Later this morning, 9/4/2024 at 10am PST (GMT-8), noon CST 1pm EST Stern Pinball will reveal their third cornerstone pinball machine of 2024 — The Uncanny X-Men designed by Jack Danger (that designed Foo Fighters in 2023 as well as working on the home pins). Decided it would be fun to put up some wishlist speculation on what the new X-Men will be like, or rather, should be like to be a winner.
For those newer to PGM, did this for the last cornerstone, John Wick, here: John Wick (Stern 2024) Wishlist vs. Reality. I also provided a first detailed thoughts after flipping JW here: John Wick Pro + Premium (Stern 2024 v0.81 code) Detailed Thoughts after Flipping On Location + Show. My plan is to do this with The Uncanny X-Men as well. Now, for the editorial disclaimer:
(Part) of This article will be updated and is being published intentionally incomplete, because it involves future events and circumstances that are unknown as of this writing. Bookmark and check back as we learn more about this new Stern pin.
As I’m writing this wishlist, I know nothing more about this new Uncanny X-Men pin than the vast majority of the world. We got this very brief, and practically useless, teaser video to chew on:
Beyond that, the images shown in the post above. Before getting to the wishlist, let’s start with the theme. Unlike the last theme, John Wick, I do like The Uncanny X-Men much, much more. Not that I haven anything personal against the John Wick franchise, it’s purely personal taste, but the X-Men? Oh yeah, they are my jam.
In our PGM Discord I decided to rank the last 10 or so games based purely on theme:
- Godzilla
- Jaws
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian
- James Bond
- Avengers
- *Uncanny X-Men
- Led Zeppelin
- Foo Fighters
- Venom
- John Wick
- Rush
The list above is not ranked based on how much I like playing the games. That list, if you’re interested, is here: 2023 Ranking All 22 Spike 2 Stern Pinball Machines and will include everything except for Jaws, John Wick and of course The Uncanny X-Men. A new, 2024 re-ranking is coming at the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025 and will include the 2024 releases.
The Uncanny X-Men is a good theme. It’s not quite as good as Avengers in my opinion, and Jack Danger, bless his designer heart, he doesn’t quite have the allure and juice of Keith Elwin, but he’s definitely a strong up and comer. Foo Fighters is a great pin. I don’t care for their music as much as Led Zeppelin, so that’s why it’s down further on my theme ranking. A lot of people love Foo Fighters. This stuff is subjective. Foo Fighters plays much, much better than Led Zeppelin.
Am not as smitted with The Uncanny X-Me theme as Jaws, but considerably more than John Wick and Venom, so it’s off to a good start. Let’s get to the wishlist:
The Uncanny X-Men Wishlist vs. Reality
- includes at least some 70s comic book assets (also repeated in the next) in the LCD and on the playfield art. I realize probably (almost?) all new art will be done, but man it would be cool to see some throwbacks to the 70s comic book. Maybe something comic book tile graphics with that comic book look in the LCD when certain shots are made
REALITY: ??? - Will the death of Phoenix (Jean Grey) play a part in the gameplay missions and/or gameplay? Should it? I say yes. Also, Cyclops going away to mourn her passing. This happened in The Uncanny X-Men comic book in 1980, which is an interesting storyline that may be interesting to see followed? I like when there are stakes in a game. The good guys can’t always win. There was an also the rise of a new breed of mutants led by Mystique, so will we see Mystique in as the primary antagonist for the X-Men? Here’s a mutant I’d like to see in the game: Dazzler!
REALITY: ??? - This must include video modes!!! Let me capitalize that: MUST INCLUDE VIDEO MODES. John Wick didn’t include any and Jaws launched with Shark Hunter and recently added the amazing Jaws: The Revenge Challenge Mode (Video Mode + pinball challenge). Venom had a video mode. X-Men must have at least one video mode! It’s a major miss if X-Men launches with no video mode.
REALITY: ??? - Higher scoring than John Wick. No medium tier scoring. I want to see X-Men be in the high scoring tier category, not the medium tier like John Wick.
REALITY: ??? - Premium/LE mechs/toys that matter. John Wick premium was like John Bond in that the Premium/LE wasn’t really needed. Jaws has that upper playfield. I’m thinking since Foo Fighters had a small upper playfield, X-Men probably will have one, too. The video shows a few wire ramps. Hopefully the toys/mechs will matter with X-Men like Jaws (although some say Jaws premium/LE wasn’t necessary, I disagree).
