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SDTM Ep 106: Unboxing A Pinball Machine Blindfolded: Stranger Things Limited Edition

Straight Down the Middle·video·34m 46s·analyzed·Feb 5, 2020
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.022

TL;DR

Zach Sharpe blindfold-unboxes Stern Stranger Things LE, showcasing projection mapping and LE-exclusive features.

Summary

Zach Sharpe from Straight Down the Middle performs a novelty blindfolded unboxing of a Stern Stranger Things Limited Edition pinball machine, inspired by Eleven's character abilities. Despite the entertainment gimmick causing several minor injuries, he successfully assembles the machine and highlights key features including projection mapping, articulated Demogorgon, and magnetic ball lock mechanism. The Limited Edition model features a mirrored back glass, upgraded Kenwood speakers, and motorized Demogorgon.

Key Claims

  • Stranger Things Limited Edition features a first-ever pinball technology: projection mapping with a projector under the apron projecting onto a screen that folds into a ramp hitting the Demogorgon's mouth

    high confidence · Zach Sharpe, direct description of game features during unboxing

  • Limited Edition Stranger Things has an articulated Demogorgon with a motor that moves when hit in the mouth

    high confidence · Zach Sharpe, comparing LE to Premium Edition during final reveal

  • Limited Edition features a mirrored back glass that looks significantly better in person than on camera

    high confidence · Zach Sharpe, describing LE exclusive cosmetic features

  • Limited Edition Stranger Things has upgraded Kenwood speakers with red ring, compared to lower tiers

    high confidence · Zach Sharpe, identifying audio system difference on LE model

  • The game has a magnet in the back that locks balls physically on the backboard using telekinesis mechanic

    high confidence · Zach Sharpe, describing Stranger Things-themed magnetic lock feature

  • Projection mapping in Stranger Things covers drop targets, stand-up targets, ramps, overhangs, sidewalls, and even the spinner

    high confidence · Zach Sharpe, detailing scope of projection system during final reveal

Notable Quotes

  • “You guys are going to see this pin before I do.”

    Zach Sharpe@ 4:43 — Explains the novelty of the blindfolded unboxing format where viewers see the machine first

  • “Never take your vision for granted.”

    Zach Sharpe@ 9:40 — Key lesson from the blindfolded challenge, emphasizing difficulty of assembly without sight

  • “This thing is phenomenal looking. This powder coat, it's almost like it has metallic flakes in it, but it's like a deep purple like a chameleon.”

    Zach Sharpe@ 29:09 — First visual impression of Stranger Things LE cabinet finish quality

  • “The mirrored back glass on the Limited Edition... that thing's a looker.”

    Zach Sharpe@ 29:30 — Positive assessment of Limited Edition exclusive cosmetic feature

  • “So much stuff in here... The possibilities are endless.”

    Zach Sharpe@ 31:11 — Enthusiasm for the projection mapping system's scope and customization potential

Entities

Zach SharpepersonStraight Down the MiddleorganizationStern PinballcompanyStranger Things Limited EditiongameFlip N Out PinballcompanyEleventh (Eleven)personBrian EddypersonPinball Networkorganization

Signals

  • ?

    community_signal: Straight Down the Middle creates entertainment-focused content combining unboxing with novelty challenges to drive engagement and community participation

    high · Blindfolded unboxing format inspired by Stranger Things character lore; call for viewer feedback on favorite character; references prior creative unboxings (Pirates, Jurassic Park, Deadpool)

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Stranger Things LE design emphasizes thematic integration through projection mapping synced to targets and ramps, creating immersive interaction beyond standard playfield

    high · Projections cover drop targets, stand-ups, spinner, ramps, sidewalls, overhangs; motorized Demogorgon articulation adds interactive theme element

  • ?

    announcement: Stern Stranger Things Limited Edition officially available and shipping to distributors

    high · Machine received and unboxed by content creator; distributed through Flip N Out Pinball with published contact number

  • ?

    product_strategy: Limited Edition Stranger Things explicitly differentiated from Premium Edition through: articulated motorized Demogorgon, mirrored back glass, upgraded Kenwood speakers with red ring accents

    high · Zach directly compares LE features to Premium Edition and notes he upgraded from Premium to LE for enhanced features

  • ?

