claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.030
Spider-Spider-Man (Vault Edition) review: great shots & depth, ruined by terrible call-outs.
Spider-Spider-Man (Vault Edition) features upgraded magnets with protectors compared to the original Spider-Man
high confidence · Greg Kmiec explains that Spider-Man (Vault Edition) upgraded to magnets 'like on the walking day' with protectors, making them 'a lot more consistent' and preventing playfield wear
Spider-Man (Vault Edition) has ghosting issues on LED inserts, particularly on later/original runs
high confidence · Greg mentions 'ghosting inserts' as a known issue to watch for when buying second-hand Spider-Spider-Man (Vault Edition) machines, noting that later runs like his are 'basically brand-new' with no ghosting
The game has long ball times that can drain players unless they modify tournament settings
high confidence · Both hosts discuss that long ball times 'will drain you' and suggest modifications like removing outlanes or adjusting the center post for serious players
The call-outs were recorded by a single voice actor trying to cover multiple characters
medium confidence · Zach states: 'these call-outs sound like they are done by one voice actor trying to cover the scene' and notes they are 'way too happy' compared to the original Spider-Man
Spider-Man (Vault Edition)'s LED flashers are positioned directly at the player's face, causing visibility problems
high confidence · Greg explains that 'Stern has an 8 SMD flasher pointed directly at your face' and that he redirected the flashers to point downward, which improved the effect
“these call-outs sound like they are done by one voice actor trying to cover the scene it's just way too happy”
Zach Sharpe@ 25:52 — Core criticism of the Vault's audio design; Zach attributes this to a major enjoyability issue
“the call-outs are the call-outs to me are those stupid hallmark movies than my wife my wife watches during Christmas”
Zach Sharpe@ 30:12 — Vivid analogy comparing the tone to campy holiday movies; illustrates how much the audio detracts from the experience
“the call-outs definitely killed this bin for me... and that's what I was so I'm silly it is when we've heard that before”
Zach Sharpe@ 27:13 — Explicit statement that audio alone caused Zach to rate the machine lower and consider selling it
“it's a neat long game... the flow is there's tremendous... when you combo this game it feels phenomenal”
Greg Kmiec@ 15:02 — Greg defends the ruleset depth and combo mechanics against Zach's criticism of boring code
“I think Spider-Man (Vault Edition) has gone well we'll talk about when we get in this other stuff my pinball yeah it's freaking a look”
Greg Kmiec@ 11:57 — Early praise for the Vault's visual and mechanical upgrades over the original
“if you're gonna buy a second-hand spider-Spider-Man (Vault Edition) mmm you want to watch out for ghosting inserts”
Greg Kmiec@ 24:07 — Practical buyer's tip for identifying and negotiating on condition issues
product_concern: Call-outs and voice acting on Spider-Man Vault Edition are perceived as annoying, campy, and performed by a single voice actor; described as having low energy and lacking excitement compared to the original Spider-Man with J.K. Simmons
high · Zach rates call-outs C-minus to D; describes them as 'way too happy'; compares tone to Hallmark Christmas movies; notes this single issue drove him to consider selling the machine
product_concern: LED flashers are positioned to shine directly into the player's face, causing visibility glare; requires manual adjustment to redirect downward for proper effect
high · Greg explains 8 SMD flasher pointed 'directly at your face' and manually redirected bendable flashers; notes improvement made light scatter across playfield
product_concern: Ghost inserts on LED displays, particularly on original runs; less common on later production runs
high · Greg warns second-hand buyers to 'watch out for ghosting inserts'; notes his later-run machine has none; suggests using this defect to negotiate lower prices
design_innovation: Spider-Man Vault upgrades magnets from original design; adds protective covers and improves consistency; Doc Ock magnet upgraded with protectors similar to Metallica design
high · Greg details that Vault magnets are 'a lot more consistent' with protectors and notes this is an important distinguishing feature; upgraded buck from plastic to metal
