The Big Sopranos Review

[b***@cs.com]

First off as you all know I am a big time Stern Fan. Partially cause i
it was not for them we would not have any pins being made today. Kudos
to the whole Stern team for that. Now lets get to the Sopranos game.
My fiance and I both got a chance to try it out at the Betson in King
Of Prussia PA. We put in a good hrs worth of play time.
First Off Artwork:
The cabinet looks great. I thought it would look kind of wierd from
the pics I had seen online but it does not. Although it was sitting
right next to elvis, and I must say elvis's artwork to the cabinet is
much more stunning. The backglass artwork is not so hot very blah.
The artwork to the game itself on the playfield is pretty good. Liked
all the inserts on the game and everything was clearly described on the
playfield as far as what to do and what not.
Second Off Sound:
I was expecting a great sound package and what it did have was just a
average sound package. Don't get me wrong their were some very well
done sounds on the game like for food fight and some of the modes. But
most of the game had the same damn song playing. Very poorly done at
least I thought so.
Third Off Animations:
Here we go again also thought these would be pretty cool. Some were
like safe animations, one of the episodes had a good animation. The
stugots mball start was the worst i had ever seen. Not to mention
party at the bing mball. Come on all u got when u got an award was the
screen would say bing award no call outs or anything like that. The
coolest animations were the match and the pork store.
Fourth Off Toys(Fish, Dancing Girls,Boat, and Safe)
1. Fish take this piece of shit out of the game. This has got to be
the worst toy I have ever seen used in a game. The lips could have not
moved and would be better(Trust me you will see what i mean when you
play the game) The whole entire fish was off as far as being in sync
with when he talks and crap.
2. Dancing Girls were very well done, and looked very good that is
compared to the intial shot we got of them awhile back. But wonce
again nothing special here they just would move around on their poles.
3. The Safe Finally we get to the cool part the wauy you wacked the
safe was very cool. Although it would not register half the time you
would hit it. But the whole entire way the safe was integrated into
the game was very neat. As far as light show and animations. When you
get the safe cracked open awesome effect and whne you get into it is
nicely done to.
4. Boat Very well done for what it was a boat to hold the balls nothing
spectacular
Fifth Off Shots in the game:
Going from left to right
1st shot the fish shot sucks ball only lands there by luck almost
impossible shot to hit outside of that.
2nd shot the bing ramp also not the greatest shot ever it was ok but
very shallow and felt like I did not hit the shot enough meaning ramps
should be smooth flowing and the way this one was set up was definitley
not.
3rd shot episode shot:
This shot I actaully liked and though was very well done. very
different shot and very unique/
4th shot Safe Shot:
Also another very neat shot even though it does not register hits half
the time, and the sfae felt and looked like it was already going to
break.
5th shot Stugots and drop target:
Nice shot here pretty cool how the ball holds the balls my only gripe
is that it should hold more then two balls.
6th shot the meadowlands best shot on the whole game( one of the
coolest shots I have ever seen in a pin)
This shot takes the ball upside down and it coems back at you before a
blink of an eye.
Now I forgot to mention the orbits here very nice orbits only problem
is every time you hit the damn things the ball stops in the damn pop
bumpers. Wish that was not the cas cause these orbits are easy to hit
and flow very well.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST GAMEPLAY:
Here is where the game could be great, but is not.
Worst video mode ever executive game. We went from one of the best
video modes ever from Elvis to now the worst throw this damn mode in
the garbage.
Some of the modes are neat like arson, and the horse race and ther was
one other good one also.
Party at the Bing mball has my vote for worst mball ever. You will see
what I mean when you get a chance to play it.
The Stugots mball mode is pretty cool the way it is setup keep hitting
the drop target for jackpots then get a ball in the boat for double
jackpot then get the next ball in the boat for super jackpot. then all
shots lite for jackpots.
Truck Heist is neat hitting the orbits and stuff and then the little
hurrp up mode, but once again nothing special.
Food Fight is probably the neatest feature on the game. Sort of like a
frenzy mode. Like I said very cool mode.
The safe and reaching ranks is also very well done.
The doubling modes you are awarded from hitting the safe are not bad
either.
I got to the underboss mode that mode was very cool also, but I am not
going to ellaborate on that and ruin it for anybody.
One thing i will say is tha game is pretty easy. i almost got all the
way to boss mode and that was only after playing it for a hour.
The bumpers on the game aere same as Elvis they work great.
The New Flipper Design
Is awesome too no more damn flipper humming or soggy flips. You will
see when you play it.
SO IN CONCLUSION:
I had my money all set aside to get this game, and for once I waited to
play a game before I got it just like I did with Elvis. And luckily I
did not prepurchase it, because I feel I would have been greatly
dissapointed. the game is way too easy, and is cool to play at a bar
or something, but as far as HUO not a good game.
I would give it a overall rating of a 7.5 out of ten.
Like I said it is a good game, and could have been great but the code
is just not there.
PS On a side note if you all remember I said I hated Elvis well now I
have gotten a chance to play it several more times, and I really like
it. Very unique game, and it is one of those games the more you play
it the more you start to like it. So I guess for me maybe I will get a
Elvis, or I may just wait and see what nascar looks like, but I am not
holding my breath on that one considering Pat's last two floppers.
This will be his ake or break game.
Thx guys hope this review helps
Derek

[r***@comcast.net]

I also played Sopranos at Betson's in King of Prussia yesterday. I
like it better than Elvis, but TSPP is still my favorite of the newer
Sterns. I really hate the Sopranos backglass. I also thought the game
was very easy. I'm typically just an average player and my first game
on it lasted about 15 minutes or more and I was one step away from
being "The Boss".

I also hate the damn fish. When playing, I just wanted to keep banging
away on the safe to advance my rank and get to the wizard mode. The
safe would not always register hits for me either and the right flipper
flaked out a few times. A fan of the show (which I am) will definately
like the integration of some of the episodes. I thought the music was
ok, but I also thought that there were too many speech bites going on.

Once again, I'll state that I don't know why Stern has to keep making
licensed theme games. Maybe it helps sales, who knows. But I feel
they could have made a very similar fictional mob-themed game and spent
all of that licensing money on making the game even better.

Post by b***@cs.com
First off as you all know I am a big time Stern Fan. Partially cause i
it was not for them we would not have any pins being made today.

