# Cactus Canyon Remake Unboxing **Source:** Cary Hardy **Type:** video **Published:** 2022-04-09 **Duration:** 13m 49s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDW1hARQKJE --- ## Analysis Cary Hardy unboxes and sets up a Chicago Gaming Company Cactus Canyon remake, documenting the unboxing process, assembly steps, and initial quality inspection. He finds the machine well-built with clean internals, good RGB lighting, and solid sound quality, and plans to install several aftermarket mods including Train Track mod and Brian Allen art package. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The pallet was too wide to fit through the front door, requiring straps and dolly to move it into the house — _Cary Hardy describing unboxing process_ - [HIGH] Machine requires removal of 12 screws on bottom of box and cutting of three straps to access the game — _Cary Hardy detailing unboxing steps_ - [HIGH] Complete boot-up sequence takes around 25 seconds, about 5 seconds faster than modern Stern games — _Cary Hardy comparing CGC to Stern startup times_ - [HIGH] Chicago Gaming Company machine is modeled after 1990s format for setup and installation — _Cary Hardy noting similarity to 90s games during setup explanation_ - [HIGH] Machine includes four pinballs, power plug cover, extra fuses, manual, and extra slingshot plastics — _Cary Hardy documenting contents of coin box and accessories_ ### Notable Quotes > "All right, varmint. You're late. supposed to be here at noon five months ago." > — **Game audio (Cactus Canyon theme)**, Opening > _Establishes the delayed delivery narrative (five months late) that was a known issue with Cactus Canyon remake production_ > "So far, Chicago Gaming Company looks to have great quality. I have found no issues." > — **Cary Hardy**, Playfield inspection > _Positive assessment of CGC build quality after initial inspection_ > "Without a doubt, this RGB light show really gives the game a nice touch. Not to mention the sound quality on a factory level is also pretty dang good." > — **Cary Hardy**, Post-setup evaluation > _Highlights appreciation for RGB lighting and audio quality as standout features_ > "Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase." > — **Cary Hardy**, Final assessment > _Concluding positive sentiment about the machine_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Cary Hardy | person | Content creator who unboxes and reviews the Cactus Canyon remake, purchases through Flippin Out Pinball | | Chicago Gaming Company | company | Pinball manufacturer of the Cactus Canyon remake being reviewed | | Cactus Canyon | game | Classic Williams pinball remake being unboxed and set up; known for production delays | | Flippin Out Pinball | company | Distributor through which Cary Hardy purchased the Cactus Canyon machine | | Stern Pinball | company | Competitor manufacturer referenced for boot-up speed comparison | | Brian Allen | person | Creator of art package that Cary Hardy plans to install on his Cactus Canyon machine | | Acker Apple | person | Software engineer and video sponsor interested in connecting with pinball-playing software engineers | ### Topics - **Primary:** Machine unboxing and setup, CGC manufacturing quality - **Secondary:** Production delays and delivery issues, Aftermarket mods and customization, RGB lighting and audio features ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Cary Hardy expresses strong satisfaction with build quality, RGB lighting, sound, and overall purchase experience. Minor comedic complaints about unboxing logistics, but no substantive quality concerns reported. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** Aftermarket mod ecosystem for Cactus Canyon is active with Train Track mod and Brian Allen art package in development (confidence: high) — I have the Train Track mod on the way. I will also be installing the Brian Allen art package too. Not to mention other mods that are just around the corner from being developed. - **[product_strategy]** Cactus Canyon remake experienced significant delays (five months late referenced in game audio), though machine quality does not appear to have suffered (confidence: high) — Game opening dialogue: 'You're late. supposed to be here at noon five months ago' establishes known delay narrative - **[product_strategy]** CGC machines feature RGB lighting and audio quality comparable or superior to modern Stern games, with faster boot-up times (confidence: high) — Complete boot-up sequence takes around 25 seconds, a mere 5 seconds faster than your modern stern game. Without a doubt, this RGB light show really gives the game a nice touch. - **[product_concern]** Despite production delays, Cactus Canyon remake shows excellent build quality and no defects on initial inspection (confidence: high) — So far, Chicago Gaming Company looks to have great quality. I have found no issues. --- ## Transcript All right, varmint. You're late. supposed to be here at noon five months ago. So what was going to be a duel is going to be your execution. I'm going to tear you open and play with your insides like you think you can joke. Hey, would you hurry up already? The girls want to play. Well, you heard the harlot. Game over. This is my first Chicago Gaming Company machine. The pallet was too wide for me to get it into my front door, so I had to remove the straps and dolly it into the house. But in order to take the cover off, you will need to remove a total of 12 screws that are on the bottom of the box that are screwed into the pallet. When you remove the cardboard cover, you will need to cut three straps to have complete access to the game. But be warned that these straps are keeping the game strapped to the pallet, but they are also holding the backbox down. Once you remove the straps, the backbox can freely unfold. So I placed a strap around the game until I began getting the game set up. When it comes to tips and tricks on unboxing and setting up, there really isn't much of a difference than your typical game. Especially since this is modeled after the 90's format. Just get your front legs on, lower the game down, raise the back end up, mount the back legs. This is when I raise the leg levelers giving me that 6 to seven degree pitch Then you can raise your backbox and lock it in place via the hinge on the back of the game The coin door keys are on the shooter rod. Laugh if you must, but I use toenail clippers to cut the zip tie. There is method to my madness. Now let's check under the hood. Here is a pan over the playfield immediately after removing the playfield glass. So far, Chicago Gaming Company looks to have great quality. I have found no issues. And with the low amount of plays on it as this video goes up, there are still no issues. We'll be right back. Now, let's begin the prep work. Once again, using my clippers, I remove the zip tie and cover over the beer mug. The cushion for the mine. Clip the zip tie holding the train in place. And finally, the cover over Bart. That is all for the play field. Let's check underneath. The playfield slides very easily. Inside the cabinet is very clean and organized. complaints from me here. Here is what under the plate filled looks like. Let's see what's in the coin box. Power cable, backbox bolts, extra flipper rubbers, and an envelope of other items. Here is another shot of the underside of the playfield. Thank you The backbox key is on the coin door Removing the TransLive box is pretty easy. The speaker panel is also very clean and slides with ease. Inside the backbox looks very good. This is optional but you can go ahead and bolt the backbox down using the supplied bolts. Now let's see what else was in that envelope in the coin box. Four pinballs, power plug cover, extra fuses too. The game also comes with a manual as well as extra slingshot plastics. So let's put in the power cable. Use the power port cover with the supplied bolts. Then we plug it into the wall. Add your four pinballs, then turn it on. The complete boot up sequence takes around 25 seconds, a mere 5 seconds faster than your modern stern game. Let me just keep this shot here for a bit, so you can enjoy the light show. Without a doubt, this RGB light show really gives the game a nice touch. Not to mention the sound quality on a factory level is also pretty dang good. Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase. I have the Train Track mod on the way. I will also be installing the Brian Allen art package too. Not to mention other mods that are just around the corner from being developed. I purchased my game through Flippin Out Pinball. If you would like to add this game to your collection, then by all means give them a call. I put links in the video description A special thank you to the sponsor of this video Acker Apple a software engineer interested in other software engineers especially pinball playing software engineers Whether you're looking for a job or just looking to connect and share pinball programming knowledge, like coding pinball on a raspberry pi, reach out to him. I'll put his info in the video description. Alright, go for it. Well, look here, Sheriff of the Week. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. you _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 3e5cb9a4-0107-4e79-89d4-ac6fadc9181d*