Went to the Louisville Arcade Expo over the weekend. While it apparently wasn't as good as the Cincinnati show (based on the pictures and descriptions George provided), it shouldn't surprise anyone, since Louisville isn't as good of a city as Cincinnati (in terms of population and economic might). Some of the highlights, including TPA tables:
AC/DC - Excellent shape; an awesome pro with many LE enhancements, such as a shaker, better speakers, and enhanced lighting. Finally, some extensive hands-on time with this thing, and it is still one of my all time favorites, even with the cheap bell and bumper feed deaths.
TZ - Excellent resoration; an enhanced version with a ton of aftermarket toys, LEDs, chrome rails, and a loop on the left ramp return ramp. Also fun, but that kicker on the slot machine was a pain - I'd drain at least once every other game due to that alone. Fortunately, the line went quick, except when I played, which kind of pissed people off. This is harder than the TPA version almost entirely due to how much harder it is to make the shots, especially the lock and gumball shots, the latter of which cannot be hit from a trap. The powerball is faster and more sensitive than on as well.
MB - Good condition, though some of the lights failed, such as the CFTBL light, and the monster heads, which showed who you've collected (the instruments still worked), but played well. Surprisingly, this played almost exactly like the TPA version, and my scores were a dead match (actually slightly higher, probably due to the lack of bugs).
CV - Two of them, both in great shape. Without bugs, this is a really awesome table!
TOTAN - Another TPA machine in great shape.
FP - Average condition, played almost identically to the TPA version, except you can't lock balls during multiball.
Teed Off - Was pretty worn, had the sound off, and the animated gopher didn't work, but it played fine.
WH20 - Pretty worn, and some leveling issues, but a pretty fun table.
TF - Great shape, Autobot edition.
Spider-Man - Another great table in great condition, though the sound was really low.
DD - Pretty good shape, but the sound was off, and no one was playing it.
TAF - Two of them, one with a color LCD.
WW - Nice shape, fun game, fan effect is awesome!
T2 - Frequently broke down, so I only got to play it one, but it was fun.
NGG - Was broken (Bud figure got stuck, making it impossible to lock balls, but registered hits when struck, so you could get a real low shot total). It took two days for anyone to notice.
RBION - Only on the floor a short time before someone bought it and hauled it away. Also plays a lot like TPA, the main different being a much more difficult to hit vari-target.
WOZ - Obviously excellent machine with a nice playfield, but I couldn't figure out what the rules were. Roger Sharpe said that is because the software, including the rule set, is still not finished.
I played very few videogames, only indulging in games of Outrun, Gorf, Space Zap, Tempest, and Crazy Climber when the pinball lines were too long.
Roger Sharpe - Awesome to have a designer (albeit a crappy one) come to the convention. Only got to play Barracora, as the rest broke down (the ultra rare Global Warfare was never working at any time). The questions the moderators asked were incredibly stupid, such as "tell us about your days on this magazine" or "what's pinball like around the world?" The audience asked much better questions, and I liked how he ripped on Python and Barry for their crappy Popeye table (which was also at the show), and pointed out the problems with a lot of otherwise good tables, like the bell / feed on AC/DC, or the "funky" (his words) center target on TF. He also has played every single pinball game released since 1965, and owns 25 machines himself.
AC/DC - Excellent shape; an awesome pro with many LE enhancements, such as a shaker, better speakers, and enhanced lighting. Finally, some extensive hands-on time with this thing, and it is still one of my all time favorites, even with the cheap bell and bumper feed deaths.
TZ - Excellent resoration; an enhanced version with a ton of aftermarket toys, LEDs, chrome rails, and a loop on the left ramp return ramp. Also fun, but that kicker on the slot machine was a pain - I'd drain at least once every other game due to that alone. Fortunately, the line went quick, except when I played, which kind of pissed people off. This is harder than the TPA version almost entirely due to how much harder it is to make the shots, especially the lock and gumball shots, the latter of which cannot be hit from a trap. The powerball is faster and more sensitive than on as well.
MB - Good condition, though some of the lights failed, such as the CFTBL light, and the monster heads, which showed who you've collected (the instruments still worked), but played well. Surprisingly, this played almost exactly like the TPA version, and my scores were a dead match (actually slightly higher, probably due to the lack of bugs).
CV - Two of them, both in great shape. Without bugs, this is a really awesome table!
TOTAN - Another TPA machine in great shape.
FP - Average condition, played almost identically to the TPA version, except you can't lock balls during multiball.
Teed Off - Was pretty worn, had the sound off, and the animated gopher didn't work, but it played fine.
WH20 - Pretty worn, and some leveling issues, but a pretty fun table.
TF - Great shape, Autobot edition.
Spider-Man - Another great table in great condition, though the sound was really low.
DD - Pretty good shape, but the sound was off, and no one was playing it.
TAF - Two of them, one with a color LCD.
WW - Nice shape, fun game, fan effect is awesome!
T2 - Frequently broke down, so I only got to play it one, but it was fun.
NGG - Was broken (Bud figure got stuck, making it impossible to lock balls, but registered hits when struck, so you could get a real low shot total). It took two days for anyone to notice.
RBION - Only on the floor a short time before someone bought it and hauled it away. Also plays a lot like TPA, the main different being a much more difficult to hit vari-target.
WOZ - Obviously excellent machine with a nice playfield, but I couldn't figure out what the rules were. Roger Sharpe said that is because the software, including the rule set, is still not finished.
I played very few videogames, only indulging in games of Outrun, Gorf, Space Zap, Tempest, and Crazy Climber when the pinball lines were too long.
Roger Sharpe - Awesome to have a designer (albeit a crappy one) come to the convention. Only got to play Barracora, as the rest broke down (the ultra rare Global Warfare was never working at any time). The questions the moderators asked were incredibly stupid, such as "tell us about your days on this magazine" or "what's pinball like around the world?" The audience asked much better questions, and I liked how he ripped on Python and Barry for their crappy Popeye table (which was also at the show), and pointed out the problems with a lot of otherwise good tables, like the bell / feed on AC/DC, or the "funky" (his words) center target on TF. He also has played every single pinball game released since 1965, and owns 25 machines himself.
