# SDTM Episode 43: Top 10 Pinball Upper Playfields

**Source:** Straight Down the Middle  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2017-12-06  
**Duration:** 34m 58s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uVejgKru88

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## Analysis

Zach Sharp and Greg host a top 10 list episode of Straight Down the Middle covering the best upper playfields in pinball machines. They debate the definition of upper playfields, discuss games ranging from classics like The Shadow and Game of Thrones to modern releases like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Wizard of Oz, and name The Shadow as their #1 pick for its fast, challenging, integrated upper playfield design that doesn't slow down gameplay.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] The Shadow has the best upper playfield design because it's fast, doesn't slow the game down, and is well-integrated into the overall game mechanics — _Zach Sharp and Greg, discussing #1 ranking; explicit reasoning provided throughout segment_
- [HIGH] Pirates of the Caribbean's upper playfield is more engaging than initially perceived because it's moving and requires concentration — _Zach Sharp explicitly addressing viewer comments about the upper playfield appearing slow_
- [HIGH] The Wizard of Oz has two upper playfields (castle and Munchkin) that are equally fun and well-designed — _Both hosts discussing #2 ranked game in detail_
- [HIGH] Game of Thrones (Premium Edition) is a significant improvement over the previous version — _Greg stating 'That is a vast improvement over the last one' regarding Game of Thrones upper playfield_
- [HIGH] Popeye's upper playfield functions as a mini wizard mode that is always active during games — _Hosts discussing #9 ranked game; described as 'mini wizard mode that is always on'_
- [HIGH] The Lord of the Rings has a weak upper playfield with very little player control or nudging capability — _Zach naming it as worst upper playfield; 'very little nudging. Like, very little control.'_
- [HIGH] Upper playfields can be done poorly and should add depth to gameplay rather than feel like an afterthought — _Greg: 'They can be done so wrong'; general discussion theme throughout episode_
- [HIGH] Black Knight 2000 features a drop bank mechanism leading to a third level for locking the ball — _Hosts discussing #8 ranked game mechanics in detail_

### Notable Quotes

> "I like them when they work, but I think they're... I just feel like it adds another piece of depth into the game, into the machine somehow, like that once he gives you as to do other stuff to do."
> — **Greg**, ~2:45
> _Establishes the hosts' baseline philosophy on upper playfields—they should add meaningful depth, not just be a gimmick_

> "The thing is with this upper playfield is that you're concentrating on it because it's moving, yeah. And it's not just the normal."
> — **Zach Sharp**, ~35:00
> _Defends Pirates of the Caribbean's moving upper playfield against viewer criticism about it being slow and a drag_

> "What separates it? You don't have all the necessarily the cool gimmicks. You don't have the dragon. You don't have doors. You don't have spinners. You don't have a moving ship. Okay. But what's great about it is it keeps showing your toes. It does not slow the game down."
> — **Zach Sharp**, ~50:00
> _Core reasoning for naming The Shadow #1—elegance of design and pace of play matter more than flashy mechanics_

> "It's like a physical breakout. Remember the Blackout game with the ball? You hit the ball on and that's down the bar."
> — **Zach Sharp**, ~52:00
> _Explains The Shadow's upper playfield mechanic using accessible video game analogy to viewers_

> "It's learning that machine, good at it. But here's a challenge for you guys. The challenge. The SDTM challenge is when you get it next time you play The Shadow next time you get it up to that upper playfield. Defeat it with that first ball."
> — **Zach Sharp**, ~57:30
> _Issues audience challenge to complete The Shadow upper playfield with first ball—emphasizes game difficulty and appeal_

> "I hate that damn thing. You can kind of be neat. But there's very little nudging. Like, there's very little control. Like some might says you guys rolling and just loud."
> — **Zach Sharp**, ~62:00
> _Explains why Lord of the Rings has worst upper playfield—lack of player control and agency_

