Found 8 ratings (with comment) on this game

Look, let's get it out of the way right up front. I know it's a controversial game because it utilizes the same layout as Star Wars home edition, and that's "unforgivable" for a lot of people, and that paired with its limited run of only 100 or so games perpetuated the idea amongst many that this is somehow exactly like the home pin. Let me tell you, definitively, it is not. This is a full premium model Stern, with full metal ramps, high quality materials, and sleek packaging that includes fine powder coating on the lock bar and legs, as well as high fidelity art blades. And yes, while it shares some of the features of that same layout, key changes in the toys and mechanisms were made, and the modes themselves make this a whole different beast.
Its art package is among the best i've seen on their machines, and the theme is just absolutely killer. The shots are simple, but not easy, it plays fast, and the rules are easy to understand, and the light show it puts on is one of the best i've seen from a Stern.

Likewise, the DMD animations are absolutely killer. A lot of people felt like it was inappropriate to put a DMD in what is basically a modern game, but I think it actually enhances the overall package of the game and better fits the attitude of the material it is referencing. It has some of the best art on its cabinet and backglass that i've seen in pinball, and the theme is just tied nicely together with all of its various modes. I also love that it plays a lot like an 80's or 90's game with the toys it does have, and its ability to stack multiple modes, and even trigger multiballs out of current multiballs. It makes it incredibly haptic and incredibly fun. The soundtrack is the very best a pinball has ever offered, and it being paired with the universe of Heavy Metal gives it a story that is usually lacking in music pins not named Iron Maiden or Foo Fighters. A reason to actually give a crap about what the ball and the adventure you're on with the game is actually simulating.

Overall it's an effective and wondeful package, and if more people could actually get their hands on the game and actually give it a shot, didn't judge it so unfairly out of pocket on its release, and had COVID not messed up the supply line and got more of these out there, I think it would be a cult classic in the same way the movie it's largely based on is.

I am hesitant to say it's my favorite pinball of all time, but I can tell you it's definitely my favorite Stern.

Played one of these recently in Dallas. Uninspired layout, just pretty dull overall. Put five games on it and had no desire to play more. Can't comment on the sound, which likely does help, since it was a public location and you can't really appreciate in that environment...

One of the worst pinball machines ever.

I love Heavy Metal. Much better feeling when compared to Star Wars Pin. Same playfield - yes. Other things are much better. Very fast game to play.

Love this game. Very fun to play, fast shots and great music. Shots actually quite challenging with timers going crazy and rock blasting. Nelson and Taarna shots quite satisfying when coupled with the shaker explosions. I have it connected to my stereo and I can’t say enough about how awesome the killer soundtrack is. Great. Game!

Also, the artwork on this machine is gorgeous and probably should have won a Twipy.

This game rocks! It's got the best game music of anything I have ever played and the other incidental sounds are fun too. It MAY be able to be loaded with the Star Wars ROMs too so thats a bonus. Most importantly the game play is really great and the art is spectacular. 10/10

Edit:
Now that I've owned it almost a full year, this game has lasting power. My family and myself still play it almost every day. My skill at the game keeps inching up and I regularly place a new high score. But this game is difficult. It's so fast and with the light show and music blasting it's difficult to keep up. I rarely hit Heavy Metal Meltdown but when I do it's a thrill. And the evil taunting even I finally drain makes me smile every time. I truly love this game and can't see getting rid of it. Looks, sounds, feels, better than most of the other pins I spend time on. I'm just sad that so few were made. If I get rid of it, I'll likely never play it again. It's that rare.

Heavy Metal is very fun. Even though we have seen the layout in other pins that came first, it seems like this was the theme and rule set it was really made for. George Gomez is a trusted designer and his layouts should never be dismissed. On Heavy Metals release, the price is what drove people to say it was not a pin worth having, however My NIB was a lot cheaper from the distributor than original priced getting the game ever closer to its home pin predecessor in price. FIRST THING: This is a full size game cabinet, custom side rails and legs (painted in an awesome color changing sparkle). Custom shooter knob (like other available accessory knobs offered by stern) And don't forget it has art blades installed as well.
Strength of the game: Music, Flow, and Crazy Speed. This game is not complicated but is brutal and punishing if you lack ball control. The shots flow great, but the speed of the game makes it difficult to keep up. Features I love in Heavy Metal: The music changes based on what character type you are scoring on, and the music itself is classic to Heavy Metal Movie lovers as well. Lighting in this game is fantastic. Compared side by side to my Iron Maiden Premium, Heavy Metal is a lot brighter making everything really pop.

Detractors of the game give the playfield art a thumbs down, yet it works perfectly for the theme and stays true to Heavy Metal Magazine and parts of the Movie. Cabinet Side art is just Awesome! Anyone would be proud to have this showing in their line up on this alone. Artistically this game having a DMD actually is Bad Ass! It fits the time period and personality of the game to a "T".

What could be improved:
I would like to have slings and pop bumpers independent from each other more so out of a preference than an actual functional issue. For those who don't know, the two slings fire at the same time when a ball hits either one because they are sharing one node board. Two of the three pops fire together as well. However I have found that the game still plays solid just like any other pin. It looks a bit bare when compared to the likes of a Jurassic Park etc. But it feels more like a Sword of Rage Pro. Code has been updated to support a shaker motor, but thats a separate add on, which means more cost.

Final note: Will the theme work for everyone, NO. But as far as boutique pins go I think this is by far the best Stern has made.

Game has a few things that make it feel cheap for a new pin. The B17 lights are not individually lit, Heavy is one big target, slingshots both fire, no colour dmd (spidey homepin!)
Re-theme of Star Wars homepin
Will game get the same level of code support?

Otherwise, the art and music are top notch.
Game has many orbits to keep play fast.
Lower playfield feels a bit overly open/devoid of features.
Has some neat animations, images.

Game came with a custom shooter rod
You send for the magazine.
Mine is 15/300

Game did have some outside sales pressure. Covid, EU tariff. I would be suprised if all 300 get built.