Check, check, aaaaaaand checkerooni!

Love that complete summary.

Man, there's a lot to unpack there, for sure! API needs more components all functioning at high levels, to be entirely complete and competitive. I am very mixed on Houdini....

I agree quite a bit with ya! There's so much movie content, and frankly, we have no idea what occurred behind closed doors as to how Disney wanted JJP to approach this game. I'd imagine they have a hand in design approach, not just asset usage. And after having the Hobbit based within so much asset and film structure, POTC is somewhat license palette cleansing.

Thanks for the kind words, it's very much appreciated!

I do think we're channeled into a non gray way of approaching life, and media especially. This game scratches oh so many itches, yet leaves me craving very specific things as well, hence it's no GOAT or ALBATROSS or whathaveyou. It is a game I throughly love playing even on location, despite owning one myself! Part of that is due to it being so damn good, and part of it is exactly what held you off on purchasing, (I'm still dealing with QC issues three months into my purchase.)

It'll always be around, and given you own Alien, seems you have pretty good luck right there! Next time this year, POTC might be as elusive or freely buyable, who knows? But 1,000 games isn't akin to King Kong numbers, that's for sure!

I was in the same group-in early, then never mind. Glad I jumped back in. Based on your collection, I think you’d love this game. Much less risky than the Alien in your collection(which I love), plays a lot like your TZ, but with new tech, and more fun than your other JJP (in my own very subjective opinion). I can tell you that when it gets into your home, rather than playing in the field, it moves to another level. I was skeptical about the hype too. But now I have to agree, it is exceptional.

Have you tried reaching out to Matt at Backalley? He's the one that Made them for JJP. If anyone has them it would be him!

Have you had opportunity to put some time on one in a non-public environment? I really think you would change your tune on it. As for the issues, they were suffering a for bit there on QC and I'll admit I was highly concerned before mine arrived. Luckily, I have a later run version and its been nearly issue free out of the box. I wouldn't let that deter you. You took a leap on Aliens and a big one (with regard to potential problems), so I know you're not risk adverse. This is a great game. I was blowing it up the other night, finally reaching one of the mini wizard modes for the first time and during that journey, when all the chaos was ensuing, I started a mode I never even heard of before. I don't even recall what it was in the frenzy. The game just has a ton of shots, features, modes. Liars dice, arrrgh frenzy, 6666 (or whatever), a ton of chapter modes, 5 mini wizard, one super wizard, six mulitball modes, like 20 (I'm not counting to precision) characters to choose from, which change the way you play the game. David Thiel audio work that gets more intense as the game progresses. You'd love it, trust me. Is it GOAT? Heck I don't know. At the moment, for me it is. Ask me again in a few months. LOL

Someone posted in one of these threads that Jack had told them that the LE parts would be back for sale for SE owners once they get another batch of parts made. You may want to hang in there for a month or so and see what happens. Maybe email Jack and see if he can guesstimate when the new batch of parts will be in stock.

I saw the same post. I tried to order the LE topper and star panel From JJP. I actually got a price from them (surprisingly not as expensive as I thought they would be) and then they got back to me and said sorry no can do. I also asked if SE could be modified to get multi colored GI and they did not know. My idea of the perfect pirates would be the LE setup with the SE stainless trim and the CE topper

just curious - what was the topper cost? I would get the CE topper for sure if it was permitted (which it sounds like it's not).

I have to admit to being keenly interested in the hologram type topper shown in another thread. Talk about show-stopping!

That is not permitted. Anyone ordering anything for the collectors edition will be asked for their serial number. Only actual ce owners can order ce parts

Yes I know I mentioned the same

I played Pirates again last night. Enjoyable pin, long ball times, jumbled mess of a code (to me). You can say it's deep or it grows on you in a home environment. But to me (at this point) it's a jumbled mess. As in you can start all five of the multi balls at the same time(?) ack! thats great everything is running and then you have no idea what is is what every shot will score.

Maybe I just prefer a more structures or simple rule program. Whatever it has 105 'modes' (movie scenes) so they are all random hit so and so characters. I mean they could make 1000+ modes if they wanted to just various shots will call that a mode. But after a point it's all a lot of fluff. I'd take something like LotR or DI with much less number of modes but at least they can means something rather than a pile of unlimited random noise.

