# SDTM Episode 95: The Beatles Pinball Machine Review

**Source:** Straight Down the Middle  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2019-06-11  
**Duration:** 45m 55s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2mRNV0IyaI

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## Analysis

Straight Down the Middle reviews the Beatles pinball machine by Sam Stern Pinball and Kapow Pinball, a modern recreation of the classic 1980 Barnyard game. The hosts and guest reviewers (Chuck Work/Aaron Berger and Chris Hyper) debate the game's merits across multiple categories including art, shot layout, rules/code, toys, music, display/animation, and theme, with general consensus that it's a well-executed classic remake with solid execution but limited innovation and divisive theme appeal.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] The Beatles was designed by George Gomez and is based on/inspired by the classic 1980 Barnyard game — _Hosts explicitly state George Gomez designed the original Barnyard and the Beatles is tweaked from that design_
- [HIGH] Christopher Franchi did the artwork for The Beatles pinball machine — _Directly stated: 'Artwork done Barnyard. Christopher Franchi.'_
- [HIGH] Jerry Thompson did the sound design for The Beatles — _Hosts confirm Jerry Thompson handled sound effects and composition_
- [MEDIUM] The Beatles features opto spinners that continue spinning, a feature Stern had not previously implemented — _Hosts debate whether opto spinners constitute innovation, with one host claiming 'Stern never done an opto spinner before'_
- [HIGH] The game costs $4,000 — _One host explicitly states this price point as a criticism of value proposition_
- [MEDIUM] Stern licensed and received approval for branded instrument names (Ludwig drums) used by The Beatles — _Host states: 'they actually licensed and got approval Barnyard the brand names of the instruments that The Beatles used' and notes this was never done before for Beatles merchandise_

### Notable Quotes

> "That is my goal. He will turn red."
> — **Zach Minney**, ~3:50
> _Humorous goal to ride in George Gomez's Porsche; demonstrates host personality and community awareness of designer lifestyle_

> "The loop is perfect. The opto spinners are so dissatisfying. And the magnet up top adds a nice touch to break up some of the flow."
> — **Chuck Work**, ~27:00
> _Reviewer praise for specific mechanical innovations in shot layout_

> "It's Stern's best animation they've ever done whoever you guys had do this animation continue to have them do it"
> — **Chuck Work**, ~54:00
> _High praise for display/animation quality as Stern's best work, suggests manufacturing direction_

> "I cannot justify the price to me. It's a $4,000 game."
> — **Greg Bone**, ~31:00
> _Direct price criticism driving negative overall assessment despite acknowledging game quality_

> "My favorite part of this game is the shots and the layout. Sam Stern absolutely blew me away with how they took a classic layout and perfected it."
> — **Chris Hyper**, ~25:00
> _Praise for successful modernization of classic design_

> "It plays better than any early solid-state game. It's more fun. It just is."
> — **Jon Hey (Zach Minney)**, ~42:00
> _Strong endorsement positioning Beatles against competitive classic/early solid-state comparables_

> "You obtained that The Wizard mode a little too quickly and too easily."
> — **Greg Bone**, ~43:00
> _Specific gameplay criticism about rule progression and challenge curve_

> "If you had enough shots. Level two. Level three. Level four. Then you complete it. This game is a blast because you're trying to complete these modes, not just progress through."
> — **Zach Minney**, ~45:00
> _Explanation of mode structure and progression design philosophy_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| George Gomez | person | Legendary designer who designed the original 1980 Barnyard game that Beatles is based on; known for West Coast lifestyle and Porsche ownership (joke reference) |
| Christopher Franchi | person | Artist who created artwork for The Beatles pinball machine, praised for color palette and theming execution |
| Jerry Thompson | person | Sound designer and composer at Stern Pinball who created music and sound effects for The Beatles; portrayed as very enthusiastic and music-loving |
| Jeremy Packer | person | Mentioned as art director at Stern (referenced as 'Zombie Yeti'), though not directly involved in Beatles artwork |
| Zach Minney | person | Co-host of Straight Down the Middle; primary reviewer for Beatles, enthusiastic about the game's quality and classic design |
| Greg Bone | person | Co-host of Straight Down the Middle; skeptical about Beatles value proposition and pricing, critical of game's innovation and variety |
| Aaron Berger | person | Guest reviewer credited as 'Chuck' or 'Chuck Work', SDTM certified reviewer, gives balanced assessments across categories |
| Chris Hyper | person | Guest reviewer, formerly from Slap Safe Pinball Podcast, has hosted This Week in Pinball, professional pinball streamer |
| Sam Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer of The Beatles pinball machine (co-produced with Kapow Pinball) |
| Kapow Pinball | company | Co-manufacturer of The Beatles pinball machine with Sam Stern Pinball |
| The Beatles | game | Pinball machine under review; modern recreation of classic 1980 Barnyard game with Beatles theme; $4,000 price point |
| Straight Down the Middle | media | YouTube show and podcast where this review episode aired; known for in-depth pinball game reviews and manufacturer partnerships |
| Barnyard | game | Classic 1980 pinball machine designed by George Gomez that served as the template/inspiration for The Beatles remake |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | game | Stern pinball game used as comparison point for shot variety and value proposition discussion |
| Medieval Madness | game | Used as comparison point for music/callouts and overall game design depth |
| Heavy Metal Meltdown | game | Referenced as comparison for music/callouts quality |
| Iron Maiden | game | Stern pinball game used negatively as comparison point; hosts criticize its music implementation |
| TNA (Total Nuclear Annihilation) | game | Spooky Pinball game used as comparison for rules depth and code complexity vs Beatles |
| Jurassic Park | game | Referenced for spinner implementation and theme appeal discussion |
| Star Trek | game | Used as comparison for early solid-state game quality |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Game artwork and visual design, Shot layout and playfield mechanics, Rules complexity and code depth, Pinball innovation and mechanical features, Music, sound design, and callouts, Display animation quality
- **Secondary:** Theme licensing and IP authenticity, Pricing and value proposition