Kudos

Post by b***@cs.com
to the whole Stern team for that. Now lets get to the Sopranos game.
My fiance and I both got a chance to try it out at the Betson in King
Of Prussia PA. We put in a good hrs worth of play time.
The cabinet looks great. I thought it would look kind of wierd from
the pics I had seen online but it does not. Although it was sitting
right next to elvis, and I must say elvis's artwork to the cabinet is
much more stunning. The backglass artwork is not so hot very blah.
The artwork to the game itself on the playfield is pretty good.

Liked

Post by b***@cs.com
all the inserts on the game and everything was clearly described on the
playfield as far as what to do and what not.
I was expecting a great sound package and what it did have was just a
average sound package. Don't get me wrong their were some very well
done sounds on the game like for food fight and some of the modes.

But

Post by b***@cs.com
most of the game had the same damn song playing. Very poorly done at
least I thought so.
Here we go again also thought these would be pretty cool. Some were
like safe animations, one of the episodes had a good animation. The
stugots mball start was the worst i had ever seen. Not to mention
party at the bing mball. Come on all u got when u got an award was the
screen would say bing award no call outs or anything like that. The
coolest animations were the match and the pork store.
Fourth Off Toys(Fish, Dancing Girls,Boat, and Safe)
1. Fish take this piece of shit out of the game. This has got to be
the worst toy I have ever seen used in a game. The lips could have not
moved and would be better(Trust me you will see what i mean when you
play the game) The whole entire fish was off as far as being in sync
with when he talks and crap.
2. Dancing Girls were very well done, and looked very good that is
compared to the intial shot we got of them awhile back. But wonce
again nothing special here they just would move around on their poles.
3. The Safe Finally we get to the cool part the wauy you wacked the
safe was very cool. Although it would not register half the time you
would hit it. But the whole entire way the safe was integrated into
the game was very neat. As far as light show and animations. When you
get the safe cracked open awesome effect and whne you get into it is
nicely done to.
4. Boat Very well done for what it was a boat to hold the balls nothing
spectacular
Going from left to right
1st shot the fish shot sucks ball only lands there by luck almost
impossible shot to hit outside of that.
2nd shot the bing ramp also not the greatest shot ever it was ok but
very shallow and felt like I did not hit the shot enough meaning ramps
should be smooth flowing and the way this one was set up was

definitley

Post by b***@cs.com
not.
This shot I actaully liked and though was very well done. very
different shot and very unique/
Also another very neat shot even though it does not register hits half
the time, and the sfae felt and looked like it was already going to
break.
Nice shot here pretty cool how the ball holds the balls my only gripe
is that it should hold more then two balls.
6th shot the meadowlands best shot on the whole game( one of the
coolest shots I have ever seen in a pin)
This shot takes the ball upside down and it coems back at you before a
blink of an eye.
Now I forgot to mention the orbits here very nice orbits only problem
is every time you hit the damn things the ball stops in the damn pop
bumpers. Wish that was not the cas cause these orbits are easy to hit
and flow very well.
Here is where the game could be great, but is not.
Worst video mode ever executive game. We went from one of the best
video modes ever from Elvis to now the worst throw this damn mode in
the garbage.
Some of the modes are neat like arson, and the horse race and ther was
one other good one also.
Party at the Bing mball has my vote for worst mball ever. You will see
what I mean when you get a chance to play it.
The Stugots mball mode is pretty cool the way it is setup keep

hitting

Post by b***@cs.com
the drop target for jackpots then get a ball in the boat for double
jackpot then get the next ball in the boat for super jackpot. then all
shots lite for jackpots.
Truck Heist is neat hitting the orbits and stuff and then the little
hurrp up mode, but once again nothing special.
Food Fight is probably the neatest feature on the game. Sort of like a
frenzy mode. Like I said very cool mode.
The safe and reaching ranks is also very well done.
The doubling modes you are awarded from hitting the safe are not bad
either.
I got to the underboss mode that mode was very cool also, but I am not
going to ellaborate on that and ruin it for anybody.
One thing i will say is tha game is pretty easy. i almost got all the
way to boss mode and that was only after playing it for a hour.
The bumpers on the game aere same as Elvis they work great.
The New Flipper Design
Is awesome too no more damn flipper humming or soggy flips. You will
see when you play it.
I had my money all set aside to get this game, and for once I waited to
play a game before I got it just like I did with Elvis. And luckily I
did not prepurchase it, because I feel I would have been greatly
dissapointed. the game is way too easy, and is cool to play at a bar
or something, but as far as HUO not a good game.
I would give it a overall rating of a 7.5 out of ten.
Like I said it is a good game, and could have been great but the code
is just not there.
PS On a side note if you all remember I said I hated Elvis well now I
have gotten a chance to play it several more times, and I really like
it. Very unique game, and it is one of those games the more you play
it the more you start to like it. So I guess for me maybe I will get a
Elvis, or I may just wait and see what nascar looks like, but I am not
holding my breath on that one considering Pat's last two floppers.
This will be his ake or break game.
Thx guys hope this review helps
Derek

[ldnayman]

Post by r***@comcast.net
safe would not always register hits for me either and the right flipper
flaked out a few times.

Well that's a Stern for ya. Williams, Gottlieb, and about 10 other
pinball makers managed to make switches that worked 50 years ago, but
Stern still hasn't got the hang of it.

So does this mean that the rumors of yet ANOTHER flipper improvement
(after all they seem to allegedly "improve" them every game) are once
again unfounded?

I was looking forward to a new op system and a flipper refit.

[Dukester]

If their fllippers suck so much, I dont see why they just dont purchase
the Williams patent for their flipper design and use it on Stern
machines. But of course that would hurt their ego so that won't
happen.

Thats whats wrong with USA made. hahahha, If a Japanese company
started making pinball machines. I am pretty sure they would make good
machines that will be quality. They will borrow all the best designs
in pinball (to the point of thievery) and improve on it. Too bad
pinball is not a thing in Japan, where they pretty much destroyed the
pinball world with their Nintendo, playstation , home console.

It is proof evident how they destroyed Atari, that those damn Japs know
Businesss...

If only they loved Pinballs in japan... it would be the end of Stern
and birth of a Legendary Japanese company that would make pinballs
equal if not superior to Williams..

Just a thought..