I will reserve the ability to change my mind in the future, but to me it's more of a very fun to flip, nice toys and nice looking but it's not something I feel is an all time top10 in the future (IMO of course) I still don't see how it's voted higher than Woz for example.

The code is actually extremely structured, not jumbled at all - but it takes some time learning it to get to that level of understanding.

IMO it's best to think of each movie on it's own...
- 5 modes for the Movie
- specific goals to light that Movies Multiball
- That Movies Wizard Mode

One Movie in POTC plus Tortuga Multiball and the other common features is roughly equivalent to many other modern day pins.
-- But POTC repeats that formula 5 times for 5 movies - in a very structured way, but not linear.
-- Each Movie Multiball and Movie Wizard mode is unique from the others - not all just the same thing
Plus the Super Wizard Mode which few will probably ever see

G.O.A.T.??? Possibly!!

When did you try ordering? Both Jack and Frank turned me down 2 weeks ago

Its all good. Its a great thing that we all have different tastes and preferences. Look at it this way, you just saved yourself 10k! I don't care for DI or Hobbit and that saved me a bunch of $$$

I don't dislike the pin, but I'm not in love with it. I didn't love Tspp or LotR or Woz that much for years they were out but gradually I got to love those pins. I could appreciate these pins had a lot of good stuff but I didn't get it (didn't click) and maybe that's the way with PotC that maybe in 5 years I'll be saying it's great like Tspp or LotR.

Appreciate your opinion, that is just not what I am seeing. I understand that it may have 5x more rules/code than another pin but (to me) I would have wished that it was 5 separate movies not 5-in-1 game. In other words start the game pick *one* movie and play that movie. get tired of that move start a different game and play a different movie.

Just not having 25 scenes from different movies that are just randomly piled together.

Let's say AFM has 6 or 7 things to do. Some may say thats a very short game doesn't have enough meat on it's bones but to me it's just splendid and I wouldn't change a line of code in it. I don't think I'd love it it AFM had 105 different scenes/modes with 8 different MB/wizard modes to attain. I know these are two different pins and different philosophies and different strokes for different folks.

I have never understood the more modes = more fun. A deep game TSPP has 7 main modes it takes up to three shots just to start a mode then you have to complete the mode to add time to the alien invasion clock. Playing a ball looking up and seeing you completed 5 modes you did not even know you had started is BS

It’s random to you because you don’t understand the game yet. Put one in your home and give it time. Definitely the best total package pin for me and it’s not even close.

probably

Every Multiball in the game can be stacked and played with each other, adding an additional ball to the mix as well.

this does not sit well with me, suppose I am having a good game and have 3-4 Multiballs active at once. It's just chaotic and I don't know whatever you hit will be a jackpot of some sort. I mean there is just a lot of things going on in the game. Great for some people some people may not love it.

It's the stacking of modes that make it great. Plenty of strategic high scoring opportunities.

AI is not really the reason to play TSPP modes. You get major point rewards the more you can complete all while keeping the timer going.

Definitely can’t argue with that opinion. For me, if I understand how the jackpots and supers work for each multiball individually that still applies when they are stacked. It definitely gets “chaotic” at times but for my taste it’s a fantastic brand of chaos.

You can say this about a lot of games. TWD, for example, can be very confusing to anyone not familiar with the code as a lot can be going on at once. Not to mention the number of newer games that utilize complex scoring algorithms.

Like most every game, Pirates' code is really not that complicated if you make an effort and take a little time to understand the rules. Lots of good tutorials on YouTube too. I strongly recommend Dead Flip's with JJP or one of Karl DeAngelo's to really see what this game offers!

Don't be a Kaneda. Do some rules homework and it will pay dividends as far gameplay enjoyment!

You can keep the timer going with hurry up's get enough hurry up's you will wind up in the zone lots of fun. A perfect example of good secondary modes make it so 6 to 12 modes is all that is needed for a deep game

Not rerunning the title would have its jjp benefits as well. The game would show up going for X dollars a lot, then have people talking about it more. Look how much posting has been with the limited nature of the game. Its the type of game that has a reputation and would be a neat outlier in the JJP library.

I agree regarding the modes as it's the weakest part of the game. Said it since day 1 of ownership.

