a wizard mode? There's a mini wizard mode for that. Want to go after starting all 11 disaster modes to light another mini wizard mode? There's another mini wizard for that. Want to complete enough modes and collect SIM cards from each to spell "Dialed In" (one for each letter) to light the games super wizard mode? Yup, there's a super wizard mode for that as well. I don't see that same level of depth currently being offered by Wonka and for some players that will be fine.
As an entire package I think Dialed In is the far more innovative game on every level and I say that thinking Wonka looks cool. Dialed In to me is truly 90's pinball with modern technology, and modern code that is used in innovative ways.
Martinez, GA