[g***@yahoo.com]

The problem with making pins overseas is the double shipping cost

even Japanese cars are being made in the USA now to save on shipping

that is why Mr. Australia man will never produce one single pinball
machine

my views ...

Gary

[kirb]

Post by g***@yahoo.com
The problem with making pins overseas is the double shipping cost

and a fraction of the labor cost...the most $$$ part of the game. There
are many reasons that making pinballs does not happen overseas. Two of
them are quality control and short production runs.

Post by g***@yahoo.com
even Japanese cars are being made in the USA now to save on shipping

HA! man, you need to look at WHY cars are not made in Japan anymore.
The reason is not "shipping". Japan cost of mfg is sky high. It's
cheaper to do it here for high volume cars. They also avoid import
duties with the proper percentage of US made parts. Most of the parts
are still shipped from Japan, so your point
is....well...wrong....again.

Why is it that Korean cars are still made there? Cost of mfg is
cheaper. Has very little to do with shipping. Do SOME research before
you throw out pointless facts.

Post by g***@yahoo.com
that is why Mr. Australia man will never produce one single pinball

machine

Another baseless opinion claimed as fact-

Kirb

[g***@yahoo.com]

Kirby,

OK, if that is the case, name me the pinball plants overseas

name them

give me one

you know crap about business

I even wonder what you know about pinball

However you are probably a slam dunk expert on the Michael Jackson jury
trial

that I'll give you ...

my views

gary

[kirb]

Post by g***@yahoo.com
OK, if that is the case, name me the pinball plants overseas
name them
give me one
you know crap about business

What? can't you read? There are no pinball "plants" overseas because
the talent is HERE, the quality control is HERE, and the market is
HERE. You could have China make your games, but the price point for
when this is worth the added crap is a WAY HIGHER UNIT COUNT. Most of
the raw material is here as well (PLYWOOD)

Get that moron? CAN YOU READ?

Post by g***@yahoo.com
I even wonder what you know about pinball

I forgot more about this hobby than you will ever learn. The loogie I
spit out at lunch knows more about pinball. I wonder why you even are
in this hobby. You must play about 1 game a month.

Post by g***@yahoo.com
However you are probably a slam dunk expert on the Michael Jackson jury

trial

Ahh, the intolerant bashing troll sticks out his ugly head. So much for
your promise to post nothing but positives. Yet ANOTHER lie.

Any other school yard crap? Come on gary, try to rise above the bridge
you live under....

Kirb

[g***@yahoo.com]

This is how sick you are ...

You call what I said about Michael Jackson on trial for allegedly
playing with a little boy

INTOLERANCE ???????

Ohhhh ... I should be tolerant of Jackson's alleged actions?

now I understand Kirb ....

You have a twisted view of planet earth

my opinions ...

gary

[kirb]

Post by g***@yahoo.com
You call what I said about Michael Jackson on trial for allegedly
playing with a little boy

Key word is ALLEGEDLY. He is a freak, but because you can't rip on gays
anymore without getting bashed you focus on this jackass. You are
pretty shallow....and stupid.

Post by g***@yahoo.com
INTOLERANCE ???????

That is what I said.

Post by g***@yahoo.com
Ohhhh ... I should be tolerant of Jackson's alleged actions?

He might be guilty, but you don't know that yet. I hope when you get
thrown in the clink that everyone thinks you are guilty before you are
proven that way.

Post by g***@yahoo.com
now I understand Kirb ....

No, you don't.

Kirb

[g***@yahoo.com]

Kirb,

I don't knock on gays

I have never knocked on gays

I DID knock on people who posted sick sexual stuff on this board

period

my views, sorry if they offend you

gary

[kirb]

Post by g***@yahoo.com
I don't knock on gays
I have never knocked on gays

Don't make me throw your own posts in your face. How quick you forget.

trolling, lying, intolerent, jackass

Kirb

[ldnayman]

Kirb you gotta give this up. Your head must be sore from continually
banging it against the wall. This is a fight you simply can't win.

Post by kirb

Post by g***@yahoo.com
I don't knock on gays
I have never knocked on gays

Don't make me throw your own posts in your face. How quick you

forget.

Post by kirb
trolling, lying, intolerent, jackass
Kirb

[kirb]

Post by ldnayman
Kirb you gotta give this up. Your head must be sore from continually
banging it against the wall. This is a fight you simply can't win.

I'm watching TV and killing time because I don't want to figure out why
a Pioneer I just finished is not going through a reset cycle.

OK, time to go into the shop and start working...

Kirb

[g***@yahoo.com]

never knocked gays

I knocked sick sexual crap on this board

I mean, maybe you can look at a tiger and call it a bear, but a tiger
is a tiger

the "swimming" references were directed at a web site that was promoted
here that featured naked men swimming upside down handcuffed

that is sick

if you think it is normal, then you are sick

my views ...

Gary

[JC]

I just googled what these references to gays and such are all
about......

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!! (Larry, you're crazy man! Regardless of whether it
was accidental! LOL)

I'm not going to drag the details into this thread, but......
Dude, there was no direct link that I saw and the splash page of the
referenced website is harmless. "sick sexual stuff"? You mean
handcuffs? Damn, Gary, I have some Bondage-a-Go-Go/Power Exchange/Club
Lush folks in San Francisco you should meet...

Alright, I'm not going to make any further points about this other
than, having read all the posts in that thread, I think Kirb's point is
valid.

-JC-

[ldnayman]

Post by Dukester
If their fllippers suck so much, I dont see why they just dont

purchase

Post by Dukester
the Williams patent for their flipper design and use it on Stern
machines.

Well it likely wouldn't be cheap and they don't care anyway. No reason
they couldn't go to a 2 wind system like every other pinball maker in
history, all 10 or so of them. The mad scientists at DE invented these
bizarre flippers about 18 years back and Stern seems determined to
stick with them (along with all the other ancient technology they are
using).

Post by Dukester
It is proof evident how they destroyed Atari, that those damn Japs know
Businesss...

Hey let the record show that Nintendo stupidly offered the Famicom
(NES) to Atari as a license. Of course Atari saw their stupidity and
raised it by turning them down (their management morons didn't think
the US public would ever adapt to the NES controllers).

Post by Dukester
If only they loved Pinballs in japan...

They soon will! I am getting a page in Japanese "People" clone Brutus.
On Japanese newstands soon.

