Seattle, WA
Quoted from lpeters82:Here was my geeky attempt at an answer:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/statistical-bang-for-your-buck#post-5331401
Below is a summary of that data from best to worst value within that range. It's difficult to compare between price ranges, and what this data is showing is essentially for the "X" dollars, you should expect a game with a ranking of "Y". The further above that curve a game is the better "value" relative to other games around that same price. The statistical DMD the highest above that curve was Metallica (Pro), but again you can't really compare between price ranges, so it really comes down to how much you want to spend.
under $2000 - Maverick, Lethal Weapon 3
$2,000 to $3,000 - Getaway, Judge Dredd, World Cup Soccer, Terminator 2, Black Knight 2000, Jurassic Park, Demolition Man
$3,000 to $4,000 - Shadow, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Fish Tales, Tales from the Crypt, Road Show, Indianapolis 500, Dirty Harry
$4,000 to $5,000 - Metallica (Pro), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Spider-Man, White Water, Star Trek (Pro), Iron Man, Congo
$5,000 to $6,000 - Lord of the Rings, Spider-Man, Simpsons, White Water, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Attack From Mars
My personal answer would be to look for a High Speed II: The Getaway, Fish Tales, or World Cup Soccer.
This was the most accurate post of pinball prices compared to other posts and the prices stated are likely average or players condition games. Obviously paying more for better condition. I always see people who say a machine can be had for some low ball price there is an occasional steal out there and if you are first to a sale you can maybe get one. Of course if I buy a lotto and I get all the lucky numbers I could win millions too. I know people sometimes get deals and I always wonder how they find them but I think that is rare or they are old routed games.
But, there are some great middle value games in the $2500-4,000 price area that offer tons of fun and are long lasting in a collection.
Personally I think a very fun steal of a game is Getaway - add a Pinsound to it and it is great. I really thought that game would pass through my collection but for now I just love it. Those come up often in the $2500 range not where I live but on Pinside it seems like.
