Buffalo Pinball Reviews: Guardians of the Galaxy (Stern, 2017)

[@psteady6726]

Just going back through the old reviews - would you revisit some of these games now they’ve been out a while and code updated a la Black Knight SOR?

[@BuffaloPinball]

In general we prefer to spend time focusing on new games, but we're happy to take another look at games we've previously reviewed from time to time.

[@wes846]

And I agree Metallica is the game that got me started in pinball and this is the same playfield setup, Groot = sparky, Orb= Snake, Scoop= crank it up, ramps are the same location, furry critter = grave markers

[@charlesthomas6987]

Awesome review!!Love your honest opinions of Guardians. I agree’ felt like Metallica on the first ball.Happy New year to Nick and Kevin!!

[@BuffaloPinball]

Thanks Charles - happy new year!

[@alanbowman7783]

The one I played:12/16 rocket shots, right down the middle no matter whether flippers were up or down. 15/21 scoop shots, once again shot it right back down the middle. Stern need to stop that. Its been too common recently. Ghostbusters scoop, Gene Simmons Mouth and now this. Also, hitting the orb shot 90% of the time it bounces between the 2 posts and doesnt go in. Music and sounds are more of a distracting then helpful. Just not impressed with anything except the art. Side note, y'all should review Batman '66 with its new code. Such a great game now.

[@BuffaloPinball]

I'm hearing good things about the Batman code updates, we definitely plan on revisiting that someday.

[@wes846]

Anyone notice how difficult it is to hit the ramps are on this one?

[@BuffaloPinball]

I found the right ramp to be especially tough! -Kevin

[@wes846]

Yes that's the ramp I meant

[@rask4p]

On the 'wait until the code is done' side of the argument, this is a game and it's equivalent to an early release on steam. The code isn't 1.0, it's still beta and if people want to buy early release games that up to them, but it comes with the understanding that the code is not finished let a long polished. If you want to talk about the game, let's start criticizing the code when it hits 1.0. Rating this game at now just seems like a waste of time. On the layout front, how many games from the same designer are very very similar? I'd say this layout is a similar level of difference to Lawlor's games. With all that said, I totally agree, don't support this early release strategy. It's a great IP and they will keep making it, but wait at least for 1.0.

[@BuffaloPinball]

I get the early release perspective, but the difference is spending $5000+ on a pinball machine versus ~$50 for a video game. Much bigger risk here, and if the game doesn't sell well it may never see final, polished code. Designers definitely have signature styles/toys/layouts, but some games feel much closer than others. Lawlor typically has his cross-playfield shot, scoop to start modes, etc.

[@rask4p]

I think we agree on the conclusion, don't gamble on code, wait for it to be developed so you know what you're actually getting. My criticism comes from the way we are arguing the point. Going into the details of how bad the code is at this moment is almost just a footnote to the real reason not to recommend the game, i.e. the code is no where near finished and we have no idea what game this will be a year from now. A lot of shit doesn't even work at this point and as long as a consumer knows that going in, they can take the gamble or not depending on their own reasons. It seems like the new trend is to throw a machine out as soon as it's physically ready, but before there's really a game done. If the market accepts that fine, but there's no way that the game as it currently is justifies the price. If the new model is that the early buyers are essentially the beta testers we'll just have to see if enough people are still biting in the years to come. Microsoft has essentially done this, but they give the early release versions away for free... I can't imagine buying into a beta for $5k.

[@huubmennen7513]

any idea when the code will be finalized? I just bought this machine and it is my first one. Not familiar with all the updates.

[@iloveplywood]

I agree that it's lame that the game is released so incomplete -- but I'm not sure it's a bad idea to copy a great game with a different theme. I won't get a metallica pin because of the theme. If GOTG can get there code wise it would be a great alternative for people like me. Originality can be very overrated.

[@chigimonky]

I played it recently. It felt so incomplete, so unfinished. The best part of this game is the appearance, other than that there's not much here. If Stern can't handle their current output they should really just release 2 good games a year instead of 3 unfinished games. Both Star Wars and Guardians were really disappointing.

[@chipgt1]

With the release of pinball fx3 I have noticed many people in my pinball group have taken an interest into digital machines with several either building one or purchasing one. Over the course of the last year I have been building my own digital machine with a three monitor display, backglass, real DMD, and 4K playfield display. based on a Williams body and couldn’t be more happy with it. Between fx3, fx2 and pinball arcade I have hundreds of digital machines at my fingertips. There are also many companies that build and sell digital machines that look and in some cases feel like real machines with real firing coils, shakers, and so on. For those who can’t afford a 6K machine a digital machine can be built with less that 1k (depending on features), to 5K for the company bought. Can you guys look into this as new digital machines with cabinet build support comes out about every two months from Fx3 and pinball arcade and reviewing this could help people like me decide if spending the $15- $20 for these new tables is worth it, Aka poor mans pinball. Also there really isn’t a rating system for digital machines other than what’s available on steam and with the inclusion of online tournaments there are more people than ever starting to become interested in digital machines. While some still complain that digital isn’t a real machine, it’s pretty close. Not to mention the pinball fx VR it’s very realistic for the oculus rift and having a digital machine allows you to feel like your playing a real machine in VR. Anyway let me know your thoughts and thanks for getting back with me.

[@BuffaloPinball]

Hey! Thanks for the note. We don't really play the digital stuff enough to do in-depth reviews of them but it's a great idea. Maybe some of the other Twitch/KZbin folks who focus more on digital pinball would be into it?

[@bheasy1]

Nice honest review boys. I personally like this game a bunch, but probly because it's a rethemed metallica =)

[@BuffaloPinball]

I can see enjoying it once the code gets up to speed. Glad you're having fun with it!

[@chipgt1]

7:06 comment about cant think of another bad callout pinball machine. All the universal tables (back to the future, et and jaws) or star wars tables in pinball fx2 and 3.

[@BuffaloPinball]

We were thinking about physical pinball machines, not digital, but I'll have to play those to compare!