[Dukester]

If Japs will ove Pinballs, I am sure the world will be introduce to he
HeyDay of Pinballs. The Japs never fail when it comes to making a good
idea better.

[JC]

"Japs" is a derogatory term. If you didn't know before, now you do.
Please consider this in future posts. Thanks Dukester and everyone
else.

-JC-

[Dukester]

U mean like gooks and chinks? I dont think it goes that far. But
whatever you say man. Like "Oriental" i heard is a bad term too.
hmmmmm. Dont get all racial on me know .. lol

Once again.. If only Japan took on Pinball building. The new KIng
would be born. And we all would benefit.

[Manic]

Post by Dukester
U mean like gooks and chinks? I dont think it goes that far. But
whatever you say man. Like "Oriental" i heard is a bad term too.
hmmmmm. Dont get all racial on me know .. lol
Once again.. If only Japan took on Pinball building. The new KIng
would be born. And we all would benefit.

Ummm yeah in the 80's that was the "big scare"... but it turned out
the Japanese DIDN'T have it all together and their economy imploded
and now they simply have stuff made in China like everybody else...
Also, sale-wise, the US XBox is topping the big N's machine so
no even in the gaming world they are far from infallible.

Do some reading you dumb cracker ;-)

[Dukester]

Big N's is not the big competitor.. Japanese have also Sony
Playstation. That is the real competition that xbox must deal with.
They own the hand held market and home console market. Xbox would
really have to fight to get it going with the next xbox vs playstation
3.

As for infallible, never said they were infallible. However, they are
superior in many aspects of manufacturing , even if some parts are made
in china.

Look at the major electronic names..

Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, its all japanese. And we all know its
quality.. Unlike Zenith and GE such crap.

Not to mention Automobiles.. USA cars depreciate like crazy. The old
Japanese reputation of superior quality is still there.

As to reading, I am sure you know alot more than me. After all, you
know so much about japanese economy and their implosion.

Do some thinking you dumber crackhead :-)

[Dukester]

Nintendo actually holds the handheld market.

[JC]

This is starting to get seriously off-topic but Halo 2 and sequels will
ensure that XBox stands toe-to-toe with Playstation. XBox is much more
adaptable to player v. player networking over broadband and much more
versitile as far as being able to modify the unit to do things you like
(however illegal some of those things may be).

-JC-

[pinballjim]

Even with Halo 2, only 7% of Xbox owners have *ever* signed up for an
Xbox Live account. 7%.

Don't believe me, go look it up. And if even 1% of them are are
modified, I'd be surprised.

Online gaming is a pipedream joke, and unfortunately has resulted in
lazy AI programming for the last several years. I picked up the latest
"super great" FPS the other day, Brothers in Arms, and it plays like
Doom with better graphics.

Post by JC
This is starting to get seriously off-topic but Halo 2 and sequels will
ensure that XBox stands toe-to-toe with Playstation. XBox is much more
adaptable to player v. player networking over broadband and much more
versitile as far as being able to modify the unit to do things you like
(however illegal some of those things may be).
-JC-

[Patrick Muldoon]

Dukester wrote:
Like "Oriental" i heard is a bad term too.


Depends on who you talk to. As it was explained to me (ignorant cracker
farmboy that I was...) Oriental is for when talking about Rugs and
China. Asian is if talking about people..

/Patrick (My wife is 1/2 Thai, 1/2 Filipino from overseas (you know, NJ
:) ) )

[harry williamson]

Hey, I live in NJ. I'm sending Tony and the boys over to break
some legs;-)

Post by Patrick Muldoon
/Patrick (My wife is 1/2 Thai, 1/2 Filipino from overseas (you know, NJ
:) ) )

[JC]

Yes, exactly. More similar to "gooks" in that "Japs" became more of a
derogatory term due to WWII just like "gooks" was commonplace during
Vietnam. A means of dehumanizing the enemy. And, yes, "oriental" is
definitely a racist term.

Didn't think you actually hold those kind of beliefs--which is why I
sought to educate, not fly off the handle. :-)

But regarding your thoughts on Japan and pinball: Yes. Definitely.
(Worked with the Italians for awhile).

-JC-

[JC]

Don't forget that Nintendo then told Sony to go screw themselves and
their games-on-CD ideas since cartrisges worked just fine. oops.

ldnayman wrote:

snip

Post by ldnayman
Hey let the record show that Nintendo stupidly offered the Famicom
(NES) to Atari as a license. Of course Atari saw their stupidity and
raised it by turning them down (their management morons didn't think
the US public would ever adapt to the NES controllers).

[frenchy]

<<If only they loved Pinballs in japan... it would be the end of Stern
and birth of a Legendary Japanese company that would make pinballs
equal if not superior to Williams.. >>

I'm picturing a 280-lb pachinko.....

[frenchy]

<<If their fllippers suck so much, I dont see why they just dont
purchase
the Williams patent for their flipper design and use it on Stern
machines. But of course that would hurt their ego so that won't
happen. >>

Sounds like they don't even want Gene making some stinking inserts that
have a Williams number on them, and he already paid for rights for
their stuff. What chance do you give the money-grubbing lawyers at WMS
of letting somebody buy Fliptronics?

[Dukester]

It is very funny to me with the availability of technology that they
cannot make flippers equal or better than Williams.

[ldnayman]

Every pinball manufacturer in history had better flippers that were
properly suited to the games they were making at the time. Stern is so
far the only one to not make it work. Must be Williams fault though,
right Iain?

Post by Dukester
It is very funny to me with the availability of technology that they
cannot make flippers equal or better than Williams.

[TheKorn]

Post by frenchy
<<If their fllippers suck so much, I dont see why they just dont
purchase
the Williams patent for their flipper design and use it on Stern
machines. But of course that would hurt their ego so that won't
happen. >>
Sounds like they don't even want Gene making some stinking inserts that
have a Williams number on them, and he already paid for rights for
their stuff. What chance do you give the money-grubbing lawyers at WMS
of letting somebody buy Fliptronics?

Somebody, or Gene? :)))

[g***@yahoo.com]

I told you guys weeks ago this thing was going to be a dog

and I was ripped to shreds for saying it

as a big Stern fan, I have to say, they need to do better than this

I predict you will be able to buy this one NIB for under $3000

It will be a return to the closeout days

Anyone who pays like $3900 or so for this one is nutty

my views ...

gary

Post by b***@cs.com

Post by r***@comcast.net
safe would not always register hits for me either and the right

flipper

Post by r***@comcast.net
flaked out a few times.

