Is This $1000 Pinball Topper Really Worth the Hype?
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- In this video, we dive into the brand-new Metallica Remastered pinball topper from Stern Pinball! As someone who’s always said, “I’m NOT a topper guy,” this review hits a little different. Could this be the beginning of the end for my topper-free stance? Is my OCD about to kick in every time I look at my other games without toppers?
We’re breaking it all down:
🔥 What’s new and exciting about this topper?
🔥 Does it justify the $1,000 price tag?
🔥 Does it add real value to your gameplay experience?
Is this Topper just an expensive piece of art, or does it genuinely elevate your Metallica pinball experience? Tune in to find out if this topper deserves a spot in your lineup-or if you should save your cash for another mod!
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#SternPinball #Pinball #arcade
Evil Dead, best topper I've seen.
The prices on these toppers are absolutely outrageous.
Awesome video. I love how you're asking, "am I a topper guy" and more than half your machines have toppers! :D
I'm a topper guy now that I ordered Evil Dead!........Committed being in Australia
From an operator perspective, I have to look at every purchase from an ROI lens. I do think that these make the games look cooler, and I like that in this case it integrates with the lighting system. Still, I doubt it would make any difference with my pins on location since someone would already be looking at the license whether it has a topper or not. They'd need to be $100 or so to make sense on a location - but Stern obviously isn't thinking about locations much anymore since we don't buy as much as collectors do.
For something like a rock band topper and $1~2,000, I know you can't have sparks/flames shooting out of it, but at least some "frickin' laser beams" would make more sense :P
Don’t forget about the exclusive “and Justice for all” multiball! And if you’re logged in while you start that, now you can choose and Justice for all as a song on any Metallica
I’ve been playing for a while and didn’t even realize that song was missing! How do you start that? Hoping I can trigger it on location to get it at home if what you’re saying is true!
@ 1.) start the normal lady justice round by spelling METALLICA from the ramps
2.) hit lit shots to add red letters to the topper, once it’s spelled again the multiball automatically starts
note that you can only do 2) when you’re in single ball play
@@raydaypinball sounds tough. But possible. Thanks for your hard work on this. Now I just need to find a location with the topper and get to work!
Toppers are for people who ran out of space to add a new game but still want to buy something
LOL... oh no, you're like a shrink for pinball fans?!?... is this actually what's happening? I must be in denial, because I look at my game room and see space for 1 more... but sadly... I think you're RIGHT!! Nooooooooooo!!! LOL... thanks for watching brother!
Not when it's Zilla !! The topper is a must have for my decked out premium!!! 💯
Im not a topper guy at these prices! Now both of my Data East games have the factory topper and my wife bought me a 3d printer for Christmas so I may be a "make my own topper guy" before long.
I bet you could make some really cool toppers with a 3D printer! That's a hobby I've been avoiding for a long time now. I know me though, I would end up going deep into it and have a room full of printers... LOL. Thanks for watching brother!
I made my own topper for Metallica using a 3d printer. Came out nice!
@RafConUSMC I am just leaning but see that there are files out there available. I am going tontry and make one for my Iron Maiden soon
I feel stupid for watching this video
I’d rather save the money to get another pin. If you love it though that’s all that matters.
I dunno, you gotta pretty lame to spend that much on something that's worth about $20.
@ cost is relative. Depends on how much 1000$ is to you.
No way it cost more than 50 dollars to make per unit. They probably sell to distributors for 500, then double their money to 1000. So 450 dollars profit per topper. Just how dumb are people?
I don't know if I would call people dumb; if someone thinks it's cool and has the money, they're going to buy it. However, I think there's a massive amount of profit being made on pinball accessories. Personally, I believe a standard price for toppers feels more reasonable at $499 (and I'm not saying that's cheap by any means, but it would feel a bit more reasonable for what you get).
As for the profit being made, I think it probably helps distributors a bit more, as I don't think they make much on pinball sales, to be honest. The manufacturer makes the most money in the transaction, and the distributors pay a high transfer cost and make a lot less margin than you would think on the games themselves.
