New Star Wars Darth Vader Pachinko
I just got the new Star Wars Pachinko "Advent of Darth Vader" (or something) and it's quite a nice machine despite the issues I have with my particular unit.
Now I got it from a vendor and they are going to help me with the issues here, but I was wondering if anyone else has the unit, has similar issues, or what general opinions are about the game.
First... mine is in an UGLY gold Crystella frame. I understand the Darth Vader unit is available in red and black too. The pics I've seen have all been red, so opening the box and seeing the hideous harvest gold was an unpleasant shock. Fortunately the vendor has super customer service and the frame might be able to be switched, and given a speaker is also bad, it's probably best.
But of bigger concern and a possible design flaw is that the Darth Vader mask that goes up and down jitters, jams and grinds when it tries to raise up. I laid it flat on its back and it works ok... in fact it started working right after I raised it back up for a while, but then the problem came back. My theory is that it's grit or something in the gears and when it works against gravity they stutter and stick. But I don't want to tinker and void the warranty. As I said the vendor is going to help me out which I appreciate because the unit wasn't cheap.
Here's the real kicker... the cell is PERFECT... so pristine! I wish I could fix the Vader mask issue because I'd hate to exchange it and end up with one with more wear. I mean this pachinko is SWEET!!!
So far the Vader mask hasn't been a big issue during actual game play, in game play it started moving once but the vader chance never came up... it was a tease. But the mask does cycle up and down with each power up. I'm wondering if it needs some lube... but again I don't want to mess anything up until I know what can be done from the vendor. I know these are new and rare, and given the price, I am all the more concerned it's fully functional.
Ok... I've complained about things, but don't get me wrong it's SWEET and don't let my being concerned about the issues give you the wrong idea. I LOVE the animated Star Wars characters. I have the first Star Wars unit, and it is neat and all but... I then got my significant other a Marvel Heroes skill slot unit for Chirstmas and it's adorable with the chibby Marvel characters. I then got myself the Star Wars slot... and I was not thrilled. It's an OK unit, but the video, graphics, etc are all old, tired and boring and pretty much copied directly from the pachinko. So... it's NICE to have some original graphics and video on this new pachinko.
The game play area is ok... I've seen units with more "interesting" ball paths, but the focus of this is the screen and droids and lightsaber.
The game itself as well as the Crystella frame are sure to enduce a seizure in someone photosensitive, but it's a great light show if you can handle it. In fact the Crystella frame is pretty cool by itself, save for the hideous gold color.
Anyway, does anyone else have this unit? Anyone have similar issues with the vader mask? That mask issue is the only thing I can think of as a possible achilles heel with this unit, all the other issues with my specific one can be fixed by swapping with a different frame.
Ben
PS... I can take some pics and a video of the vader problem, if I can figure out how to post them here.
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