    technology_signal: Projection mapping with dynamic screen folding into playfield ramp represents novel playfield technology introduction to Stern platform

    high · Zach describes projection mapping as 'first ever in pinball' and details projector under apron projecting onto screen, drop targets, stand-ups, spinner, ramps, sidewalls

Transcript

youtube_groq_whisper · $0.104

0:00
The wait is over. A revolution in LED lighting for your pinball is finally here. Fully customizable, full spectrum lighting from Penn Stadium Lights. Order yours now at pennstadium.com.
0:26
God, what I wouldn't give to see their stupid faces. What is it? Is this really going to work? Holy shit, this is insane. Hey, what's going on everybody? It's Zach from straight down the middle of Pinball Show, the Pinball Network, and Flippin' Out Pinball here to do another unboxing. Today, we're going to unbox a Stranger Things LE by Stern Pinball. Brian Eddy's return back to the scene after a 20 year plus hiatus. I'm really excited about this pinball machine, but you guys know yourselves that we do not just simply unbox a pinball machine. We want to make it a lot of fun. So, in honor of Stranger Things, in Eleven, remember Eleven in, I forgot what season, maybe two, season one. Remember, she blindfolds herself as she's trying to get into another realm or another universe. I don't know what the hell she's doing.
1:35
Is this really going to work? Holy shit, this is insane. Max. Yeah, quiet. I'm sorry. But she blinds herself, blindfolds herself when she does it. So I thought, this would be fun, right? Why don't I blindfold myself and I attempt to unbox a really, really expensive pinball machine with only the sensory, hopefully not sound, I hope nothing comes crashing down, but nothing visual. And to do so, I've got some of my tools here. You've got a 5-8 side. I've got a knife. When you're blindfolded, knives are a great idea. And a side cut so I can get those keys off. What I'm going to try to do is blindfold myself just like Eleven and unbox this entire pinball machine with no help whatsoever. Please, for the love of everything sacred, don't blindfold yourself when you are unboxing pinball machines. I'd say I'm a trained professional. At this point, I don't know what I am. But we're going to do it for you guys live. And I hope that I don't break anything. And if I do, you guys actually won't see this video. So blindfold is about to go on and no time here. I'm just going to try to wing it these These are these are my daughter's pants, but they work great as a blindfold So here we go you guys ready. I have no clue how this will turn out We're gonna try
Flip N Out Pinball
company
Pin Stadium Lightsproduct
Comet Pinballcompany
Pin Graphicscompany
Pinball Platingcompany
Kenwoodcompany
Chuck Wardperson
Carrie Hardyperson
Greg Boneperson
Jon Heyperson
  • ?

    licensing_signal: Stranger Things IP licensing enabled inclusion of character-specific mechanics (telekinesis magnetic lock, Demogorgon articulated target) showing full creative integration

    high · Magnetic ball lock described as 'telekinesis' mechanic; articulated Demogorgon with motor is motorized interactive target; projection mapping shows Stranger Things branding and effects