@@RetroRalphtotally on point . I’d be surprised if they make 100 bucks on a topper . And you know what , if they do, I’m glad . Part of buying from a distributor is having the service afterwards. And they need to make money . Honestly like a car dealership, I think distributors make more money on used machines than new ones .
Let me just tell you, the Distributors don't make anywhere near double...
@@hemispheresamusements7484 that makes it even worse. Stern is robbing people with these. I can understand that pinball machines are hard to make. But these definitely aren't as hard.
@@Jesselovespinball absolutely
Sorry Ralph but that is not a great topper no matter what the price. But 1K is absolutely bat shit insane for what youre getting.
Ralph… You have 4 toppers out of 6 games lol Your are THE topper guy!
I hate when you’re right 🤣
@@RetroRalph 😂😂
No topper is worth 1000 bucks but that's my opinion. :) I would really love to see what they cost to develop and produce. I made my own topper for RFM and it looks great.
there toppers cost more than $1000
Your pinball room looks fantastic !!
@@genegonzalez3167 Thanks man, I appreciate that. Also, thanks for watching!
it’s definitely not worth the price based on the effort and value they built into it… but what’s interesting is that these accessories came out quicker than any other in stern history! I hope they keep doing that. But they need to be reasonable when it comes to accessory pricing. The expression lighting alone is $100 more than any other pin which makes no sense and just fuels the “overpriced” arguments and bad sentiment around price gouging.
Did you pay 1k for this plus tax? Prob good to tell people if you didn’t…..or if you did. Plugging a distributor makes it seem like you didn’t so always good to clarify. Comes across as more genuine.
I'm not a topper guy- but I had to buy the black knight topper. Also, I have one for my bond, but that was on a trade... keep the great videos coming...
Oh man the BKSOR topper is the best, I feel that one is a no brainer for BKSOR owners, it's just too cool! Thanks so much for watching man!
Great video quality and love your pinball room… I dream of that
That topper looks cool but it's just led bulbs.... there's nothing in there animated or moving. It should be 200 bux or less. You could 3d print that and add led bulbs for pennies. Nobody has beat labyrinth, and this feels backwards in progress.
Labyrinth is a great topper. No doubt.
@@JackpotMike77 What about evil dead
@jcoolstar6762 that was better than sterns for sure. But it pretty much just moves up and down and says only a few things. I'm hoping more gets programmed into it. The labyrinth has a tone of different lighting and animation effects including synchronized dancing, and just conversing with each other to hurl insults at the player. I may be biased because I'm not a horror fan, but the evil dead game is way more creative than sterns last offerings for years. And the topper is way better as well so you have a great point.
It’d have to be custom or something like Electric Playground makes if I’m gonna pay that much
The big selling point was the integration for electric chair multiball? The playfield lit up one light at a time and then the speakers and topper lit up simultaneously. It didn't light up the speakers and then the topper, so the coolest factor you were describing wasn't accurate. It's plastic and steel with RGB. I'll wait until these things are being knocked off by some Chinese company on TEMU for half the cost.
Yes you’re correct, it wasn’t meant to “sell” anything other than show functionality… but yes the backbox expression lights go on at the same time as the topper but it feels / looks like a flow of electricity ⚡️ that coincides with sparky getting electrocuted. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment.
@@RetroRalph Don't get me wrong, it's still cool, but for $1000 I want more integration with the game, like the Jaws topper. At least that topper actually adds to the game. The Metallica topper really doesn't do anything that someone with RGB knowledge couldn't wire up in 10 minutes. BTW, get editing at the start of the vid. Keep it up!
I agree with you, man. The JAWS topper is more tightly integrated, and the fact that you get access to 'the shark is broken' as an owner at least gives you some game perks to go with the topper. Thanks for your support, brother, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I really don't think this topper is worth $1000, and I'm sure my buying it won't change the course of pricing, but I definitely sucked myself into this one... LOL. Now look at me! I need more toppers just for the sheer fact that looking at topperless games now drives me crazy. This is how they 'get you.
@@RetroRalph That should have read "great editing" not "get editing".
Welcome to your new addiction! :)
IMHO, you should look into an alternate translite now. The logo is kind of repetitive.
