Dungeons & Dragons Pinball Gameplay Review - Stern Pinball

[@cooltoy]

What do you think of the new Stern Dungeons & Dragons pinball machine? Let me know in the comments below!

[@simonbellmont]

This IP was made for pinball.

[@TerryRed]

Looks awesome. Exactly the kind of pinball game I would like to create. While waiting to be able to play it, give my Masters of the Universe - Collector's Edition a try! :)

[@cooltoy]

@@TerryRed love what you’ve done with the MOTU game!

[@JackpotMike77]

The dungeons mech is super weak. No beholder or displacer beast in game is terrible. It should have a giant d20 in the backbox or playfield you pop and physically roll to determine outcomes. Putting in a dragon is a weak easy move. If you play d n d this doesn't capture the role playing essence.

[@genius-gary]

Just a note on presentation here... I really like your approach to conveying your experience. Like all of your videos, it's straightforward, covers the perspective of a regular to an advance player, and really gives a great impression of your opinion, without that "over-hyped contect creator" vibe. Nice job, sir! I"ll keep following.

[@cooltoy]

@@genius-gary thank you for the feedback. I kind of pride myself of not acting like a “KZbinr” most creators on this platform feel the need to put on a show and act like something they are not when they hit the record button. I’m happy just being me.

[@toddboothe1846]

I played it at CES yesterday and it was pretty fun. I’m not into dungeons and Dragons but it didn’t matter. The multi ball mode was crazy fun.

[@cooltoy]

@@toddboothe1846 that was my feelings too. I’m not a huge D&D fan, but I had a blast playing the game. And that multiball mode is great fun

[@kineticist]

great overview! good seeing you out there again

[@cooltoy]

@@kineticist it was a fun night for sure, glad to see you up there. Great write up on the game on the website by the way, well done as always 👍

[@SeanB-vo3ye]

Great review and video work. I always like your reviews as you answer the deep questions I am wondering about new games. One big point was the dragon head moving left to right (on Prem and LE)and blocking ball path visibility to line up shots. Does the dragon only do this during dragon multi ball or during the whole game. I think the best way for this game is too only have the dragon do that during battles(multi ball) which would make sense to make it a harder battle and not have it do it during normal gameplay or at least make this an option in settings to when you want left to right movement. I hope Stern see this.

[@cooltoy]

@@SeanB-vo3ye as of the code state right now the dragon moves around side to side during other gameplay modes as well as during dragon multi ball. Which makes the mech seem move “alive” but at the cost of your visibility of those upper left hand shots.

[@Riz2336]

Looks cool. That dragons head that moves around and shoots out balls is a pretty dope toy

[@cooltoy]

It really is an impressive piece of tech, they did an awesome job on it

[@PinballPursuit]

We are so excited for this game!! Thanks for the look into the factory, hoping to make there someday!

[@cooltoy]

@@PinballPursuit it’s definitely worth a visit anytime you’re in the area, a tour is a must see thing to do for pinball fans.

[@Vic_VP]

Great video and awsome to meet you at media day bud! 🤘

[@cooltoy]

@@Vic_VP absolutely, it was a fun time watching you blow the game up several times. Great job man!

[@ritchiekinmont2637]

Great review Doug! That dragon mech is amazing! Love to have a look under the hood :)

[@cooltoy]

Happy I could help, hope you are doing well man!

[@kjhoskins]

Very cool. This table looks great! Thanks for the video!

[@cooltoy]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@neilmcrae1]

Great Video - was good to see you!

[@simonbellmont]

Dungeons and Dragons and Evil Dead?! This is going to be awesome time to play pinball.

[@cooltoy]

@@simonbellmont we are definitely living in an awesome age of pinball

[@dominickolas]

It looks so replayable! That is what I liked about Venom, the story and fight parts that connected one game to the other.

[@cooltoy]

I definitely think there’s a lot of depth to the game and it will take a lot of time to master and unlock all the secrets and modes it has for each character.

[@Synthwave1980]

I think it's a great see a game, based on a game. There's Monopoly and Wheel of Fortune, I'm sure others I can't think of. Just nice to see a pin doing that vs based on a Movie, Comic or Music IP, which have overtaken the industry. I miss the original IP's that dominated the 80's and 90's from Williams.