### Sentiment

**Mixed** (0.55) — Hosts are divided: Zach is enthusiastic and praises the game as one of Stern's best executions of a classic design; Greg is skeptical about innovation, theme appeal, and $4,000 price point. Guest reviewers (Chuck Work and Chris Hyper) provide balanced assessments with appreciation for artwork and animation but acknowledgment of limited originality. Consensus emerges that it's a well-made game that plays better than most early solid-state titles, but divisive on whether it justifies premium pricing or merits collection placement.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** SDTM receives pressure from 'pin side thread' (likely PinSide forum) regarding Beatles ratings and value discussions, indicating active community debate about game positioning (confidence: medium) — Greg references: 'We're getting a hard time on our pin side thread about me saying how great this commercial it is'
- **[competitive_signal]** Beatles positioned as premium-priced ($4,000) classic remake competing against modern Stern titles; hosts debate whether classic gameplay justifies premium pricing vs newer titles with more features (confidence: high) — Greg Bone explicitly states 'It's a $4,000 game' and questions value vs other Stern games like Guardians of the Galaxy
- **[design_philosophy]** Critics note limited ramps and wireforms compared to modern Stern titles; Beatles plays more like classic electromechanical with standup targets/drop targets vs modern shot-based design (confidence: medium) — Chris Hyper notes 'dug it down a little bit though. Due to lack of ramps or a wireform' in B+ rating for shots/layout
- **[design_philosophy]** Beatles represents philosophy of perfecting classic design rather than innovating; modernization of proven 1980s layout with enhanced mechanics (opto spinners, magnets, drop targets) (confidence: high) — Hosts repeatedly reference 'taking a classic layout and perfecting it' rather than creating new features; debate centers on whether this approach constitutes innovation
- **[licensing_signal]** Beatles features licensed branded instruments (Ludwig drums) used by The Beatles band; first pinball to secure this level of instrument brand approval for Beatles merchandise (confidence: medium) — Host states: 'they actually licensed and got approval for the brand names of the instruments that The Beatles used. That that was never done before when it comes to be chill The Beatles merchandise'
- **[personnel_signal]** Jerry Thompson (Stern sound designer) praised for enthusiastic music and sound design work; hosts characterize him as perpetually engaged with concerts and music (cultural context rather than production intel) (confidence: medium) — Extensive discussion of Jerry Thompson's enthusiasm and music passion; hosts joke about his concert attendance frequency
- **[announcement]** The Beatles pinball officially released by Sam Stern Pinball and Kapow Pinball; modern recreation of 1980 Barnyard with Beatles theme (confidence: high) — Full review episode dedicated to in-depth analysis of released game with multiple reviewer grades
- **[product_concern]** Some guest reviewer skepticism about innovation claims; Chuck Work and Chris Hyper debate whether mechanical additions (magnets, drop targets, opto spinners) constitute true innovation vs enhancement of proven design (confidence: medium) — Multiple reviewers give B+ to B- ratings for 'Toys and Innovation' category; one reviewer states innovations 'were already done' in reference to spinning disc mechanisms
- **[sentiment_shift]** Distinct divide in host opinions: Zach champions Beatles as one of Stern's best games and best-executing early solid-state remakes; Greg views it as overpriced with limited variety despite acknowledging execution quality (confidence: high) — Direct quote disagreement: Zach 'This plays better than any early solid-state game' vs Greg 'I cannot justify the price... It's just not special about it'
- **[technology_signal]** Implementation of opto spinners on Beatles represents potential expanded use of this technology at Stern (if not previously implemented); praised for making spinner shots more satisfying (confidence: medium) — Host questions 'Has Stern never done an opto spinner before, Greg?' and praises spinners as 'so dissatisfying' and 'keeps that son-of-a-bitch just a spin it'

