ALIEN LE pinball unboxing, gameplay first impression
62ALIEN Pinball machine
Manufacturer: Heighway Pinball, Ltd., of Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK (2014-2017)
Date Of Manufacture: 2017
Type: Solid State Electronic (SS) [?]
Theme: Licensed Theme - Science Fiction
Specialty: Widebody [?]
Notable Features: Flippers (4), Pop bumpers (3), Slingshots (2), Spinning targets (2), Magnets (2), 3-bank drop targets (1), Kick-out hole (1), Scoop (1), Multiball. A large LCD in center playfield is flush with playfield surface. A smaller LCD is vertically mounted on upper playfield. Pop bumpers have color-changing lamps. Magnetic ball-grabber extends out of Xenomorph's mouth at top of playfield. Illuminating cabinet side panels easily slide in and out by the operator. Playfield glass lifts out in its own metal frame. Playfield side walls have art. Automatic plunger. Has voice; an operator-selected Family Mode option removes profanity. Almost all playfield switches are inductive switches (not micro-switches) that are hidden below the top surface of the playfield.
Factory-installed illumination:
Backbox - all lamps are non-color-changing LEDs.
Playfield - all lamps, including GI*, are individually addressable, fully color changing LEDs. Fiber optic strands on the ramps are color-changing and illuminate along their entire length.
Cabinet - side panels and front have all non-color-changing LEDs.
*Prototype and early production games used GI lamp "towers" with 5 LED elements (one pointing in each cardinal direction, plus one pointing straight up). Later games switched back to regular single-element LED's for GI.
This Limited Edition differs from Heighway Pinball, Ltd.'s 2017 'ALIEN (Standard Edition)' in that it comes equipped with a different backglass by artist Brian Allen, different illuminating cabinet side panels, illuminated EL (electroluminescence) blade inside cabinet artwork, fiber optic ramp lighting, shaker motor, two beacons as a backbox topper, and bright lime green powder-coated metal trim and legs.
Toys: Xenomorph head
Facehuggers (2)
Design by: Dave Sanders
Art by: Brian Allen, Aurich Lawson, Garret Popek
Dots/Animation by: Kelly Mazurowski
Mechanics by: James Aaron Rees
Music by: David Thiel
Sound by: David Thiel
Software by: Brian Dominy, Joe Schober
Notes: Dennis Nordman was involved initially with the playfield design. Garret Popek designed, sculpted, and fabricated the Xenomorph and Facehugger models. Reportedly, Matt Riesterer also did sculpting but we have been unable to confirm this.
Price when new: $8,150.00.
These optional items were offered by the manufacturer at extra cost:
27-inch backbox LCD (replicates the display on the playfield) $550
Non-reflective playfield glass $210
New 2021 SE and LE versions on the way from Pinball brothers