Is it just me?  It could be.  IF you want to flame me then go right ahead...lol

I've played 3 Stern pinballs so far.  You guys can tell me if they all just suck, because I suppose that's possible too.

I've played Elvis, POTC, and LOTR and I have not been impressed one bit with any of them.  I thought they all sucked a**.  I am not a fan of Elvis, loved the LOTR movies and thought the POTC 1st one was ok, 2nd one sucked.  But just in general, I did not enjoy playing them.  I left notes for the operators to send me my money back .

What do you guys think?  So far I've just played what I've run into at bowling alleys or wherever.  The older Pins seem so much better, and honestly, my JD is alot more fun than all 3 of those Sterns I've played.

To me all 3 of them looked like they had used cheaper materials on the playfield as well (probably did).

ANyway this is just my opinion.

I am actually starting to think the same.
I actually have a LOTR I find yes it is a very deep rule set but it is very fun but quality is not there with stern

Play one that belongs to a collector and your opinion may change. Any Stern I've ever seen on location has been a horribly dirty, sad example. I think they feel *different* from Bally/Williams machines, but by no means "suck". I've played a brand new HUO LOTR, Elvis, TSPP and POTC and I've played the same titles on location. The experiences were like day & night.

People used to say the same thing about DE vs. Williams. Seems like a 'tastes great/less filling' or 'fork/spoon' sort of argument to me. I just don't see the issue.

Quoted Text

I left notes for the operators to send me my money back

Sounds like the typical routed machine in most places...I've played lots of Williams that're routed too that I hated...wouldn't knock the brand but the operator here  

Brian

Firehawk, do you want to use this pic? I haven't needed it lately.

It's an accepted fact that Stern doesn't have the craftmenship of a Williams,
but a well-maintained machine makes a WORLD of difference over a routed one.

I can't say much about Elvis or POTC, but I own a NIB LOTR
and I'll probably be buried with it....

Any googling on RGP will show that the game has a huge following,
and if you play a good machine and understand the ruleset, it's hard to top.

Unfortunately the quality in Stern is lacking in many respects.
The artwork is cheaply printed, pixelated and rubs off easily.
The PF parts are made of cheap plastic and break more easily.
The flippers often "feel" clanky.
(I've got an RFM pin with 20,000 plays and the flippers are still smooth and solid.
I've got a TSPP with 2000 plays and the flippers are loud and "harsh" )

That said, the gameplay and "toys" on both my TSPP and LOTR make for awesome games.
...if only they were built like Williams....

Cheers,
Steph

I think the biggest issue is that these comments are made over and over about the game feel and yet nothing is done to improve the situation.

The bean counters have won, which is a sad commentary on the state of the pinball industry.

Better a game that feels cheap than nothing at all...  1 manufacturer and he's doing what needs to be done to survive.

Mike

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Firehawk, do you want to use this pic? I haven't needed it lately.

DONE <---------

Quoted from necro_nemesis

I think the biggest issue is that these comments are made over and over about the game feel and yet nothing is done to improve the situation.

The bean counters have won, which is a sad commentary on the state of the pinball industry.

I doubt ill be buying a stern unless it's as you say, I change my opinion by playing someone's collector item or smoething.  The POTC seemed pretty clean, as did the Elvis.  The LOTR was in terrible condition.  I almost left a sign saying "ill give you 500 cash to take it off your hands" LMAO.  No, it was in bad condition though.  The right flipper didn't work but of course, I coudln't realize that until i pumped money into the game.  I just didn't like the setup, everything looked cheaply made in it...

I don't know.  These are my first impressions of all 3 games.  I didn't think highly of them.

Every Stern that has come in my collection did not last very long. I hear your comments about TSPP and LOTR, but I have yet to see it. They are good games, many people talk favourably about them, but I will take a Williams/Bally first anyday, even if it is a JD, DH or NBAFB. Necro I think I need your Stern sign, actually I think I will use it..
I am in the manufacturing business, and when you purchases in volume like Stern can, the price between good and cheap is actually pennies. If you can make a machine cheaper by $150, and you make 1000 pins in that run, that is $150,000 in their pocket. They choose to make them cheaper because it is a business. Bally/Williams pins are now 8-15 years old and you can still find routed games that clean up beautifully. Cannot say the same about Stern pins, just finished a Striker Xtreme and truly disappointed on how this pin looks after only 5 years. My two cents is that if you want a Stern Pin, by NIB. A routed Stern will always leave you wanting.

I have heard that last pinball maker on the planet argument before.

Here are the last two women left on earth.... you feeling friskey and want to play?