You had to say that, didn't you?!?! Now look what you've done, I'm going to now be an "alternative translite guy too". LOL. Thanks for watching brother!
There’s no hype around the Metallica topper. It’s a poor effort
It's not a very creative design but I like it a lot more than I thought I would.
I bought my last three pins for $500 each in 2013(afm, monopoly and swe1) soooo, no I’m not paying a grand for a topper🤷🏼
"Is any topper worth that much?" * as he zooms out to show jaws topper that is 4000x cooler in background*
Well, the JAWS topper I have has the DIDDY Mods upgrades, so I spent EVEN MORE money on that to make it what it should have been in the first place. So I'm probably the dumb one on that... but it does look really cool with the Diddy mods upgrades! Thanks so much for watching!
You’re a topper guy now , no turning back 😂😂 definitely not worth a grand but it’s a must have and I’m right with you , X-men and John wick coming sooooonnnnn 😂😂😂
Oh man, you're a bad influence brother... LMAO!! Thanks so much for watching!
The struggle is real
Ain’t that the truth 🤣
Does it print concert tickets?
Sadly it does not 🤣
The JAWS topper looks really good compared to the Metallica one but I would never pay 1K for any topper.
The problem with it is that it has the logo clash that's happened on a few other games. Plus it is so tiny to be worth 1K. That's why I think Metallica is one of the few games that would look better with a custom topper.
I love your excitement and it looks very cool!
Doesn’t it add a song?
This has to be one of the laziest toppers ever made. Total money grab. But if it makes you happy enjoy buddy.
Looks awesome but so expensive. Great video Ralph!
Very much so man... this hobby is expensive man!! I hope all is well brother! Happy New Year my friend!
@ Happy New Year to you as well bro! 👍
I saw you wearing headphones. Which one are you using and do you recommend getting that one? Thank you
These are my go to headphones 🎧 www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJIF4E/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_J2YWMT33RTHASWMFNJ4C?linkCode=ml2&tag=retroralph-20 (this is an affiliate link by the way). My only suggestion would be to get these as well to make them more comfortable… amzn.to/4j1sq9C
Cool? Yes. $1000 Cool? Eh... too much for me.
TMNT was my second game (after TNA) and I went all in with it, including the topper. After that, I swore I'd never buy another topper. lol. Then labyrinth came out and I just had to get the topper. TMNT topper was not great, but Labyrinth has been totally worth it (who doesn't like getting heckled throughout the game by three goblins?) Lesson learned, there are some that are just worth it. 😄
Congrats on your purchase man!
Once you start on toppers you have to finish the lineup. So I became a topper person. It’s just money
Your logic makes so much sence to me and at the same time, I think you're a bad influence. LOL
Are you going to post gameplay videos of MET?
I will probably do some livestreams of it soon, I've had a hard time finding the spare time to do it latley but now that the holidays ae over, I should be able to stream gameplay more often. Thanks so much for watching!
Looking to grab that topper for my Godzilla that you have too, you are a topper person with that 70k machine lineup and that 4k sign lol (tad jealous lol)
There was hype behind this topper? 🤔 😂
Its similar to my Bond topper. I love the simplicity of just the light show but totally not worth the $. 😉
Thanks for watching brother! What are your thoughts on D&D?
@@RetroRalphGreat looking game but not a theme for me. Still trying to get UXM dialed in lol.
Much better than the Foo Fighters Topper that's for sure dunno why that one costs 2K bloody dollars if this one is already expensive. I love how it is in a self contained smoothed block, makes it look clean vs. the other toppers that try to do too much.
1k for that!? No thanks. You can probably get a much cooler one off Etsy or Temu that does way more for about less than half of this one. The word METALLICA just seems repetitive. Like its not just below it and all over the cab already.....😅
1k? Ffs dude
It’s an even bigger investment when you have 20 pins 😂😂😂😂
Oh boy, yeah... that's a lot of dough man!
It looks ok, but can't get pass it just a logo that's above a logo, instead of something actually cool for the money. I'm only a topper guy if it's something worth it like Black Knight SoR, Evil Dead. If it comes with the game I cut it more slack like WoZ
If i had just one pinball machine that i loved, id maybe do it. But alas, i have no pinball machines because theyd need to go in my basement and i value the health of my back.