> "There's no room benefit technically to our Facebook but here's why that you want to do it because We Are Pinball on our phones that were on pinball all the time yeah so usually if there's some breaking news you get something from Stern you get something from anywhere else Jersey Jack Pinball you get something from anywhere we repost it"
> — **Zach Sharp**, ~67:00
> _Shows hosts actively curate and share breaking pinball industry news on social media channels_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Zach Sharp | person | Co-host of Straight Down the Middle pinball show; pinball enthusiast and content creator; prefers upper playfields overall |
| Greg | person | Co-host of Straight Down the Middle pinball show; more selective about upper playfield designs; skeptical of gimmicks |
| Straight Down the Middle | organization | YouTube pinball podcast/show hosted by Zach Sharp and Greg; focuses on pinball game rankings, reviews, and industry news |
| The Shadow | game | #1 ranked upper playfield game in this list; classic pinball machine with fast-paced, integrated upper playfield using physical breakout mechanics |
| The Wizard of Oz | game | #2 ranked game by Jersey Jack Pinball; features two upper playfields (castle and Munchkin) with accessible and fun mechanics |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | game | #3 ranked game by Jersey Jack Pinball; features moving ship upper playfield with cannon loading mechanic; defended against viewer skepticism about pacing |
| The Simpsons Pinball Party | game | #4 ranked game; features upper playfield with two flippers and pass-through shot starter for modes |
| Indiana Jones Adventure | game | #6 ranked game; features side/upper playfield that is challenging and rewarding with well-integrated theme |
| Black Knight 2000 | game | #8 ranked game; features drop bank mechanism and three-level playfield structure from 1980s era |
| Banzai | game | #7 ranked game; entire head is a vertical playfield; some debate about whether it should be on list |
| Popeye | game | #9 ranked game; features mini wizard mode always active with maze and animal sections; well-integrated upper playfield |
| Game of Thrones | game | #10 ranked game (Premium Edition); despite negative community perception, hosts praise flow and mechanics; improvement over previous version |
| The Lord of the Rings | game | Named worst upper playfield by Zach; criticized for lacking player control, nudge capability, and feeling weak despite being integrated |
| Flip N Out Pinball | company | Pinball distributor/retailer sponsoring the show; offers machines from Jersey Jack, Stern, Chicago Gaming, American Pinball |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; produced The Wizard of Oz and Pirates of the Caribbean featured in top 10 |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; multiple games discussed including Game of Thrones |
| Pin Stadium Lights | company | LED lighting customization company sponsoring the show; offers full spectrum customizable pinball lighting |
| Pin Graphics | company | Pinball enhancement company offering Power Blades and pin blade customizations; sponsor of show |
| This Week in Pinball | organization | Pinball news outlet run by Jeff; frequently cited by hosts as source for breaking industry news |
| Chicago Gaming Company | company | Pinball manufacturer offering machines through Flip N Out Pinball |
| American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer offering machines through Flip N Out Pinball |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Upper playfield design philosophy and mechanics, Game design integration and thematic coherence, Classic vs. modern pinball machine comparison, Player control, pacing, and game flow
- **Secondary:** Jersey Jack Pinball recent releases, Community sentiment and viewer feedback, Pinball content creation and sponsorships, Worst upper playfield examples and design failures

