AVATAR:
IN-DEPTH REVIEW

Hello and welcome to the first part of our exclusive in-depth review of Stern's new Avatar game.

As usual, we'll be dividing this in-depth review into two parts.  This first part looks at the game's hardware - the cabinet, the playfield, the mechanisms and the artwork - while the second concentrates on the rules, the sounds, the lights and the display effects, before summarising our conclusions on the game and its constituent parts.

To be strictly accurate we should probably call it "James Cameron's Avatar", but nobody is going to call it that, just like everyone misses the 'Pro' off the end of Big Buck Hunter Pro.  So, Avatar it is.

The Avatar 3D backglass
The Avatar 3D backglass

Avatar stands out from the crowd from the very first glance, thanks to its unusual and highly-effective 3D backglass image.  We've tried to give you a sense of it in the image above (try staring at it for a few seconds) but in real life it looks much more impressive.

If you crouch over the machine to peer at the backglass you start to see the limitations, but who's going to stand that close anyway?

Up close and personal
Up close and personal

There is one slight problem with these 3D translites - they don't roll up.  So shipping or transporting one is a little tricky. Avatar is also the first game to feature the new Stern Pinball logo.  It's on the translite, the apron decals, the manual, a sticker on the front molding and on the dot matrix display amongst other places.

While the backglass image is eye-catching, the rest of the exterior artwork also looks rather nice.

The cabinet side
The cabinet side

The opposite side uses the same image, the same way round, with the Direhorses on the right and the AMP suits on the left.

However, the two sides of the backbox use different images, showing Neytiri on the left and Jake on the right.

The backbox sides
The backbox sides

If they are on separate sides of the backbox, the cabinet front reunites them, placing them either side of the coin door.

The cabinet front
The cabinet front

The strong blue and white theme initially looks a little odd when blended with natural vegetation colours, but you soon get used to it.  In addition, these images appear to have been composited especially for the pinball which is a nice change from using standard publicity shots, as we saw on some previous games.

So let's take a look inside the cabinet to see what we find.

The first problem any new owner is likely to face is taking the glass off.  Even seasoned pinball pros are going to come a cropper the first time they encounter Avatar because the system for securing the lock bar has changed.

Don't go reaching for the lever to slide to the left because there isn't one.  Instead, there are two latches screwed to the left and right sides of the cabinet front.

The new lock bar fasteners
The new lock bar fasteners

To use these latches requires a redesign of the lock bar itself, and sure enough, the tabs which slot into the front molding have changed too, with new cutouts for the latches to grab onto.

The new lock bar
The new lock bar

We should probably be grateful the lock bar isn't also now made of plastic but presumably security concerns ruled out that change.

The lock bar and the catch
The new lock bar and the new latch which secures it

There are two drawbacks to the latches used in new system.  First of all, you need to fumble around inside the dark cabinet to find them, and secondly, when you release the latches they have a tendency to spring back and rap you across the knuckles.

You have to wonder why they changed the previous system which had worked well for many years.  The latches are presumably generic parts but do they really save that much?  One thing's for sure though, Stern lock bars are no longer interchangeable with those from older games.

Once you do get inside the game, you'll find the usual goodie bag stapled to the left side of the cabinet.  Inside the bag is a rather thin paper manual, some pricing cards, two #44 lamps, two #555 lamps and one #89 flasher lamp along with spares for all the stickers used in the game.

Included with the machine
Included with the machine

The other recent changes - the plastic apron and the playfield support posts - are also to be found on Avatar.

Playfield support posts and plastic apron
Playfield support posts and plastic apron

There are three Avatar-specific stickers on the apron. 

The apron decals
The apron decals

Inside the silver-trimmed backbox we find the two boards which make up the SAM system; the power driver board on the left and the CPU board on the right.

Inside the backbox
Inside the backbox

OK, now it's time to go where all the fun stuff happens and have a look at the playfield in detail.

The playfield
The playfield

We'll start our tour in the usual place - down at the flippers - and work our way around clockwise, examining each feature in turn.

