I think this might be my favorite pin of all time. If I could trade this table for anything else.... I wouldn't.
It's just a fun, easy to pick up, hard to put down kinda game. But plenty of games have this quality, so the Things that set it in a league of its own are its innovations.
- Projector. Why has nobody thought of this before or ripped this idea off yet? It's infinitely better to be able to see new modes and objectives displayed right there in front of you. Plus, it's a great implementation of an 80s staple, that being the drive-in theater.
- UV lighting. Again, how has nobody thought to do this before, and why aren't other tables ripping this off? The effect is honestly breath-taking, even in a medium-lit room, but in the dark, it's astonishing, and you always want the mode to last longer than it does.
- Demogorgon shot. This has to be one of THE most satisfying shots in all of pinball. Setting it up with projected drop targets and spelling progressively longer sentences? This is the kind of stuff Nintendo would do if they made a pinball machine - simple, easy to understand, difficult to master. I honestly can't think of a more exciting moment than sailing a ball, off a ramp, through the air, and into the mouth. Then getting 2 in a row on the more difficult modes? Forget about it. Pure bliss.
- Telekinesis Ball Lock. When this works, it's amazing. I had to dock a few points here for this one, because it's just not a good design for the effect they were going after. Idea? 10/10 Implementation? 6/10 Again, when it works, it's an absolutely amazing effect. Getting 3 balls suspended in the air? Come on, this is brilliant! But yeah, wish it was more reliable. I have a new ramp cover coming from Stern, so I hope that makes it a bit more reliable. Right now, I just play with the cover off, because even though the ball will go flying off the ramp, at least the ball lock is far more consistent.
EDIT - got the new ramp cover from Stern, and my god, it actually works consistently now! I didn’t think it would make this much of a difference, but if you have a stranger things premium or LE, HIT UP STERN AND GET THE UPDATED LEFT RAMP COVER. My tk ball lock works like a dream now. Score has been updated to reflect this.
- Sounds, music, theme, callouts, rules, layout, all of this stuff is 10/10 for me. Here come the flags, but I'm gonna say it. This is a better table than Attack From Mars. The way the drop targets chime in key with the theme is just so satisfying. Demodog and jackpots are appropriately intense and rewarding. All if the music is just perfect too. I love the end credits remix with the prions for show - it absolutely captures the vibe of the show.
- World Under Glass. If this is important to you, I honestly believe Stranger Things (LE/Premium + UV kit) is the most other-worldly pinball table in existence. Sure, Guns & Roses has a lot of flashing lights, but this table takes you somewhere else entirely. It's not the quantity of lighting, but how they are implemented. Between the UV lights and the projector, this game is absolutely the lighting champ as of this moment. It's not even remotely close IMHO. Maybe lighting is just more important to me, but if you've only played a Pro without the UV kit and projector, you've shot this game, but you haven't EXPERIENCED this game.
I currently own a Jurassic Park (Stern) and as much as I absolutely love that table, Stranger Things is just a better overall package. If I could only own one table, this would be it.
Fremantle
St Charles, MO
Santo André
