I think I love every B/W three flipper game. I'd have them all if Inhad room. After owning TS for a while I can definitely say it's a frustrating pin sometimes if you're not a great player. It doesn't make it not fun, though. It's my favorite in my lineup currently. When I'm tired of getting my rear handed to me, I flip on IJ or CV and have a fun game. I don't have much time on Congo, but what I did play of It I enjoyed. I thought the lower playfield was pointless. I think the mini playfield on TS is light years better. The volcano shot is very satisfying, though, and the game is not as intense as TS.

Cliff notes: if you can swing it, have both. If not, decide if you want a dark themed motherfucker of a game, or a lighter themed game with longer ball times. It's not like one is worth $8k and the other $2k, they're only about $500 apart on average don't let the money keep you from enjoying pinball

Definitely The Shadow.

Congo alllllll the way, Shadow is shit.

Funny that Congo is on your wishlist.

I traded BSD for a Shadow straight and then traded Shadow for a Congo straight. Congo is still in the game room, but I loved the other two a lot as well. All great games, if only money/space were limitless.

I prefer congo more than shadow.

Not saying I don't want the game, however compared to Shadow its complete shit, IMO.

I prefer it to the Battlefield on the Shadow. I actually think they're both strange to play, but at least the lower playfield is out of the way on Congo, making it a more "open" game. Lots of nice long shots in Congo.

Because....?

TS is one of the few B/W "B" titles that I haven't owned or had for a few months in a temp trade. I should try to do a 3-month temp trade, Congo for TS.

Congo rules, condensed into a mind map. It's not a shallow game.

Congo_mind_map.jpg

I find the ramps on Shadow to be a little too clunky and not all that smooth to shoot, otherwise it is a fun game. Congo is a great game when you dial it in and has some nice shots. I do like the saucer placements more on Shadow as mode start on Congo can sometimes bounce out.

Get them both

I much prefer the callouts and art on TS but both games are excellent.

both Congo and shadow were on my wish list. Only one got crossed off. The shadow wins all the way. Congo is a fun great game. Some one always brings it to expo. price just doesn't justify it for me though IMO

The MAP saucer shot on Congo is very tight. I find that I can bounce it in with the left slingshot easier than flipping it in.

I own a Congo and have gone through two Shadows. Both are great games however I would give the edge to Congo because of it's fun factor. Shadow is the more challenging pin but with much shorter ball times.

Looks like I'll finally have a chance to do this! If all goes according to plan, I'll have a Shadow next to my Congo some time in the next month. I watched the movie tonight (The Shadow), and I didn't think it was that bad. But I liked Congo too...

Your kidding right? Look at the cartoon faces on the backglass....

Congo is worth more if both conditions of machines are completely equal.
Rarity of Congo, and inability to find parts is what raises its cost.
Gameplay quality is about the same, although I prefer "The Shadow", as I sold my Congo YEARS ago to another collector.

have both games. Shadow is more challenging, Congo more fun, if i had to keep one over the other. CONGO!

I had CQ examples of both. Still have the shadow. Also sold Congo for 5750... So that says something.

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Both fun games. As said above Shadow is more the players game for sure. Congo is much easier.

I'll be setting up a Shadow next to my Congo tonight! I'll report back in a few months, after the newness of Shadow wears off and I can make an objective comparison.

Nice!

It's strange though, Shadow is the one pin the newness hasn't worn off at all even after more than a year into owning it.

Don't say that!

Has the newness worn off of WH2O already?

I think they're both awesome games. I just got a Congo and I can't wait to get it home. She's gorgeous.

No, but I still should've picked up Shadow first!

Congo sometimes is worth EVEN MORE in certain situations.

I think both are great games in their own right and are must haves at sone point

I own both. I've had Shadow for a year and Congo for two years.

Congo is more fun. I like it better. My girlfriend likes it better. Most of my friends like it better.

Shadow is great but it's no Congo.

Shadow over Congo by far

Brilliant. This really shows the "choose your own adventure" nature of Congo, which is what makes it a brilliant game in my mind.

Both are great games, Congo gets the nod in our house ahead of Shadow.
Owned them both and sold them both but bought Congo again recently and I have been instructed by my kids to never sell it again.
Would really like another Shadow one of these days too, another game my kids really like.

both are great games, I have put a lot of time on both

Congo is worth more in the current market and many say its the flavor of the month but that has been a couple years now

if your a player both are great but i'd give the edge to TS, Congo is more approachable with guest

you can still find TS for under 3k but doubt you would find a Congo under 3K

Thanks - I'll do one for The Shadow next, so we can compare. I just got mine set up, and worked out a few small issues. I'm already outlining a detailed comparison in my mind: rules, mini-playfield, layout, art, theme, sound, toys/gadgets. Really glad to have them together: the Tim Curry collection!

I would actually love to see that! Shadow does have a ton going for it. I know Congo rules like the back of my hand, but just get the basics of Shadow.

i have had ts for about a year. congo a week. congo is really good i am quite surprised. shadow on the other hand. it will likely never leave and i have gone through quite a few. it's the whole package. if i could only keep 2 that i have played it would be shadow for dmd and ebd for early ss

I have The Shadow and I covet for Congo, but wouldn't trade it because I would miss it. They are in a way complementing games: TS is quick tough player's game with bad playfield art, Congo is more relaxed game with long adventure journey theme and beautiful jungle themed playfield art. TS has outright modes that can be started, Congo's modes are hidden within MAP (three ramps and then scoop for: diamond hunt multiball, jungle tribe multiball, skill fire) or put in the specific parts of playfield for you to choose if you want to start them or not (satelite transfer, amy's mode, video mode 1, video mode 2, grey).

This is turning into a what game is better thread. Wish we had a poll attached. Would be an interesting battle.

Looking forward to this!

I like Shadow's playfield art.

me too

I think they both have great art, perfect integration of the theme in the colors and designs. I even like both original translites.

Shadow is Art Deco and styled perfectly.

Here's my micro-review, after owning The Shadow for 3 days. Yeah, it's the "honeymoon period", so this doesn't really count. I'll do a detailed writeup within a month. But my initial reaction is: "why is Congo more expensive than The Shadow?"

They do have a lot in common. Three flippers, genius layouts, great music and sound, Tim Curry's voice.
But The Shadow pulls ahead in so many areas:

Stacking modes with multiballs (I think)
Video mode (both involve dodging, but it works better in TS)
Wizard mode (Final Battle is amazing)
Mini-playfield (more skill involved)
Skill shot (ramp shot, vs. aiming with the plunger)
Ramps with diverters
Sanctum lock sequence
Saucers that stick the landing

I'll admit that Congo has a few things that Shadow doesn't: the kickback, and that very satisfying shot through the pops and around the volcano. But The Shadow is my new favorite. We'll see how I feel in a few months. I won't be selling Congo, because it was my first DMD (I got it around 2003, I think). But it should feel nervous.

Ha, looking back at my posts here, I just realized that this thread is what convinced me to buy The Shadow. Thanks OP!

Not even close to as many congos were were made and who knows how many got parted out . Then you have the usual amount that get thrown away and add that to pretty high demand and you get higher prices. I like both games alot for different reasons but got tired of stadow after a month.