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.72) — Hosts are enthusiastic and celebratory about well-designed upper playfields (The Shadow, Wizard of Oz, Pirates). Constructive criticism toward poorly designed examples (Lord of the Rings, Banzai). Friendly debate between hosts with mutual respect despite disagreements. Holiday festive tone throughout.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Hosts actively engage with audience through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Twitch streaming); share breaking pinball news and industry updates regularly (confidence: high) — Zach discusses Facebook strategy: 'We literally get nothing from our facebook at all other than enjoyment... usually if there's some breaking news you get something from Stern... we repost it'
- **[community_signal]** Hosts note that viewers criticized Pirates of the Caribbean upper playfield as slow and a drag; hosts counter that moving mechanics make it engaging and worthy of #3 ranking (confidence: high) — Zach explicitly addresses viewer comments: 'there was some comments when we first did a video of it, and people were like, Man, you know, is that upper playfield really that much fun? It looks slow.'
- **[design_philosophy]** Lord of the Rings upper playfield criticized as having minimal player agency—too little nudging or control despite being integrated into game progression (confidence: high) — Zach: 'there's very little nudging. Like, there's very little control... I hate that damn thing. You can kind of be neat. But there's very little nudging.'
- **[design_philosophy]** Upper playfields should add meaningful depth and challenge rather than feel like afterthoughts or unnecessary gimmicks; integration with theme and rules is crucial (confidence: high) — Multiple references throughout: Greg 'They can be done so wrong'; Zach on best designs: 'integrated into the game' repeatedly mentioned as key success factor
- **[design_philosophy]** Elegance and pacing valued over flashy gimmicks in upper playfield design; The Shadow ranked #1 explicitly because it lacks dragons, doors, spinners, moving ships but maintains fast pace (confidence: high) — Zach: 'You don't have all the necessarily the cool gimmicks... But what's great about it is it keeps showing your toes. It does not slow the game down.'
- **[product_concern]** Game of Thrones Premium Edition praised as significant improvement over previous version; upper playfield flow and mechanics improved (confidence: high) — Greg: 'That is a vast improvement over the last one. I think so.'
- **[sentiment_shift]** Initial skepticism about Pirates of the Caribbean upper playfield overcome through play experience; mechanical element (moving ship) adds engagement value (confidence: high) — Zach: 'The thing is with this upper playfield is that you're concentrating on it because it's moving... The fact that you can load it into a cannon and shoot another ship off of that really available'