[@cooltoy]

@@Synthwave1980 agreed, it’s good to see them step away from their usual music or movie licensed IP themes for a change. Lots of other great media out there

[@nathanmaber1276]

Amazing video mate! Thanks I so want this in a premium

[@cooltoy]

very cool, hope you can get one eventually 👍

[@corycardwell]

D&D looks amazing - great IP!!! The dragon in the pro does not shoot balls which to me is one of the coolest things about the dragon. I agree about the dungeon crawl pop up but the loss of the dragon shooting is a sever hit to the pro. I've been playing virtual pinball tables for years but this machine might just be my first real pin. Very cool stern!

[@cooltoy]

@@corycardwell yeah I realize now I inadvertently cut my talking portion where I discussed the premium dragon shooting balls from its mouth. I thought I would miss that feature on the pro, but it happens so fast in game that it’s almost goes unnoticed. Hence why I’m big on the pro being my personal preferred model choice.

[@luv7819]

I don't mind the dungeon elevator ejecting the ball after the mode is finished... reminds me of all of the video games where you return at that spot on the map when you're done.

[@cooltoy]

Fair enough, I just expected a little more from the mech since it’s one of the more expensive selling features on the premium edition game.

[@CompleteGeekTV]

I don't have much interest in the IP but the gameplay and voice acting is pulling me in. I feel the same way about you with the Pro vs Premium artwork. I actually like the Pro art better. I don't however like the balls shooting out of the dragons mouth on the premium. Still alot of cash to pay for that feature. Regardless, the RPG aspect is pulling me in. Slightly on the fence because of other IPs that might be coming soon. Choices. Great video Doug and hope you enjoyed your time their

[@cooltoy]

It is definitely a tough choice when you’ve got lots of great games to pick from out right now and teases of even more awesomeness on the horizon.

[@CompleteGeekTV]

@cooltoy I don't think I can pass up on a Ghostbusters, Simpsons, or Lord of the Rings. As long as it plays well. And I still have Godzilla on my mind. I do think the D&D looks great though

[@kantidinda6218]

Congrats on getting an invite, Great review.. I agree pro is an easy pick.

[@cooltoy]

@@kantidinda6218 I’m glad to see the Pro didn’t get many of the most important features gutted. I feel like there was definitely a downward trend happening to the pro models for a while there with them getting too much pulled out.

[@kantidinda6218]

​@@cooltoyPoor old Venom pro lol

[@JosephAndrewMichelli]

Awesome review - you're right on point with the IPs helping to grow the game. Post-covid, D&D is seeing its highest player count in its 50 year history, also helped by things like Critical Role, Dimension 20, and Baldur's Gate 3, though we'll see how much of a cross-section there will be between that niche and pinball. I've been wanting a Stern or Jersey Jack machine for a while and almost pulled the trigger on a used Venom, but this is the theme that I'm finally going to go through with for my first pin to own (excluding the Disco Fever cabinet we had in my garage as a kid lol).

[@cooltoy]

Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the game does, I think it’s got some great potential. Hopefully you can pick one up, I think you'll be quite happy with it as a first pin.

[@theoldar]

Well damn, I think it's time for me to finally get a real pinball machine.

[@JackpotMike77]

Then get a labyrinth. Way better value and quality over stern

[@JeffYPbPr]

I like it. Can’t wait to play it

[@MarkAnderko]

interesting to see banners for GB and ACDC right next to each other...2 most heavily rumored remasters

[@GameOfDepth]

We're looking forward to this!

[@cooltoy]

@@GameOfDepth nice! Fans of D&D already or is this going to be first exposure for you all?

[@007bondson1]

Looks really cool. I’m not into the theme enough to get it right now. I’m needing to get the Elwin games first

[@cooltoy]

Can't go wrong with Jaws or Godzilla

[@richardabkstorm9009]

Looks good Doug! 👍🙏

[@cooltoy]

Thanks 👍 I had a fun time playing this one!

[@filbert910]

Love your pinball videos but was curious if you ever got that unico candy cab that came out.

[@markm9282]

I agree this might be my first pro. It does look fun even though I've never played D&D

[@cooltoy]

@@markm9282 the fun factor is really going to help this game have legs longterm I think, as I’m sure there or more pinball players not exposed to D&D than those that are

[@timborski1210]

Seems like a great pin to own in your house with how deep it can be and leveling chars. Im torn on D&D or Metallica Remastered as my next pin to own.

[@MICHAEL-tz9ni]

looks really good, My first two tables are "The Walking Dead" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", I'm looking forward to a table thats a little more noob friendly. I will keep an eye on this one

[@cooltoy]

@@MICHAEL-tz9ni those games are really fun to play, seen the evil dead pinball machine yet?

