Metallica Pinball...and a few other special words.

[Bearded_Warrior]

I'm not sure how many of you all follow real pinball, but Stern announced last month that Metallica Pinball machines were in production with three models being made (Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition). As a long time Metallica fan of over 20 years now this news made me ecstatic. I've had a Metallica table on my wishlist (see my sig) for over a year now and to see this come to fruition is a dream come true for me. I was hoping to see Zen do a digital version, but this is even better (though I would still love to see one in the future).

metallica-pinball-limited-edition-model.jpg metallica-pinball-premium-models-flyer.jpg metallica-pinball-limited-edition-playfield.jpg

http://www.metallicapinball.com/

I have to give a huge, heartfelt thank you to Zen Studios for helping me rediscover the gaming purity that is pinball. Special thanks go out to Barbie, Mel Kirk, Zsolt Kigyossy, and Peter Grafl for crafting, promoting, and keeping the pinball dream alive in general. It's such a great game and encompasses that simple, yet addictive game play that all games should strive for. It maintains a good balance of being challenging, but very rewarding.

I say all of this to bring me to my next, and final point. As a lifelong gamer, I grew up playing a lot of Nintendo, Sega, and Sony games in addition to countless hours in arcades. The nostalgia of my youth is flooded with fond memories of those weekends at the arcades with friends, in addition to a ridiculous amount of time spent rocking out to Metallica. I don't have a lot of other hobbies like some people I know. I'm not really into cars, or bikes, or guns, or golf, or whatever else you might spend time and money on. My hobby is gaming. I'm a gamer at my core and that's who I am and what I love.

So, in what may seem to some as crazy, I've decided to purchase my very own Metallica pinball machine. I missed out on the Limited Edition (very few were made and it was much more expensive), so I decided to get a Premium model with the Dirty Donny artwork. It should be ready some time next month and I can't wait to get it in my house and get my hands on it. I'm going to a Metallica Pro Launch Party/Tournament next month to play the Pro model, so that should keep me satisfied until mine arrives.

I'm really excited to finally be at a point in my life where I can treat myself to something like this and I'm sure it'll be a great source of entertainment for family and friends as well. I'll be sure to post my own pictures here once I get it up and running. Thanks for everything guys, and keep flippin'

[MarkItZeroSmoky]

+1 on the sentiment to the team at Zen Studios and what theyve done for pinball, for both old and new players alike!

And Bearded_Warrior, congratulations on getting yourself a real machine, and a Metallica one at that! I too grew up in a time where arcades were still in almost every town, and Zen Pinball has helped bring back fond memories for me as well. And of course i rocked out to Metallica in my younger days, (Still do on occaision!) Im green with envy! And cant wait till a real machine sits in my gameroom! Make sure you post those pics/vids!

[Bearded_Warrior]

Ok guys, I finally picked up my very first pin last week and I've decided to share some pics of it being unboxed with you guys. It's been really fun and interesting learning about the real machines and all of the setup and maintenance that goes along with it. Should be a fun little hobby. And so far Metallica Pinball has not disappointed. The music, lighting, game modes, toys...it's all a very eyegasmic experience. It's also given me a greater appreciation of the amount of work Zen goes through to produce the digital versions. So without further ado...



The boxed dimensions are 56x31x31 and it weighs around 280lbs.











This is amusing. Unlike any other pinball I've played, Metallica isn't afraid to drop a few F bombs here and there. I have to turn it off when the kiddies want to play though

[caper_26]

Are you kidding me ?!?!?

Holy awesomeness !! I can't see the photos right now since I am at work, but I can't wait until I get home to see them. Long time Metallica fan here. I taught myself how to play guitar starting in '98 and since I introduced electric guitar after a few years on the acoustic, I have focused mostly on Metallica. I have been able to play almost all the old school Metallica songs, except Dyer's Eve and Blackened, but recently have been able to figure out the timing for Blackened's main riff. I was able to play Whiskey in the Jar (Matallica's cover) last Dec in front of about 300 people, and recently, Nothing Else Matters has become part of our main setlist in my new band. Also, the show back in Dec, I wrote a "Metallica Medley" which was a 6 song compilation of awesome Metallica riffs, which included: Enter Sandman, Master of Puppets, Seek & Destroy, Fade to Black, Creeping Death, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. This is the reason I have given up gaming since Feb: a huge home renovation project plus I started a hard rock band so most of my spare time is rehearsing or practicing for the band. I finally saw them live 2 summers ago; too bad Newsted was already gone. Anyway, congrats on your purchase. I am jealous !

[Bearded_Warrior]

You have your own band?! Now I'm jealous of you, lol. I can't play anything but it's still a fantasy of mine. The Metallica pin is amazing. The set list has 12 tracks including Seek & Destroy, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Fade to Black, Creeping Death, Battery, Master of Puppets, One, Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Unforgiven, Fuel, and End of the Line. You can pick with song you want played at the start of each game and then each of the game modes will play a particular song when it's started. The only song I wish was in there that isn't is Hit the Lights. I think they could've done a really cool synchronized light show with that one, but oh well. It still kicks ass.

I've only seen Metallica play live once in my life and that was about four years ago when they came to Atlanta, GA. I was lucky enough to snag a pick that Hetfield threw into the crowd after playing a song with it. That's one of my most prized possesions for sure. You need to share some of your music. Do you have a You Tube page or something?

[BarbieBobomb]

Super cool, congrats on the awesome new table!

[skyway73]

Money well spent sir!

We're all jealous of you, I dream of one day owning my very own pin....

[BebelRowty]

Im green with envy!

[caper_26]

You need to share some of your music. Do you have a You Tube page or something?

Too bad we have no footage of Nothing Else Matters. Would have been fitting for this thread !!

Rooster: Alice in Chains (cover) http://youtu.be/k-JY4Vm2f78

Are ya Gonna Go My Way?: Lenny Kravitz (cover) : http://youtu.be/S46KCT_Z28M

I see new tables. I am a little jealous that I haven't played in a bout a year now...