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## Transcript

are you ready for your next pinball machine call flipping out now and choose from the newest and hottest pinball machines from jersey jack pinball stern pinball chicago gaming company and american pinball flipping out also offers the Escalera stair climbing hand truck visite now it flip in a pinball calm the wait is over a revolution in and gnarly lighting for your pinball is finally here fully customizable full spectrum lighting from ping stadium lights order yours now at King stadium comm check out pin graphics for the latest and greatest in pinball enhancements power blades blade skins pin blades and even more visit ping graphics calm now to see what's available for your pinball machine let's kick this [ __ ] [Music] you had a fling way this lakeside euro an iboutlet are gay welcome back season's greetings this is my best buddy Greg and my name is Zach mrs. straight down the middle of pinball show happy Holidays to you happy holidays hopefully fest over there I like to keep it real where did you get that first off you don't honestly have no idea we're pulling out Christmas decorations and it just flew out I said you know what I'm gonna latch on to that did oh she found it fly out with moms so well you are rocking that [ __ ] there Mike so welcome back thanks for checking out the video this week we're gonna do another top 10 list yeah this is our our second installment of our holiday having little ways that's right just forget about that so stay tuned here in a bit we are going to give you that code word I don't know if it at this point second third first it's coming stay tuned don't miss you just wait around watch this video yeah get yourself oh we got all kinds of prizes yes I'm glad surprises so make sure you get those three code words one in this video right here another in one of our streams in another on our Facebook page so make sure to go by subscribe all that all that cross all media platforms all right so we're gonna do a top 10 list Greg of upper playfields on pinball machines now before we begin that are you an upper play field kind of guard know there's a few that I like don't get me wrong I like a few I love upper playfields but they can they can be done so wrong they can't I like them when they work but I think they're I just feel like it adds another piece of depth into the game into the machine somehow like that once he gives you as to other stuff to do - no work you're just ruling the entire game oh yeah just kill the entire game okay well agree or disagree I am a play fill up a play field guy you my friend are not but we're gonna go through these anyway aren't we yeah okay so preface what the hell is an upper play field let's see what you say first what is an upper playfield a tiny not always okay yeah well you get yeah okay like my a play field that sets at a higher elevation than your normal play field I'll accept that and does it have flippers or does it not have flippers hey those can vary some may not yeah yeah so we're a little bit shaky on the definition of what an upper play field is now that's pretty [ __ ] extraordinary for the most part I believe that it's you should be able to control the ball in some manner diary upend the other play feel they can't just be an extended ramp platform I do agree one flipper for the most part yeah one two something to do up there yeah no split-level these older games like Black Knight and stuff is that an upper play field I were saying yes it is even though there's not a play field beneath it's still an upper play field yeah now we're not gonna cover lower playfields because quite frankly they haven't really made a good one no and there's very few honestly what's a good lower play field is there any I would say maybe black hole yeah hon the house would maybe be the neatest ac/dc blows yeah it's not very blow yeah like The Big Lebowski was it cool yeah I feel but we're talking upper playfields today so let's start off Greg with number ten number ten top upper play field is Game of Thrones now a lot of hate a lot of hate for game with ashes it's kind of I think I mean it keeps you busy enough and there's no particular Jews I hate this one I actually don't mind the upper play field on Thurs actually that that is one of the only ones that I honestly prefer to play that is a vast improvement over the pro fast I think so improve okay I like the flow and I like this move right now people are yelling it I like the flow and I like the smoothness of the pro hmm but I like the aesthetics and I I I kind of like it being hidden and you got that like I cannot agree more that kickback underneath to play felt like it works I love it I think it goes with the theme of the machines the nice castle there and there's there's so much to do up there you've got two full-size flippers yeah you've got different stand-ups and it's coated with in the game you have to get to the wall multiball by completing this say it works yeah I think it's gonna be better honestly Amy's got the dragon flatten up there that's kind of weak it's on the pro too but it makes more sense up on that if they don't see very much so so I really like that one in the the are jeebies up there that's all pretty people hate that thing though people hate it that's why people like the pro better it's because of that I prepare slows things down but it's a different it adds a different dynamic to the game yet I can except it's not it's not something terrible so for the most part you have to hit three in search once you hit three three inserts then the pass throughs light up yeah I love it it's not necessarily