I am excited for the PRO model since I could NEVER justify the pricetag of the LE, but if they drop a main toy on the PRO and only offer it on the LE, they lost my sale too.

At least with TRON they had the vision to add bling and lighting for the LE owners and leave the gameplay the same. I'm hoping we are wrong and the PRO has the same gameplay, if not this is a major mistake for Stern.

They just lost my sale. This was a BONEHEAD move. While I can live without a real backglass, shaker and trim, removing main components of the game to create a PRO model is inexcusable.
I guess they don't want to sell any PRO models.

I wouldn't say they were a fail until seeing it in person. At least give them the benefit of the doubt. They may just look great on the machine in person with the lighting, at the correct angle, etc.

Does anyone know when the PRO model is shipping?

What a cool way to produce a flyer! It looks fantastic! Way to go Stern!

Nobody has been able to take any video of the test games yet?

I think the never before seen toy was the telescoping ramps (or whatever they call them)

Really guys, play the game before making rash determinations. The elements, playfield layout, designer, dots and sounds are all there for an incredible game. Perhaps fridays video will give us a glimpse of the XMEN experience.

That is a great video because JB gives a nice explanation of the rules of the game and the features.
We now know how the nightcrawler pop ups are implemented, tha bash toy works, the big vuk, magnets, spinning disc and how the movable ramp works. I don't think he missed any feature explanation.

The DMD effects look great with the drawn characters. How long has it been since we've seen that?

I think it looks great and am glad they didn't give away the music and call outs so we all will be surprised when we play it! 2 wizard modes? AWESOME!

The problem with scoop wear was not from the front where the ball kicks out, it was from rolling into the sides. Any TRON owners that didn't put a protector in the scoop hole have wear now guaranteed. Mine was showing wear the first week until I inserted the Mantis protector. The protector comes up to around 5mm from the lip of the scoop hole and protects the wood from wearing. No wear ever again. I would imagine this same protector would work in XMEN, but it would have to be measured of course.

So if the games are being built today is anyone picking theirs up at Stern this week? If so, you better get some video up

Thats cool, since I won't be able to get an LE, so I would like to see the PRO in action. I would like to see gameplay without the extra ramp, spinning disc and nightcrawler targets to see if its worth it.

There should be shaker code now for both the PRO and LE.

So whats in place of the nightcrawlers on the PRO? It looks like two X inserts? Is the gameplay associated with these inserts?

ok, that's good news. I would hate to miss a mode too. Phew! Still considering the PRO....

With TRON at the max extra ball percentage (50%), you get an extra ball award in the arcade scoop once every 100 games. This is what I have determined from 1500 plays.

Whats the flasher do in Wolverine? Can you even see it go off (if it does)? I played my friends XMEN and don't recall ever seeing it go off, or if I did, I couldn't see it

hmm, can you even see it go off?

Thanks for the info. I will have my friend try it on his Wolverine! Can't wait to get one.

If you replace the stock woofer in the cabinet with a better one do you have to clip the capacitor mentioned that's new with this game? Thanks for advice...

Hmm I understand the resistor noted, but where do I get a 3mH inductor and do I connect this to the sub?

Love it! I didn't think they were starting the PRO build until the 24th. Awesome!

We heard one more update for sure before the launch parties. If there are remaining bugs I would imagine Stern would address them.

Thanks for the video. Wow your game is BRIGHT! What lamps did you change for LEDs? It looks great!

What? you are selling your PRO after 2 days?

The PRO is version 1.0 and the LE is version 1.2
There are different versions and they are not compatible.

So far it looks like the PRO has most of the 1.2 changes in 1.0 of the PRO code.

i agree. When you can zero in on the beast shot and follow up with some combos with the upper flipper the ball screams back to you. It requires more precision than other flow games like SM and TRON, but I have had the ball whipping around the playfield for consecutive loops and its a great feeling.

The animations are also quick so aside from the scoop there aren't many other places for a stop and go feel. Even the magneto lock is pretty much instant - lock the ball and wham another comes out onto the shooter lane. The PRO has nice flow to it and those ramps are so smooth.

Maybe its technically possible, but I don't think 99% of the players could do it. To beat every villain in one game would be exhaustive. I think it took 12 hits to kill the sentinals alone. Maybe with several extra balls, but straight 3 ball play I'm a doubter. I guess this is a true wizards mode.

I've never seen Danger Room (good guys) or Dark Phoenix (villains). BUT I hope when all updates are done there is a final wizard mode that pits all of the xmen against all of the villains in a spectacular battle. Now THATS entertainment!