gameplay_signal: Complex ruleset with five villain modes (Green Goblin, Venom, Sandman, Doc Ock, Electro), stacking mechanics, white shot sequences, Battle Royale mini-wizard mode; requires shooting multiple shot sequences to access submodes
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“because Spider-Man (Vault Edition) it upgraded to the magnets like on the walking day like in front of welders tool of the max yes yeah a lot more consistent”
Greg Kmiec@ 24:47 — Details on specific mechanical improvements that distinguish the Vault from the original
“you combine those pillars or multiply it's awful because it literally because it doesn't amp you up there's nothing exciting about”
Zach Sharpe@ 27:47 — Zach explains how audio compounds other design choices to kill enjoyment
“so on top of the closets call that's where that are the number one killer of this pin”
Zach Sharpe@ 33:55 — Summarizes call-outs as the primary negative factor affecting the Vault
“I think it's perfect for for cards... I think the combos feel so freakin amazing in this pin”
Greg Kmiec@ 19:43 — Greg's defense of ruleset complexity and stacking mechanics; cites combo flow as a strength
high · Greg and Zach detail multi-phase villain modes, white shot lighting, orbit requirements to start modes; Zach rates rules/code B-minus for complexity but finds it 'boring'; Greg credits combo flow for redemption
gameplay_signal: Long ball times that can drain players over extended sessions; not ideal for collectors with small collections or tournament play without modifications
high · Both hosts note long ball times 'will drain you'; suggest modifications like removing outlanes or adjusting center post for competitive players; Zach rates enjoyability B+ partly due to fatigue factor
design_philosophy: Steve Ritchie design emphasizes combo flow and shot sequencing with white light mechanics; includes more ball-stopping elements (drop gates, magnets, side ramp catches) than typical Ritchie games but maintains overall flow through stacking opportunities
medium · Greg explains that combos 'feel phenomenal' when all white shots are lit and you 'combo on-the-fly'; Zach notes more ball stops than typical Ritchie but acknowledges flow exists
market_signal: Spider-Man Vault commands premium pricing over original Spider-Man due to artwork upgrades, mechanical improvements, LED inserts, and cabinet enhancements; positions as 'vault' edition with significant feature upgrades
medium · Greg notes he got 'a good price' on the machine and mentions it was from a trusted seller; emphasis on upgraded magnets, buckets, and LED work supports premium positioning
sentiment_shift: Despite excellent ratings in art, shots, and rules/code (A+/A range), the Vault's call-out audio issues dominate overall enjoyment perception, dragging the machine from potential high rating to B+ for enjoyability; Zach considers selling within a month
high · Zach gives individual categories A+/A/B+ ratings but overall enjoyability is B+; explicitly states call-outs 'killed this bin for me'; mentions planning to sell the machine
product_strategy: Spider-Man Vault represents a premium re-release strategy with new artwork, mechanical upgrades, and revised audio; positions as distinct product tier above original but inherits core ruleset and playfield design
high · Ultimate Spider-Man comic book artwork used for new cabinet design; upgraded magnets and LED work; new call-out voice acting (albeit poorly executed) distinguishes product from original
community_signal: Call-out quality issues are becoming a known community complaint; multiple collectors (Chris/'KJ' mentioned) have sold machines primarily due to audio annoyance; hosts treating this as a recognized pattern
medium · Greg mentions 'we've talked before' about call-out issues; references 'good friend Chris' who sold it 'solely because of the call out'; Zach notes this mirrors other games like Deadpool
operational_signal: Practical tips for second-hand purchasers: watch for ghosting inserts on original runs (can negotiate lower), check Doc Ock magnet protectors, and inspect LED bucket construction; later production runs show improved quality control
high · Greg provides explicit guidance on ghosting as negotiation point; notes his later-run machine is 'basically brand-new'; advises checking magnet and bucket upgrades