The flipper area
The flipper area

There's nothing unusual going on here.  The two red-rubbered, standard white flippers point at the shoot again insert which is a reassuring shade of orange.  The flippers are well-defined against the blue and yellow background and include the alignment holes at the tip in case you're not sure where they should be pointing.

On the left we have something a little different - 2 inlanes and 1 outlane.

The left inlane and outlanes
The left inlane and outlanes

The outlane can be lit for an unobtainium, which awards some consolation points when your ball drains. There's no kickback on the left side (or the right side either), so the unobtainium points are the best you can hope for.

The two inlane switches both work identically and light their respective 'The Bond' inserts when triggered.  We'll look at what you get for completing them in the second part of this review.

The slingshot is the low-budget version, with just a single level of construction and no flasher lamp mounted on top.

The left slingshot
The left slingshot

There is a single spot lamp which helps keep the central playfield illuminated, and like the rest of the game (except the flippers) it uses black rubber rings.

Above the left outlane is the width adjuster which has the regular 3 holes to choose from.

The left outlane adjuster
The left outlane adjuster

Above the adjuster is a dead area of the playfield populated by a few posts and seemingly designed to help guide any wayward balls towards the outlane.  It's quite effective. Despite the adjuster being in its lowest (easiest) position, the left outlane still consumed the ball on a regular basis.

Mounted above this post and ring arrangement is the first of the game's blue flashers.  There is another slightly further up the playfield and a matching pair on the opposite side.  These are used quite effectively to throb and strobe, in some ways acting much like those flasher globes in Scared Stiff, only in blue.

The two left flashers
The two left flashers

Between the two flashers is the first of the game's main shots - the N-A-V-I target bank.

The N-A-V-I targets
The N-A-V-I targets

The positioning of this target bank is now a familiar feature on recent Stern games, be it the A-L-L bank from NBA, Pappy's Porch from Big Buck Hunter (Pro) or the I-R-O-N targets from Iron Man.

The role of the targets is beefed-up a little in Avatar as you can see by the big red arrow pointing at them.  As usual, big red arrows indicate the major shots in the game which can be lit for jackpots, and that's the case here too.

Apart from scoring jackpots in certain features, the N-A-V-I targets also start Na'vi scoring and lead to their own multiball mode as we shall see in part two.

Instructions for the N-A-V-I targets
Instructions for the N-A-V-I targets

The apostrophe in "Na'vi" is included in the text on the plastic but not shown on the playfield between the arrow inserts nor does it appear on the dot matrix display, although that's easily fixed in the software.

Next, we come to the left orbit lane.

The left orbit
The left orbit

Sporting a spinner over its entrance, the left orbit - rather predictably - traverses the top of the playfield and exits at the right orbit lane.  The switch to register a successful shot is quite some way up the lane, so although you can be credited with making the orbit shot without going all the way to the very top, you do need to make it most of the way.

The left orbit lane
The left orbit lane

Unlike Iron Man where the spinner is mounted some way in front of the lane to increase its difficulty, here it straddles the two lane guides and cannot be missed if you shoot the orbit.

The two sides of the left orbit spinner
The two sides of the left orbit spinner

The red arrow pointing at the left orbit shows it can be lit for jackpots, but the name printed on it shows it's also the place to collect one of the six characters from the movie included in the game, when lit.

The left orbit
The left orbit

Beneath the red arrow is the first of seven lime green multiplier inserts on the playfield.  When lit, this doubles the value of all shots made to the left orbit, and when flashing, triples the value instead.  As you might guess, these are rather important in maximising your score.

To the right of the left orbit is the game's only ramp.

The ramp
The ramp

As you can see, the ramp is the place to collect the special and extra ball awards but it is also another of the game's major shots as well as having its own Ride The Banshee mode and collecting another of the game's characters.  So it has several inserts in the lead-in to show when these features - and the shot multiplier - are available.

The ramp shot
The ramp shot

As we travel up the clear plastic ramp, it curves to the right and spans the top of the playfield...

The ramp
The ramp

...before taking another right turn and continuing down the right side of the game to terminate at the right inlane.