I have the mantis protector installed and it did the trick on my TRON which is a similar scoop so I installed the XMEN version. Its working well, no damage at all. It sits about 2mm below the opening, and protects the area nicely. It doesn't affect the ball and you still see the edge of the wood around it. I like it.

I set all the villain mode timers to 90 and am enjoying the game even more now.
I just want to know how many times do you have hit those f$#@ing sentinals? I think I counted 12 or 13 and one of them was still alive, good grief!

How do you start Hellfire or Brotherhood? I have never seen either. I know hitting the targets sometimes puts a splash screen up on the DMD, but I never got these modes.

Thanks guys, I am going to concentrate on HF and BH tonight. Looking forward to it!

Xmen was designed before ACDC. Perhaps we will see them again in Avengers....

Is it true that GOMEZ said at PPE an update for Xmen will be released this week? Now this is great news! More XMEN love!

Sounds like you need to adjust the scoop switch. Mine was doing weird things too before I adjusted it. I had to loosen it, and adjust its placement so a ball in trough in testmode kept the switch down (as opposed to simply triggering it).

I hope we get another XMEN mini update before Christmas. Thats 3 months away!

Please don't pollute this thread with this garbage. Move it to the other thread so I can read about XMEN in this thread.

Doesn anyone know if the AUX board handles the GI string (red,white,blue) switching? I don't see any relays on this board.

Thanks, so the GI strings are connected to the relays and the relays are connected to the AUX board?

I replaced all of the GI bulbs on my PRO with the bulbs that Stern uses on the LE.
These are my favorite LEDs so far, they look great.
Cointaker double LED bulbs $.79 each
http://shop.cointaker.com/category.sc;jsessionid=70D05B379FE44CAAD008DE20923F4015.qscstrfrnt01?categoryId=136

I bought white, red and blue and followed Akumzetos LE pages that he uploaded. Just AWESOME!
If I recall there were 34 bulbs replaced (I didn't replace the top back incandescents on the backpanel)

test the villain mode out with your finger depressing the switch. If it works, you have a bad switch or it needs to be adjusted.

Anyone know if we will get an XMEN software update before Christmas? I would love an interim release instead of having to wait for 2 months for a big release ....

ok, that's exciting!

Just roll it over the whole flourescent tube. Its basically just difusing the light.
I just did one revolution as that blocked enough of the light to have no backglass glare on the playfield glass yet keeping the backglass well lit.

You can hear all of the audio samples with the pinball browser. Great tool.

I'm using the double LEDs Stern uses in the GI:
http://shop.cointaker.com/category.sc?categoryId=136

I have the color map from the LE and used RED, WHITE and BLUE double LEDS in the GI on my PRO. It looks awesome and is not blinding bright. It also matches the incandescents throughout.
I liked the mix. I think I needed 38 LEDs for XMEN.

This is one game I returned back to black rubber on the flippers to assist in ball control. I'm sure other colors would look cool on the game, but clean black rubber on the flipper bats is necessary.

No news. I wouldn't expect the last update for at least another 2 months.

Finished? They won't be selling XMEN anymore when the last update comes out. Unless you get HUO..... XMEN will get one more update and right now the game is great.

I will agree 100% to NEVER PREORDER. I have to see the game and play if for a few hours to decide. I would never preorder.

That was then .. This is now ... Xmen will get an update for sure, hopefully before years end.

This is a good update. I am enjoying deadpool and beating more villains.

I didn't realize deadpool was a comedian, but as they had to follow marvels direction I guess thats how he is in the comics. Love the combos and it's cool to see the tally in the instant info. I read on a wiki they call him the merc with a mouth!

A simple thing that makes me smile is the addition of flipper attract sounds. When the games are on in my gameroom, and I bump into tron or xmen and hear a quote or phrase I haven't heard before, its great!

Magnets are really fun in this one and a bit of new work on the flashers is appreciated. The simple flasher show at the end of the game completes the experience for me.

Unique combo extra ball, AWESOME! Also nice to have a few adjustments added.

I havent gotten to dark phoenix yet, but in time I am sure I will. Before, forget about it! I am not at all concerned with a wizard mode above DP and Danger Room as I will never finish both in one game, so I couldn't care less what the screen says

XMEN! My second favorite game in my lineup. I almost love it more than lamp.