chutes wave don't either no it's no it does yeah the flippers not for a week it's not a real floaty it was good it does feel it's good it's number 10 in Game of Thrones number 9 on the top upper playfield pinball machines is your favorite machine ever dude Popeye Popeye stop don't laugh bye bye it's good it is it's not bad yeah that's good everybody yeah blacks all the pop bumpers really do you have to see the action of the pop right you can still see you know the roll overs downstairs there all right so Popeye what makes this so cool it's it's a mini wizard mode that is always on during the games trying to find sweetpea up there and it's got a little ramp and there's three little sections you can hit it in to go through the maze that's really neat then you keep kicking out to the left to the animals really cool and it's got one of the coolest shots ever is that extra ball up to the right and really really cool and it's kind of a full play field little mini flippers it is bigger than not like there's plenty to shoot up there let you don't it sort of makes the game it's sort of the it is the game the problem with some upper playfields is that you feel like you have to stay up there kind of like WWE you do sneak peak here but that didn't make our top 10 list it's a cool gimmick yeah toy but you stamp there's so much that every time you get to the main play field it's a drag yeah you just don't want that maybe that's not like a thought by like Popeye you get up there and you're like oh this is cool - yeah this minigame with and again it's another one of those things that's integrated into the game well I think so the game revolves around it I think so - ain't it again it fits the theme it looks like that upper ship deck yeah love it very good plus I could say upward every day I'm sorry buddy number 8 on top to top 10 play field upper swing double deckers alright so the original didn't make our list Black Knight didn't make our list file it is really cool and we're gonna pay tribute to the Black Knight but it's still not a fan I know people people hate me because I'm just not a fan of that I know but it is cool because you've got the loop with the lock and the way it's neat for what you consider number that's right it filled but for number eight we're actually gonna go to it was a predecessor Black Knight mm yeah so there's a lot of split-level games around that era yeah 80s you've got solar fire you've got Pharaoh you've got all kinds of stuff but for me Black Knight 2000 is the coolest because of that drop Bank you hit the drop bank yeah and then it goes down and then you hit it to a third level to lock your ball that's what I like plus I like the roll overs that rolled back down to the plate it looks good up there it's kind of tough it's kind of tough oh my god there's a lot of nudge to those the roll overs that go to the bottom of the plate they'll keep it upstairs number seven is a game people didn't mad at me but I hate this game I never liked it whenever people pay thousands of dollars for it I don't get it I'm mixed on it I still won on it it's bonds I run yeah so bonds everyone you have to include in top ten up a play field because the entire head yeah is a vertical play field yeah I'd try it it's a cool idea it's fun getting up there yeah it's fun vertically trying to get that pinball all the way up to the town but it kind of loses it oh it does I feel like I'm not doing anything on the play feeling like okay yeah I'm going to go upstairs so thing is a beast of a machine it's ugly it's some people really enjoy it but if we're talking up or playfields it belongs to be in the discussion yeah right okay number six number six on the top ten upper playfields is in bowl adventure what makes the upper play field cool in Indiana Jones I like it because it removes that's the thing do you consider that an upper play field I think you have to because you're controlling the ball yeah it's not an upper play field in the sense that you wouldn't you would say that it's like flippers or that it's just a square it's it's a rectangle yeah there's like a side play field yeah it's like a side place but it's still upper a lover you still have to navigate it yeah um so III would consider it an upper play field I think so um but it's challenging and it's rewarding it is challenging especially to get that ball diverted to the right immediately I like it because number one you control it number two there are rollovers and you you change it's integrated so it's like Indy on the bridge yeah everything in the bridge rock like that that's what it gives me the feeling of in that ain't try not to fall in the hole unless the extra ball is lit and then you try to hit the hole yes so immigrated so well yeah and that's one of those things that makes something that would be inherently not very much fun that's right put Lord of the Rings quite a bit of fun yeah so Indiana Jones is number I think seven ten nine eight seven six that was number six number six that's fair it's fair that's fair that's fair let's go to what is it number five one two three four number five is a dynamic duo it's a two-for-one banger yeah it's kind of me I'm put a lot of time on it alright so number five is Family Guy and Shrek there's essentially the same layout same game but you have a coded different a but pinball machine in a pinball machine yeah so it's like the inception of pinball machines pin balls all it needs is never play field on that up it's crazy breath alright so it is essentially a little it's got a little bitty ball it's got little bitty flippers it's got ramps yeah it's kind of fun it's kind of fun it is it