claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.029
Kerry Hardy inspects routed Last Action Hero, finds extensive wear typical of location machines, demonstrates restoration techniques.
Last Action Hero tar pit scoop is unobtainium and cannot be reproduced
high confidence · Hardy states: 'this is the unobtanium for this game is this damn tar pit and what sucks about this dam saying is one it's not being remade'
The tar pit scoop commonly breaks when leaning the playfield against the backbox during service
high confidence · Hardy explains: 'the reason behind why is so common Tee'd Off get broken is that when you lift as play filled up and you lean it against the bank box like everyone does because that's just the way it's designed this thing can be broken'
Data East machines commonly have soldered fuses due to route operation shortcuts
high confidence · Hardy identifies soldered fuses and states: 'that's another indication that this machine was on route because a lot of the times when something like that goes wrong they just need the thing Tee'd Off work'
Last Action Hero has a common problem with solder joints on switches going bad due to vibration from the center scoop
high confidence · Hardy notes: 'this machine has a real common problem with these solder points on these switches going out because a lot of vibration this this thing's not even screwed in'
The shaker motor on this machine is causing false switch readings by vibrating and connecting things that shouldn't be connected
high confidence · Hardy concludes: 'chances are reason why it's so sporadic is because the shaker motor that shakes this game is sometimes connecting things it shouldn't be connected giving me the false readings on my switches'
“I don't entirely regret this purchase but I'm definitely not happy with it”
Kerry Hardy@ 0:24 — Sets the tone for the video—Hardy is dissatisfied with the purchase price relative to the machine's condition but sees value in specific parts.
“this is a project machine from my perspective at least there are many of you that I think that would take this game as is and have no problems with it”
Kerry Hardy@ 1:34 — Acknowledges that while the machine has issues, casual players might accept it; highlights the distinction between restoration enthusiasts and casual players.
“this is the unobtanium for this game is this damn tar pit and what sucks about this dam saying is one it's not being remade”
Kerry Hardy@ 25:10 — Identifies the rarest, irreplaceable part on Last Action Hero, explaining why he purchased the machine despite its condition.
“tape is not a good repair”
Kerry Hardy@ 13:49 — General restoration wisdom about avoiding temporary fixes on pinball machines.
“this is not standard this is a remake someone on pin ciders doing a remix of these and it's not bad I mean it's better than nothing obviously but the blue is not blue enough”
Kerry Hardy@ 22:44 — References Pinside community remakes and custom parts, highlighting the ecosystem of third-party repairs and reproductions.
“that's another indication that this machine was on route because a lot of the times when something like that goes wrong they just need the thing to work so do whatever you can to get the machine working”
business_signal: Route operators prioritize rapid machine repairs over proper restoration, leading to shortcuts (soldered fuses, tape repairs, loose components) that compound damage and require complete rework by collectors.
high · Hardy explains route operator mentality: 'when something like that goes wrong they just need the thing Tee'd Off work so do whatever you can Tee'd Off get the machine working get it back Tee'd Off making mate/man'
community_signal: Pinside community actively creates custom remakes and reproductions of unavailable pinball parts, extending machine lifespan and repair options.
medium · Hardy notes Pinside members making ramp remakes and sticker decals: 'this is a remake someone on pin ciders doing a remix of these'
design_philosophy: Last Action Hero tar pit scoop design is fragile and prone to breaking during normal maintenance (leaning playfield against backbox), and no reproductions are available, making it unobtainium.
high · Hardy states: 'one it's not being remade but it's very common Tee'd Off get broken and the reason behind why is so common Tee'd Off get broken is that when you lift as play filled up and you lean it against the bank box like everyone does because that's just the way it's designed this thing can be broken'
market_signal: Unobtainium parts (like the Last Action Hero tar pit scoop) create value drivers for secondary machine purchases, even when the overall machine is in poor condition.
high · Hardy purchased this machine primarily for parts, accepting a financial loss on resale: 'I'm gonna end up taking a little bit of a hit whenever I sell this Last Action Hero but I'm taking it as a little bit of a trade for parts that are not being reproduced'
mixed(0.45)— Hardy is disappointed with the purchase price and machine condition but finds value in specific parts and uses the opportunity to create educational content. He acknowledges the machine is functional for casual play despite extensive issues. Critical tone about defects and poor prior repairs, but constructive and educational throughout.
youtube_auto_sub · $0.000
Kerry Hardy@ 30:50 — Explains the operational mentality of route operators who prioritize quick fixes over proper repairs.
“chances are reason why it's so sporadic is because the shaker motor that shakes this game is sometimes connecting things it shouldn't be connected giving me the false readings on my switches”
Kerry Hardy@ 43:04 — Diagnoses the root cause of intermittent switch matrix issues—a practical troubleshooting insight.
product_strategy: Last Action Hero benefits from LED upgrades (trough LEDs, frosted bulbs replacing incandescent), custom paint work on lockdown receiver/portions to match topper, and flipper rebuild kits.
medium · Hardy notes: 'he's Game of Thrones a trough LED portion right here that glows that's not OEM' and identifies painted lockdown portions as 'not a standard OEM but it's a nice touch'
product_concern: Last Action Hero exhibits typical routed game wear: beat-up ramp, irreplaceable tar pit scoop damage, soldered fuses indicating route operator shortcuts, sporadic switch issues from shaker motor vibration, and widespread cosmetic fade from sun exposure.
high · Hardy documents multiple failures: soldered fuse clips, loose targets, switch matrix problems, and identifies these as characteristic of route operation rather than home use.