I guess if those extras you like are extras I would like, then I'd agree the LE is better than the PRO. But honestly, I like my PRO just fine. Thats the point we are trying to make here ... just because an LE has more "stuff to like", doesn't mean everyone "likes the stuff". I don't care for the NC popups, spinning mag or moving ramp, but I will give you the lighting is AWESOME in the LE models. I also like my translite and cab better since it shows all of the characters. I know its "just a translite", but I like this translite better than the LE backglasses (I know some of you are shocked to hear that )

Just like I like my 2000 Celica GTS just fine and don't want a 2014 Mustang

Sorry, back to the XMEN love fest... LE or PRO doesn't matter, it's XMEN!!!!!

I couldn't agree more pmWolf, XMEN is one of Borgs masterpieces and it finally got a nice software update to match the wonderful layout and music. Waison came through! XMEN and TRON are games that will never leave my collection.

The last code update with Deadpool will be the final code for XMEN.
I think its fine and am very happy with the game.

Certainly not giving them a pass but do you know of anyone that can actually complete both wizard modes?

The shots required for Wolverine were bumped up in a recent release because it was too easy to start wolverine when you didn't want to. If you start him, finish him off and you don't have to worry about too many hits later on. It was distracting in previous releases when you could start wolverine 3 times in a single ball, so this was adjusted and I think its better this way YMMV.

I was told xmen is done by someone who would definately know, and i am happy with the game. Even if i ever get to both wizard modes ( which i doubt will happen) i would be happy to restart the game. Xmen doesnt need any more code imho, its a mature game with awesome code. I am very pleased with the game and the final update Waison coded.

As I recall there were supposed to be 16 unique combos, but for some reason "Original X-Men" unique combo was canned because they couldn't get it to work or it conflicted with other shots, I forget what I was told by one of the programmers at stern. You'll still see the label in the rom (pinball browser).

A while ago someone mapped all 15 working unique combos and its in the 1.3 thread if I recall, though it sounds like you and Dug have this covered already.

The unique combos is definitely one of my favorite parts of the game and the tie in to Deadpool is really nice.

interesting. It's also 10 combos activate dead pool.

How's your 3 ball game? Did you ever get to DR or DF on 3 balls?

Hmm do you think the Xavier and beast shots are hard on the PRO? I thought only the LE owners were looking for the captive ball mod.

I have the PRO and I think those shots are fine.

Waison is on WWE (lead programmer) along with 3 other programmers according to Sterns WWE video.

So in other words, get the PRO, its awesome! This is one of Borgs best games and the final software update made the game great. Its on my top 5 list of games.

Wow that's really tough, good job on getting to Dark Phoenix!

If you can't color the dots with pinball browser due to insufficient space, colorDMD could work as it applies the colors outside of the rom. So it is still possible to get an xmen color display.

Probably because the Magneto figure at the top of the playfield is that big too? Well, Wolvie is wider, but Magneto is "that big".

"Stern really wasted some great license opportunities"
Actually Stern did a great job with this license, but had problems with the LE games. The PRO was and always will be fantastic right out of the gate. I've been enjoying mine from the day it arrived. I purchased it the day after playing a very early LE that did not exhibit the problems that other people had. My friends LE had a correctly positioned Wolvie and no issues aside from a board issue with the nightcrawlers if I recall correctly (but of course the hacked blackbird plastic, which didn't make sense). I think some of the LE games weren't assembled/tuned/tested properly. No doubt they rushed the LE games out there for sure. They still made a beautiful game and one of my all time favorites.

Yes, a few reasons. You'll have to decide if they are compelling to you. I like 1.51 and would not go back.

V1.51 - February 17th, 2014
=======================
- Modified Dark Phoenix scores and shots
*Initial scores stay the same, but bonus scoring from ball/side losses have decreased slightly.
*Storm and Rogue shots no longer add time to all sides, but decrease the main timer by 15 seconds. This allows players to reach the final shot sooner, if they so desire or are able.
*Side timers have been reduced to 75s from 120s.
- Fixed an issue where Deadpool could be stolen by another player in a multiplayer game.
- Fixed a timing issue that prevented Xavier's starting light show from completing. Regular game play is now delayed to allow for the light show to finish.
- Fixed a timing issue that prevented ball locks from the Phoenix shot after a skill shot. Phoenix shot is no longer ignored after the skill shot.
- Removed Wizard Multiball shell. This was a wizard mode tested in early beta versions that was brought to prominence due to the last round of changes. It was inadvertently activated and is not an intented feature currently.

The "shell" wizard mode was initially going to be the wizard mode, whereas wizard modes were added for Heros (Danger Room) and Villains (Dark Phoenix) so the initial wizard mode is redundant and was removed. Again, if Waison didn't put work into Danger Room and Dark Phoenix you'd have 1 wizard mode instead of 2.

