So, I Played John Wick Pinball...

[@Mo_Ketchups]

Had to come back to this today. I played a Pro on location weeks ago and was surprised how satisfying it was to make the really tight shots (as well as the two side shots). Yesterday, I spent four hours at my distro and had a ‘Come to Wick’ moment while playing the Premium. I learned the cold, hard fact I think put many casual players off from the jump: THIS game feels like _Steve Ritchie_ designed it after a huge fight w his wife. I’d walk away, too, if I watched 3 balls drain so fast. BUT, this is definitely a HOME pin where you have time to hone your accuracy & flipper skills, planning shots without batting balls around hoping for a score. As someone who’s now forced to play 99% at home, I couldn’t resist wanting this as the “Boss-Mode” pin of all Spikes in my limited collection. I *am* disappointed they haven’t yet gotten the CODE to 1.0 yet, but I never dreamed I’d react to this one as wildly as I did. I’m no top pro, but this AIN’T for amateurs! And I love that about it. 🤔✌️🤷‍♂️

[@anthonywillis9346]

I love that you as well as many are choosing EJ over other machines. Once you play EJ you want to play it over and over again

[@corytinz]

They probably just need to adjust code on the pro, to give you credit for the crate if you shoot it into the scoop.

[@RafConUSMC]

When I played at golden state pinball festival, the nudge was defeated by a super sensitive tilt bob. So frustrating. Felt like I was getting slapped with nothing I could do about it. That and the "map" I kept thinking looked like a chocolate chip cookie.

[@steve31785]

I was at golden state pin fest too and had a pretty good score going on it and I nudged and that was that, TILT. Back of the line!! Lol

[@danyatchyshyn5459]

Glad I'm not the only one with similar views of the game. I did accidentally find a second skill shot that feeds into the pop bumpers. I found that if you didn't get a solid hit on the car or crate that 1 it didn't register, made it annoying when you'd hit multiple times and didn't get credit and 2 it would deaden the ball and it would float either down the middle or into the slings. Thanks for the video

[@RBPhantomTilt]

I'm glad we weren't the only ones saying that map was goofy and looked like watermelon seeds! Hahaha

[@videoluvr4204]

has anyone else had a problem with the right lane Crate area, which is made of plexiglass, cause the ball to unnaturally backspin INTO the right outlane?? its so unfair and maddening, i think the table was made to piss people off

[@BeTheBallDanny]

Elton John is such a smooth shooter, I’m excited to play Wick, but SR is still the king until proven otherwise

[@tgxperience]

That intro was hysterical. LOL. The whole issue with code is, they just want to get machines out the door. The complexity of programming the code should not be underestimated. Having said that, Stern shouldn't be rushing product to market. I am sure it is detrimental to sales, they just don't have a way to quantify how bad that effect is, so they keep doing it.

[@gamedoctortoronto1975]

Plastics in the Goodie Bag have alternate weapons.

[@CaryHardy]

Not in the initial Pros that were released first from the factory. They only recently started adding them.

[@King_Henry]

I will bet that the premium/LE will be a little bit easier because of a few more ball locks/mechs that help slow it down and ‘tame’ it. The pro seems like a fast, neutered dog, running (fast) from the Vet.

[@michaelfokas8884]

I do keep hearing the same comments - game is fun, shots feel good to hit and it's difficult. Personally I struggled with TMNT when I first played it and I was disappointed. For a bit I didn't want to play it because of it's difficulty level but decided to give it a chance. Now I actually love the game and enjoy playing it... it's definitely still difficult but I'm getting better and it's becoming a more fulfilling play. Same with Stranger Things... fast and chaotic.. difficult to maintain control.. but became more and more fun as I got a handle on it. I have yet to play John Wick but I sense it will be a game that if you're willing to put in the time and learn the game you'll have a way more fulfilling experience than just hoping on a game and doing well. Based on Flip N Out's stream - the weapon crate on the pro appears to not register regularly but some one commented that they made an adjustment and it began to register every time. Tim Sexton also stated in the comments of that stream that they will be addressing the outlane ball save as they see the feedback and are formulating other solutions. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to one on location.