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## Transcript

[Music] the wait is over a revolution and LED lighting for your pinball is finally here fully customizable full spectrum lighting from pin stadium lights order yours now at key stadium calm let's kick the [ __ ] [Music] hey Greg don't make it bad we're all like tight 76 so he can draw sing your song now I've done falling into what is that before bet Maxine me accident we're gonna review a game today called The Beatles developed by Stern and Kapow pinball back Wow 2018 yeah now this game was inspired by Stern electronic see which designed by Jorge Gomez let's see which wasn't designed by Jorge Gomez but you told me it was the Beatles was tweaked by Jorge Gomez that's not what you said in a previous technically Beatles was was designed by Jorge Gomez feeding me false information that's right artwork done by Christopher Franchi I knew that part sound by Jerry Thompson I love Jerry I love Mary was the most enthusiastic for I am petitioning for like a twig most enthusiastic person of Jerry Jerry Thompson he was loved meeting Jerry so and I followed Jerry on Facebook and I will tell you what Jerry Jerry Thompson Terry loves music Jerry's always at a concert Jerry's always very Tubbs loves music he does music no I'm just saying though that's what he does that's what people do that doesn't mean that they're like at a frito oil answered every night Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti) loves art yeah but you looks like Jerry banners not a fall museum every night making a measure you know Thompson is a concert like once a week doing something fantastic and join us for a love Jerry Thompson you know where Jorge Gomez is usually on the west coast he's just chillin in a Porsche yeah just rolling beat he's a West Coast kind of guy oh my god your dog looked like splinter scared the hell out of me well hey how's it going oh you want to be in the camera I'm just gonna say I'm gonna set a goal for 2020 my homie my homie go me and my my homie what's your dog's I'm gonna go for maybe a goal at the end of 2019 I want a ride around the Jorge Gomez I'm gonna FaceTime I don't think Jorge Gomez wants you in his Porsche he doesn't buy a Porsche Porsche Porsche really I'm gonna bring a video gonna do guys shut up me and George in his Porsche convertible rolling did you talk to Gomez for life I'm doing it that is my goal he will turn red let's review the ocean let's review this name but before we do so I'm not gonna be reviewing it with you buddy can you can you go solo on this ride on your uh your Porsche ride with George go me that's I'll swing it you'll swing it okay who are you gonna swing it with do you know what Berger Aaron Berger aka Chuck Chuck why he is now an SDC a juggler yeah and our next SDTM certified reviewer that's gonna help us is Chris hyper hyper mr. brick shot himself formerly from the slap safe pinball podcast he's helped Coast that this weekend pinball podcast Chris paper was a streamer as well he's gonna help us review the Beatles abuse and before we do that before we get to all of these guys grades let's go to an overview of the Beatles and see what see what we're working with here stern pinball and Kapow pinball's the Beatles Speidel mania baby let's go over this game in typical SDTM fashion from left to right got our typical and traditional and lanes outlanes here there's your extra ball in the end lane your special win lit on the out lane same over here we'll go over the modes here in a second you have a scene up for mr. e you get your fab drop targets your four up there drop targets and your 1964 up there drop targets now something different about this from the original C which design is when you knock down these you've got a super jackpot shot right back there with the RGB love that it goes down through a little alleyway pops out boom right into your Inlet you've got your beautiful voluptuous orbit look at that one-piece metal making it oh so smooth you get a top flipper up here top left up here yeah spinner now these spinners are a little bit different now these are opto spinners yeah they keep spinning lay that they keep going same over here got TVs beaker it's you got draw your pops you've got your four members staying up targets you got John Paul George and Ringo alright that's your basically out skill shot you do have a gate here that will stop the ball and come back here for your skill shot little rollover right there really cool but what I like to do is I like to solve plunge it up there and then hit it with that flipper right there boom you know spinning disc with a magnet on it very very cool up top you do have a magnet as well to divert it right into the pops so what are you trying to do in this game essentially there's a lot of scoring scoring tips and tricks but for the most part you've got five modes down here you've got all my eleven which is a two ball multiball you cannot start with that you have to get that I think in the second or third Bowl you've got Drive my car which is loot mania during that load you're trying to hit as many loops as you can and on all of these modes as you're progressing through the further you get so for example loot mania the Luc's you get you're going to go through level 1 2 3 4 and believe level 5 completes that mode I should have known better to drop target frenzy very nice and easy to understand you hit the drop targets Ticket to Ride super spinners one of my favorites because those opto spinners you can just hit them all day long the juicy spinner on this game is actually not that one it's that one right there mmm that's the one I hit during that mode then you got it won't be long yeah yeah that's super pop bumpers those will light up you can try to hit those as much as possible think I'm gonna buy this game again you complete all of those and you will start the wizard mode then you can do things like advance your loops advanced multipliers score bonuses advance your loops all of that cost us basic simple hard to master a blast to play this is the Beatles Beatle mania but Kapow pinball and stern pinball but that you happen to friends s abate use that is the Beatles that was a fantastic game all drop targets you think we'll be friends when we're 64 well it might a long-distance relationship work sure they will make it to 63 years strong I would like to know if you could know the answer to that whether we'd be friends of 64 would you want to know or not hey you're dead in two years oh no yeah you can't be friends cause you're dead yeah I'd still come to your gravesite I mean Cemetery up of flowers you probably I wouldn't come here I put obviously I put Sega flippers on your grave you know this is an odd thing yeah yes I told Joe cuz you know like when you die people will do weird [ __ ] like bury me and like a straight down the middle shirt that I'm like no I don't want that what I don't want that like pitler is a big thing to me and I want all my pinball friends there and I went like anybody who enjoys me no pinball friends yeah it's a head I would like all those people there but I don't really want to be anything pinball mentioned and I mean I like pin balls there I don't want to be defined but my brother no yeah like I don't want to be he was a pinball wizard what are my pinball people there and I wouldn't mind a few pinball machines in the funeral home what if it just said tilt on your gravestone and you've got a gravestones little cockeyed do want that cuz that's not long hard about that okay can we get into this we're reviewing the Beatles and we're gonna start with art and we know the Christopher frame should did the artwork on this game yeah now what were you okay fantastic D not my favorite heir of the Beatles but if you're gonna go that era this is really Chris gilded Chris killed it piece key color palette good some say the color palette isn't a cure it's to poppy of color you see that is literally what that error was I think so if you look at the lunch boxes you look at the box yeah you look at the cars of that era that though that poppy pastel poppy pastel mmm poppy pasture what part of that or I don't know man named to be poppy pesto hail there's poppy passed down drinking as eighth Miller Lite pop it passed down where you like outing what do you like about the art package in particular is it the back glass we're talking about the gold here it's like the colors are non like that rich natural wood that was left I do too I'll I'm glad you brought that up I was here and up right by the flippers yes that exposed wood yeah you learned class or don't you I love exposed wood you know who else loves exposed to it I don't know fans of this pinball machine tone it's not cleaning that up really there you did really quick those wood cabinet arts really nice I like that they did memorabilia in this game that was very Beatlemania yeah they had record players they had the lunchboxes they had I cannot get it a ticket stubs they had the all kinds of stuff yeah and did you know this did you know this Greg that they actually licensed and got approval by the brand names of the instruments that the Beatles used that that was never done before when it comes to be chill Beatles merchandise or a collectability the beach or collectibles did you know that though I did not know your vows is it my speakers your Ludwig's yeah lovely look at Beatles merchandise you won't see that but on this pinball machine you see that Ludwig van Beethoven this is an expensive license that's very expensive life does the art work or make it look nice and expensive its what extent I think it does I can go with that I like it don't were you at you're at MMA Wow straight I'm not I'm not waiting I'm not reading that's work well just words is that for an eight - and Chris paper is that name - you guys are all in all in unison hey - you're in a here's what Chuck word had to say about the art he said look franchis art is great once again fantastic it's not his best work but it fits the theme perfectly it's really close to his best work I would agree now Chris hey per brick shot Chris paper says he gave an A - he said it's beautiful classic soft stylized by French it gives it that retro pop feel he said I love the plastics on the backboard giving you that three-dimensional effect very much you've got the leaping Beatles in the back hello there man I like it I like the composition of the backlash that's probably my favorite I like it favorite part so weird a solid your nay there a minuses super solid well let's move on then so we're batting 102 the sea which yes right but basically there I say that it plays better than see what Jeff only plays it better than sea which and it's got extras after features in it it is literally so if you're gonna if I'm gonna speak anything positive about this game whoa whoa whoa I'm just not a fan of what of this game you're out of your feet along like I like it like I know where you're coming on the hard time not reading this I know where you're coming from with it being one of the greatest urns ever made but it just doesn't touch me the way it touches you all know that's edited that is edited out young man absolutely not we're not doing that you will go to hell for that car you're gonna go to hell man that is bad Chrome it brass at black nickel a kingly chrome it powder-coated the possibilities are endless at pinball played Eve calm your pinball machine deserves the best at Tama pinball you'll find the best variety of LED products with the best quality LEDs and most importantly at the best price your collection is begging for an upgrade order yours now at comet pinball comp checkout pin graphics for the latest and greatest in pinball enhancements power blades blade skins pin blades and even more visit pin graphics comm now to see what's available for your pinball machine but Greg do you like shooting the day I love shooting it why are you so negative alright it's not bad it's just not as hyped up is what you talk about it's fun we're getting a hard time on our pen side thread about me saying how great this commercial it's a good game and it's special but I cannot justify the price to me it's a $4,000 game you're out of your mind 4,000 okay we'll go there why is it a $4,000 game it just feels like a fourth another game nothing else oh really special about it like it's just it's it's what's overly special about another Serna guardians of the galaxy just the shot it's like there's why the shots feel like there's more you've just got a couple plastic ramps yes copious amount of drop targets does not constitute as just like this astronomical amount of shots in this freaking Wonderland of targets that what's cheaper standing up targets for drug targets I don't care what's cheap well you said as a $4,000 pin you think you fall does another game I can't do that you can't even want to answer that why am I not allowed to answer if it's fun why not it is fun it just does not constitute the price tag this is the most special thing about the shots okay there's no special thing about that workshop probably is it as it truly encompasses an older pin see wave feel love but with a modern Stern and I think that is unique I think that is different and I think that it is very which is why your c-plus it's nice to embrace you just so c+ you don't enjoy shooting it as much as other pins other Stern's flurry but it's solid but it's solid I would own it I think it's gorgeous I think that it's it has its place it does not have its place in a small collection and it does not have its place Toto argue against that I