Well that's a Stern for ya. Williams, Gottlieb, and about 10 other
pinball makers managed to make switches that worked 50 years ago, but
Stern still hasn't got the hang of it.
So does this mean that the rumors of yet ANOTHER flipper improvement
(after all they seem to allegedly "improve" them every game) are once
again unfounded?
I was looking forward to a new op system and a flipper refit.

[TheKorn]

Post by b***@cs.com

Post by r***@comcast.net
safe would not always register hits for me either and the right

flipper

Post by r***@comcast.net
flaked out a few times.

Well that's a Stern for ya. Williams, Gottlieb, and about 10 other
pinball makers managed to make switches that worked 50 years ago, but
Stern still hasn't got the hang of it.

That might be a one-off problem with that game. The S I was playing didn't
have any problems (whatsoever) registering hits.

Post by b***@cs.com
So does this mean that the rumors of yet ANOTHER flipper improvement
(after all they seem to allegedly "improve" them every game) are once
again unfounded?

They changed something, but as far as I can tell it was just the cabinet
buttons themselves, not anything underneath. Still though, it changes the
feel a lot. (Feels WAY better IMHO.)

Post by b***@cs.com
I was looking forward to a new op system and a flipper refit.

Now, why would you be looking for that?? :)

[PinBallCrazy]

Hmmm thats surprising considering i bought NIB Williams in the mid to
late 90's there flippers play the same to me as my NIb Sterns.I bought
LOTR and Elvis niether are showing me any signs of weak flippers.Will
they need to be serviced in the future? you bet the same goes for my
Williams/Bally ones too that i have.

[Manic]

I don't find LOTR's flippers *weak* but if you can't tell the
difference in *feel* from a Wms then it's time for a trip
to the neurologist to make sure your hands aren't losing
their nerve endings ;-)

BTW - what Wms game (s) did you buy NIB?

--
*Because John Shields HATES to see people's collections:*
M.M, C.V, N.G.G, T.O.M, J.Y, N.F, J.D,
Shad*w, C.F.T.B.L, A.F.M, F.T, W.W, L.O.T.R.

Post by PinBallCrazy
Hmmm thats surprising considering i bought NIB Williams in the mid to
late 90's there flippers play the same to me as my NIb Sterns.I bought
LOTR and Elvis niether are showing me any signs of weak flippers.Will
they need to be serviced in the future? you bet the same goes for my
Williams/Bally ones too that i have.

[PinBallCrazy]

Maniac i bought not in any particular order NIB Williams IJ,T2,MM and
STNG

[Rob]

I also have played...quite a bit actually. Made it through all the
ranks to boss. I really like the game and play of it. The only
negative's I noticed were the safe shot will not always register. I
have nailed it hard sometimes and it did not register. Sometimes a soft
shot will but usually not. The flipper's did not always work....most
of the time they were fine and especially the right one failed more but
it was a random exception when they
failed.

I like the all around look of the game. The translite was kinda blah
with a bunch of unhappy people wathcing you play. I understand that is
a pic they use to promote the show. Even with the trans pic I think it
does look all around to be a nice looking game. Too me the layout is
very similar to AFM and or T2. I know it has been compared to MB since
it was designed by George Gomez as well. I also love the pole dancers
and felt the ramp shots were decent. The
fish shot is identical to the creature shot as well. The fish is kinda
cheap looking but I have learned to like it. Also the target in front
of the boat shot seems kinda cheap as I would buy some extra's if I
owned the game. I would also buy an extra safe as it seems as a toy
that is prone to break and does not register new out of the box.

I am happy Stern is making new pins as I would be tempted to buy a
Sopranos if I had space and wasn't hesitant with the language having my
kids around. I guess I should check out family mode on it. Also would
wait as later runs may correct the safe problem and improve the
software correcting any bugs and or improve gameplay. I do not own any
Stern pins as it makes me want to find some other one's to try out.
Also liked the chrome trim on the backbox...should make the pole
dancer's pole chrome.

Looking foward too playing more Soprano's,

Rob

[CAH]

Post by r***@comcast.net
I also played Sopranos at Betson's in King of Prussia yesterday. I
like it better than Elvis, but TSPP is still my favorite of the newer
Sterns. I really hate the Sopranos backglass. I also thought the game
was very easy. I'm typically just an average player and my first game
on it lasted about 15 minutes or more and I was one step away from
being "The Boss".
I also hate the damn fish. When playing, I just wanted to keep banging
away on the safe to advance my rank and get to the wizard mode. The
safe would not always register hits for me either and the right flipper
flaked out a few times. A fan of the show (which I am) will

definately

Post by r***@comcast.net
like the integration of some of the episodes. I thought the music was
ok, but I also thought that there were too many speech bites going on.
Once again, I'll state that I don't know why Stern has to keep making
licensed theme games. Maybe it helps sales, who knows. But I feel
they could have made a very similar fictional mob-themed game and spent
all of that licensing money on making the game even better.

call it "Mobster Bash"?

Post by r***@comcast.net

Post by b***@cs.com
First off as you all know I am a big time Stern Fan. Partially

cause

Post by r***@comcast.net
i

Post by b***@cs.com
it was not for them we would not have any pins being made today.

Kudos

Post by b***@cs.com
to the whole Stern team for that. Now lets get to the Sopranos game.
My fiance and I both got a chance to try it out at the Betson in King
Of Prussia PA. We put in a good hrs worth of play time.
The cabinet looks great. I thought it would look kind of wierd from
the pics I had seen online but it does not. Although it was

sitting

Post by r***@comcast.net

Post by b***@cs.com
right next to elvis, and I must say elvis's artwork to the cabinet is
much more stunning. The backglass artwork is not so hot very blah.
The artwork to the game itself on the playfield is pretty good.

Liked

Post by b***@cs.com
all the inserts on the game and everything was clearly described on

the

Post by b***@cs.com
playfield as far as what to do and what not.
I was expecting a great sound package and what it did have was just a
average sound package. Don't get me wrong their were some very well
done sounds on the game like for food fight and some of the modes.

But

Post by b***@cs.com
most of the game had the same damn song playing. Very poorly done

at

Post by b***@cs.com
least I thought so.
Here we go again also thought these would be pretty cool. Some were
like safe animations, one of the episodes had a good animation.