The chance that you will get both wizard modes in one game and actually beat both, are very very very very slim (unless you are RD's daughter)

All this talk of wizard modes. I know many have started danger room. I know some have started dark phoenix. But i dont know ANYONE that has completed both wizard modes. Do we even know what happens if both are completed?

I replaced the GI with the red, white and blue LEDS from the LE guide and left the inserts white (replaced the incandesents with white double leds). I like it!

Well, I am not a good photographer and the basement gameroom is pretty dim but here is a quick pic of my XMEN. The colors are bright and pleasing, not harsh and look great during gameplay. The RED are awesome near Magneto and his stock white flasher looks great coming through his cape amidst a wash of red around him. Stern did a nice job on the lighting of the LE and left almost the same exact holes in the PRO (except missing 4 additional lamps), so it makes XMEN an great candidate for LE type lighting.
IMG_2204.JPG

Just follow the LE lamp color map and I think you will be pleased.

He was talking about Avengers getting an update someday. XMEN is done.

Unique Combos (FROM THE COMPLETE RULES DOCUMENT)
Shoot unique hero combos for a special callout. You won’t see/hear these when a Hero mode is
running but there are still collectable and you can check the number you are at in the Instant
Info screen. The first unique combo does not increases the base combo value but every unique
combo after that increases the base combo value by 50k. Shooting 10 different unique combos
will light an extra ball.
Beast → Xavier “Sharp minds!” - Beast
Beast → Rogue “Beauty and the Beast” - Rogue
Beast → Wolverine “Savage Animals”
Beast → Storm “Meteorology” - Beast
Cyclops → Xavier “Teacher’s Pet” - Cyclops
Cyclops → Storm “Gold and Blue Leaders” - Cyclops
Cyclops → Rogue “Power Drain” - Cyclops
Cyclops → Wolverine “Rivals”
Iceman → Xavier “Brain Freeze” - Iceman
Iceman → Beast “Angry Yeti” - Iceman
Storm → Iceman “Hailstorm!” - Storm
Storm or Xavier → Phoenix → Wolverine “Unrequited Love” - Phoenix
Storm or Xavier → Phoenix → Iceman “Fire & Ice” - Phoenix
Storm or Xavier → Phoenix → Cyclops → Wolverine “Lovers Triangle” - Phoenix
Xavier → Cyclops → Storm → Wolverine “X-Men Leaders

see above, they are the unique combos....

The unique combos are multiple shots after one another. Some are 2 shots, others are 3 shots in a row, two are 4 shots in a row.
They give points, an animation and count toward Deadpool qualifying shots.

Here is the list again with a better expanation:
Beast to Xavier = “Sharp minds!” (2 shot combo)
Beast to Rogue = “Beauty and the Beast” (2 shot combo)
Beast to Wolverine = “Savage Animals” (2 shot combo)
Beast to Storm = “Meteorology” (2 shot combo)
Cyclops to Xavier = “Teacher’s Pet” (2 shot combo)
Cyclops to Storm = “Gold and Blue Leaders” (2 shot combo)
Cyclops to Rogue = “Power Drain” (2 shot combo)
Cyclops to Wolverine = “Rivals” (2 shot combo)
Iceman to Xavier = “Brain Freeze” (2 shot combo)
Iceman to Beast = “Angry Yeti” (2 shot combo)
Storm to Iceman = “Hailstorm!” (2 shot combo)
Storm or Xavier to Phoenix to Wolverine = “Unrequited Love” (3 shot combo)
Storm or Xavier to Phoenix to Iceman = “Fire & Ice” (3 shot combo)
Storm or Xavier to Phoenix to Cyclops to Wolverine = “Lovers Triangle” (4 shot combo)
Xavier to Cyclops to Storm to Wolverine = “X-Men Leaders (4 shot combo)

Fun fact. There were supposed to be 16 unique combos but one of them was scrapped since the shots could not be linked together properly. (Original XMEN)

All 15 are unique combos. If you do them again they are normal combos and you just get points without an animation or character if I recall.

I made a slight tweak to my back leveler and the game never drops the ball STDM again. Try leveling it differently.

1.51 is better ...