    • 3:19
    Orient myself a little bit here and I promise you if I'm not completely blinded I wouldn't do it because it wouldn't be as much fun right if I lied about it all right okay I'm totally in the dark here I don't know how this looks they look stupid I'm gonna double not it here. Okay. Double knot. Totally, unfortunately, very blind. So, here we go. Knife. This is so stupid. Okay, no, knife, no. Alright, so first we're going to open the box up. I thought to myself when coming up with this idea, I go do something special. And I said, I can unbox these things with my eyes closed at this point. So we're going to hope that none of these staples fall on the ground. Because if they do, I'm going to step on them. Okay.
    4:27
    This is tough. I'm hoping that Stern orients everything as they usually do. Okay, and I thought the really cool thing is that technically you guys are going to see this pin before I do. Oh, okay, this is an LE so that's either the authenticity... What is this? Any idea what this is? I don't know either. Put it over there. Okay, now I do know that there's going to be legs before I go cutting this box.
    5:11
    Oh, shit, where am I? That's Elvira. Ah, got it. Legs are here. I'm going to prop those back there. Knife.
    5:26
    Knife. Aha! This is going to be a tough part. Okay. Yeah, this is really going to be a tough part. Okay, something just fell. I felt it fall. All right.
    5:47
    I'm not lying to you guys. I can't see a damn thing. Okay. How am I doing so far? some of you are thinking right now how are you gonna put the legs on here how's he gonna I don't know how I'm gonna do any of that okay front of the box should be down I don't know how far I'm gonna have to touch here. I'm just touching. Okay, bottom of the game. All right.
    6:28
    Good, good, good. Blade in. Oh shit. Okay, injury one. Oh guys, it's still somewhere. There it is. All right. Legs out.
    6:46
    Okay, now I do not want to lose these legs because I won't find them again. Alright, now you guys get to see the color of this beautiful powder coat that I've been dreaming to see myself in person. How does it look? Huh? Does it look nice? Hopefully. Hopefully it looks nice. Alright, there's one leg. Alright. Now I know that this is, when I come folding this down, this box is kind of my guide here so if I keep my legs outside of that I should be safe. Here's leg number two.
    7:19
    Watch Stern pull a fast one and have a pro in here. Now I can feel the powder coat. It's not rough. All right.
    7:28
    Okay. Is anybody cringing yet? No? All right. You guys have tuned off already. Okay. Alright, leg number three. Alright, I'm going to put my legs together over here. If you guys are looking for a Stern Stranger things, pro premium LE, you can buy one at Flippin' Out Pinball. Of course this is my plug right here. Alright, should be bolts in there. I'm going to take out the leg bolts. I have no clue what that is. Taking out the leg bolts Now I thinking about it I going to have to cut the sides of this box as well I would assume And if I lose one of these bolts I not going to be able to find it very easy So, we're going to put them in our pocket. Actually, you know what I'm going to do? Put a leg on now. So far so good, I'm feeling good about this. Now I never install legs like this but for the sake of what I'm doing here. Where's the two holes? There they are. Oh man, this isn't easy.
    9:37
    Oh gosh. Never take your vision for granted. I'm in. Any other one? Nope, not. See now, I wouldn't have thought this would be a difficult part. Does that look right, guys? There we go. Got it! Okay. Good, good. Leg one, coming on nicely. Okay. Good, good. Leg one. Coming on nicely. Again, this is for entertainment purposes only. Please do not try doing stupid stuff like this yourself. Then I'm going to get call from Stern and they're not going to be happy and you know I don't need that believe me I do not need that legs on okay let's put leg number two on shall we I can tell you it's rather hot under this as well.
    11:12
    How does it look? I missed now, alright. All for the fun of pinball. Okay. You got it? No? Maybe? Maybe. Alright. I need another... I know that there's a... I know that there's a leg there.
    11:36
    Oh, come on, Mike. There we go. All right. Using my 11 powers right now. Finding this hole in the dark is not simple.
    12:03
    See what I did there? Yeah. trained trained entertainer So far so good, I'm feeling good about this. I think this was a decent idea
    12:26
    Do want to see this pinball machine so bad It's gonna be kind of cool because when I take the blindfold off fingers crossed I will see a set-up pinball machine.
    12:44
    Don't have to worry about anything else. Okay. So you guys have seen us do a lot of different unboxings. In the comments below, you'll have to let us know which unboxing you like the best. Was it the Me Drinking Pirates Room during the Pirates of the Caribbean unboxing?
    13:10
    The Great Bone Jurassic Park unboxing? The Speed Run Deadpool unboxing? Alright, so this should be good. I'm going to fold this down.
    13:21
    And then I'm going to cut the box. Maybe I should cut the box now. Alright. I'm going to watch out because I don't want anything hitting my other machines.
    13:49
    That'll just sit there for now. People are cringing, see. It'll be fine. I'm not going to scratch anything hard.