The ramp exit
The ramp exit

The ramp has a steep entrance and only an accurate shot will make it all the way to the top.  Weaker shots roll back down and hit the rubber ring on the post to the left of the entrance.  This deflects the ball over to the right side of the game, preventing straight-down-the-middle drains.

Although the ramp twists and turns as it heads down to the right inlane, it doesn't rise and fall, so there's no need for an escape cutout just in case the ball loses momentum.

The next feature on the game looks like one of those sensory-deprivation tanks but is in fact Jake's pod in which he links with his avatar.

Jake's pod
Jake's pod

A clear plastic sheet covers the interior to prevent any stray balls becoming lodged inside and to hold the Jake toy in place.  Sadly, the pod is totally static and doesn't open and close like the suitcase bomb in 24, although the dot matrix display shows an animation of it closing.

The functionality of the shot takes place beneath, where we find the link ball lock lane.

The link lane
The link lane

The link shot consists of a short lane with a rollover switch and two pins which can rise to trap the ball.

The link lane with the two posts raised
The link lane with the two posts raised

When the rollover switch is triggered, the posts pop up to hold the ball and turn it into a captive ball, much like the 'ace in the hole' shot in World Poker Tour.

The ball is locked
The ball is locked

The ball sits on the rollover switch, so registering a successful hit on the ball requires it to roll back far enough to release the switch.

The link lane can be lit for link multiball as well as jackpots, and can also be multiplied if the green X insert is lit. It also collects Jake as one of the six movie characters when lit.

Inserts for the link shot
Inserts for the link shot

On the right side of the link lane is the unobtainium standup target.

The unobtainium target
The unobtainium target

Although a rather unobtrusive target, it plays quite an important role in completing the multiball modes as you can see from the big red arrow.  The green multiplier insert doubles or triples the value when lit or flashing. 

Outside multiball, it lights the unobtainium inserts on the outlanes for points awards when the ball drains.

Because of the design and its placement, the unobtainium target is only ever hit from the front or the right side which, as you can see in the picture above, does mean it can end up leaning to the left.

On the right side of the unobtainium target is the exit from the pop bumpers, so let's take a look at that whole area along with the R-D-A rollover lanes which feed into it.

The R-D-A lanes
The R-D-A lanes

RDA?  Recommended Daily Allowance? No, it stands for the Resources Development Administration, the organisation in Avatar which is responsible for the mining and importation of all off-Earth products from Pandora and other planets.

The R-D-A rollover lanes are largely fed from the right orbit.  They can be reached from the left orbit as well, but only if the ball is too weak to make it all the way around.

Right orbit shots are almost guaranteed to hit the R-D-A lanes thanks to a one-way gate at the top left which always prevents a complete anti-clockwise orbit.

The one-way gate
The one-way gate

As expected, the lit R-D-A lanes can be rotated with the flipper buttons but the placement of the rollover switches means they are triggered just as the ball starts to roll through the lane, giving you little time to change your selection.

Once through the lane, the ball hits the pop bumpers.

The pop bumpers
The pop bumpers

The three pop bumpers are in the standard formation and have a clear insert in the centre.  This only has a single flash lamp beneath so it doesn't exactly flood the area with light but it does its best.  The pop bumpers themselves have white LEDs on top which poke out in rather haphazard angles due to the oversize holes through which they emerge. 

The upper two bumpers are underneath clear plastic covers to prevent hangups from air-balls but the lower one is uncovered while the area of the playfield surrounding the pop bumpers is protected by mylar.

The ball exits from the pop bumpers to the right of the unobtainium target, but there is a curious area opposite the lower bumper which looks as though it could have once been part of another feature.  Or maybe it's just another escape lane for air-balls.

Pop bumper exit
Pop bumper exit

The next feature we'll look at is the major toy in the game, the AMP (Amplified Mobility Platform) suit. 

It consists of two parts.  The first is a motorised 3-bank like the ones found in Attack from Mars and Spider-Man, but unlike those it also has a disrupter/grabber magnet in front to add some randomness to the ball's movement.

