# Beautiful Cactus Canyons Continue to Ship…Without Toppers **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2022-03-05 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/beautiful-cactus-canyons-continue-to-ship-without-toppers --- ## Analysis Chicago Gaming Company is shipping Cactus Canyon Remake machines at steady pace with excellent build quality and code, but production topper units are not yet ready for shipment. Prototype toppers exist but fail to meet CGC's quality standards; machines are shipping without toppers and the Shootout Mode will play on the DMD until toppers become available. Lyman DLC code is anticipated to further enhance the game. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Chicago Gaming Company continues shipping Cactus Canyon Remake machines at a steady pace — _Author directly states this observation about current production status_ - [HIGH] Prototype toppers exist for Cactus Canyon Remake but do not meet Chicago Gaming's quality and reliability standards — _Author states 'There's a few prototype toppers in existence but Chicago Gaming didn't feel as though their build, quality, and reliability were up to its standards'_ - [HIGH] Machines are shipping without the topper; Shootout Mode plays on DMD as fallback — _Author explains the fallback functionality when topper is absent_ - [HIGH] Lyman DLC code for Cactus Canyon Remake is in development and not yet available — _Author states 'this game looks absolutely incredible...And this is before the Lyman DLC code is available'_ - [HIGH] The author played a Cactus Canyon Remake at Pintastic New England without a topper initially; CGC later added a topper to that specific machine mid-event — _Author's firsthand account of event experience_ ### Notable Quotes > "This game is absolutely beautiful, they did an amazing job with it, but it is worth noting that a production version of the company's highly touted topper for the game still does not exist." > — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**, Opening paragraph > _Frames the core issue: excellent machine quality undermined by topper delivery failure_ > "There's a few prototype toppers in existence but Chicago Gaming didn't feel as though their build, quality, and reliability were up to its standards." > — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**, Early section > _Explains why topper rollout is delayed—quality control gatekeeping, not production capability_ > "I have to say, this game looks absolutely incredible. The improved sculpts, the amazing DMD, polished code everything about it pops." > — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**, Mid-article > _Positive assessment of machine quality and design execution across multiple domains_ > "They're making me regret not getting one. The topper issues are a little troubling though." > — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**, Mid-article > _Personal reaction showing tension between strong game quality and topper delivery failure affecting buying decision_ > "I still haven't played a CCR with the topper. The machine that I tried at Pintastic New England didn't have a topper on it yet at the time." > — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**, Late section > _Author's direct experience at major event; highlights widespread nature of topper unavailability_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Chicago Gaming Company | company | Pinball manufacturer shipping Cactus Canyon Remake; implementing quality control standards on topper production | | Cactus Canyon Remake | game | Modern remake of classic Williams Cactus Canyon; currently shipping but without planned topper accessory | | Lyman | person | Designer creating DLC code update for Cactus Canyon Remake; code not yet released | | Pintastic New England | event | Pinball tournament/event where author played Cactus Canyon Remake prototype without topper; CGC added topper mid-event | | FUN! Billiards and Gameroom Superstore | company | Venue in North Texas that received Cactus Canyon Remake machines; shared photos on Facebook | | Free Play Florida | event | Pinball show/event in Florida where CGC had topper prototype available | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Content source; appears to be pinball news/review outlet | ### Topics - **Primary:** Cactus Canyon Remake production and quality, Topper manufacturing and design challenges - **Secondary:** Lyman DLC code development, Playfield artwork and DMD graphics quality, Shootout Mode gameplay mechanics - **Mentioned:** Event-based pinball testing and demonstrations ### Sentiment **Mixed** (0.65) — Author is highly impressed with the game itself (sculpts, DMD, code quality) but notably frustrated and concerned about the topper delay. The positive assessment of the machine is tempered by the acknowledged 'troubling' status of an important promised accessory not shipping with the product. Personal regret about not purchasing mixed with cautionary notes about the quality control gap. ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Pintastic New England served as testing ground for Cactus Canyon Remake; CGC demonstrated willingness to add toppers to specific machines during event to gather community feedback (confidence: high) — Author attended event, played machine without topper initially, CGC added topper 'mid-Pintastic' for testing - **[product_strategy]** Cactus Canyon Remake topper feature is delayed; prototype units fail quality standards; machines shipping without this advertised accessory (confidence: high) — Author states prototype toppers exist but 'Chicago Gaming didn't feel as though their build, quality, and reliability were up to its standards' and games are 'shipping out without it for now' - **[product_strategy]** Lyman DLC code update anticipated to significantly improve Cactus Canyon Remake; author notes current game is impressive 'before' this code is available (confidence: high) — Author states game is 'absolutely incredible' and 'And this is before the Lyman DLC code is available. I imagine that will be a work of art' - **[product_concern]** Positive reception of core game design (playfield sculpts, DMD, code) contrasts with accessory delivery failure, creating mixed customer value perception (confidence: medium) — Author expresses both regret about not purchasing and concern about topper issues in same breath - **[product_concern]** Chicago Gaming Company implementing rigorous quality control gatekeeping on topper production; choosing to delay rather than ship substandard accessory (confidence: high) — Author notes CGC standards prevented release of prototype toppers, indicating commitment to quality over rapid delivery --- ## Transcript Chicago Gaming Company continues to crank out Cactus Canyon Remake pinball machines at a steady pace. This game is absolutely beautiful, they did an amazing job with it, but it is worth noting that a production version of the company’s highly touted topper for the game still does not exist. There’s a few prototype toppers in existence but Chicago Gaming didn’t feel as though their build, quality, and reliability were up to its standards. So work on a final production model of the topper continues and games are shipping out without it for now. I have to say, this game looks absolutely incredible. The improved sculpts, the amazing DMD, polished code everything about it pops. And this is before the Lyman DLC code is available. I imagine that will be a work of art, making this game even better. They’re making me regret not getting one. The topper issues are a little troubling though. Hopefully CGC is able to iron them out soon. I still haven’t played a CCR with the topper. The machine that I tried at Pintastic New Robert Englunds didn’t have a topper on it yet at the time. Chicago Gaming flew the topper up from a Florida Show, I think Free Play Florida IIRC, and added it to the game mid-Pintastic. When a topper is not installed on a LE or SE+ Cactus Canyon pin, the “Shootout Mode” that normally interacts with the special topper will be played on the DMD screen like a normal video mode. Here’s a YouTube video of what the Shootout looks like on the DMD: I can’t wait to see someone stream this game with the works, topper and new code. That will be epic. Heres some gorgeous pictures of a CCR that just arrived in North Texas (when a state is that big, it’s best to specify a part lol) at FUN! Billiards and Gameroom Superstore courtesy of their Facebook page. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 6aaa8dbc-500c-4885-b4ad-1766552a1984*