New Stern pins, Batman VS. CSI

Alky

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Has anyone played both of these pins, and which one would you consider to be funner? I have only played the Batman and it is pretty nice but the CSI looks cool as well. I am hoping a few of you has had the chance to play both and can let me know what you think.
Thanks
 
I've played both and like both, but neither one is great compared to some of the other Stern games like Spider-Man, Simpsons Pinball Party, or Lord of the Rings. Specifically between those two, however, I'd say Batman is more fun.
 
Yeh i like spider man and lord, not a big fan of the simpsons. I hated the new nba one but its actually one of my favorites now. thanks for the input though.
 
Yeh i like spider man and lord, not a big fan of the simpsons. I hated the new nba one but its actually one of my favorites now. thanks for the input though.

Just curious, what's your thoughts on the Data East Simpsons pin?
 
I've played Batman a lot, but not CSI. None of the arcades/ operators around the L.A. area bought a Stern game after Batman (as far as I know). A lot of people shit-talk CSI, but I'd like to play it...it looks kinda cool. The people who like the game say that they like it because it plays like a System 11. No deep rules, but fun enough....doesn't make me wanna spend $4000 on one!

I have mixed feelings on Batman. I like playing it on location, because the crane is a really cool feature and it's fun to hit. However, it's kind of easy and not much else happens besides the Scarecrow and Joker multiballs. Software isn't finished yet...hopefully better code will show up soon. The bridge is a totally stupid toy, and the Joker can is pointless as well.
 
Batman is total and complete shit. The design phase was a joke. Gameroom Magazine had a good writeup on it (interview with George Gomez) - Stern cheaped out and yanked the design from Lawlor at the white wood stage. Then they handed it to George Gomez and said 'shine this turd for as little money as possible.' You could tell from Gomez's tone in the article that he was not happy at all with the whole project.

I haven't played CSI, but I have played 24. I really enjoy 24. Probably my favorite Steve Ritchie title.
 
Batman is total and complete shit. The design phase was a joke. Gameroom Magazine had a good writeup on it (interview with George Gomez) - Stern cheaped out and yanked the design from Lawlor at the white wood stage. Then they handed it to George Gomez and said 'shine this turd for as little money as possible.' You could tell from Gomez's tone in the article that he was not happy at all with the whole project.

I haven't played CSI, but I have played 24. I really enjoy 24. Probably my favorite Steve Ritchie title.

Are you sure you're quoting that article right? I've never heard of Lawlor's involvement on Batman. Lawlor was designing CSI and didn't follow it to finish....the people at Stern finished it up. As far as I know, Batman was 100% Gomez.
 
I don't know who did who on game designs but I did have the pleasure of playing both of these. My thoughts......Batman to me was cool yet at the same time I was kind of bored. I think alot of people hit it right when they said the code is unfinished on this game. CSI on the other I think is a better game. The Skull lock was cool as well as the Centrifuge. It had a easy rulesheet and it's one of those pins you can get to right away. Lesson learned and this goes for BBH as well; never judge a book by it's cover! Side note, we need more vids Greg!! Hint: I see NGG in your sig.....
 
Side note, we need more vids Greg!! Hint: I see NGG in your sig.....

I took a break from the vids, as I wanted to find some decent editing software that works w/ my cameras video format. The raw vids upload to Youtube OK, but there's a lot of static popping in the audio that happens due to their conversion.
 
Are you sure you're quoting that article right? I've never heard of Lawlor's involvement on Batman. Lawlor was designing CSI and didn't follow it to finish....the people at Stern finished it up. As far as I know, Batman was 100% Gomez.

Hmmm...I could have swore it was Batman that this happened on. Dang...I wonder if I still have that issue with the George Gomez interview. Can anyone else with GRM confirm deny.

It has to be batman though, because its the only recent pin Gomez has done.
 
Hmmm...I could have swore it was Batman that this happened on. Dang...I wonder if I still have that issue with the George Gomez interview. Can anyone else with GRM confirm deny.

It has to be batman though, because its the only recent pin Gomez has done.

Well, it's well known that Pat Lawlor started CSI (Stern still credits the game to Pat), things didn't work out, and Stern had to finish the game themselves. I know that Batman was rushed...but I'm 99% that Lawlor had nothing to do w/ it.
 
Well, it's well known that Pat Lawlor started CSI (Stern still credits the game to Pat), things didn't work out, and Stern had to finish the game themselves. I know that Batman was rushed...but I'm 99% that Lawlor had nothing to do w/ it.

Who was the house designer that took over? Maybe I am blending articles together.
 
Who was the house designer that took over? Maybe I am blending articles together.

I thought it was Keith Johnson that finished up CSI...I think there's a podcast interview w/ him where he talks about it...it actually sounds like it was a massive group effort to finish that game off.
 
Who was the house designer that took over? Maybe I am blending articles together.

John Borg picked-up on the development of CSI after PLD delivered the initial whitewood. According to a Gameroom March '09 interview he started on CSI after he finished "helping" on Batman.
 
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John Borg picked-up on the development of CSI after PLD delivered the initial whitewood. According to a Gameroom March '09 interview he started on CSI after he finished "helping" on Batman.

March '09 - thanks! I'll have to hunt and see if I still have it. I've been throwing some away lately, so it might be gone.

So basically, the whole design process as Stern is effed.
 
So basically, the whole design process as Stern is effed.

Let's hope that the recent changes at STERN help rectify the problems they have had of late with the major designers. It sure is a shame to be the last pinball company on the planet and Pat Lawlor would rather desigen redemtion games than work with you.

For what it's worth, I recently played both games back to back at the Hall of Fame in Vegas and here are my quick thoughts: To me Batman has a MUCH better theme (I've never even seen the CSI show, so it's hard to be interested). Batman did have the most recent software which helps but the only really interesting feature is the crane; which is quite fun. CSI has a better playfield and more unique gimmicks. The shots just flowed better and the skull ball-lock (reminds me of pinbot), centrifuge, and in a lesser capacity, the microscope were all enjoyable features. If I had to pick it would be a hard choice, simply because I have so little interest in the CSI theme. Batman isn't terrible, and if they update the software further it still has potential, and it's much easier to get into the look of the cabinet in a game room. But if theme wasn't an issue CSI would win hands down.
 
Ask yourself though - WHY does Batman have a crane? Maybe I saw the condensed 2 hour version of the Dark Knight, but I don't recall even seeing a crane in the movie...

There is not a single redeeming aspect of that pinball.
 
Ask yourself though - WHY does Batman have a crane? Maybe I saw the condensed 2 hour version of the Dark Knight, but I don't recall even seeing a crane in the movie...

There is not a single redeeming aspect of that pinball.

Yeah, the crane has absolutely nothing to do w/ anything....although Scarecrow's name IS Dr. Crane! Ho-ho-ho. Gomez said he just wanted to put a crane in a game... in any case, it is the game's best feature. I think hitting the crane is a lot of fun.
 
Just curious, what's your thoughts on the Data East Simpsons pin?
Ive only got to play that one once or twice and cant remember a whole lot about it, part of the reason I dont like the Stern Simpson's is because the damn garage door always breaks down. Next time i go pick up some pins ill check and see if my guy still has the simpsons and play it for a bit.
 
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