I am not that excited for multiple reasons. #1, the price. Stern is really of their rocker with this one and I am continually shocked that people will throw down that kind of money for games that have regressed over the years. #2 has to do directly with #1. Because of the price, no op will buy one to put on route here, and even if they do, it will be the new pro version, which is basically the old home version with how stripped down they have become. I will get very few opportunities to play the game like it was meant to be played. Thank God we have a very large home pinball enthusiasts crowd here, or otherwise it would be none.
The Twin Cities area is a huge pinball market, but the last several Stern releases have been very telling. Before CSI, most every Stern release could be found in a minimum of half a dozen locations, if not more. CSI and after is a different story...
CSI - 1 (now off route so none now)
24 - 2
NBA - 0
BBH - 2
IM - 2
Avatar Pro - 2
TRS Pro - 1
Tron Pro - 2
Transformers Pro - 1
Keep in mind that 50% of the BBH, IM, Avatar and Tron pins belong to one location who is more of a private owner and has all his games at his bowling alley. If Stern keeps this up, all the pins will be in private residencies where the public has no opportunity to enjoy them.