G’day
Last week I picked up Sterns latest, IRONMAN
This is the third NIB game I have added
It makes a nice companion to Batman and Spideman
Stern was in quite a rush to get these out, the software was only at V0.55 (I have since upgraded to the latest V1.4), but even in its original form the game was quite fun and playable (unlike Batman at V2.0)
Stern has continued with using photo-elements and graphics for the art package, which for the most part look great
Stern has cut back on the complexity of its game with this machine (I guess to save a few $$), which for me is a good thing
Less ‘toys’ makes for a more open playfield (you can easily see what you are supposed to be aiming for), also there is less places for the ball to get stuck (an issue for Batman owners), also less mechanical parts is less to break down
The sounds/voices calls are a combination of taken from the movie (sound effects and music and voices of some characters)
Sterns voice over guy is also used to tell you what shots to make (cheaper than using the actor who did the voice of ‘Jarvis’)
I have only had a few games so far, so I might be missing a few of the details
This picture shows most of the shots, from the left side there are four targets, matched on the right with three on the right, these are for spelling out ‘IRONMAN’ and advancing your IRON MAN from Mark 1 to Mark 5
Next is a spinner to the right orbit which takes your ball to the top of the playfield and the two lanes at the top right
There are 4 ‘Drone’ targets to be aimed for (Two are hidden behind ‘IRONMONGER)(the 4th is next to the right ramp), hard to see if the lamps are lit on these as Stern uses a dark color for their blue inserts, so I will have to get some LEDs in there
‘WAR MACHINE’, this is a tight shot to make, and there is a kicker at the top so the ball comes out at lightning speed
Then comes the ‘Austin Powers’ ramp that returns the ball to the left flipper
Then there is a lane that takes your ball to the Pop Bumper area
‘IRON MONGER’ sits in the middle of the playfield, he rises up (similar mech to ‘The Ringmaster’) and hitting him to spell out ‘MONGER’, hitting him also briefly activates the magnet in front of him which diverts your ball a little
‘WHIPLASH’ has two targets set behind another magnet, when ‘Whiplash’ multiball is achieved, you ball is held and a clip of ‘Whiplash’ lashing his whips is played out on the DMD
We then have the right ramp, which is steep, and if your ball does not get to the top it may return and go straight through the flippers
And lastly there is the spinner guarding the right orbit which takes the ball to the top lanes
CONCLUSION
‘IRONMAN’ is a fun game
Yes, it is missing a few bells and whistles of some of Sterns other games but for this player this is a good thing
I like this game
Pete