I can totally understand the mb comment too as it's absolute chaos and even though I know the rules for each you can't really follow if you get the jackpots besides audio... But I like that. It's very challenging.

These are both valid but the modes def don't take anything away from the game it's just an opportunity for this game to go from a 9 to a 10 and is literally the main reason why alien is better than jjp potc.... Alien nails the modes. MB chaos is something you'll learn to appreciate with further play.

So you must hate it in TSPP when you get both couch and itchy and scratchy going at the same time.

You can play the game where you only have one running at a time if you wish. Each multiball has its own distinct rules and the call outs and multi RGB inserts tell you what you are up to. Each multiball is colour coded. So a purple arrow will be for the Dead man tells no tales movie and green arrows for dead mans chest. Without the RGB, it would be trickier. If you don’t know how the individual multiballs work than trying to make sense of 4 going at once would be chaotic.

Yeah I hate when that happens!

Take some time and reread my post. Cheers mate

Difference is on Woz those multiballs are hard to get to. I mean on pirates we had multi balls open for business and I don’t even know how they were. Like maybe hit the spinner x number of times. Wtf might as well start out with the multi ball lit if that’s a qualifying event.

On LotR for example you have to earn the multi balls and you know it, it’s almost an event to reach some of the MB on some games. This was just like my friend telling me ok all these multi balls are active.

Neat doesn’t pay the bills tho.... sales do

Sorry, I can’t see where you covered the RGB inserts. Why would I reread your post? I was commenting on another’s post.

Why continue to comment about something you know nothing about? There is no way you start a chapter mode without you knowing. The star map is distinct like the behind the tv shot in Simpsons. You can also only have one chapter going at a time. You can also extend the timer the same way as in TSPP. It is Multiballs you can stack not chapter modes. If anything it is Simpsons which can get confusing by stacking modes, especially with add TV modes and Krusty. So the game you are trying to bash for stacking modes without actually knowing it does not allow you to do so. The game which you say is the right way to do modes, does allow you to stack. And to make things worse with TSPP the last mode you started then stops the DMD hints for the previous modes that are running. Also try hitting comic book guy and get a hurry up during a mode and try to follow what you need to do. To the newbie for TSPP, very confusing.

TSPP is a great game. So is Pirates. Nothing anybody will say will change your opinion, but to say negative things about a pinball that you know little about is a bit silly. You can say you don’t like it, but the rest of us don’t care since you know nothing about it.

Pirates is definitely a multiball heavy game. Bottom line if you don’t like to have lots of multiballs or the ability to stack multiballs then this game is not for you and you dodged a bullet. Out of the 6 multiballs, 3 of them are fairly easy to obtain. The others you need to work for.

Pirates doesn't need to be. It's up to how you want to play it.

You can choose to just focus on a specific wizard mode by hitting its respective chapter qualifying shot and limit your multiballs as much as possible, to the one associated with the wizard mode you're going after. Try to fully complete (hit all required character shots) as many of the required 5 chapters as you can and score jackpots & super jackpots as much as possible in the desired multiball when activated in order to maximize your scoring potential in the wizard mode.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Ha! - I thought you were responding to my post! Disregard....

Agree! And the easier multiballs such as worlds end do not score highly in isolation. I actually score higher from chapters. And add to this the ability to select Blackbeard or Gibbs for easier or higher scoring multiballs for a multiball game or Norrington or tia Dalma for trying to get the wizards and you have a game like no other.

Thanks dude! Was confused, cos I know you’re not a troll. Btw would have loved to have tried Alien. Think it would have scared the crap out of my daughter though.

Right on! I've been focusing on Barbossa lately per Karl DeAngelo's fabulous 35 MIL tutorial. I used to go for Tia Dalma to get wizards, but you don't need her. Just take Barbossa and focus on hitting the particular chapter shot you need!

And I love how you don’t get the chapter multiplier if you only qualify the one chapter!! So balanced.

The thing is we are starting to see new pins that are totally different to their 90’s cousins in their technology, play and rules. Such as pirates, TNA, Houdini, alien and hobbit. I think TSPP and LOTR paved the way. They will appeal to some who want a different experience to the basic fan layout to add to their collection and not appeal to others who really just enjoy the fan layout and nothing else.

Yep, but inconsequential in the long run if you're focusing on a maximized wizard mode score.