The A-M-P 3-bank and magnet
The A-M-P 3-bank and magnet

It is functionally the same as the motorised target bank in Spider-Man, where the A-M-P inserts strobe and hitting the lit one lowers the bank immediately.  Hitting an unlit target lights it, but cancels the single-shot option to lower the bank.

Because of the position of the magnet, the A-M-P inserts are quite some distance from the target bank which doesn't make them obviously associated with it, but you soon work it out.

As with most of the other shots, the A-M-P 3-bank can be lit for jackpots, to collect another character and multiplied.

When the inserts are completed, the 3-bank drops down to reveal the shot to the AMP suit toy behind.

The AMP suit shot
The AMP suit shot

There are two yellow striped side targets and one bulls eye target at the end of a shot lane.  For the build up to multiball, any of the three targets advances towards the feature, but later only the bulls eye target will suffice.

When multiball is ready, a flasher under the rectangular starburst insert starts going crazy, along with two more under circular inserts either side. The side targets are no longer good enough and you have to shoot the bulls eye target instead.

What you're really shooting at of course, is Colonel Quaritch in his AMP suit whose feet are firmly planted either side of the lane.

Colonel Quaritch's AMP suit
Colonel Quaritch's AMP suit

Home owner may be interested in this site which shows how to make the suit more realistic.  They may also want to open up the suit and add the Colonel as he's oddly missing. Adding LEDs to light it up would also improve its looks.

The AMP suit is not static, however.  When multiball begins, the suit is lowered into a crouching position, covering the lane to the bulls eye target.

The AMP suit in the lowered position
The AMP suit in the lowered position

The AMP suit is driven by a motor and gearbox mounted under the playfield.  The cam mounted on the gearbox is connected to a metal arm which connects to the AMP suit model.

The motor, gearbox and cam with the connecting arm arrowed
The motor, gearbox and cam with the connecting arm arrowed

The AMP suit in the lowered position with the connecting arm arrowed
The AMP suit in the lowered position with the connecting arm arrowed

When multiball ends, or the super jackpot is collected, the AMP suit returns to its upright position.

That's about as far as the AMP suit's involvement in the game goes.  It doesn't interact with the ball at all, so its movement is purely for dramatic effect.

The next feature on our playfield tour sits to the right of the AMP suit lane - it's the Eywa captive ball.

The Eywa captive ball
The Eywa captive ball

Eywa is the mystical guiding force and deity for the Na'vi.  In Avatar, that means she gives out equally mystical awards, such as points, multipliers and feature advances.

The captive ball is a double ball arrangement with a second ball sitting behind the first on a rollover switch.  That means you don't need an especially powerful shot on the fixed front ball to dislodge the second and register a hit.

The Eywa captive ball
The Eywa captive ball

The captive ball shot can also be multiplied for jackpots and mystery awards (though only the points awards are multiplied), plus it can collect another of the games six characters when the red arrow is flashing.

Next to the captive ball is the right orbit.

The right orbit
The right orbit

Like its counterpart on the opposite side, the right orbit has a spinner over the entrance, can be multiplied, collects jackpots and can be lit to collect the last of the six movie characters.

The two sides of right orbit spinner
The two sides of right orbit spinner

The right orbit sends the ball up to the top rollover lanes and into the pop bumpers - thanks to that one-way gate.  A weak shot or a really strong shot can come back down the right orbit lane, and like the left orbit, the switch to sense a successful shot is a long way up the lane.

The right orbit lane
The right orbit lane

The right orbit lane itself travels under the ramp return and this is also the point where the shooter lane feeds the ball onto the playfield.

The final shot on the playfield is pair of standup targets which go to make up the seeds feature.

The seeds targets
The seeds targets

When hit, these count down towards the start of the next fast scoring mode and, as you may have noticed by the big red arrow, they also form one of the jackpot shots in some of the multiball modes.

Although there are two targets and two inserts, they act as one for all intents and purposes.

Moving on, we pass another area of dead space filled with posts and a rubber ring to reach the right inlane/outlane combo.

The right inlane and outlane
The right inlane and outlane

There is just a single inlane on this side, but it too builds towards completing 'the bond' while the outlane can also be lit for a consolation unobtainium points award.

