Since every man and his dog started importing containers into Australia the rankings of A, B list etc are more relevant than ever. Why? Because for every 1 MM,AFM,CV,TOTAN or MB brought into the country there are 3 Getaways, 4 Fish tales et al, and a boatload of Segas and Data Easts in the same container that the importer was FORCED to accept as part of the conditions of getting their hands on one of the A titles mentioned. It cannot be more obvious why the "resellers" in Europe have this restriction - everyone wants the A list and no one wants to import a container load solely consisting of what is generally regarded as "lesser titles". This for them is the easiest way to get the rid of the unwanted warehouse filler stock.
If you regard price/value as part of the definition of a title's rankings, then MM has gone up in value for every year after its release in 1997, and has never been out of the top 3 in ranking in 15 years. Despite there being 4,016 of them as a standard model pin (more than all the Stern LE versions combined), they are now selling for $20,000+ for a restored to factory standard version in the US (which I personally find ludicrous). Once MM went to this price, its "little sister" AFM quickly followed suit and broke the $10,000 mark. These are not coincidences, this is a free market that recognises quality and is willing to pay for it (A list title or not).
+1
I think that the "A", "B", "C" pins are a combination of personal opinion, number produced and playability.
Cactus Canyon is a classic example. Low production number - so it is a rarer title. Lame player (my opinion), and an incredibly boring title (my opinion). Yes it commands a $10,000 price tag. Definitely NOT a "A" list for me, but I'm sure I have offended at least one CC owner who would read this.
Cirqus Voltaire is another. There used to be PLENTY of these imported. Always a sleeper title. The best playing DMD of all time and the best artwork (my opinion). An "A" list pin in every respect.
Scared Stiff - High production number. A definite "A" list pinball for me - and it was cheaper 3-4 years ago. Everything about this machine is "A" list.
But there is always a PRICE point that should be included when calculating "A" list games. Given I don't rate CC or MM as great players, they are overpriced, which in my view, drops their value (in terms of their rating). Fishtales is reasonable player, for 25% of the cost. "A" grade games must reflect the price. I don't mean that overpriced games should be "A" listers - quite the opposite. If CC and Fishtales were offered to me FREE on the condition I cannot resell - I'd pick Fishtales. Better player. I would play it every day. CC would not be played. So one pin is underrated and one overrated.
Using this logic, CC is a "C" grade pinball. Overpriced, poor player and generally a game I would never play. Fishtales would be a "B+", because it is cheap, a great player and a game I'd play every day.
The Cookie Cutter "A" grade Collection would be - MM, MB, CC, AFM.
The Cookie Cutter "B" grade Collection would be - TOTAN, TZ, T2, TAF, CV, SS.
The Cookie Cutter "C" grade Collection would be - JD, DM, Dr Who, FT.
My opinion, using my logic, and keeping in mind pricing VS playability has a lot to do with my rankings ;
"A" grade Collection would be - SS, CV, AFM, TAF.
"B" grade Collection would be - TOTAN, TZ, T2, FT, MB.
"C" grade Collection would be - JD, DM, Dr Who, CC
I don't expect anyone to agree with my reasoning, as I have pins in my collection that I like - not what other would deem "collectible". It is all about opinion, and the only criticism I have, and the reason I don't like CC, is that it is a $2500 pinball. That's the way I see it.
