Quoted from machine.slave

Adam, I think actually the POTD is still there.. it looks like they moved it to the left, in place of the teeter-totter (not as a 2nd level though)

Not from what I can see, there is just a ramp that feeds the left flipper on the left side.  

I'm looking forward to when these are up for re-sale... finally, a newer Stern I could actually afford!  

Quoted from Menace

Seriously?  This has already been tried in the past with pinball (more than once I might add) and it failed...

D

Different times now. The home market is now much bigger than before. People are staying home more. People need things to fill their huge basements in their McMansions.

I thought this was a full-size pinball, or is it a dinky home model?  Have they ever tried 'home' models that were full size, just no coin mechs and less toys?

Quoted from Menace

Seriously?  This has already been tried in the past with pinball (more than once I might add) and it failed...

D

Personally I think this stinks for a number of reasons.

1. I think they went in the wrong direction. Instead of offering a cheaper version, I think they should have offered a collector version with more layers of clear, rome, shaker motor, real backglass, etc. Black Spiderman proved the home market will pay. The guy that isn't willing to pay $4,400 for a pinball, isn't going to be swayed by a $3,300 pinball -- I think anyhow.

2. This game should be clearly labeled as a home version or value version. To do otherwise is deceptive and dishonest. For collectors, we see the difference immediately, but to the home buyer? I don't think so. Same cab, same translite, majority of plastics and toys are there. For the casual observer, BDK and BDK Lite look the same. I see some unhappy purchasers in the future.

3. It's dumbing down the game. Clearly it has some important elements missing. While, I'm not a fan of BDK -- especially the one ramp shot, at least it directs the ball to one of two parts of the playfield. That's missing from the lite version. The drop target adds some challenge to the game as the ball comes screaming back. That's missing. At the end of the day, I don't think it will play nearly as nice as the real version and I suspect that will also lead to some unhappy purchasers.

I don't know....it just seems like a desperate move that is doomed to failure. I don't think there will be a sudden rush of home buyers at the $3,200 US price tag.

Duane

Quoted from jonny_eh

Different times now. The home market is now much bigger than before. People are staying home more. People need things to fill their huge basements in their McMansions.

You really think there is a HUGE market for a $3,200 toy? I disagree.

Duane

Well, it's an experiment. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out. At least they're trying something new. But I agree, they should be more upfront that this is a different version.

Better for Stern to sell thinned-out pins cheaper and get rid of extra parts that lay around than just sit on them and hope people order some.

MORE expensive pins like SM black? Call a few distributors and ask them how many they have sold. There are still a lot available.

Quoted from Vengeance

Not from what I can see, there is just a ramp that feeds the left flipper on the left side.  

It's hard to tell, but it looks like the ramp might go to two lanes at the top. In that case, it could act as the POTD, but I cann't be certain. I'm looking at this pic:

http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/Costco-BDK/DSC05580?full=1

Hard to tell, but if you look at the bottom it looks like it might have two lanes.

Quoted from Sparky

MORE expensive pins like SM black? Call a few distributors and ask them how many they have sold. There are still a lot available.

Not true. HUO Spidy's are commanding $7,500 USD +.  They sold out. Original price was $4,000 or so. To the best of my knowledge there are none available. If you know otherwise, shot me a PM

Quoted from TwilightZone

Not true. HUO Spidy's are commanding $7,500 USD +.  They sold out. Original price was $4,000 or so. To the best of my knowledge there are none available. If you know otherwise, shot me a PM

They demand a high price due to their rarity. Hard to make a large profit on low volume. Maybe if they originally priced it at $7500...

But BSM is unique. SM turned out to be a killer game. BDK is great, but it's no SM.

Quoted from jonny_eh

But BSM is unique. SM turned out to be a killer game. BDK is great, but it's no SM.

That's a good point.

SM is generally received as one of the best Stern offerings avaliable, so makes sense that the limited edition version would sell well.

Do you think BBH all gussied up with chrome and better clear would sell well as a collectors edition?  I don't, but I could see it selling better as a stripped down home game.  There arn't many Stern games out that I don't enjoy but that being said I don't see any value is dressing them up either for the collector market, games like CSI, 24, and NBA can be fun to play, but in a collector edition they wouldn't sell.