The right inlane is rather hidden by the ramp mounted overhead, making it difficult to judge when to nudge and save the ball from the outlane. However, the right outlane seemed nowhere near as voracious as its partner over on the left side, so it's not such a big problem.

The right slingshot is also a single storey affair, with the same solitary spot lamp as adornment.

The right slingshot
The right slingshot

And so, we return to the flippers, pausing briefly to note that despite the left side having two inlanes, both inlane guides have two #44 lamps mounted inside to provide illumination to their respective areas.

The right inlane ball guide
The right inlane ball guide

The game uses a regular dual-action plunger; manually plunged at the start of each ball, automatically plunged for ball saves, multiballs or whenever another ball is added to the play.

The shooter lane
The shooter lane

The manual/auto plunger
The manual/auto plunger

One playfield items we haven't considered yet is the progress ladder - the array of inserts which show which features have been completed and which are yet to light.

The Avatar progress ladder arrangement is much like that found on Iron Man; consisting of a vertical ladder for one set of features, and a horizontal one for another.

The horizontal and vertical progress ladders
The horizontal and vertical progress ladders

Running up the centre of the playfield are the six movie characters we spoke about earlier. These can be collected through the game and getting them all is one of your goals.

Across the top of those are six features which have to be played to complete the horizontal ladder. As with Iron Man, starting a feature generally lights its corresponding insert, while excelling in it starts the insert flashing.

More about those in the rules section, but that completes our look at the playing surface.

Before we end this first part of our in-depth review, let's take a look under the playfield to see how all the components and mechanical devices are arranged.

The bottom of the playfield
The bottom of the playfield

And so we come to the end of this first part of our exclusive Pinball News In-Depth Review of Stern's new Avatar.

We'll be back soon with part two, where we examine the rules, each aspect of the game's design and give our conclusions on the the overall game along with our rankings.

Until then, we leave you with the main theme from the game's soundtrack.

Get the Flash Player to see this video clip.

Audio available

Why not give us your thoughts about the game?  What do you think about what you've seen?  Have you played it?  Have you bought it? 

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Your comments:

Steffen:
Stern lockbars were never fully interchangeable before. The ones with the tournament button are different from those on the SAM-based games with the tournament button on the front of the machine.

Bar Systems Craig:
Excellent article and great photos. thanks for taking the time to do such thorough feature.

Mike Giorgio:
I ordered the Avatar from BMI last week (Florida), on September 7. After a lot of research, I concluded they had the best price. I am 63 and this will be the first pinball machine I've had in my home for about 35 years! I had a used one many years ago, a card playing theme, but can't even remember the name of it.

Now that I have very young grandchildren, I figured it was time to invest in one again so that THEY can have this enjoyment. (Hey . . . that's MY EXCUSE! I'm still a teenager at heart! But I have to tell the wife it is for the grandkids! Ho! Ho! You might hear her 'explosion' where YOU live when she sees the box arrive and finds out how much money I laid out on this!)

This time I decided to buy a NEW machine and not a used one as the previous machine. Hoping for no break-downs like I experienced with that older and used model. I saw an article in Parade Magazine (I believe it was that one or American Profile) about the dying art of manufacturing pinball games. It discussed how Stern was the only one left in the USA. Somehow, through twisted logic I guess, I decided that I needed to help Stern out and help keep the factory up and going, so I ordered one. I figured it would help boost their spirits and I was 'investing' in our own USA economy.

I usually don't buy anything sight unseen. However, after a lot of web site research I decided to take the plunge! I hope it is as good as I anticipate it to be! I expect to take delivery of it sometime by the end of September or early October (if Stern can churn 'em out fast enough). If anyone wants to contact me a few weeks after that to see how I like it, or get opinions, feel free to email me at mgiorgio<at>insightbb<dot>com. I'll be happy to share my thoughts and experiences with you.