think it can be in a small three to four pin lineup if this is your early solid state feel that you're going with if you've got money I think most people if you have a small collection your money your imp in malaria - set yeah I think this wouldn't be long with three or four pin absolutely when I had this bin I played it more than any of the other ones I got five pink line four or five okay so you're in a c-plus I'm cutting his ass Chuck work is that a straight up a shot and lay out a and I agree with our boy Chuck work Chris Hebert says you know what he did to me he literally said Greg look at this it's over here this is over here keep here - baby butt strike did you see there with these are over here paper all right Eric wuertenberg regarding his a rating on shots and Leia he said my favorite part of this game is the shots and the layout Stern absolutely blew me away with how they took a classic layout and perfected it said Chuck word he went on to say the loop is perfect the opto spinners are so dissatisfying and the magnet up top adds a nice touch to break up some of the flow I can agree with over one of those it's hard to argue against that now yep Chuck our boy Chris hyper said b-plus on shots in layout he said forget the terrible layout of C [ __ ] this one yeah it's coming out hot this one is the real deal that plays and flows terrific it preserves the classic 19 eighty but it takes it to a new level the hidden super jackpot is sweet he said he digged it down a little bit though due to lack of ramps or a wire form you know what hey per buddy wow we're on the same page you can't get through an episode without Yanni or beer hiccuping cuz you just waste my life shots and Leia is one of the lowest yeah it'd be solid it's good okay rules in code there we go about to take a little dip down for a you know what though you know I feel confident in this what we're all sort of very eatable stop looking at the things your rules and code see man is so wrong but you know what look Chuck Wirt and Chris hey / with you Chuck we're set C - paper says C + add a sexy Eric wuertenberg said regarding rules and Cody said nothing special here play your modes get your multi balls shoot the list shots nothing about the code tells me it would last long in my collection for reference teenage code is much much more interesting than beetles I disagree I done to shoot but it would get old quick in a home and correct because something like TNA you know you're sort of rinse and repeat rinse and repeat it's still got a better objective and it still feels more solid it still feels like you're working toward something whereas beetles you obtain that wizard mode a little too quickly and too easily but then for this though it's not about the wizard mode what's I know it's not well it's a killer it's it's or like monsters that's what sort of kills it for me on beetles the best of both worlds is not only do you have that classic building points jackpots right multipliers but you're also going through modes and the modes are cool because they're very says it right there drop target mode spinner mode loop mode that's perfect pop bumper mode and you try to capitalize on it's not just a starter mode and it's top lane just where there's levels there's levels level one reached if you had enough shots level two level three level four then you complete it this game is a blast because you're trying to complete these modes not just progress through but that's like then you would love monsters what do you mean monsters I feel a structured sort of the same way absolutely not it's not even close I think it's fairly low not even close because own monsters you're trying to hit ramps you're trying to hit yeah but it's the same thing like it's an easily a like you're trying to build and you're trying to go no levels knowing that you hit that opto spinner hard enough you might get through level 1 and 2 you hit it again really hard year 3 level 3 man I'm close to getting through to the level 5 completes it lights it up let's hear what Chris Hebert has a neighbor says regarding rules in code he said C+ it's a simplistic game tells you right on the playfield what to shoot in the mode I would like more but it works multiball and multiple multiplier features are key with this one yeah three different skill shots wide yes please he says yeah nothing to be mad at it just doesn't call to you I think when people see this layout they expect simple code simple rule set right yeah okay they get better than that that's why it's I think you guys are smoking something to be at C's on this code I think in a map modern pinball era you're just not looking for that simplicity you're looking when you combine it with the the way that a stern flips I think you're looking for that a little bit deeper code okay like I hear people it's not every game has to be deep that everything has to be deep it doesn't but it has to have up it has to have a variety hmm and I don't think that this has the variety let's move on to toys and innovation now you're probably I'm gonna stop you right there you're probably gonna say this didn't even have ramps didn't you have any toys you know innovation what's know what's new it's an old game it's nineteen eight right is that what you're gonna say that's what I'm gonna say okay we're yet then greed was aa probably was generous so to see okay what innovation would they bring back on a disk spinning disk they took a game that everybody loved and perfected it okay is they're not good enough a classic there no that's not innovation that's not very patient innovation now bringing back something old and making it new and better than ever no that's innovative no spinning discs for the magnet it's slide innovation cool exactly that's pretty cool yeah a path behind drop targets up top a magnet up top to stop you was not innovative I think it's in a bit no some of the things you look back at some of our ratings hey no no no well I want to see where these guys come in sure they're higher than me I came in a B - okay and Chris Hebert came in a 2b + anyone here what Chris s say it's too high it's too high I would have been probably a little bit higher than that toys and innovation Eric Wharton burger aka SDTM Chuck Works said B - do you know what they did a lot of back in like the 60s acid is that what you're on when you played the son of a [ __ ] no this is one that this is a special stirring day I'm history like I'd go higher than that thank you higher than a Poisson innovation oh he's gonna go hurry down to-- is it an innovation I would challenge you to own the Beatles piece of paper write that you don't put on the middle dissolve of the Beatles invite people over on three occasions and you tell me which one hands down everybody will play the most of them cuz it's