Thoughts on a couple Sterns?

machfelon

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Im selling off about 2/3 of my vids for a gameroom renovation.

Going to be buying at least 1 A title and a couple non a list games.

of the Sterns listed below which would you choose.

Elvis
CSi
WOF
Sopranos
Shrek
 
I haven't played the others, but I like Shrek. Doesn't seem like it's terribly deep the few times I've played it. Really hard to say I'd spend that kind of money on it, but I did enjoy playing it. The mini-pinball PF is a hoot, gotta wonder how hard it is to find replacement parts for it though, now or in the future.

Don't really get the "beer can" target in the middle of the playfield. This game and Family Guy share the same layout, and it doesn't really work on either game IMO. I think it's used to start modes, but mostly it's just in the way.
 
I haven't played the others, but I like Shrek. Doesn't seem like it's terribly deep the few times I've played it. Really hard to say I'd spend that kind of money on it, but I did enjoy playing it. The mini-pinball PF is a hoot, gotta wonder how hard it is to find replacement parts for it though, now or in the future.

Don't really get the "beer can" target in the middle of the playfield. This game and Family Guy share the same layout, and it doesn't really work on either game IMO. I think it's used to start modes, but mostly it's just in the way.

Actually Family Guy/Shrek are fairly deep. A mini-wizard mode (TV Wizard/Swamp Wizard) and a main Wizard Mode (which is nearly impossible to get to, IMO)...lots of modes, lots of stacking strategy. I prefer Family Guy - but if you're a Shrek fan, you can't go wrong.

Elvis - SUPER fun and always puts me in a good mood....but it must be shopped/dialed in precisely to be as good as I feel it is. Pinball Life LOTR special coils make it perfect and the ball really jams. The ENCORE multiball is a great feature that saves its state over multiple games (and power downs), reminiscent of BK2K's RANSOM.

CSI - I've never watched the show but I've enjoyed this game when I've played it. Looks nice, has cool music, and the skull lock is sweet. Interesting and unique layout. I think the prob is that it was gonna be a deeper Lawlor game, but he kinda bailed part way through it, and the code/features were simplified. I'd pick one up if the price was right.

WOF - Unfortunately the code was never finished - but some people justify that by saying you'd never get to the missing features anyway due to the challenge. It's a unique game...the skill shot is great, the wheel is cool, the bobblehead contestants are kinda funny, it has a lot of pinball in-jokes....the in-line drop targets are cool and reveal a nice half-pipe ramp. The unique bottom will make this game standout in a collection. Even though the game has a lot going for it, it got a bit old for me after a few months....I'm a big sound package guy - and the dinky gameshow music got annoying after a while...but the Chicago Multiball tune is awesome.

Sopranos - It's OK...if I were to get a Gomez Stern I'd rather have LOTR, BDK, or Transformers. Whenever I've played Sopranos, I've found it to be really easy for whatever reason. Seems like the safe is always broken. The music is cool, and you can't go wrong with a game that says "FUCK!" every 2 seconds...lol. If you're a fan of the show, it probably goes a bit further for you.
 
Personally I like Elvis and the sopranos both are fun games IMO .I own a wof and enjoy it a lot it's a very challenging game and when you hit the pop bumpers it sounds like EM chimes.I'm surprised more people don't talk about that feature.I also have a stern ironman consider adding that to the list,I've played a lot of stern games it is my fav.
 
Im selling off about 2/3 of my vids for a gameroom renovation.

Going to be buying at least 1 A title and a couple non a list games.

of the Sterns listed below which would you choose.

Elvis
CSi
WOF
Sopranos
Shrek

I'm very open to being objective on pinball titles, and I must say none of the ones listed there have really caught me personally to the point of where I wanted to own one. Probably the only one I would consider, given that money and space is a factor for me, would be Sopranos.

I'll try to expand a little bit so I'm not just popping in and being a "hater". LOL.

ELVIS- Never played it, and the theme does absolutely ZERO for me. Would love to try one though.

CSI- Have played this one quite a bit and the gameplay just bores me.

WOF- Have played this one several times, and I just found the gameplay to be too slow and odd. For some reason when I play this, I don't even feel like I'm playing a pinball machine, if that makes any sense. This title is truly a love it or hate it title, and I hate it.

SOPRANOS- For me, the best title in this list. fast, great title, the swear roms are awesome (if you don't have kids), and just interesting to play. I was a big Sopranos fan when it was on HBO, so the title to me hits home.

SHREK- I've played this one quite a bit, and I like it to a certain extent.. but would rather have a Family Guy instead (its the same table). The call outs on shrek are funny, but get old quick. The gameplay seems a little uninspired after about 50 plays for some reason to me. The mini play field is cool, but gets old. I would consider this a game I'd have for a while then move for another table if I ever got one.

Just my $.02. I would highly recommend seeking out the title you are thinking of buying and putting a bunch of plays on it before you commit. I have bought pins thinking I was going to love the game and ended up that I couldn't stand it.

Good luck with your search!
 
Thanks for the replies.

Elvis would be the one I will probably aim for. I go to Vegas a lot and Elvis ties into that theme perfectly. Plus the wife likes him. Its gonna be a tad pricier than the other prolly.

Let me ask another question regarding Sterns. If lets say I get a good deal on another STERN like Ironman (as mentioned) or Tron what are you missing if you get a Pro vs an LE?
 
Thanks for the replies.