REALITY: ??? - Sorry, to yell here as well: LAUNCH WITH MORE COMPLETE CODE. Stern isn’t winning any customer friends releasing games with obviously incomplete code. If The Uncanny X-Men releases in a state like Jaws they will be OK, but if they do another premature release like John Wick with not enough code, not even the features they are showing off at launch (limited contracts and “AI” enemies, anyone). I sincerely hope this launch isn’t about having something brand new to show off at the show and a game that isn’t really ready to be released. We’ll find out.
REALITY: ??? - Plunger skill shots. Please no action button in place of a plunger.
REALITY: ??? - Something creative happening in the bottom third of the pin, buck the Italian layout trend (somewhat).Ok, this probably is not happening, but some creative risk taking down here would be appreciated.
REALITY: OMG Yes!!! That single flipper on the left side with the loop under and across is something we haven’t seen before, certainly not in any of the other 24 Spike 2s. This looks amazing and there is even an outlane spinner! Check it out below, this is everything I asked for and more. Love this!
- Great flow with buttery smooth shots. This is obvious for every pinball, but restating here can’t hurt.
REALITY: ??? - Spike 3? Ok, this is late addition, but I’d really love to see the new Spike 3 system. If it’s not available yet, and still Spike 2, that’s not the end of the world, but Spike 3 would make this more attractive to me than Spike 2. We all know Spike 3 is coming, let’s see it. I’m hoping Spike 3 has some more streamer-friendly features like HDMI out for the LCD.
REALITY: ???
Well, that’s good enough for now. Will be curious to revisit and see what The Uncanny X-Men brings. Bottom line: whatever Stern does, I’m much more excited about the new X-Men than 2 of their last 3 games (John Wick and Venom).
Humpday Wednesday #59
Will probably not be streaming Jaws for the next couple weeks. In the meantime, I’ll be likely streaming some virtual pinball, like we did for months before Jaws was streamed, but there might be an unexpected streaming surprise or two different from even that, so please tune in!
Humpday Wednesday Show #59 – new FX Tournament + playing games at our PGM Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/playgamesmoredotcom LIVE streaming from 6am – 11am PST (GMT-8). We get you over the hump of the week and have as much fun as we can in the process.
- New FX Tournament launch + recap of last week’s leaderboard high scores + play in tournaments created by others
- First time play of new Pinball FX vpins: Princess Bride and Goat Simulator
- Pinball-related news, views and pinball happenings
- Jersey Jack Pinball has confirmed their next machine Avatar, which seems to be also timed for the 40th pinball show. Something in me wishes these manufacturers would not have to feel like, “we need something new to show off at this show!” the market appears to be softening.
- Should Stern dial back on their cornerstones during the year? Perhaps only 1 or 2 new cornerstones? Is less more? Why does *3* cornerstones in 2024 feel like too many? Is it?
Virtual Pinball
PGM Weekly FX Tournament #40: The Princess Bride Pinball
Available in this Steam/PC:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3169950/Pinball_FX__The_Princess_Bride_Pinball/
Password: Open/no password
Search ID#: 5ivm
3 minutes timed / 7 attempts
Note: this tournament table will be launched live during the Twitch stream Wednesday 9/4/2024 and the tournament will end Wednesday 9/11/2024 during the Humpday Wednesday Twitch stream around 6am PST.
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You can search for “Humpday” here at PGM and find details on all 24 episodes of Season 1 Pinball (virtual) + play and enter scores for any/all of the virtual pinball games we played on stream (and several not featured)
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In addition to what’s mentioned above, YOU can play, too. Some of our virtual pinball require Visual Pinball and Future Pinball software as well as the table files which are all free to download.
There is a spreadsheet where we share where to acquire the necessary pinball table files linked on every page at this blog and also here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iRcwa4znh8FL-0DdME5XNcQCM-CTjeTdPnfNcTrh9-E/edit?usp=sharing. Be sure to use default settings for all tables, unless otherwise noted and make sure you’re playing the version listed in the yellow highlight at the top of our iScored leaderboard page. Then, simply, play the game and try and beat your personal best. Once you’ve done so, share the score.
You can share on our PGM iScored here: https://www.iscored.info/?mode=public&user=Playgamesmore. Once we see some scores and activity one of our PGM members will add you to our semi-private Discord (if we don’t, then contact us and ask) where we score chase all kinds of different games: arcade games, modern Steam games, we stream games, play co-op and more. As of this writing we’re also score chasing arcade games and recapping them on Saturday mornings.
We are a friendly group, open to all adult gamers at least 18 years of age and look forward to seeing your scores!
Great article, I’m in complete agreement with regards to your pints on the code at release. We need more substance out of the box and higher scoring. I’m not a fan of the modern TMNT, John Wick tier of scoring games, I want billions!