simple no because it is one of the it's like t name and a multi multi player is one of the funnest freakin multiplayer games yes Eric word Berger said B - this category is kind of in a since it's just a wreath eeeem of classic game however the things they did innovate from the original design were great he said the shot behind the drops the opto spinners top magnet better loops they're all great the spinning record was the one change I would have left off the game I disagree with that I like the spinning Eric only say you want to be - with those continents opto spinners now has ster never done an opto spinner before Greg the answer is no you know what an opto spinner does it keeps that son-of-a-bitch just a spin it love it it makes a spinner shot satisfying love it what they do the Munsters killed it for me they went back to the switch yeah the opto spinner feels good JP does like so spinner yes but it's good it does not constitute its innovation because Stern's not done it before dude yes it's innovation when it comes to toys and innovation Chris Hebert said beep plus you know he said yeah I said 11 drops two spinners are spinning discs hidden super jackpot eight stand-ups two magnets one of them on a spinning disk holy crap this is loaded for a single-level game and I agree it can be loaded for a single letter but it's not innovation it was already done what's got more it was already done what's got more toys in it this routine a because this is very similar single level different things in TNA didn't EC the way it fell into the top no this is an innovation let's move on it's a rithi music innovation in everything this is a music pen so let's grade it let's talk about music and call outs a - do you like the music can call it that I'm not a Beatles fan but it sounds because sound is great that's great whole outs are fantastic you've got the I forgot what his name is insert him he was the announcer in the past introducing them to later never kind of wanted to walk out a lover of you but this is just ridiculous this is this one of the best games out there and people just don't get it it's funny because it's so specialists like this this uh this thing that people don't know about I love knowing about it and nobody knows about it they either play it live and I get some enjoyability out of it but I just can't go across the board and I rate this thing how do you say that when you like these early solid-state games this plays better than any early solid-state game it's more fun it just is like Star Trek fact Valley Star Trek how's the music and call us your name - but they are lower yeah Erik Waardenburg he's at a B+ and hey Percy + let's figure out why they were so low Chuck were said regarding music and call outs he said it's the Beatles if you like this era of Beatles you love the music I love the Beatles but the great isn't as high due to the lack of songs tiger not many in this game the call-outs are great they really fit the theme the voice actor they used for it what's a good choice mm-hmm that's what that's what Chuck word said now Chris Hebert on the other hand yeah c-plus mm-hmm Wow music call LC plus he said call-outs get a little repetitive it's the Beatles classics either love it or hate it he said at least it's not Iron Maiden Wow I think Iron Maiden everyday Wow music yeah you're out of your mind you are out of your mind not a Beatles fan well you know what I like linen but I'm not like giant Beatles fan what kind of how many to count thread do you like in your linen about a hundred ooo gyptian cotton it's like flannel you know I liked some of the music in this some of the hits are in there help is in there you've got a lot of my cool songs in this and it sounds really good horrible I'll give credit to also the guy who ever did I guess there's Jerry Thompson the sound effects sound effects are a nostalgic they're that old 80s the spinners and different things like that display and animation I was going to railroad you if you didn't get this well it's an eighth I was going to just roll on time he did a great job there garlis of whether I like this pin or not they did a great job this I can second-rate I can separate myself from this yeah going to these other characters here rated this thing I I gotta say this is this Chuck work for me this is Stearns the best animation they've ever done whoever you guys had do this animation continue to have them do it I think saying that coral is the best card from from the film clips that they have to the different animations I think it's fantastic but it's not saying much I think it's saying a lot its turns best animation package that is saying a lot my friend okay what Chuck work Chuck what was that Chuck Chuck kill he's - Chuck was just wrong only here and then paper say hey pers my boy a plus that's where it needs to be displaying animations Chuck where C - not the best I've ever seen no he said look it's colorful and it shows me what I want to see information wise but that's about it there's nothing about the displaying animations on this game that's going to wow mmm that's just wrong he's not playing enough of it or something but hey per said it's the best I've seen in Stern it pops and it looks awesome he said is that 4k yeah he says it's crispy this is what's weird is like Stern's displays are very vibrant and they're beautiful compared to other people's like they stand out better animations suck I see this but this one doesn't know if this one it's a nice combination would you like to see this type of style of animation going forward for a lot of games I'd take it I think it's my thing ever done ironed until muddled it feels very take it over Aerosmith I'd take it over a lot of that what about theme oh how are you baby - it's not really my cup of tea if you don't like the Beatles no not really I never been Bears fan just not for me I'm a little more upbeat little more rock not a [ __ ] no [ __ ] the Beatles are sissies me what oh we gotta square all the Paul McCartney would you be scared but tough people have to sing you have to be tough and a badass no I'm just saying no I like it with something a little more you can be sophisticated nobody [ __ ] yeah sir Sir Paul McCartney is sophisticated he's not a [ __ ] thank you very much theme you're right theme you're it Abby - you don't like it Chuck works it I'll take your B - and I'll call to see who and then the paper was it Abby these boys this is the thing about the Beatles I think is a theme you either really like the Beatles or you just don't really careful Chuck works are the same thing he said I really do the themes fine for me I like the Beatles business isn't my favorite Beatles era I like the more trippy area of Beatles better Yellow Submarine please yeah and that's what everybody expected I think that