P.S. I noticed a lot of discussion (or argument) while on the internet as to whether it is called a "Pinball Machine" or if it is called "Flipper". There were a lot of opinions but I feel they were all wrong. I don't think anyone got close! I lived in Germany for two years and I discovered that Europeans call the machines "Flipper", and my European friends had never heard of the term "Pinball". I personally did not like that "Flipper" name (sounded too much like a kid term . . . too childish sounding), but I am convinced that THIS is where the distinction is made. People on 'this side of the water' call it "Pinball", and those across the 'pond' simply call it "Flipper".

phil1023:
Dot matrix technology mixed with a total lack of creativity and playfield investment will make this a typical mediocre stern pinball. Great title, good looks and sound, however a 3D backglass, give me a break, where is the Lcd with Video clips that correspond to the playfield action and software??? Wake up stern, before its too late, make pinball a more innovative experience,bring young people back into it or give it to the Chinese, they would even be more innovative than you. Did you save 50 cents with the new lock down bar, who cares? Stern should give seminars on how to drive companies into bankruptcy.Concentrate on lock down bars instead of improving the gaming experience and you can use the lock down bar to close the caskett for Stern

I like wires:
Wow, I cannot wait to play it. It may be somewhat sparse compared to games of the past, but alas, the great Stern is still making a game. It looks like they made the very most of a somewhat limitted quantity of hardware. Love the artwork. Three cheers.

Spike:
Good thorough review, as always. It looks a very pretty machine, I'm a sucker for blues and purples - love Fathom and Tales of the Arabian Nights.

I can see where Stern's cost cutting measures are coming into effect, however I found Iron Man to be one of the best recent Stern games to play, so more gadgets and toys do not always equal a better playing game.

Hopefully with it being a more universal theme we will see a few come over to the UK as I haven't yet seen CSI and NBA Basketball.

Mike - all the best with your Avatar - we also call them Pinballs in Britain. You do know that you can't stop at one, don't you :-)

duca insurance:
Great writing, been looking for that!

Mr Tobias:
Stern's new system for securing the lockdown bar reminds me of the one used on the Ultrapin I used to own. It wasn't one of my favourite features of the machine, and I remember thinking how cheap and nasty it was in comparison to that used by Stern pinball machines. That's progress for you!

TVGenius:
Looks sparse like a lot of the recent games, but I think overall it should be a decent game. Nice to see a movie-based game that seems to have received full cooperation from the producers, as the artwork and music really mesh with the movie.

One thing that struck me when I saw the first slingshot, and even more on the underside of the playfield, is that all the wiring seems especially neat. Maybe it's just me.

Bejay:
Thanks for the pics - I have been thinking about what would make a great Avatar pinball machine since I saw the movie. I would be the first to order one if there was any excitement at all from what you have shown - but I am afraid there just isn't. Avatar would have been the perfect time to innovate, LCD display, playfield sensitive to the ball and lighting a path, better toys that interact with the game, more ramps for 'flying' sequences etc etc. I am just so disappointed. How many units did LOTR do? This could have done more.

Jason Stark:
avatar pinball is the best pinball of 2010 i have not played it yet but to see the pictures tells me that this one is going to blow me away and when the next one comes out it's sure to be a killer u guys did it again keep on rocking

Mike Giorgio:
I posted previously about purchasing an Avatar from Stern, and maybe I'm too anxious, but I am disappointed that neither BMI (the company in Florida that I ordered it from) or Stern has been putting anything in their web-sites updating the status of production and shipping. I know it was scheduled for release starting today, but if there are going to be any delays (or good news) it would be nice to know.

[To Spike in England. Please keep in mind that I lived in Germany over 35 years ago. By now, they know both terms 'Flipper' and 'Pinball', especially the younger generation. I wasn't sure about England knowing the term.

Also Spike, I lived one summer in Crawley (Sussex)in 1973. I LOVED England! You people are great there!!! And we ALMOST speak the same language! Ha! Ha!

And you are right about "can't stop at just one'!!! I am already thinking about trying to find a Twilight Zone in excellent condition, and am thinking of getting a Pinball 2000 with the new video upgrades. I've got a LOT to learn though about this new generation of pinball machines!]

I will post as soon as I hear anything about when my machine is shipping.

