claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.030
Stern announces 007 Bond game; Jason reviews Deadpool (B+) and new Wisconsin arcade.
Stern Pinball announced a new 007 James Bond game releasing Tuesday the 13th at 10 a.m. with Pro and Limited Edition versions
high confidence · Jason citing Stern insider email and Pinside news; described as official announcement with specific release details
TNA ($250 tokens) are still in stock and not sold out
high confidence · Jason reporting follow-up on previous episode discussion; direct observation about availability
The Reboot Social in Eau Claire, Wisconsin uses 3-for-$1 tokens with custom power symbol design instead of quarters
high confidence · Jason's first-hand venue visit and experience; physical examination of tokens
Deadpool's Wolverine shot bounce mechanic (hitting standup target to redirect to scoop for 2x multiplier) was non-functional on Jason's first machine due to target damage, but worked on his second machine
high confidence · Jason's direct ownership experience comparing two separate Deadpool machines
George Gomez designed both Deadpool and Mortal Kombat, influencing their similar rule structure and gameplay feel
high confidence · Jason stating this as discovery during his research of designer influence on game design
The Reboot Social inventory includes: upstairs (Pro edition): Rush, Avengers, Star Wars Mandalorian, Star Wars, Godzilla; downstairs: Medieval Madness, Rick and Morty, X-Men Pro, Addams Family, South Park, Space Jam, Attack from Mars, Star Trek Pro
high confidence · Jason's detailed first-hand account of machines present during his visit
Jason purchased Lord of the Rings from Wisconsinpinball.net for $5,900, later sold it, then purchased Deadpool (Pro Edition) from a Minneapolis seller
high confidence · Jason's personal acquisition history narrated in episode
Deadpool Premium and Limited Editions are mechanically similar to Pro Edition except disco shot on left keeps feeding right flipper
medium confidence · Jason comparing versions he has played; limited direct comparison detail provided
“It's set to be released next Tuesday the 13th to the public at 10 a.m. Apparently the dealers slash distributors get a little sneak preview a couple hours ahead of time.”
Jason @ ~3:20 — Official release timing for 007 announcement
“For me personally, that theme does very little if not nothing at all. Never been a giant Bond fan, I mean, it's fine. Now if it was based on just the N64 game, Goldeneye, that would draw me in a lot stronger.”
Jason @ ~4:10 — Personal opinion on 007 theme reveal; shows lukewarm reception from reviewer despite announcement importance
“Those $250 are not sold out. You can still buy them. That gives me just a glimmer of hope of those in this community. There's some good left in this world.”
Jason @ ~7:00 — Follow-up on TNA pricing controversy from previous episode; indicates some community resistance to high pricing
“I have yet to meet someone in my real life in the comic book world, we have a comic book fan... Deadpool is always just like, yeah, he's great. He's fine. I'll always take him.”
Jason @ ~27:45 — Reflects broader community sentiment that Deadpool theme is solid but not exceptional
“When I would hit the Wolverine shot in a certain way, it would ricochet off the stand up target and go up the scoop and make this snick sound... That's how people are getting these scores.”
Jason @ ~35:50 — Key discovery about hidden shot mechanic on Deadpool; illustrates gap between machines and rule complexity
“The audio, as good as this is... This is the tippy top. This my friend is a 10.”
Jason @ ~50:30 — Highest scoring category for Deadpool; audio design praised as exceptional
“I think there's a lot of similarities that I don't think it requires separate reviews... But gameplay... I would say that I was very, very convinced... every shot you hit was working towards something.”
Jason @ ~43:00 — Deadpool rule design compared favorably to Lord of the Rings; highlights designer influence on rule depth
announcement: Stern Pinball officially announced 007 James Bond pinball game with confirmed Tuesday release, Pro and Limited Edition versions, and confirmed pricing increase expected
high · Jason citing Stern insider email with specific release date (Tuesday the 13th, 10 a.m.) and edition structure; described as 'breaking news'
venue_signal: The Reboot Social opened in Eau Claire, Wisconsin as multi-game venue (bar, arcade, bowling, pinball, pool) with 12+ pinball titles and substantial arcade collection; uses custom token system
high · Jason's first-hand visit with detailed game inventory listing and operational observations
market_signal: TNA $250 special edition units remain in stock and unsold, suggesting market resistance to premium pricing relative to $9,000 base option
high · Jason's follow-up reporting that tokens 'are not sold out' and noting this 'gives me just a glimmer of hope'
product_concern: Deadpool machines show significant variance in shot functionality (Wolverine target registering on second machine but not first due to damage), affecting gameplay discovery and scoring potential
high · Jason's direct comparison of two owned Deadpool units revealing non-functional mechanics on first machine due to bashed target; 'shot didn't exist' on first unit
design_philosophy: George Gomez's design philosophy creates similar rule structure and gameplay feel across games (Deadpool/Mortal Kombat comparison); designer identity becomes discovery point for players researching games
groq_whisper · $0.105
medium · Jason noting rule similarity between Deadpool and Mortal Kombat, then discovering both designed by Gomez: 'they're designed by the same fucking dude'
sentiment_shift: 007 James Bond theme announcement received lukewarm community reception from host despite being official reveal; host expresses stronger interest in N64 Goldeneye alternative
medium · Jason: 'For me personally, that theme does very little if not nothing at all... would be much more curious' if based on Goldeneye
gameplay_signal: Deadpool's hidden shot mechanics (Wolverine target bounce-to-scoop 2x multiplier) represent non-obvious rule design that influences scoring potential; requires machine-to-machine discovery or player education
high · Jason comparing two machines: first didn't recognize shot existed; second required repeated play to discover mechanic: 'That's how people are getting these scores'
community_signal: Wisconsinpinball.net operates as active regional community forum for game buying/selling and discussion, complementing larger platforms like Pinside and Facebook Marketplace
medium · Jason purchasing Lord of the Rings from forum; describes it as 'mini Pinside' with general news, discussion, and B/S/T sections
product_launch: 007 announcement expected to trigger Stern Pinball pricing increase across model tiers, consistent with manufacturer pattern
medium · Jason noting: 'Beyond the announcement, We Are Pinball and I'm sure that there's going to be a price increase'
gameplay_signal: Deadpool visual design (art/lighting) scores lower than audio and rules; dark color palette and monolithic RGB lighting perceived as meeting expectations without distinction; translite quality varies between Pro/Premium editions
medium · Jason scoring visuals 6/10: 'not great... Nothing more, nothing really less'; comparing unfavorably to Star Trek/Mandalorian; noting Premium translite worse than Pro
design_innovation: Deadpool integrates fighting game mechanics (character selection, health bars, battle modes) into pinball rule set, drawing from Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat influence
medium · Jason: 'It actually reminds me of... Street Fighter 2... and clearly had an influence on... Deadpool as well... modes... just like Mortal Kombat videogame'