I agree. Many different types of pins.

Several of my pins are straightforward light the insert mode tree or compass.

Tron, Iron Man, Stern Potc, AFM

Some are more stacking wood: DI, ST or Met meaning you need to add up a bunch of tasks to get to a wizard.

I have more simple or complex games such as Tspp, Woz, TNA, Tspp, AcDc.

I don’t meant to say that JJP Potc is bad but was not really my cup of tea. Lots of new Stern like GoT, DP and Maiden that I don’t love either.

Great thing about pinball is there is are hundreds of different choices.

And one time I got downvoted for saying I did not like Dialed In. Does not mean it is not an excellent game to others. I also discounted WOZ because I need more than 1 ramp. Have not played it much though, so can’t comment besides that initial thought. My wife much prefers our AFM to pirates.

AC/DC is awesome, TNA really gets the blood flowing.

This. In the home, something happens. It’s great.

I'll have to disagree slightly here.

For JJPPoTC, there are six multiball modes. The only one I find particularly easy to start is At Worlds End. Collecting 9 pieces of eight, which is basically making 9 different shots, is almost a gimmie on most games. Because of this, I tend to hold starting that mode until I have at least one more qualified. or a chapter mode that has a bunch of shots to complete. The others are more in line with starting multiballs on similar games in terms of qualifying.
I'll pick at LOTR since you mentioned it.
Fellowship - collect the charters by making their shots. Then shoot Barad Dur tower to start.
Two Towers - light keep lanes then lock ball on sword lane. When I had mine, I had to increase the difficulty to start, because I was getting it 2 times per game, on most games.
RoTK - spam the tower shot to collect dead via PoTD. Start by hitting the tower again or the cave shot.

JJPPOTC - I'll go from easiest to most difficult (for me)
At Worlds End - collect 9 pieces with nine shots
On Stranger Tides - Spam the inner loop shot.
Dead Mans Chest - hit two chest targets to raise fork, then shoot to lock balls into chest. Repeat three times.
Dead Men tell no tales - spam the Bermuda triangle spinner. This is simple, but difficult for me, because its challenging shot to make and missed shots like to find its way down the middle or the left outlane.
Tortuga - Collect 50 gold, then make the Tortuga shot.
Curse of the Black Perl - this one is tough to achieve and way tougher than any in LoTR. - Hit the spinners on the Black Perl until the load cannon target are lit, hit the targets, load the cannon, make cannon shot into the Dauntless hole.

To me the LoTR multiballs are not difficult and not complex to start. In fact, I'd say Pirates are equal or more complex in at least the case of CoTBP. I will say that playing the LoTR multiballs, aside from TT, are more complex and rewarding.

I was not talking POTC specifically the reference was made to games with too many modes as a whole. Games with over 100 modes cannot make it difficult to start and to finish a mode. A few years back I played TH after a ball I saw that I had finished several modes that to me is BS. As for stacking modes on TSPP yes you can but it was not I who said to use that strategy

Each character has their own insert on the playfield. You basically need to collect between 2 and 10(?) characters per chapter within a set time limit. You can collect them in any order unlike Simpson’s. When you hit the chapter select target, The game stops and shows you the chapter you are starting and then lists each character or shot you need to make and then lights the shots/characters on the playfield. So the objectives are very clear for chapters and it tells you each time you collect a character. When you are finished it shows you on screen and even announces “chapter complete”. While this chapter is active no other chapter can be started. So the chapter objectives are clear. You can complete up to 25 chapters per game. 5 chapters for each movie. The 125 possible chapters are the total pool from which the 25 chapters are pulled out of per game.

The thing that can make it confusing are the multiballs and the game supports and can encourage up to 6 multiballs occurring at once.

So just wanted to clarify there is no way you can be doing chapters without realising it.

There is one exception. Ok you got me. You can start a chapter during multiballs, then it is a bit frantic to follow the chapter objectives at that point. Generally though this is the exception not the rule of the game.

It must just be me, but I found jjpotc the most intuitive, easy to learn rules out of all my games. By far.
Between what's on the screen and probably the best/most helpful callouts in any game, it only took a few plays to get it.

So true. You have essentially three or four things telling you what shots or actions to make. Screen, lit inserts, compass, and in some cases audio callouts.