Now all your other machines look weak without their toppers. 😉 I guess you have to buy several more $1000 toppers
It seems everyone is really trying to trigger my OCD, I think you're all bad influences.. haha. Thanks for watching man!
I’m wondering why there are Marco stickers all over the topper box, but you suggest Flip n Out as a place to buy them?
@@dugfreez You can buy them from whoever you want. 👍🏻. I buy from lots of vendors, flip n out, Marco, pinball life. I have a sponsorship with flip n out so I suggested them. I did purchase this with my own money from Marco and buy tons of parts and things from them. They’re another great place to buy from. 👍🏻
No
No topper is worth even half that much. The only thing a topper is good for is catching the attention of others to come and play.
Most players don't even look at the DMD when playing.
Ralph, Do you know if the last Light gun (s) you reviewed here will work with gun4ir emitters?
It will but not in the configuration Gun4IR requires, You would have to move the sensors to the 4 corners of your TV vs. the Middle configuration that GUN4IR uses, I hope that makes sense.
@@RetroRalph Shoot! I was hoping it would work. Oh well that combined with insane shipping count me out :)
Yes $1,000 is WAAAY too much for what the money is being used for. $500 should be an accurate price tag for these cheap plastic toppers with lights. Flat plastics are cheap to make and adding lighting effects isn't expensive either. The sad part is the price won't go down while there are people out there *cough cough* who will pay for this overpriced...I can't call it garbage because it still looks neat....but overpriced accessory nonetheless. Grats on the beautiful game though with your topper 😉
Fifty, maybe a hundred bucks.
Charging $1000 for this is an embarrassment, we all know it. The Evil Dead topper is $400.
The deposit is $400. Full price is $1400. I know. These things are expensive.
@@donspinballpodcast oh! Yikes my bad, thanks for clarifying.
I dont do toppers cause I'd rather the cats sit up there to watch than on the glass
That has to be the smallest official topper I have seen yet, did you have any issues with Metallica's music for the video? They usually don't like people using their music for free i know, it's sad but true
It may look small, but in person, it complements the game really well once it's installed. These are like expensive pieces of art, in my opinion. That said, I still don't think it's a smart purchase-those funds would be better spent on another game. However, it does make the game feel complete, and once you have one, you're kind of hooked. I held out for a while, but now I've caught the topper bug. 😬
As for the music, I used it knowing it would likely get claimed. I just figured that showing Metallica without the music wouldn't be very fun. It's not like I make a lot of money from ad revenue anyway, so I chose entertainment value over profit. 🤷🏻♂️
Anyhow, thanks for watching and I hope you have a great weekend man!
How can you only have toppers on only two games Ralph? It makes the entire game room seem so....what is it....unbalanced? assymetrical? Hopefully this comment gets you into you're next topper. 😀
@@Johnny-re9kg I feel like you’re being a bad influence 🤣
@@RetroRalph Symmetry for the win!
@ I mean, you’re not wrong. But what makes it worse is there’s currently no topper for John Wick or X-Men 😩🤣🤣
@@RetroRalph Hmmm. Sell the games that have no toppers? Use that money to top out the others and also have money in bank!
There are likely enough rich completionists who will buy a topper regardless of the price that the additional sales gained from a lower MSRP would be a comparative loss.
$1000? Did you get a pinball machine with it? Topper guy or sell out? LOL 😂 😂
Well, I paid for it will my own money, just sharing my thoughts on it. I don't think it's worth the price but at the same time, the price is the price, not much I can do about that. I even said in the video, I don't think it's worth the price but I do like it and I think it looks pretty cool on the game. Thanks so much for watching!
@@RetroRalph I'm sorry 🙏 🙏 just having fun with you and glad you liked it
Looks cool. Man what a pinball lineup. Congrats Ralph. Happy new year
I have the topper I think it’s nice ..
I think so too, it's not the most creative topper in the world but it does look nice on the game IMO.
Light show same as Addams Family
Nope! 👎
Hell No!!!!