[@H0otz]

Great video Cary, that karate clip in the beginning was the perfect representation lol

[@severinjohn]

"Flashing" is ball save ON. From my memory, you can initially alternate which outlane has the ball save with the flippers. I don't understand, though, the point of having the ball save symbol solidly illuminated. I guess it means you can no longer switch it to that outlane, but that's the coder overthinking things. Just don't allow the switch with the flippers once it's been used in one of the outlanes. Cary didn't go into the bewilderment of locking balls via the WINSTON target. Fun figuring that out. Lots of mystery in 0.80. Some fixes in 0.81 already.

[@martygraw77]

Yes! Good point on Winston locks. “This plastic in the back of the machine, away from the Continental mech and WINSTON letters, will light when lock is lit and the lock shot will be the center ramp - with no light/insert/or other indication that it’s the lock shot”. 😒

[@CaryHardy]

The moment I start picking apart code too much - the fan boys will give me shit for talking about code when its not done yet...smh

[@peggrav8190]

One thing you didnt mention in the review is that once this game gets rolling, youll have as many balls on the glass as you do on the playfield. They will fly all the way to the back off a fast orbit, multiballs will shoot over flippers regularly, and youll lose balls off the center ramp wireway back into the shooter lane consistently. Its a great game, but flippers will have to be turned down, and some tweaking is definitely needed on the playfield. Its so harsh, stern includes an entire set of new plastics in the machine when its new... thats a red flag. However the game is pretty fun!

[@TiltingT]

Finally got a chance to put 6 games in on Wick, it can be brutal and punish you for missed shots, definitely a game I felt like I had to fight back against to keep balls in play...I enjoyed playing it and look forward to plating it some more.. Did seem to find its a good flow game that you can shoot on the fly and combo up.. only conplaints would be no use of green lights for lock shots and it not being clearly communicated on where you need to go and what does what ..but now that I know whats happening its not too bad

[@donspinballpodcast]

Elton John Wick! I agree that this would be better appreciated by seasoned players. I think it’s much more forgiving than turtles. Turtles makes me hate cartoons and pizza. The nudge is definitely your friend though. Gotta play the premium layout!

[@TheRealJPhillips]

I truly digg ur videos. There are a lot of ppl that dont understand pinball and u show em

[@CaryHardy]

Thank you

[@OVERKILL_PINBALL]

"Drain Monster" - reminds me of The Godfather

[@joecaglitz8518]

My first experience with Wick was worse. I not only had to pre-nudge everything, every time the ball came down the center right alley it would bounce off something on this tip and go SDTM. People are going to be mad playing this pin. It’s far from a fun pinball machine. Guns won’t save this pin even if they gave you one with Keanus signature on it. I didn’t think a pin could be worse than Venom. Then we got the BBQ game. This game is somewhere in between these 2 craptastic ones

[@retroreplay1980]

I got to play the Pro last night and enjoyed it but the Ball Save lights were very confusing.

[@NotBodied]

I have to say, I made a small modification to my TMNT (left outlane) and its just one of the most fun, fast and exciting games to play in my collection. Wonder if JW will kind of be the same.

[@onebadlsc]

TMNT is a better game.

[@adownbeatexegete1549]

I'd want one for home use, but paying a dollar a game with how hard it is is crazy.

[@CaryHardy]

If I was paying a dollar a game. I don't know if I would have kept playing because I would have been burning through cash pretty quick.

[@adownbeatexegete1549]

@@CaryHardy I was just doing that at Enterrium two days ago. I decided to play other machines before I ran out.