loses its luster after a while I'll take that pinball machine with a little zhuzh along do people even see the vest once you see a nutshell two people the best balls and bones balls and bulbs yeah that's a pinball machine right there some pinball machine vest I see your point and the good point the better point to be made this thing is effin hideous just like the lost world that was uncalled for that was dad's uncle great this is no [ __ ] great let's do that thing every time I come over he's like human-machine oh my god collect yourself and I'm like so good but you know what gave me place do you know what gave me first goes to every time it comes up here because it's elusive and rare let's take a white tiger oh my gosh oh that's good thank you that's rich that's my baby what if I'm gonna make fun of your children wait a minute last time you came over you made fun of my son this come from a guy that's great now go WWI gamer kinda who calls me and tells me he enjoys it Oh Craigslist pop-up spider-man Hulk mini pinball machine 79 why spider-man Hulk mini oh I think it's two spider-man Hulk mini play it's probably like as izzle speaking out as your phone so slow oh my god it's word it literally is like the upper play field yes let's go shred show the people this you can get around all the cracks in your phone but you still show it you know why these cracks because I'm throwing the damn phone every time I talk to you you know that was probably big [ __ ] back in the day though make sure the kid [ __ ] [ __ ] alright let's get back on he's always getting off when you want to tell these people about the code to say now oh really [ __ ] now it's time for any secret message for you members of The Secret Circle remember kids only members of any secret circle can decode any secret message remember Annie is depending on you set your pins to b2 here is the message all right so one of the codes is not write this down jot it down and then submit once you get all three codes submit it to us yes and then we will do a drawing and you might win yourself a full set of pin stadium lights yep and then if you don't have full set up in stadium one with your machine of choice - yeah we get exactly exactly then you some straight down the middle t-shirts you could do that you might win some cool Marco's products yeah Marco's mom what's the code for the people nor more why he was on first mower let that rattle around for a little bit more so underwhelming more but just take it and run with it because there's more to come more more more to come in three month number four buy some more write it down more not four more oh this muffler sword more is the way their rings give me confuse around what's more the word be Sony store me right in marco store all right I think it's all the rapport okay number four for people know they love us they love to hate us okay it's a number four for the more bored number four top ten upper play field on a pinball machine is the Simpsons pinball party and I think that's okay just okay yeah it's not before [ __ ] okay I know but you know personal taste some you lose some personal pace okay so we got on the upper we feels we've got we got two flippers all right and then that one flipper goes into the upper flip upper the couch yeah I like to count though I do two plus I like the pass through that you start the modes yeah and then you try to Jimmy it up there who else who's old Jim it right up there Jimmy it up there to the upper playfield never said no you don't like it Bobby no it's not no it's not I don't think Jimmy you Jimmy it right up to the couch to start the multiball bunch of your three balls up there you got that point door stuck we're just come on Jimmy that simple Jimmy had opened their watch it be something like very like the origins of it is just like that saying wrong is something really bad man we first couple dumbass Midwestern boys use of it something bad is it there's so much [ __ ] that floats around in the country and sings like it's true still has the things and you don't you know what it's talking about Jimmy's Kitty's note is still good alright number so do we need to say anything else about Simpsons yeah it's fun that's your baby okay number three is a newcomer I'll take this one I bet you would number three top upper playfields is Pirates of the Caribbean by Jesse Jackson yeah because you have to watch out the parlay area oh that's very true it could be confused on the yeah this is Jersey Jack's new parts of the Caribbean so they've got that rock and play feel imma throw up for you guys right there and let me just say this there was some comments when we first did a video of it and people were like man you know is that upper play field really that much fun it looks slow it looks like it's a drag but no and I'm gonna I think we expressed this in our video the thing is with this this upper play field is that your concentrating on it because it's moving yeah and it's not just the normal oh you're gonna concentrate on upper playfield like like Game of Thrones or something obviously to hit but this because it's moving it's intriguing and you're trying to hit a plus you want to be able to load that damn cannon you hit enough target fire boots yes what other what other it would not only if you have just kind of a fun play field it's not overwhelming really fun don't get me wrong it's it's just neat and fun but the fact is the load it's satisfying yes exactly but the fact that you can load it into a cannon and shoot another ship off of that in Raleigh available yeah that makes it one of the best it is it is plus you got two spinners on the other one and they're