JB Wiz:
I hope this will be the tournament game at Pinball Expo!

Bruce:
Hey guys, thanks for the review.

Anyone know if AUSTRALIA will be getting in on site?

Mike Giorgio:
As I said in an earlier post, when my Avatar arrived I would relate it here. It came TODAY!!!

My son-in-law helped me get it inside my home. We parked my laptop next to the big box and played the 'How To' videos by Stern on this site, being careful to follow setup instructions perfectly. Since this was my first ever NEW pinball, we wanted to double make sure that we unpacked it correctly and did everything as advised from the folks at Stern. The videos they provide for setting up a new machine are VERY helpful!!!

It didn't take long to get it set up and make the initial scan of the machine, checking for loose bulbs, connections, etc. After the diagnostics, and our inspection, all was in great order and then we started playing!!!

I have spent the past 4 hours playing the Avatar!!! This is one awesome game!!! Although some folks have said it has a lot of redundancy, incorporating similar features and effects as on previous machines (e.g., magnet same as on Iron Man), I believe this is a VERY well-balanced and fun game!

I saw the 3-D Avatar movie, knew the story line and characters. The first thing to closely evaluate is the obvious, and that is the backglass. As it was hyped before release, the 3-D backglass is SENSATIONAL! Its depth is just magnificent! It gives the allusion, when looking at what we know is a flat panel, that we are seeing about 6 inches or more deep when staring at it. It's one of the best 3-D's I've ever seen! Got to give Stern credit for this! There is nothing cheap about the backglass at all! But, like a previous poster here said, it sure would have been phenomenal had they incorporated this on down into the back of the playing field. Still, I think this is a masterful piece of art work!

The playing field has the full retinue of tons of blinking lights. When played, its POPPING WITH ACTION and there are plenty of things to try and accomplish. A nice, fast play with no letup of furious activity. The designers did a very good job in creating the playfield and layout.

Also, as others have said, the static Jake Sully in the transporter link just misses being a 'great'. It would have been a very nice touch if the case would open and close and reveal the Jake figurine . . . even having his body sit up and lay back down. But, for the very good price for the unit, I can see where Stern saved some money on this feature. The motorized up/down target bank protecting Colonel Quaritch and his AMP Suit, is for me, the focal point of the game. True, the AMP Suit only bends down and then back up during play, with no other special movement, it is unique and the eye automatically goes there when you first approach the machine. BUT . . . there is NO Colonel figurine IN the AMP! It needs a 'head' in there!

The backglass catches the eye first, of course, and THEN you home-in on Colonel Quartich and the AMP. The twisting ramp is crystal clear and fast! The magnet for random ball play gives extra unpredictable ball movement for the player. Multi-ball action boosts up the adrenalin flow while trying to keep your eye on all the balls.

This game has great music and sound effects. There is not a lot of repeating of the music loop as in many games. The comments (speech) and sound effects from the movie really enhance play. I am VERY PLEASED with this machine!!!!!!!!!! My compliments to Stern for coming out with this latest edition. It is a very handsome design and well layed-out playfield. The artwork is true to the movie and very well done.

My entire family played Avatar this evening, and everyone was thrilled with it. I think this is one of the nicest things I've ever done for my family. There was a lot of joy in that room, including our 3 year old grand-daughter who controlled the left flipper with me, her grandfather, who controlled the right flipper. We had a BLAST!

My thanks to Stern for hanging in there and launching this newest game. My weeks of ANXIOUSLY awaiting its arrival here at my home has been well worth it!!!

Kurt:
Great report, thanks a lot!

I ordered an Avatar last week, to be delivered within two weeks, for a bit more than 7'000 US$ here in Switzerland.

It's my very first brand new pinball machine, after Spirit, MM, SS, and TOTAN.

I'm going to tell you about my experiences as soon as possible.

Winfred:
hi, thanks for the great review.

nice images!

i played avatar this weekend at a dutch pinball event. was only able to play a few games, but i noticed:
- the backglass in 3d looks great
- great ballflow
- sound is very well done (themes as well as effects)

absolutely one pinball game to consider adding to my collection....

 

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