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Toppers - Best, worst, even necessary?

PAX

PAX

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Joined
Dec 28, 2020
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991
Location
Thetford
So, any thoughts?
Not convinced they actually add anything to the general aesthetic of a machine and certainly not something I'd consider a must have. I'm sure some of them are pretty cool but there are some pretty awful ones out there.
I saw the one for the RAZA machine and thought WTF. Great idea and a nice innovation with that 'plug and play' idea but three lamps? Didn't fit the theme IMO, more suitable to fairground themed pin.
 
If they’re a factory fit to enhance the gameplay then so be it - Whirlwind for example.
Otherwise I’m not sure I see the point, other than aesthetics and another way to pi$$ money on an already overly expensive toy. Many people have way too much money to pi$$, so there’s the target market.
 
I thought White Water and Fish Tales had amazing toppers back in the day, but these now just feel like overpriced pointless extras to bling up you cab. Only my opinion of course!
Though I think the entirety of RAZA is WTF!
 
I still think Sterns KISS one is fantastic.

TWD looked cool until I realised it didn’t stretch across the back box

Elvira looks ok but how can anyone justify a grand for it.

Ghostbusters looks like a kid on Blue Peter made it.
 
Monkeyboypaul said:
If they’re a factory fit to enhance the gameplay then so be it - Whirlwind for example.
Otherwise I’m not sure I see the point, other than aesthetics and another way to pi$$ money on an already overly expensive toy. Many people have way too much money to pi$$, so there’s the target market.
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I'll check out that Whirlwind for sure. Some other mods I can understand, just not that one.
I used to stick on all sorts of aftermarket mods when I had bikes but was always a bit of a gamble when it came to insurance. 'Has the bike been modified in any way? Certainly not guvnor - not unless you mean that stunning Akrapovic system, micro indicators, rear and not exactly legal number plate etc. Had to remove all the bits and pieces when I had a prang once to return it to 'normal'. Happy days
 
It’s a bit like mods, you don't need them but it can spice things up a bit.
Some add some don’t. Most of the aftermarket ones are crap really.
BKSOR has to be the best one ever.
Agree with above, TWD one is awful. Looks so wrong.
 
Might be biased but I do like the Whirlwind topper, not sold on the new stern 1k topers tho, but then I'm not really the target market, rather have another cheap pin instead.
 
kev a said:
Might be biased but I do like the Whirlwind topper, not sold on the new stern 1k topers tho, but then I'm not really the target market, rather have another cheap pin instead.
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Not bad that Whirlwind one, TWD three heads in a fishtank lol.
Yep, buy or put it toward another pin is the best idea
 
M4carp said:
It’s a bit like mods, you don't need them but it can spice things up a bit.
Some add some don’t. Most of the aftermarket ones are crap really.
BKSOR has to be the best one ever.
Agree with above, TWD one is awful. Looks so wrong.
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Definitely a bit of substance to that BKSOR one. Can't imagine it's cheap but it does add something
 
TAF adds to the excitement of multi-ball as it flashes like thunder.
WH2O has the waterfall effect.
Tommy now has the silver ball that reflects you and the words on the top of the back box.

Most mods don’t add to game play but people spend massive amounts adding them.

At least my motorbike mods add to the bike somehow.
 
BKSOR is the best I have ever seen in person, in saying that the R2D2 one on Star Wars is very cool, and I bet in person is very impressive.

Do you need it, no? Blinking nice though on a LOT of games. I have a WH20 here with an original topper. That is seriously cool too.
 
I was ok with toppers when they were around £300 or less. The way prices have gone now you either have to have way too much money or a screw loose to buy them. I know stern are a company wanting to make money but £1000 for a topper that cost them £150 is just ridiculous and very anti-consumer, they really don't give a **** that only the wealthy or insane will by them.
 
They look cool but are unnecessary . . . . . much like a pinball machine I guess.

Fortunately my low ceiling prohibits being tempted to indulge.
 
Almost always unnecessary. For me the best is a toss-up between Whitewater and BKSOR. The worst, for me, is JP2. Overpriced and cheap looking in appearance.
 
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I think that on location toppers increase the visibility of a pin, and thus will increase revenue somewhat. Not sure how long it'd take to amortise the price though!
 
I've always been of the opinion they don't add anything to gameplay so not necessary...

Stern toppers are overpriced and look terrible the majority of the time...

Toppers like MMr, AFMr and MBr are brilliant and come with an LE
 
Hit and miss.
I generally don’t like them but a few like Kiss, Aerosmith, BKSOR, R2 look cool.
Then you have:
TMNT..... even worse when cuddled by zach 🙄
 
If the game was manufactured with a topper, it ought to maintain it from an authenticity perspective. I would think twice before buying a game that was missing a factory fit topper as they can be hard/ expensive to source and replace.

Whirlwind (best ever topper ?) and Fish Tales are two of the very best IMHO as they genuinely add to the experience. The rotating beacon games like Tomcat and Getaway are also great ones. Adams Family too, but to a lesser extent.

Adding a third party topper to a game is like adding a rear wing to a car, not my cup of tea but some folk do it.bad-spoilers.jpg
 
For me, the TAF topper really works with the game. The back glass shows the house and the start of the towers, the topper is the top of those towers with an ominous cloud that gets sparked up with lightening during multiball.
 
I had to google the Whirlwind topper as it seems to be getting big thumbs up.
Is this it..looks like a Wilko fan encased in plastic.
Sorry, I think it looks awful..6EACC771-30F4-43A4-B005-C2394B42DF39.jpeg
 
Wonder which came first? Suppose the idea that it activates during the game so maybe it serves a purpose?
A324E289-B45C-4413-A5E6-E5EBFCA51C3F.png
 
£500 for a topper I can just about stand but when Stern started flogging them for a grand then no way, although two of my games not having toppers is really ****ing annoying me.

Neil.
 
Live in a barn (it does have windows and doors :) so had to remove all my toppers to squeeze the pins under a beam i did particularly like the Getaway siren
 
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