[@GameOfDepth]

Played the pro for the first time in a tournament last week. The faux Ball Save was extremely frustrating. I think I won the round but look forward to playing on completed code and on a Premium or Limited edition. Here in the Twin Cities have LITT pinball bar in Minneapolis and Bad Penny in St Paul which are both good at getting Limited editions with LITT getting a lot of Limited number 0021.

[@jth1670]

Big weekend over here in Quebec Canada. Second edition of Salon Pinball Arcade Québec. I Will be able to play games I never touched yet. John Wick pro, Jaws premium, Elton John, Pulp Fiction, Labyrinth, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Looney Tunes and BBQ. JWpro just mixed things up un my mind. Currently saving for my first machine, my plan was a BTTF in 2026 if I could secure a spot. But the game remains to be seen, hopefully tried too before comitting to buy. With JW, I may have another strategy if not convince by the initial release of BTTF. A stern pro in 2025 followed by another pro in 2026. Probably about the same amount of that Dutch machine. Anyway, JW seems interesting enough for me that it would not be the best machine for family and friends, but would definitely makes me progress a lot as a player. Something like DPpro would be a good Companion I guess.... (Must add I'm a rare Who Do enjoy Turtles ans don't get frustrated. Not yet😂)

[@chairmannow2297]

Great evaluation Cary. I'm definitely not going to race towards a Premium till they're down here in the showroom in Aus. Sounds like an unlikely purchase for me as well.

[@philippe.larouche]

Good video. I played over 20 games, the ball never hit the right slingshot after a successful left orbit. Probably just a little alignment.

[@CaryHardy]

I even asked Joel on their FnO stream to verify. It would do it on their game, too.

[@philippe.larouche]

@@CaryHardy that's weird, maybe I'm the lucky one but IMO it makes no sense to get in trouble after a successful shot. I streamed it on Twitch (Pinball_Club) for nearly 3 hours, I don't remember this happened a single time

[@martygraw77]

Ball Save is confusing. On means on, off mean off. How hard is that?

[@CaryHardy]

Are you asking me or $tern?

[@afattori316]

@@CaryHardysounds like question is for Stern.

[@martygraw77]

$tern, and whoever else is listening. Lol

[@BiggggyD]

I trust your opinion, thanks for sharing!

[@charlesp3764]

Setting one tomorrow if it shows up

[@elsquibbs]

I like a speedy pin but jfc, John Wick was too much I think. It seems too fast which resulted in a lot of airballs. The other thing is the center ramp. Very very tight. The game flows well and the sound seemed great. This is not a game for beginners. It's just so fast. That was my experience anyway.

[@mysticalmule]

Thanks for not crying about guns during your review.

[@foolishheartband3096]

What guns? Lol

[@johnmcclane2139]

I love TMNT due to how hard it is. Would you say that John Wick pro is more difficult than TMNT pro?

[@peggrav8190]

Yes, i own turtles, and wick is equally as brutal

[@CaryHardy]

I would say it's harder than TMNT. The spinning disc on Turtles didn't help. This game is just faster and more chaotic.

[@joshphelps4363]

The weapons crate shot ruins the whole machine for me on the pro just annoying as hell shot that basically ties together the entire game

[@EtniesMike]

Stern killing me lately, I "won" an item from them on FB, it was a $15 item. They sent a $30 giftcard they said to cover shipping. I live in Seattle area so nothing crazy. I instead went for a 12.99 keychain cause I liked it better than the item I "won". Once I added it to the cart and shipping and tax were applied, the price was $32. So I would still have to spend $2 something out of pocket which is what a fking keychain cost in the first place. Why is shipping over $16 on a 12.99 tiny keychain. This theme does nothing and the play does nothing. 3/10.

[@nick-8013]

They charged me$18 to ship me 2 $40 tshirts

[@sadboi7537]

They taxed Dalton Ely’s free pin he won taking down Nationals in March. I believe it’s the first time they’ve done so. Imagine winning the IFPA National Championship, win a free pin as promoted and you ended up having to pay taxes on it. 😂😂😂😂 Eric Stone said his wasn’t taxed when he won. Even something “free” isn’t truly free anymore. LMAO.