Elvis would be the one I will probably aim for. I go to Vegas a lot and Elvis ties into that theme perfectly. Plus the wife likes him. Its gonna be a tad pricier than the other prolly.

Let me ask another question regarding Sterns. If lets say I get a good deal on another STERN like Ironman (as mentioned) or Tron what are you missing if you get a Pro vs an LE?

Regarding Iron Man versions, Pro is what you want. Iron Man Classic is the stripped down version that was made to sell at Costco. Same applies to Stern's Batman Standard model, it is the stripped down version. Iron Man was made before Stern released LE models, so although there are two models of Iron Man, there is no LE.

As for your game choices.

Elvis - Never played or seen

CSI - Played a few times on one occasion. Thought it was pretty cool, interesting layout. It did seem like the ball stayed in the pop bumpers for quite a while.

WOF - Played a few times one one occasion. Kind of cool and interesting. Not sure how it would hold up. Programming is incomplete.

Sopranos - Played a few times on one occasion. I generally liked the game, but it seemed kind of easy. I don't care for the theme, so it isn't something I'd consider.

Shrek - Never seen or played it.
 
As far as Tron goes, the LE isn't worth the extra $$$ over the pro. I've played both and like the game alot. But I wouldn't drop that kinda money on a light show and a tiny bit of extra software features.
 
The mini play field is cool, but gets old.

Have you completed it? The best part of the mini playfield isn't the mini on it's own - but it's using it to start the Stewie (Donkey) Multiball where you have to play BOTH playfields simultaneously. That's the brilliance and challenge of that design. You have to hit the character on the main and mini to light their insert, then hit the upper flipper Super Jackpot shot that goes under the mini pf. You must complete this to have a shot at the final wizard mode, too! Very tough, and a unique multiball compared to other games.
 
Have you completed it? The best part of the mini playfield isn't the mini on it's own - but it's using it to start the Stewie (Donkey) Multiball where you have to play BOTH playfields simultaneously. That's the brilliance and challenge of that design. You have to hit the character on the main and mini to light their insert, then hit the upper flipper Super Jackpot shot that goes under the mini pf. You must complete this to have a shot at the final wizard mode, too! Very tough, and a unique multiball compared to other games.

I had that going when I played it last time, but I had no clue that's what was needed, lol. I was just like "What the hell, how am I supposed to do both?"
 
The Sopranos is probably my favorite of those listed. Elvis is okay but the theme and artwork kill it for me, in fact it's a turnoff. If getting a later Stern I'd go for a Simpsons, Tron, Ripley's. I'm also not a big fan of the mini playfield on Shrek or Family Guy.

Seems like there were a couple of other Sterns that I thought were pretty good but they're not coming to mind at the moment.

Wade
 
Just wondering if you have played any of those titles or why you narrowed it down to the ones you chose?

Of your list I've played them all...

Shrek would be my first choice simply because you can change the software and play Family Guy (my favorite Stern) on about 2 minutes.

There's a Sopranos about a block from my house. It's probably the only pin on location in about 30 miles from me. I've played it a bunch of times and to be honest..it's one of the very few pins I just don't like. I really tried to like it...but it does nothing for me

The rest fall in between...and RareHero mentioned WoF is a great players game with unfinished code. If stern is gonna re-theme a game...I hope it's this one
 
The rest fall in between...and RareHero mentioned WoF is a great players game with unfinished code. If stern is gonna re-theme a game...I hope it's this one

For all the cries for originality, WOF's original design caused a major backlash, especially from overseas buyers, for some reason...they did NOT like the bottom area of WOF and due to that, I don't think Stern will ever try that again. I was really hoping they'd retheme it, too...would have made a great music/rock pin. The wheel could be changed to a record, the bobbleheads could change into a band bouncing up and down on stage.....oh well.
 
For all the cries for originality, WOF's original design caused a major backlash, especially from overseas buyers, for some reason...they did NOT like the bottom area of WOF and due to that, I don't think Stern will ever try that again. I was really hoping they'd retheme it, too...would have made a great music/rock pin. The wheel could be changed to a record, the bobbleheads could change into a band bouncing up and down on stage.....oh well.

Funny..it's the double edge sword. I wonder if Stern gave up on the game cuz of the double 'between the flippers' outlanes. Had Stern finished the code and more pin guys played it...I bet the pin people would mostly agree that the new lower stuff added a very nice dimension to the game.

That wheel would make a hell of a Roulette wheel for a casino game. Of course those never seem to go over well
 
Funny..it's the double edge sword. I wonder if Stern gave up on the game cuz of the double 'between the flippers' outlanes. Had Stern finished the code and more pin guys played it...I bet the pin people would mostly agree that the new lower stuff added a very nice dimension to the game.

Stern "gave up" on it partially due to low sales (that's no excuse...anyone who paid full price for one should always be thought of as a future customer, and that code situation left a bad taste in many people's mouths), and partially because Keith Johnson was laid off. Had he still been at Stern, he probably would have eventually finished the code as Lyman did with Spidey and Batman....but he's w/ Jersey Jack now, so - WOF is 100% over.
 
Elvis - no rikey whatsoevah
CSi - fun but not fun enough to want to own one
WOF - haven't played it a whole lot but it's fun
Sopranos - no opinion
Shrek - awesome. FG is als0 awesome. I think if younger kids are involved I'd take a Shrek or FG though.

My .02
 
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