Here's a quick update on my TNA experience so far. I've had it about 2 months now, 227 games played, average ball time 0.54, average game time 2.48, 4 Reactors is my best so far.
I remember when this was first announced and dismissed it straight away - no ramps, no bash toys, nothing for me here and I was puzzled why others were talking about going through the hassle of trying to import one.
I always kept my eye on it and slowly started warming to it, watched all the videos and read all the reviews and then finally committed to buying one. I've owned fully featured games before like WOZ and Metallica to name a couple and it hasn't stopped me from slowly tiring of those so I realised that ramps and bash toys weren't always the key to an enjoyable game.
Most of my Pins have been bought without me ever playing them first and the same applies here. I think you can get enough of a feel for a Pin by watching videos and reading plenty of reviews to know whether you will like it or not.
I had a small issue with the ball save LED segment not working fully but Spooky have been very easy to deal with, initially sending me a control board and then when that wasn't the issue a replacement LED segment. They also sent me 2 sets of sling plastics when only one of them was less then perfect.
On to the gameplay, I'm enjoying it as much now as when I first got it. You could say that once you've taken a reactor down you have more or less seen most of what the game has to offer, which is kind of true, but it is the easy to understand rules and gradual increase in difficulty and pressure that make you instantly start another game.
I was one shot away from 5 reactors, all I had to do was hit the pop bumper, one of the easiest shots in the game and one you can hit even if you are not aiming for as the ball will generally ricochet on to it at some point, but the pressure got to me and I couldn't hit it for the life of me. I'm determined to get 5, and when I get 5 I'll be determined to get 6.
My favourite shot is letting the ball come down the left orbit to hit the left flipper, bounce onto the right flipper then 'half volley' it into the ball lock (EDIT: Just realised this is the secret skill shot). You can also do this to send it up the right orbit.
The hardest shot for me is the 'D' target in RAD. It's a little easier now I've adjusted the sensitivity of it.
This is the only real Pin I own now and that isn't a problem for me, but I do also have my V-Pin if I fancy a change, but to be honest all I have been playing is TNA. It's easy to get a few games in if you are pushed for time, although the temptation for one more game is huge.
Only time will tell if it loses its lustre. I can understand why it won't be for everyone but I'm glad I took a chance on it and have zero regrets in buying it.
. Should have been simple but the pressure got to me.
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