that's why this this license that no but I don't ever use their brains oh let's let's have the Beatles Norton coke all for them but you have to have that you take somebody like dirty Donnie you're somebody that does this psychedelic amazing artists yeah that isn't a psychedelic type I already would have to field it perfect but I but this is what I have to say about that is it would have had to have been a more modern pinball machine I don't think you could have taken sandwich and done that it just it I don't think it would a fit even though it's the same era like close to the same era maybe that's why I don't fit into with pinball people as much as you do because I like things the pinball people just don't like like Ironman and then Beatles one of the one of the greatest bands of all time is Elvis yeah we don't like that like I'm surprised people in pinball like Jurassic Park I like the mainstream I love Elvis I'd like a good things don't have if things don't have spikes and blood then people don't like him in pinball like I need some pinball can be laid back yeah but is I don't know something fits Chris hey per said it's a be look it's not blink-182 it's not Beastie Boys maybe someday I still like it way better than Iron Maiden that [ __ ] sucks brick shot oh yeah that's what he put in it haver put blink-182 boys in the same category hey ver a ver a ver a ver I could see the Beastie Boys but blink-182 hey what's my name again okay that's right this is fun I apologize enjoy building that's some [ __ ] you enjoy playing this game I like it okay I do you're gonna be able to be here to be MOCA solid what about our boys fun st teams chuck work said he's in a sea Chuck work says shove it at some big-name grain oh it's still hard for me not to say anything man is one of the most enjoyable Stern's I've ever owned a safe I like it papers words that he said a - that's crazy - he said hey my name is NSYNC cuz he's never reviewed a pinball machine before maybe he actually knows how to do it no I'm second-guessing our boy Chuck work I'm not see dub hey I started off with paper ended with Chuck let's see what Chuck word has to say he says to see the game is flat-out fun what lay man - Chuck when you step up to and play your first few games you're hard-pressed not to like it Chuck you gave it a C ok here's what he said he said look the problem is the initial fun factor wears off quick I'll dump quarters in it anytime I see it but I just doesn't have legs to last in a home environment unless you're a Beatles maniac 100% agree I completely disagree I agree this is one of the salih states like meteor that could stay in my collection until I'm gonna the leg levelers rot off I'm gonna play it every time I see it don't want to own it play it every time I see it don't know how about this how about we get you one flipping out get you one to rent just for free what do I do with it just play it just play it's all I'm asking you play it and then in two months we're gonna come back and you're gonna tell people whether you were right or wrong how about that who will challenge will Beatles challenge I don't know if it's worth the trip to the basement it's a free Beatles if you're up for it just saying enjoyability you're gonna be Chuck warts of the sea Chris hey pers a name - lets hear what brick shots got to say enjoyability said this is a great pin for all ages it looks amazing it's got some depth it's very approachable when you hear the spinners with some of the music yeah buddy it's hard to beat I think it's good schnapps for this game it's hard to be The Spinners man the spinners are where it's at on this game I'm in the walls I'm not to put more time on that than you left you absolutely have to you know what for me for me personally it was Stern's game of 2018 and nobody knew about it nobody knew about it this is to me a better game than Iron Maiden this to me is a better game the Dead Pool nobody knew about oh whoa c'est la vie you know I like the shadow - nobody knows about that game Deadpool's I'm not leaving okay Deadpool is awesome I was look I'll be the first say eating crow that's an awesome game and you're right you're right you're right the codes really come let's add these scores together right we give all your season A's and B's we come out with big bonus and for Greg that's a bad great you drop that plus you drop that one line over there that's awesome not good day all right for these guys let's go over really quick I'm going to show you guys what their weighted grades are because they're very different we've got some two different certified reviewers here looks like a Chuck worst Chuck work art 5% he could care less shots and lay out 5% for Chuck work now I would have thought Chuck work competition player he'd been higher on shot slam but he's not object rules and code 25% he's at 5% for toys and innovation 10% amusing call-outs 5% for both display animations and theme and 40% on enjoy ability it all comes down to is the game enjoyable and does it have good code I fir st 2mg loosely yeah so that's where he's at now hey per on the other hand much more balanced approach he said arts worth 15% a little high their shots the layout 25% which is his highest just like just like us we're at 20% on that but rules and code 15% toys an innovation 10% museum cause 5% displaying animations theme aim and joy ability all 10% for paper so cumulative the least speaking Chuck word is at a seat for the beetle so two two point two six Chris hey purrs at a beat solid baby you know what I think that and your 2.8 I think the way that they structured their stuff hmm was a very good final representation of the way that they went I would say that that's what hurt Chuck works corso beds because it's to highest rules and code and enjoy ability really brought that total score today he's got a lot of secrets in there I think that he I think that were instruction for him then when we come to hey / he's it Abby and his highest was shot Celaya we just does not do it from I'm not saying it doesn't do it for me in like a negative way I'm just saying that that it's not a positive like it doesn't it doesn't excite me like I said I wonder % agreed with that comment I know I will put quarters into it and I'll play it yeah but I just like it's not one of those things like like our preview you know like doing something like Alice Cooper okay like it just doesn't it doesn't make me want to own it gotcha now we know that these come in three trim levels we got a goal to platinum yeah and a diamond with very these are different Lecter's they are closers right I think they did a good job on a collector's level for that first okay cymbalta players level 8000 is a little high for a gold for you right for a pinball player for a collector I can understand Kenya with