The

Post by r***@comcast.net

Post by b***@cs.com
stugots mball start was the worst i had ever seen. Not to mention
party at the bing mball. Come on all u got when u got an award was

the

Post by b***@cs.com
screen would say bing award no call outs or anything like that.

The

Post by r***@comcast.net

Post by b***@cs.com
coolest animations were the match and the pork store.
Fourth Off Toys(Fish, Dancing Girls,Boat, and Safe)
1. Fish take this piece of shit out of the game. This has got to be
the worst toy I have ever seen used in a game. The lips could have

not

Post by b***@cs.com
moved and would be better(Trust me you will see what i mean when you
play the game) The whole entire fish was off as far as being in sync
with when he talks and crap.
2. Dancing Girls were very well done, and looked very good that is
compared to the intial shot we got of them awhile back. But wonce
again nothing special here they just would move around on their

poles.

Post by b***@cs.com
3. The Safe Finally we get to the cool part the wauy you wacked the
safe was very cool. Although it would not register half the time you
would hit it. But the whole entire way the safe was integrated into
the game was very neat. As far as light show and animations. When

you

Post by b***@cs.com
get the safe cracked open awesome effect and whne you get into it is
nicely done to.
4. Boat Very well done for what it was a boat to hold the balls

nothing

Post by b***@cs.com
spectacular
Going from left to right
1st shot the fish shot sucks ball only lands there by luck almost
impossible shot to hit outside of that.
2nd shot the bing ramp also not the greatest shot ever it was ok but
very shallow and felt like I did not hit the shot enough meaning

ramps

Post by b***@cs.com
should be smooth flowing and the way this one was set up was

definitley

Post by b***@cs.com
not.
This shot I actaully liked and though was very well done. very
different shot and very unique/
Also another very neat shot even though it does not register hits

half

Post by b***@cs.com
the time, and the sfae felt and looked like it was already going to
break.
Nice shot here pretty cool how the ball holds the balls my only gripe
is that it should hold more then two balls.
6th shot the meadowlands best shot on the whole game( one of the
coolest shots I have ever seen in a pin)
This shot takes the ball upside down and it coems back at you

before

Post by r***@comcast.net
a

Post by b***@cs.com
blink of an eye.
Now I forgot to mention the orbits here very nice orbits only problem
is every time you hit the damn things the ball stops in the damn pop
bumpers. Wish that was not the cas cause these orbits are easy to

hit

Post by b***@cs.com
and flow very well.
Here is where the game could be great, but is not.
Worst video mode ever executive game. We went from one of the best
video modes ever from Elvis to now the worst throw this damn mode in
the garbage.
Some of the modes are neat like arson, and the horse race and ther

was

Post by b***@cs.com
one other good one also.
Party at the Bing mball has my vote for worst mball ever. You will

see

Post by b***@cs.com
what I mean when you get a chance to play it.
The Stugots mball mode is pretty cool the way it is setup keep

hitting

Post by b***@cs.com
the drop target for jackpots then get a ball in the boat for double
jackpot then get the next ball in the boat for super jackpot. then

all

Post by b***@cs.com
shots lite for jackpots.
Truck Heist is neat hitting the orbits and stuff and then the little
hurrp up mode, but once again nothing special.
Food Fight is probably the neatest feature on the game. Sort of

like

Post by r***@comcast.net
a

Post by b***@cs.com
frenzy mode. Like I said very cool mode.
The safe and reaching ranks is also very well done.
The doubling modes you are awarded from hitting the safe are not bad
either.
I got to the underboss mode that mode was very cool also, but I am

not

Post by b***@cs.com
going to ellaborate on that and ruin it for anybody.
One thing i will say is tha game is pretty easy. i almost got all

the

Post by b***@cs.com
way to boss mode and that was only after playing it for a hour.
The bumpers on the game aere same as Elvis they work great.
The New Flipper Design
Is awesome too no more damn flipper humming or soggy flips. You will
see when you play it.
I had my money all set aside to get this game, and for once I

waited

Post by r***@comcast.net
to

Post by b***@cs.com
play a game before I got it just like I did with Elvis. And

luckily

Post by r***@comcast.net
I

Post by b***@cs.com
did not prepurchase it, because I feel I would have been greatly
dissapointed. the game is way too easy, and is cool to play at a bar
or something, but as far as HUO not a good game.
I would give it a overall rating of a 7.5 out of ten.
Like I said it is a good game, and could have been great but the code
is just not there.
PS On a side note if you all remember I said I hated Elvis well now I
have gotten a chance to play it several more times, and I really like
it. Very unique game, and it is one of those games the more you play
it the more you start to like it. So I guess for me maybe I will

get

Post by r***@comcast.net
a

Post by b***@cs.com
Elvis, or I may just wait and see what nascar looks like, but I am

not

Post by b***@cs.com
holding my breath on that one considering Pat's last two floppers.
This will be his ake or break game.
Thx guys hope this review helps
Derek

[TheKorn]

Post by b***@cs.com
First off as you all know I am a big time Stern Fan.

No way. That's the OTHER Derek who emails me weeks before games go out
on test asking if I've played them. :))

Post by b***@cs.com
I was expecting a great sound package and what it did have was just a
average sound package. Don't get me wrong their were some very well
done sounds on the game like for food fight and some of the modes. But
most of the game had the same damn song playing. Very poorly done at
least I thought so.

There is one sound bite that is absolutely pricess in the game. It
happens after you get a Stugots super and then drain it all. (I won't
spoil it for everyone.)

Post by b***@cs.com
Here we go again also thought these would be pretty cool. Some were
like safe animations, one of the episodes had a good animation.

Satisfaction has some pretty cool animations/sound work to it. And the
horse race one isn't bad, it's good for a change.

Post by b***@cs.com
1. Fish take this piece of shit out of the game. This has got to be
the worst toy I have ever seen used in a game. The lips could have not
moved and would be better(Trust me you will see what i mean when you
play the game) The whole entire fish was off as far as being in sync
with when he talks and crap.

The fish's lips match pretty well if you start singing "she'll be comin'
round the mountain when she comes" when you hit the ball to the fish.
:))

Post by b***@cs.com
3. The Safe Finally we get to the cool part the wauy you wacked the
safe was very cool. Although it would not register half the time you
would hit it. But the whole entire way the safe was integrated into
the game was very neat. As far as light show and animations. When you
get the safe cracked open awesome effect and whne you get into it is
nicely done to.