V1.51 - February 17th, 2014
=======================
- Modified Dark Phoenix scores and shots
*Initial scores stay the same, but bonus scoring from ball/side losses have decreased slightly.
*Storm and Rogue shots no longer add time to all sides, but decrease the main timer by 15 seconds. This allows players to reach the final shot sooner, if they so desire or are able.
*Side timers have been reduced to 75s from 120s.
- Fixed an issue where Deadpool could be stolen by another player in a multiplayer game.
- Fixed a timing issue that prevented Xavier's starting light show from completing. Regular game play is now delayed to allow for the light show to finish.
- Fixed a timing issue that prevented ball locks from the Phoenix shot after a skill shot. Phoenix shot is no longer ignored after the skill shot.
- Removed Wizard Multiball shell. This was a wizard mode tested in early beta versions that was brought to prominence due to the last round of changes. It was inadvertently activated and is not an intented feature currently.

I had that problem and fixed it by changing the leveling very slightly. It never goes down the middle now when released.

I wrapped the flourescent tube with regular printer paper, one sheet on each half of the tube to diffuse the lighting. It works great!

I was testing my XMEN PRO last night with the glass off and noticed a couple of things:

1) With default settings, you don't have to defeat Magneto as the last thing on the way to Danger Room. you can defeat magneto anytime and battle all heroes and still get danger room lit at the scoop.

2) When I had Danger Room qualified both Danger Room and Dark Phoenix were lit. Dark Phoenix stayed lit. I don't recall if after completing Danger Room Dark Phoenix insert stayed lit, but it was definately on when DR was qualified. Strange.

Ok I have stacking off, so I don't have to beat magneto, just complete all the heroes. I see, I misunderstood, thanks!

I am looking to brighten up my xmen pro a bit. Has anyone used the TWIN 2835 SMD Sunlight White in XMEN?
I am looking to brighten up the controlled lamps mostly without changing colors.

The only must have is a scoop protector. I have a mantis protector in mine and it works great, or can go with a cliffy protector. These scoops take a beating and you will wear out the wood surround without some kind of protector.

Mantis protectors are installed in the scoop and protect the edge of the wood. They don't cover the exposed playfield, so I prefer them for new games. For games with any wear, I'd chose a cliffy. I have mantis protectors in scoops of my XMEN for 3 years and Tron for 4 years with no wear. Either one is great, just my personal choice.

Not at all.

They use the cointaker double LEDS. You can use others like comet, etc too
Here is a link to the cointaker double LEDS>

http://cointaker.com/products/555-2led

I'm running the latest Stern rom with the latest colordmd rom with the game in free play mode. See if you can reproduce the uncolored frames. I haven't seen any uncolored frames.

Wow that is crazy cool. I think you are the first to attempt this mod on a pro! How are you going to get the spinning disc to work??

You can't run the LE code in a PRO. You'll immediately brick your CPU.

That's a helluva combo! Unfortunately you only get the Beast/storm combo shot for that one. Here is a list I keep for the unique combos.
15 unique combos in all. Although you can combo endlessly with this game, the most stringed (in order) combos are 4 shots.
XMEN is awesome!

Beast+Storm=Meteorology
Beast+Wolverine=Savage Animals
Beast+Rogue=Beauty and the Beast
Beast+Xavier=Sharp Minds
Cyclops+Xavier=Teacher's Pet
Cyclops+Rogue=Power Drain
Cyclops+Storm=Gold and Blue Leader
Cyclops+Wolverine=Rivals
Storm+Iceman=Hailstorm
Storm(OR Xavier)+Phoenix+Wolverine=Unrequited Love
Storm(OR Xavier)+Phoenix+Cyclops+Wolverine=Lovers Triangle
Storm(OR Xavier)+Phoenix+Iceman=Fire and Ice
Iceman+Beast=Angry Yeti
Iceman+Xavier=Brain Freeze
Xavier+Cyclops+Storm+Wolverine= X-Men Leaders

Is there an option to just control the GI and color change the GI on the PRO based on modes, similar to the LE GI color changing?

I have flipper fidelity speakers in my tron and xmen and they sound way better than the stock speakers.
I removed the "dial" that it comes with. Check your installation, there should be a noticeable improvement even at lower volumes.
I play mine at volume 35 or 36. Lower than that its too low IMHO.

Not normal. I have a PRO and wolvie registers everytime I hit him. Check the switch distance again. I don't care for the captive ball mod.

I think the game is difficult. I frequently get near danger room, but never dark phoenix. There is alot to do in the game and it keeps me coming back. I've been to danger room twice in 4 years. There are 8 heroes and 8 villains, so plenty of fun characters to meet and battle. Here are a few more nuances in the rules sheet.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RXQg7NEYahyzLrrT-E3WXAmhKNtT-eVfqc5GEWZdHL0/edit#