licensing I don't know red shoe doesn't spit out for the price I know where the price came in at it's not the drop targets it's not the million dollar license it's the license and I know where it came in at and that's why the Cobell but yeah lion and I do because you've got to split that money you got Stern you got Kapow you get Kapow you've got it you get to distribute those funds you get the licensing in general I know where the money went I'm not stupid with it but it's not for me as a pinball player if I was a Beatles fan and a collector of 100 percent I jump on it because I think they nailed that it's beautiful if I had Beatles memorabilia if I had Beatles records on my wall if I hear music the music guide 100 percent of that era I would want this pin and I'd pay that money for but being a pinball player I don't want to come in at 8,000 even get them a little bit lower but that's kind of where you're starting on the gold your other ones are more limited your Platinum's I think there's only 250 made and the diamond editions only 100 made the diamond edition I believe as a mere bank last two or an actual back last rather than the transline but like you alluded to collectability wise you do get a full metallic powder coat which is really nice you do get the artist rendered side art cabinet like they're the blades inside in time your blades so you get that so you do get some things that you don't see typically in a premium extern machine I'm just too poor for just do you're not you're choosing not to spend that money on no because I would rather have more pins but if you are a high-end collector this pin is for you to like you don't have to like you know I looted to the Beatles collector if you're just a high-end collector or you like a lot of machines this machine is completely for you and you're not gonna be disappointed in it you're not or buddy's Schmidty right now Schmidty is a high-end collector yeah he really restores machines he likes nice stuff he likes looking and playing or looking working on machines that make a beautiful morning he likes playing them yeah he has said and I quote he's not crazy about steering machine it's not a big strong guy but he said this is one Stern machine I would definitely own in Willow like I said if I had the money because it's gorgeous you see us sitting there I'll sing you today this is the odd thing about pinball is literally this entire week what is this a Friday we're recording I this entire week I have been downstairs three times I've turned on all my games all three times never played a single game I like the falling of it I set in my chair I had a few beers yeah and I looked at it looked at my collection and there's a lot of there's a lot of guys that I just feel better when they're home I do do it's just something that feels at peace and that's the great thing about when I go out to my my editing room is the same as my pinball room right you know that yeah but when I go out to edit I know I'm not gonna have time to play but turn over there turn Imola yeah and I turn all the lights off it's yes yes I do it's truly a unique thing like you don't so you know own something like beetles if you've got a visual on it it's it's a fantastic thing that's out there and look at if it does it if you don't feel that it's got the best gameplay I would select sit and look at it yeah I would we're gonna what do you guys think comments below whether Greg Bone should take the Beatles challenge and for two months to see if he's right or wrong on his ridiculous b-minus grade there to me this isn't a stern pin what these people need to know great check us out on YouTube oh yes always look if you haven't subscribed ants right there we have so much stuff cool stuff on there it don't cost you uh I had this fantastic whirlwind on there oh my word whirlwind boys fantastic solid states I've ever seen in my entire life and the reason I had to relay the Beatles is because that money was going you guys are missing out on some crazy stuff yeah yeah it's decently frequent yeah we're pretty good with that dailies are there yep check out Chuck Wirt sorry more are we something new Kerry Hardy random killing a sick crazy video we love Kerry you know what these guys these people don't know we we might have another streamer that's gonna join the u.s. the SD team stream team don't we yes we do expanding we're slowly expanding that works bigger if you think you do really good of YouTube videos on pinball or you want to give it a give it a whirl they reach out to us let us know we're looking but I see your work and if you want I won't you honestly if you want one of these beetles machines yeah literally there's one you get all yours through two games I buy about everything and even before Zach was the distributor about all my used games through that like literally a one or two out of all the games I don't take care of my people grid we're doing really good a flipping out - yeah we are extremely wait people are like okay he's a good distribute yeah but good good word of mouth arrivals fast thank you very much great boom so yeah you can get one through me I think I could still I wouldn't be your friend if you're a [ __ ] distributor a big you know way forward and Eve I brought somebody you like I call [ __ ] it's a I think we still get golds we problem maybe I can I can find your play I had like a find anything xanga obviously find anything you want some somebody's like can you get ahold of this I'm like I can't move my butt exactly get an A or no freakin one alright until next week guys we love you thanks for the support if you also if you want to donate please feel free to donate SDT and pinball at gmail.com is our PayPal so go ahead and do it t-shirts are coming up we're working on the new design you're still working practice you guys my career Elise I want the crackin three times this week people say they won't really sure the crack at all I can't believe it exactly is it I love it [Music] you hit it off with a nice down the bed illusion you had a plane wave the slingshot you're all an iboutlet are gay [Applause] you know we said it was this entire thing and a BYOs accent we should add the malt the mocha follows hands and the penis cuts Jorge Gomez oh it's my homie get are you doing good George yes good to see step things up since then friend though right singing games no drunk target sir look at what you're doing get it together George stop I can't like that side of you yeah I'm chipper chipper it's about time hey Greg I walk don't make it bad it's never bad take this sad song and make it better it's already better remember oh let her into your skin that's not right always under my skin friend you begin to make

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 637ed883-aac9-4cea-a850-8644de87bd25*