Do all toppers cost this much?
No, the actually good ones are $1500 or even $2000, I kid you not. This one is a complete let-down. Who wants the logo topper right above the same logo on the backbox? It looks ridiculous, and is so low-effort, especially for such an iconic table and band.
@@LeoDavidson Agreed
To think, all that topper cheddar could put you deep into another pin. 🤔🤓🤷♂️✌️
The topper is supposed to be finishing touch to you game
Why you shout out flip n out for the topper when it’s from Marcos specialties lol
No. But it's your money 💰 not mine.
I don't do Toppers or anything fancy. Seriously I can make my computer look like something from TRON the master control system - I turn off all my RGB stuff. Just is dumb.. Not sorry. Brother in Law thinks I am cool. Cause I don't do all the skipitty Dippity BS!
OK - Got it, RGB is dumb. Thanks for watching.
@@RetroRalph I didn’t know Arcade1up and at games made Toppers for their so called pinball machines. 🤔 #motherfalcore
The never ending storyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! 🎵
@ 🐲🕺🏼
Imagine living in europe, these Stern toppers are around 1420$ here 🥴🥴🤮
eugh
YES, someone caught that... LOL!! Thanks so much for watching!
Ralph, love , love your positivity and enthusiasm but I have to ask, are you just rich with FU money or getting discounts or something? You seem to be impulse buying everything released. A lot of the current stuff you are buying should rapidly depreciate. JW LE is probably $8k now for example.You really should be more methodical if you don’t want to lose your shirt. If you could care less than more power to you
Stern home pinball games have 1 serious flaw. The flippers ARE ALL so under powered. It makes these pinball games worthless.
it a cool topper but $1000 way over price. I was thinking $500 at most. especially this topper doesn't do anything
Please don't be kaneda - we have one cry baby on pricing. Price is what it is, buy it or don't.
Trust me, I won't be Kaneda. Nothing against him, but we're very different in how we approach the hobby. There's nothing wrong with his way; it's just not my cup of tea, and I'm sure I'm not his, and that's okay. Different strokes for different folks.
I agree, though-the price is what it is. For me personally, if I really want something, I'll buy it as long as I have the means to do so. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I just love covering this stuff and showing people what's out there. Thanks again!
Kaneda is a joke. RR has a much better attitude and already exceeds him in terms of street cred and value to the hobby. Keep up the good work!
@@neilmcrae1 I appreciate your positivity Ralph. That's what this world needs now, and not just the pinball world. Other casts that crap on everything are extremely tiring.
I see something that you also see.
Pinball machines with no topper.
I know you buddy ! You are going to buy them all toppers now! 😂
Arcade1up crazy modding all over again 🤣
@@WickedGamerCollector 😬😬😬😬🤣🤣🤣🤣
Toppers all day every day and tomorrow!
You, my friend, are a gentleman and a scholar... but also a bad influence. LOL
@ who me??? 😏
The latest thing is putting toppers on your toppers come on guys get with it.
@ 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@ Wait, there’s toppers for toppers 🤯 😮
What a piece of crap
Foist. 😏
EUGH!
Absolutely no topper is worth 1k
Sucker
"There's a sucker born every minute"
Shhhh... It's Metallica!! Any amount of money is worth Metallica!! Looks Bitchin' bro! lol
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 Rhode Island Mike baby!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
@@RetroRalph Wait... I don't get the RI reference lol
Oh wait; I thought you were my buddy Mike from RI because he loves Mando… doh! Well now I know two Mikes that love Mando 🤣🤷🏻♂️ Sorry about the mix up brother.
@RetroRalph all this time... Haha all good, no I'm the So Cal Mando Mike... The one that eventually wants to shoot out to AZ and check out that arcade castle place by you I think... 🤣
Godzilla, John Wick, Jaws & Metallica? That may be my top 4 I'd pick too. Great collection.
Thanks man! I’m really enjoying all the games I have. If I had any constructive feedback on my games, I hope stern updates uncanny x-men a bit more. It’s still fun as is but I think they could do a lot more with the software, time will tell… thanks again brother!
It's pretty sick bro.