I'm hoping this isn't a repeat of the Balrog, where some work flawlessly
and others just don't work well at all. The machine I was playing the
safe registered every hit every time FWIW.

Post by b***@cs.com
1st shot the fish shot sucks ball only lands there by luck almost
impossible shot to hit outside of that.

I'm wondering if the game you were playing wasn't pitched properly.
While not a super easy shot, the fish isn't all that hard to hit, either.
(_occasionally_ I'd miss it and whack a post, but big deal. That's
pinball!)

Post by b***@cs.com
Also another very neat shot even though it does not register hits half
the time, and the sfae felt and looked like it was already going to
break.

Expand on that. I was expecting the safe to feel bad and was surprised
that it didn't on the game I was playing.

Post by b***@cs.com
Nice shot here pretty cool how the ball holds the balls my only gripe
is that it should hold more then two balls.

Was the drop target dropping reliably on that game? And also, did that
drop target have the artwork riveted to it, or was it a typical sticker?

Post by b***@cs.com
Now I forgot to mention the orbits here very nice orbits only problem
is every time you hit the damn things the ball stops in the damn pop
bumpers. Wish that was not the cas cause these orbits are easy to hit
and flow very well.

Comments like this make me question if the game was pitched/leveled
properly. (The orbit shots on the one I was playing were really fast,
except when the game _wanted_ to stop the ball.)

Post by b***@cs.com
Party at the Bing mball has my vote for worst mball ever. You will see
what I mean when you get a chance to play it.

Email me why you think this is the worst multiball ever. I thought it
was kind of interesting. (The rule about the delayed start, anyway.)

Post by b***@cs.com
The Stugots mball mode is pretty cool the way it is setup keep hitting
the drop target for jackpots then get a ball in the boat for double
jackpot then get the next ball in the boat for super jackpot. then all
shots lite for jackpots.

IMHO, "shooting" Stugots jackpots/supers is like whacking off; you just
keep going over the same ground over and over again.

[msalas]

Unless you go blind first :)

[Al]

Post by TheKorn
IMHO, "shooting" Stugots jackpots/supers is like whacking off; you just
keep going over the same ground over and over again.

Well, now you're preaching to the choir! I mean if any group would know
about whacking off would have to be here where they thought the EXPO
chick was hot...sheesh.

Al

[Pinball Magic]

Like, how old R U?

Post by b***@cs.com
First off as you all know I am a big time Stern Fan. Partially cause i
it was not for them we would not have any pins being made today. Kudos
to the whole Stern team for that. Now lets get to the Sopranos game.
My fiance and I both got a chance to try it out at the Betson in King
Of Prussia PA. We put in a good hrs worth of play time.
The cabinet looks great. I thought it would look kind of wierd from
the pics I had seen online but it does not. Although it was sitting
right next to elvis, and I must say elvis's artwork to the cabinet is
much more stunning. The backglass artwork is not so hot very blah.
The artwork to the game itself on the playfield is pretty good. Liked
all the inserts on the game and everything was clearly described on the
playfield as far as what to do and what not.
I was expecting a great sound package and what it did have was just a
average sound package. Don't get me wrong their were some very well
done sounds on the game like for food fight and some of the modes. But
most of the game had the same damn song playing. Very poorly done at
least I thought so.
Here we go again also thought these would be pretty cool. Some were
like safe animations, one of the episodes had a good animation. The
stugots mball start was the worst i had ever seen. Not to mention
party at the bing mball. Come on all u got when u got an award was the
screen would say bing award no call outs or anything like that. The
coolest animations were the match and the pork store.
Fourth Off Toys(Fish, Dancing Girls,Boat, and Safe)
1. Fish take this piece of shit out of the game. This has got to be
the worst toy I have ever seen used in a game. The lips could have not
moved and would be better(Trust me you will see what i mean when you
play the game) The whole entire fish was off as far as being in sync
with when he talks and crap.
2. Dancing Girls were very well done, and looked very good that is
compared to the intial shot we got of them awhile back. But wonce
again nothing special here they just would move around on their poles.
3. The Safe Finally we get to the cool part the wauy you wacked the
safe was very cool. Although it would not register half the time you
would hit it. But the whole entire way the safe was integrated into
the game was very neat. As far as light show and animations. When you
get the safe cracked open awesome effect and whne you get into it is
nicely done to.
4. Boat Very well done for what it was a boat to hold the balls nothing
spectacular
Going from left to right
1st shot the fish shot sucks ball only lands there by luck almost
impossible shot to hit outside of that.
2nd shot the bing ramp also not the greatest shot ever it was ok but
very shallow and felt like I did not hit the shot enough meaning ramps
should be smooth flowing and the way this one was set up was definitley
not.
This shot I actaully liked and though was very well done. very
different shot and very unique/
Also another very neat shot even though it does not register hits half
the time, and the sfae felt and looked like it was already going to
break.
Nice shot here pretty cool how the ball holds the balls my only gripe
is that it should hold more then two balls.
6th shot the meadowlands best shot on the whole game( one of the
coolest shots I have ever seen in a pin)
This shot takes the ball upside down and it coems back at you before a
blink of an eye.
Now I forgot to mention the orbits here very nice orbits only problem
is every time you hit the damn things the ball stops in the damn pop
bumpers. Wish that was not the cas cause these orbits are easy to hit
and flow very well.
Here is where the game could be great, but is not.
Worst video mode ever executive game. We went from one of the best
video modes ever from Elvis to now the worst throw this damn mode in
the garbage.
Some of the modes are neat like arson, and the horse race and ther was
one other good one also.
Party at the Bing mball has my vote for worst mball ever. You will see
what I mean when you get a chance to play it.
The Stugots mball mode is pretty cool the way it is setup keep hitting
the drop target for jackpots then get a ball in the boat for double
jackpot then get the next ball in the boat for super jackpot. then all
shots lite for jackpots.
Truck Heist is neat hitting the orbits and stuff and then the little
hurrp up mode, but once again nothing special.
Food Fight is probably the neatest feature on the game. Sort of like a
frenzy mode. Like I said very cool mode.
The safe and reaching ranks is also very well done.
The doubling modes you are awarded from hitting the safe are not bad
either.
I got to the underboss mode that mode was very cool also, but I am not
going to ellaborate on that and ruin it for anybody.
One thing i will say is tha game is pretty easy. i almost got all the
way to boss mode and that was only after playing it for a hour.
The bumpers on the game aere same as Elvis they work great.
The New Flipper Design
Is awesome too no more damn flipper humming or soggy flips. You will
see when you play it.
I had my money all set aside to get this game, and for once I waited to
play a game before I got it just like I did with Elvis. And luckily I
did not prepurchase it, because I feel I would have been greatly
dissapointed. the game is way too easy, and is cool to play at a bar
or something, but as far as HUO not a good game.
I would give it a overall rating of a 7.5 out of ten.
Like I said it is a good game, and could have been great but the code
is just not there.
PS On a side note if you all remember I said I hated Elvis well now I
have gotten a chance to play it several more times, and I really like
it. Very unique game, and it is one of those games the more you play
it the more you start to like it. So I guess for me maybe I will get a
Elvis, or I may just wait and see what nascar looks like, but I am not
holding my breath on that one considering Pat's last two floppers.
This will be his ake or break game.
Thx guys hope this review helps
Derek