[@MICHAEL-tz9ni]

@@cooltoy I put a deposit on it (with the topper), can't wait. I'm not nearly good enough to get the most fun out of those other two tables, but they are horror themed so I bought them, Did you get a chance to see John D's new game cab (9/10th size streetfighter 2), looks really nice, and a pretty good price for what your'e getting

[@thomasdaus4059]

It will come down is the code exciting and replayable. Is progression on the game really fun?

[@cooltoy]

@@thomasdaus4059 I thought it was quite enjoyable, though I’m sure everyone will have differing opinions one way or another since we all have different tastes.

[@ytyndale3643]

Hey cooltoy hope you're well, what do you think of john D's new cabs? Do you think they will easily outshine arcade1up's cabs?

[@cooltoy]

From what I saw it seemed like a continuation of Arcade1up, same sort of thing Arcade1Up was already doing just with a new name on the box. Until his new effort passes Arcade1Up in quality, customer service, and provides some new titles that people have been asking to see for years, I'm not going to pay much attention.

[@adamkalb1412]

Stern needs to patent the design of the playfield🏁

[@cooltoy]

I'm sure they've got most of their ideas protected both in and out of the game.

[@adamkalb1412]

@ ❤️

[@happyman6102]

For Pro/Premium, does the dragon shoot the balls from his mouth on both? Detect hits on both? Also I noticed the Pro comes with 6 balls, but the others 8. Are the multi-balls different? Thanks for the great video!

[@cooltoy]

@@happyman6102 premium shoots balls out of the dragons mouth, the pro does not. Premium has more balls as the dragon’s “mouth” has a separate trough underneath the playfield that is preloaded with balls to fire out quickly when the dragon’s multi ball mode starts. The pro simply fires all the balls out of the main trough and shooter lane to start the same mode.

[@Andyshobbies]

Does the dragon still spit out balls on the pro model?

[@cooltoy]

@@Andyshobbies Yeah I just realized I inadvertently cut out the portion of me talking about the premium shooting balls from the dragons mouth and the pro just ejecting balls from the trough/shooter lane. I got a little wordy in some areas so I was trimming my talking points down for time when editing so keep the video as short as I could

[@Andyshobbies]

@ I think the video was great! Kind of a bummer the huge price hike for the dungeon and the better dragon hopefully there is a mod down the road to upgrade a pro to premium

[@dragongamer2670]

Wish I could get back into Pinball but the price for this stuff being over 1K just isn't for me. Least with Arcade games I can get them for under $1K and have as much fun. Same with Toys if Toys and other things I enjoy start going to that. Moving on to something else.

[@cooltoy]

sadly the days of $1k pinball machines are long gone, mid 90s was the time where people could clean up and grab some amazing games for that much when the hobby was on the decline.

[@brianyu8413]

Are you sure the only difference with the pro is dragon not moving left and right and the dungeon pop up? Some people are saying there’s no Dragon multiball in pro. Can you confirm? If pro doesn’t have multiball, does that change your pick?

[@cooltoy]

@@brianyu8413 dragon multi-ball is in the pro, it just functions differently. All the balls come out of the main trough and from the shooter lane on the pro and none fire out of the dragons mouth

[@nathanmaber1276]

On the premium the Dragon multi ball is an 8 ball multi ball where as on the pro it is only a 6 ball multi bulb Ball

[@thesmoness]

Also dragon shoots 3 balls to be fair. Tough choice for me but I def want this one. Top IP for me.

[@cooltoy]

Yeah I just realized I inadvertently cut out the portion of me talking about the premium shooting out the 3 balls from the dragons mouth and the pro just ejecting balls from the trough/shooter lane. I got a little wordy in some areas so I was trimming my talking points down for time so keep the video as short as I could

[@thesmoness]

@ I wants it

[@007bondson1]

Pro on this one then, The full dragon mech is hard to give up but not worth the 2500-2700. The pop up mech is meh

[@cooltoy]

@@007bondson1 that’s where my head is at on this game

[@davo-ju6er]

for a full in depth review have a look at Walt Wood Pinball .

[@cooltoy]

@@davo-ju6er happy I could help 👍

[@SpringfieldsPerfecTint]

Thanks for another great video, Doug. I actually passed on this one. 🫣

[@cooltoy]

@@SpringfieldsPerfecTint glad I could help, I’m sure you’ll find something new to add to the mix soon enough.

[@SpringfieldsPerfecTint]

@@cooltoy I’m with you on this, I might actually purchase my first pro, just to have on location but I’m going to stand back and watch for a little while.