stars all behind there goodness man overboard you can fall overboard to the rock that's very careful but yeah because if you do mess up then exactly you fall off you let it get by your flippers come back down to the right flipper I'm kind of an advocate for that one - really why can't we play it now because we'll have any money play now we're broke married Jersey Jack is coming let's come up here and play okay number two [Music] that's from peanuts yes on the piano for penalize this as a kid always got bored I'm like there he goes again trying to teach us you know classic him why can't somebody just clean that child like social services would have been called nowadays but back in the fifties they're like man it's just the stinky custard - it's also Jersey Jack it is Wizard of Oz and I like this now the reason I think that we put this over Pirates of the Caribbean is because it's got to upper playfields and both are equally fun that's true yeah so you've got the the better of the two is the castle get up to the castle it's got abashed where you're hitting that door to open it up then you get hit through the door yes then you go over to the right you try to spell out rescue to get that multiball going so that's a really fun play and then it's accessible pretty easily down dropped or headed up it's not the one to the right is the Munchkin yeah the Munchkin and the trick is there's different modes in the munchkin modes too so the trick is to hit it strongly enough hold up your flipper and it'll go around one more time and then you hit it up again strongly hold up that flipper it'll go around again and if you can get a good rhythm on it you get two loops with one flip BAM Luke Luke Luke Luke always good with the rhythm yeah and then it goes dead and then drops playfield many colors up and you still wanna was--people advised me against don't don't don't do it don't do it but it's kind of cramped yeah well I don't I don't really care but I just want to learn and you will and play it here oh well yeah number one thing break we've got the top ten best ones upper playfield pinball machines I think we're right on this is special to this guy's hard I think so because one of the greatest games ever made I agree it's $5,000 pay and it's faster challenging us announce it so what is it I'll let you do the honors cuz your pictures it is the shadow that's right I like it because what separates it you don't have all the the necessarily the cool gimmicks you don't have the dragon you don't have doors you don't have spinners you don't have a moving ship okay but what's great about it is it keeps showing your toes it does not slow the game down no because it is fast it is really good it's really fast it's challenging to do and again it's integrated into the game yeah like like now essentially what it is it's like a physical break out remember the blackout game with the ball you hit the ball on and that's down the bar so you flip it up to the upper playfield the first time you do it you have to hit 30 switches or 30 targets up there they're stand-up targets to the left and the right up front there are drop targets these drop tarts when you hit them they'll bounce down bounce immediately back up they're gonna bounce up so quickly they throw the ball right back at your pedal that you've got going left and right by movement of the flippers yes now if you hit down 30 shots those once you hit down the bag drop targets they will stay down you hit through them it goes through a little tunnel around to the right orbit to defeat Kong yes but it's so fast that's what makes it fun I mean you know all the way up in the paddle it's a paddle take some control get it just because I love watching people that aren't really into pinball come over and play the shadow oh and they're like what they get to hit smell yeah yeah wasn't that's again that's the thing is it's not a lot of waste of time and then we get good at it it's a challenge too that's true and it's crazy because some people did it and are good at it yeah I'm particularly good at it some people it doesn't matter how good a pinball player zehrer they're not good but this is one thing that I found is that you've got to have a good a good working clean machine but that there really a lot of problem it varies yeah from machine to machine paddles gotta be pretty tight yeah I found a few that feel the same but they can it's learning them I mean like there's a lot of pinball machine especially older ones it's learning that machine good at it but here's a challenge for you guys the challenge the SDTM challenge is when you get it next time you play the shadow next time you get it up to that upper play field defeat it with that first ball yes all 30 hits defeat it with that don't stuff don't hit 30 and then drop out you get a hit it back through that I don't play it a lot so I love that so that's the number one top play field upper play field hope you agree I mean there's a lot there's a lot I hope you do yeah there's a lot of argument for some of the other ones from move up there it's like I said let's give some what are they called considerations um so Blackwater 100 is awesome it's essentially the whole damn thing is an upper play feel because you're looping around the whole thing and everything that's fun Twilight Zone with the Magnum and I like it a lot you like that it almost made the top 10 list yeah should be mentioned Pharaoh so Pharaoh is to me kind of a [ __ ] game all right the upper play feels kind of cool there's a lot of little things to do up there but again set split level when you get back what what what what game on our top 10 to twilight