[@davo-ju6er]

But they give away a $2 mug or beer cozie every 6 months ! Woohoo 😂.

[@joshgrube84]

So it's a harder version of your CCr? Bad guys are watermelon seeds instead of drops. Got it. Hopefully, I'll try it this weekend!

[@CaryHardy]

CCr is pretty easy...so yea...it's harder than CCr...

[@joshgrube84]

@CaryHardy yeah I get that. Just interesting coincidence that I found this layout similar to cactus and sterns' previous release (jaws) similar to cactus in the drop target mech. I still own a CCr, so I'm not ripping on it at all. I may keep it until the saloon door code update.

[@bheasy1]

I've played it 3 times total. It's "meh". Still thinking venom is the worst modern pinball machine. I thought this was worse based on videos, but it a LITTLE better than venom =)

[@CaryHardy]

it IS better than Venom for sure

[@dazedandenthused8559]

Yup, this is one of those “git gud” games. I love that.

[@onebadlsc]

As a tournament player, and enthusiast for 35 years, this is one of the worst launches of code I’ve ever seen. Plus, it feels nothing like “John wick”. Very blah & generic. If anything, it reminded me of venom. I fucking HATE venom.

[@CaryHardy]

I think this is better than Venom. I didn't even want to keep playing Venom.

[@TwirlingFern]

I played a dozen games, split between pro and premium and didn’t enjoy it. IMO, all the newer sterns are superior to John wick including the playfield, art, code etc.

[@michaelfokas8884]

Where are more videos!!

[@CaryHardy]

Life comes first, my friend. More is on the way though.

[@michaelfokas8884]

@@CaryHardy Oh I know. I’m just semi goofing around and being needy internet dweller today. Hope all is well, I see the heat advisory’s but not sure how it’s been impacting you down in TX

[@CaryHardy]

@@michaelfokas8884 we got a crap ton of rain going on right now. Finally got my back glass replaced on my car too! (it was destroyed due to a hail storm weeks ago).

[@michaelfokas8884]

@@CaryHardy the weather has been crazy lately. On Long Island, when it’s rained it’s RAINED.. feel like the level of rain we get is unlike what I’ve seen before. I luckily haven’t experienced the golfball hail though.. I know it’s happened up here but I’ve skirted it. Good you got that window fixed haha

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Played it recently at the GSP festival and was not impressed. Hard pass! Hopefully JJP makes a decent game in Matrix

[@cliffvaughan9417]

Cary, where is there an Elton John in dfw?

[@expfighter5112]

Cary still disappointed that you don't have a Godzilla behind you in your collection! if John Wick is like TNMT, then NO THANKS! TMNT is a horrible machine!

[@CaryHardy]

I may try to do a temp trade using my FF Prem for Godzilla. We shall see.

[@jasontacoma2494]

@@CaryHardy If you end up with a Godzilla Premium you will never let it leave your house. Godzilla in a HUO environment you will see why its the GOAT

[@peggrav8190]

Turtles is my favorite game stern has built to date. Love a game that challenges my shots!

[@jeffmeyers8417]

Not interested in this theme at all. Just might be a total flop

[@ryshask]

The game doesn't look fun.

[@samm1462]

Is he still bitching about gunnnnnnnnzzzzz? Not all the action in the movies are gunnnnnnnnzzzz, fun fact.

[@jaspajones7045]

Game sucks dude

[@CaryHardy]

Nah, there are games that suck, but Wick doesn't "suck". It is just middle of the road is all.

[@foolishheartband3096]

I have zero desire to even try John Woke. Not crazy about the theme, the movie, and the wokeness. I put my $$$$ on a LE Funhouse. Especially since they brought you on board Cary. $$$ talks. BS walks