    14:00
    Uh oh, uh oh, lost my blade. Oh, shite. Oh boy, we got trouble. Should be good enough, I shouldn't need somewhere to sit my... Okay, now I'm totally in the way.
    14:30
    Oh, geez. Okay. Now it's getting tricky. Running out of room. You got this, Zach. You got this.
    14:48
    If you guys haven't already, subscribe and follow straight down the middle of Pinball Show. We got Chuck Ward doing streaming. Kerry Hardy doing other videos. Not blindfolded. Oh, it feels smooth. Oh protective covers. You got Greg Bone the fan favorite. Back the head. Hey there's cardboard. And be sure to check out this year's Twippy Awards. There's all kinds of just cool stuff coming in 2020. I'm taking out the staple because I do not want to step on it. Then you guys are going to see a live run to the ER. I'm hoping,
    15:34
    no, I need to just sit this somewhere else. Pinball machine? Action button. Alright, so now I should have, oh, that's the head, cabinet, ooh, ooh legs, okay. I'm going to put this
    15:56
    Fold this puppy down. How am I doing? Okay. Make sure there's nothing... So stupid. I feel like I was just doing a dance. Legs over here somewhere if I'm oriented correctly. Wait a minute. Okay, the legs held so I got those on right.
    16:35
    Okay, next I got to get this back end up under a stool. Oh, I don't know. This is the scary part. Let's clear out a little bit here.
    16:54
    Okay, there's a staple. Now I'm going to have to lift this pinball machine up and rest it on a stool. Okay side knife side cut 5 Okay I can put the five there Get my pull-down in the pants.
    17:30
    Ouch! Staple! Shit! That's what I did. Ouch! Hold up. Might have to cut. Ouch. Son of a bitch. Okay. Oh, I'll do a Curt Schilling here, a little bloody suck, it's okay. All for the views, for you people. Okay. Lift up, we don't need that. Okay. Stool, lift, good, right? Man, that side feels so glossy. Oh, that feels so good. Oh, that feels good.
    18:16
    Slept back just a hair. All right. Perfect. Oh, Zach, you're magnificent. Look at you. All right, make sure that's under there before we go letting it go.
    18:32
    Okay. Is that on there, guys? Oh, yeah. Thanks. I think I got it you guys I think I think I now we should do a speed run blindfold say no pro we're doing with here no premium this is the limited edition stranger things by Stern Pinball 2020.
    19:10
    I can't wait to see it. Can't wait to play it. Now this game has a first ever in pinball. I hope I'm looking the right way. It's got a first ever in pinball and that is projection mapping. It's got a projector under the apron that projects images onto a screen that folds down into a ramp that you can hit into a Demogorgon's mouth. and it also displays projections onto targets, stand-up targets, drop targets, ramps, overhangs, you name it. All right, that's three balls. There's four.
    19:46
    It also has this really cool mechanism in the back to lock balls physically on the backboard using a magnet, like the telekinesis that, man, I didn't get those tables. that 11 I just I know there's a post somewhere there and now I'm gonna stop talking and focus on where these legs are in there leg one
    20:27
    And no, I'm not going to elevate the back legs right now. Because I'm going to have to redo it anyway. Alright. One, two, three. Got it. Wooo! This is actually going to be fun. But not fun enough for you guys to replicate, please. Oh, and this video is not for kids. I guess, ouch, I guess that's a YouTube thing we have to say now. I really should have done this with shoes on. It would have made a little more sense. Alright, set the bolts down here. Don't go anywhere. I think it also helps if I move my mouth. There's certainly, whoa, no room.
    21:24
    Probably doesn't look good from that angle, does it? Blindfold. That's how I like to do things. Crank it back here in the dark.
    21:38
    Alright, that's bad. I'll probably bleed that one out. Okay. Leg is on, I think. Okay. Alright. Getting a little tired now. My eyes are really sweaty.
    22:03
    Thus I do. Alright. And I don't even know if this is even filming, to be honest. I may not be able to see anything. I have no clue. Come to think about it, probably not, but I don't know the difference. So thanks for hanging out and pretending I'm showing you what to do here.
    22:26
    Okay. All right. This is the most exciting part of setting up a pinball machine is getting the legs on, let me tell you.
    22:40
    So comment below. Do you guys watch Stranger Things? I'm a huge fan of it. It's like one of the best shows on television. One of the best shows I've seen in a long, long while.
    22:51
    Can't get enough of it. Love this show. Love the characters. Love their arts. Love the story. Love the nostalgia back to the 80s, of which I was kind of raised.
    23:03
    Love all of them. Very well done, too. Who's your favorite character? I'm trying to think, my favorite character probably, um, everybody likes Hopper, it's probably Hopper, actually I like Steve, alright, where you at Steve's stool, oh shit, the stool's under there okay okay legs should be on stool should come out I want to know where these staples are coming from.
    23:58
    Alright, another tricky part. It's going to be to get this head up. To get this head up, I have to get... Ow! I've got to get into the coin box.