zone have replaced if I had to pick mm-hmm possibly Game of Thrones you're gonna say pop I know you need a split you need a split level I would've probably get rid of Banzai read its mean like it had to be included yeah I don't think you can get rid of that but as of fun wow isn't full of fun it's it's full of yeah pharaoh was cool solar flare along the same net run or flare I've only played it once it I think she played somewhere in Nashville or something it's pretty cool there's again just cool shots up there yeah not the greatest game WWF Royal Rumble Oh royal rumble looks pretty good so I saw about the worst of the playfields Greg you take a pic I take a pic what's your worst like upper plate fill your plate it's it's unnecessary I hate the damn thing in there I myself I'm not a big fan of Errol Smith the game no no I like oh yeah I just thought like god that's one machine I honestly would never spend the money it was like an afterthought like you know we've thrown in some uh playfields putting up her play field in the tricky part is I love going up there on the premium Ellie as part of the ramp yeah but the part that you're playing in the upper play field it's like a whelming yeah there's nothing it with you buddy it's what you shouldn't do when we agree I would think for me the worst up or play field ever in a pinball machine is Lord of the Rings fantastic game yeah oh is it really a playful I don't know I just hate it that much again I've kind of considered it it's like the cheap version it's like the Jones yeah or the pinball where you're rolling off oh yeah very true I hate that damn thing you can kind of be neat but there's very little nudging like there's very little control like some might says you guys rolling and just loud and is it's integral to the game because you're trying to get to I think it's the third multiball yeah the third you got a robust return the court tournament so you're trying to get there and I get it I like the rules up there yeah but give me give me some motion or something it's at least integrated well but it's just a weak ass if they revolted that I would like to see something else done to that section yeah I agree that's a top ten list of the best upper playfields ain't worst yes what do we got for them next week we'll have either a machine review maybe a lecture in your view yeah I'd say yeah yeah I think it's gonna be a machine review you think so yeah but the continuation of our happy holiday giveaway holiday happy giveaway oh it makes more sense happy holidays holiday happy giddily no it's a happy giveaway it's the holiday and it's a what do these people find people need to do for spring ah they need to get on to our you keep watching them yeah yeah subscribe to us on here let's go to twitch you know just follow us on Twitter Scott to us on Twitter no throw something on there you know I'm streaming quite a bit more this this old month and everything I'm just randomly sometimes you guys haven't already seen should be streaming Guardians buddy yeah Houdini's coming up yeah I'm streaming a lot during the day while your work people are liking that cuz work sucks it's writing winners coming up winter's coming and you'll be streaming a lot more yeah so it's pretty mature as a bonus isn't it yes it is and then I walked in that's all Walker Facebook follow us on Facebook like us on Facebook you've gotta follow us on Facebook so that you can get and let me tell you this this is an important I'll arms great we we literally get nothing from our facebook at all other than enjoyment so there's no room benefit technically to our Facebook but here's why that you want to do it because we are on our phones that were on pinball all the time yeah so usually if there's some breaking news you get something from stern you get something from anywhere else jjp you get something from anywhere we repost it yeah this weekend pinball posts and we used to try to share that and post that on there you know on good information just anything that we see that is noteworthy a pinball we try to put it on our Facebook and there's some updates on things we do like you know when Chuck work stream and or something or move in a stream we would try to throw some stuff your way we just random nice pinball porn man we throw up some nice pinball pics of some great great pinball pics that we see you know some play field shots and some different things or if we went on like location somewhere you know throw a couple little videos or you put the stupid-ass picture of lost world little hearts on it that was freaking gorgeous check us out on YouTube as well we want to thank our sponsors Larry flipping out pinball see out of PinStadium Lights Joe at ping graphics and also not a sponsor but one of our favorite places to get news is this week it is Jeff over this weekend ball we're gonna try to get him he does a great job as well we try to share a lot of stuff on her facebook cuz I mean there is some really nice breaking news on there and Stephanie gets a hold up so it's always fantastic that out if you have a guess on the scene there so until next week this is Greg this is Zach with straight down the middle thank you so much for watching and check out the other videos that you see Feliz Navidad I wanna wish you Merry Christmas [Music] this feels professional with these knocks off lights if you look at the camera they look like legitimate lights not [ __ ] machines over lamps will start firemen Christmas music why is silent night why is that your favorite because you like it at home and everybody

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 24ca483b-1211-4bb3-8101-652c72680680*