[Manic]

Post by Pinball Magic
Like, how old R U?

Hey let's not be rude. I thought he wrote a nice review.

I enjoyed it.

Post by Pinball Magic

Post by b***@cs.com
First off as you all know I am a big time Stern Fan. Partially cause i
it was not for them we would not have any pins being made today. Kudos
to the whole Stern team for that. Now lets get to the Sopranos game.
My fiance and I both got a chance to try it out at the Betson in King
Of Prussia PA. We put in a good hrs worth of play time.
The cabinet looks great. I thought it would look kind of wierd from
the pics I had seen online but it does not. Although it was sitting
right next to elvis, and I must say elvis's artwork to the cabinet is
much more stunning. The backglass artwork is not so hot very blah.
The artwork to the game itself on the playfield is pretty good. Liked
all the inserts on the game and everything was clearly described on the
playfield as far as what to do and what not.
I was expecting a great sound package and what it did have was just a
average sound package. Don't get me wrong their were some very well
done sounds on the game like for food fight and some of the modes. But
most of the game had the same damn song playing. Very poorly done at
least I thought so.
Here we go again also thought these would be pretty cool. Some were
like safe animations, one of the episodes had a good animation. The
stugots mball start was the worst i had ever seen. Not to mention
party at the bing mball. Come on all u got when u got an award was the
screen would say bing award no call outs or anything like that. The
coolest animations were the match and the pork store.
Fourth Off Toys(Fish, Dancing Girls,Boat, and Safe)
1. Fish take this piece of shit out of the game. This has got to be
the worst toy I have ever seen used in a game. The lips could have not
moved and would be better(Trust me you will see what i mean when you
play the game) The whole entire fish was off as far as being in sync
with when he talks and crap.
2. Dancing Girls were very well done, and looked very good that is
compared to the intial shot we got of them awhile back. But wonce
again nothing special here they just would move around on their poles.
3. The Safe Finally we get to the cool part the wauy you wacked the
safe was very cool. Although it would not register half the time you
would hit it. But the whole entire way the safe was integrated into
the game was very neat. As far as light show and animations. When you
get the safe cracked open awesome effect and whne you get into it is
nicely done to.
4. Boat Very well done for what it was a boat to hold the balls nothing
spectacular
Going from left to right
1st shot the fish shot sucks ball only lands there by luck almost
impossible shot to hit outside of that.
2nd shot the bing ramp also not the greatest shot ever it was ok but
very shallow and felt like I did not hit the shot enough meaning ramps
should be smooth flowing and the way this one was set up was definitley
not.
This shot I actaully liked and though was very well done. very
different shot and very unique/
Also another very neat shot even though it does not register hits half
the time, and the sfae felt and looked like it was already going to
break.
Nice shot here pretty cool how the ball holds the balls my only gripe
is that it should hold more then two balls.
6th shot the meadowlands best shot on the whole game( one of the
coolest shots I have ever seen in a pin)
This shot takes the ball upside down and it coems back at you before a
blink of an eye.
Now I forgot to mention the orbits here very nice orbits only problem
is every time you hit the damn things the ball stops in the damn pop
bumpers. Wish that was not the cas cause these orbits are easy to hit
and flow very well.
Here is where the game could be great, but is not.
Worst video mode ever executive game. We went from one of the best
video modes ever from Elvis to now the worst throw this damn mode in
the garbage.
Some of the modes are neat like arson, and the horse race and ther was
one other good one also.
Party at the Bing mball has my vote for worst mball ever. You will see
what I mean when you get a chance to play it.
The Stugots mball mode is pretty cool the way it is setup keep hitting
the drop target for jackpots then get a ball in the boat for double
jackpot then get the next ball in the boat for super jackpot. then all
shots lite for jackpots.
Truck Heist is neat hitting the orbits and stuff and then the little
hurrp up mode, but once again nothing special.
Food Fight is probably the neatest feature on the game. Sort of like a
frenzy mode. Like I said very cool mode.
The safe and reaching ranks is also very well done.
The doubling modes you are awarded from hitting the safe are not bad
either.
I got to the underboss mode that mode was very cool also, but I am not
going to ellaborate on that and ruin it for anybody.
One thing i will say is tha game is pretty easy. i almost got all the
way to boss mode and that was only after playing it for a hour.
The bumpers on the game aere same as Elvis they work great.
The New Flipper Design
Is awesome too no more damn flipper humming or soggy flips. You will
see when you play it.
I had my money all set aside to get this game, and for once I waited to
play a game before I got it just like I did with Elvis. And luckily I
did not prepurchase it, because I feel I would have been greatly
dissapointed. the game is way too easy, and is cool to play at a bar
or something, but as far as HUO not a good game.
I would give it a overall rating of a 7.5 out of ten.
Like I said it is a good game, and could have been great but the code
is just not there.
PS On a side note if you all remember I said I hated Elvis well now I
have gotten a chance to play it several more times, and I really like
it. Very unique game, and it is one of those games the more you play
it the more you start to like it. So I guess for me maybe I will get a
Elvis, or I may just wait and see what nascar looks like, but I am not
holding my breath on that one considering Pat's last two floppers.
This will be his ake or break game.
Thx guys hope this review helps
Derek