    24:08
    In the coin box, after I cut the tie for the zip tie for the keys, get into the coin box. In the coin box, there should be... There should be bolts that will secure this head.
    24:29
    Everything's free. Okay, good, good, good. No, I don't need that. I need that. Blind, y'all. Blind. Okay.
    24:42
    I'm hoping, like, hell, this thing is on four legs. Yeah. Okay, so I should have a do not hold this as a handle. I should have a... This thing can give you cancer. And the keys. Alright.
    25:02
    Let's do this without cutting your finger off, Zach. I'm thinking if I had to guess where you guys are at, I would guess... there. Am I right?
    25:17
    Okay. Don't cut my finger! I think I did. Oh! Okay. Just for good measure, let's get the other one off.
    25:38
    Alright. Two sets of keys. One of the sets of keys is going to go for the head if you need to get into the head. head the other is going to go into the coin door here and that is not it and where that if you still hanging along with me I appreciate it you guys are gonna see if I can get this oh yep forgot to cut that all right now since I am blindfolded usually I cut this but I've got to make sure that this thing is on four legs.
    26:20
    Okay, we're good. All right. Land ho! Should be one right there. Okay, we're in. We're in. Should be a pin right here that's going to hold down that. Right now.
    26:49
    Come out over here like this. Power cord. Now loop. Ah, warranty. sign up now I love pinball you guys I just you guys think it's cliche but I promise you I've never met anyone in my life yet and I go to plenty of shows that love pinball as much as I do and if you know who they are have them reach out to me because I think I'd really like to be their friend so we got balls here make sure to wipe off your balls because they've got a lot of oil on them since they don't rest sitting or anything so rinse off these balls wipe them down no solution needs to do anything you don't want to uh want to harm them make sure sometimes they have uh they've been sitting for a while in inventory or something they could be rusty so just make sure you don't put rusty balls in there. Over the most part here recently they've all been pretty good. Okay, two bolts, head bolts are going to be secured right here once I fold this head up. Make sure nothing else is up here. What is this? Oh, you guys get to see this before I do. Jealous? All Alright, we got wire binding.
    28:39
    We good? Didn't sound very good there. No more packaging. Okay. Good. There she is! Alright guys, the camera cut out on me, but you get the gist of it. Here is Stern Stranger Things Limited Edition. Here is the certificate of authenticity. The first impressions, you guys got to see this thing before I even did. This thing is phenomenal looking. This powder coat, it's almost like it has metallic flakes in it, but it's like a deep purple like a chameleon. That thing is sharp. The interior art blades are phenomenal in this game. a back glass I think this is my favorite part and you cannot really appreciate the mirrored back glass on the limited editions until you see it in person but that thing that thing's a looker also on the limited edition model you have the upgraded Kenwood speakers with the red ring around there I like to light those up with an aftermarket product and then see this like I'm going to show you guys closer closer video here soon but see all the white all of the white that projector is going to project images onto the screen and if that wasn't enough the screen itself folds down forming a ramp that you can bounce up and hit a Demogorgon and on the premium LE the Demogorgon actually is articulated with a motor so you hit that and you can hit it in his mouth so that's cool so everything white can be projected on so it's not just the screen it's the drop targets in the front it's the stand up targets it's even the The spinner. It's the ramps. The sidewall of the ramps. Information on the side of the ramp itself. There's so much stuff in here. And then even in the back there, there's a magnet that locks the ball.
    30:34
    I'm thrilled. This is such a damn good theme for me. I love this show. I can't wait to play it. Had the pro. Fell in love with it and wanted to do it just one step, two steps a little bit better. And I got myself a limited edition. you can have your own limited edition premium or pro model Stranger Things from Stern Pinball if you call Flippin' Out Pinball, 812-457-9711. It's at the bottom of the screen there. Let's get this set into place, and then I'm going to show this thing. I'm going to show it off.
    31:07
    Chrome it, brass it, black nickel it, candy chrome it, powder coat it. The possibilities are endless at pinballplating.com. Your pinball machine deserves the best. At Comet 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 cometpinball.com. Check out Pin Graphics for the latest and greatest in pinball enhancements, power blades, blade skins, pin blades, and even more. Visit Pingraphics.com now to see what's available for your pinball machine.
    32:13
    Thank you. All one locked. I'm sorry. Thank you. You headed off with the bumper now you're straight down the middle again You had a fling with a fling shot you're rolling out the island again I tried to cradle you with my flipper it was all in vain
    34:43
    Thank you.