I hear you, I'm not a country guy by any means, but everyone says the same thing about the music, in that it fits as pinball music. I really love playing this machine, and it's mega deep.

Yes, Warg Battle is a good mode to stack with TTT multiball, because the follow-up shots after the left ramp are easy to remember, and TTT overrides the mode shot prompts. However Gollum multiball is good to stack with any mode, because Gollum doesn't override the mode shot prompts.

It is, but it's nice to have Gollum ready for MB's to restart them after, especially for ROTK. Problem is that shot is so iffy, that somedays I can hit it four times straight trying to shoot it, and it goes clean through to the pops and doesn't count. I like that aspect though, regardless.

IJ (WMS), TZ, STTNG, LOTR, TSPP

I love the modes on LOTR, Stargate, and IJ. I have to get an IJ!

Pops determine which robot mode is next, but i cant believe we havent had TF/TFLE mentioned (that i saw).

5 decepticon robot modes (Megatron is 4ball mb)
5 autobot robot modes (optimus is 4?ball mb, mudflap/skids is 2ball mb)
Rules for megatron/optimus change if you are playing red or purple side
Bumblebee captive ball starts timed double scoring mode
Mudflap/skids target starts timed (all shots worth x) frenzy mode
Completing red robot modes has rollout mini wizard mode
Completing purple robot modes has all hail megatron mini wizard mode
Completing both red and purple has a unobtanium final wizard mode
Tfle adds starscream left ramp mini mode and ironhide right ramp mini mode.
I dunno if these are in the pro or not, but ironhide awards you super pops, super spinner modes

Transformers le

LOTR is not a mode based game. I think some on here don't understand what modes are.

TZ and TAF are kings of the mode based games.

Honorable mention to Tommy and GNR, and RFM

Now that's an interesting statement. Please explain why LotR is not mode based?

Every definition of "pinball modes" or "mode based pinball games" I can find describes pretty much exactly what LotR (or TZ or TAF etc.) does.

Yes and no. The mini wizard mode of TABA works just like a classic mode game does - complete all modes, do this mini wizard. Keefer still uses the classic modes, and finish them to get to a wizard approach in many games (TSPP, WPT), but this is only an aspect of the whole package.

But it's still a mode based game in that regards. Games like BSD, DW, AFM etc, those are not mode based games, as they have no modes you need to complete in a progression towards anything.

it's not really mode based because it has only 6 modes. But it's kind of like a secondary object to the game. It's not the primary aspect of the rules like say TZ is. Shadow has modes, but it's not it's primary aspect. it's 25% of the rule objectives, so I would not consider it mode based. Base means primary aspect.

STLE is the king of modes.

yes that is a mode based game for sure.

I don't know if I would even call AC/DC mode based, as you are kind of doing modes, but your main goal isn't to bust through them as fast as you can to see the ending. Your drive isn't to see encore, it's to cash in on that megajackpot.

Gotta say ST as well. Yes, playing the modes is not very different but how you play those modes hugely impacts scoring. That's the fun. You also have away team options for playing modes different and vengeance modes.

Play a road show on location. It's mode depth is insane and it plays like the love child of TAF and FH, but costs less than either of those titles. It's a crazy value and a real keeper. You can get over the music and, if you can't, you can buy a PinSound board for less than the price difference between RS and many of the others suggested here.

Junkyard has a lot of different modes like a time machine where you can play video modes of previous games it kinda cool.

Id argue that ring multiball, ring frenzy, super ring frenzy, destroy the ring, there and back again, and valinor are considered modes too.

those are modes as well, but your main objectives in the game isn't really modes. It has modes, but multiballs are your primary objectives. That's how you destroy the ring for the midway mini ending. I think there is more focus on that, collecting fellowship members, locking balls, and collecting dead, than anything else. The other stuff is more bonus stuff going on while you're trying to accomplish those things.

Still an interesting perspective - but at least I see where you're coming from now. Thanks for clearing that up!

I think LotR is a mediocre example, just because I never even care the least bit for the multiballs, I only go for modes when starting a game. MBs get into focus when I've made it through most of the modes and have 3 or more GotE. That said, in between MBs "just happen" or I use them to get better results from the modes. Anyway I put it, getting the modes done well and collecting gifts (which again are modes) is my main goal on LotR. When all this is done I might need to replay one or the other MB, but starting MBs is not the main goal during gameplay.

Shadow as you stated is a much better example. There I can fully understand your point of view as the modes are only 25% of the deal. Even though personally I tend to call this kind of ruleset "mode based with added objectives".

Anyway, the TS's question was "best games with lots of modes" and LotR qualifies big time in that category.

The problem with he super pins is that modes are all their is and you done have to finish them to get to another part of the game. You start all the modes, get through them and you gat a 6 ball multiball as a reward. If someone would rewrite the rules to these pins they would be f****ng epic. Wouldn't be me though, Im lucky to be able to download the code much less write it.

That's exactly how I feel about the modes on those games. Yes, I do get more points when going for the modes and pins like STTNG make it really worth while completing the modes as you get a big points rewarded in Final Frontier. But I would prefer more games that completely block your progress if you don't beat at least some of the modes. LotR does a perfect job with this using the GotE.
It's nice to rack up points, but in a home setting, playing alone, often it's more fun to me trying to progress through a game than "just" going for as much points as possible.

In the same mind, which games propose stacked multiballs?

I know Medieval madness and BSD propose stacked multiball. Which one else?

RBION is a prime example of that.

XM, LOTR, TSPP, WPT.

And except Stern?

What's the Bonesaw cheat?

Cactus Canyon (starting Gold Mine or Stampede while the last drop target is still lit, then shooting it can stack either multiball with Showdown multiball)
No Good Gofers (normal multiball can be stacked with either Ripoff multiball or Speed Golf multiball, or both)
Cirqus Voltaire (Ringmaster, Juggler, Highwire, Neon, and Strike-an-Arc Multiballs can all be stacked in many different ways)
Champion Pub (if you get the timing right it's possible to stack Multi-Brawl, Fisticuffs, and Raid Multiballs at the same time)

Tales from the Crypt

PM because modes are for the weak!

Same here. Currently searching for a nice one.

It also has the tic-tac-toe thing, another additional twist to keep you busy. And don't forget Frog Frenzy is forcing you to go for the Jackpots not just for their points!

Yup, you HAVE to complete modes, you cannot just time them out. Both frustrating and rewarding at the same time! Don't forget Frog Frenzy, collect every super jackpot +1. Very challenging pin for sure. And you cannot just bash around and get lucky, if you don't know the rules and execute strategy you will not enjoy the machine much. But, if that's your thing, you will love it.

TFTC has some great modes. I think like 12 in all.

Yeah, but as I recall, there is nothing in the rules that reward anything but some focused points until the timer runs out - only necessary to start them. There is nothing to beat. TFTC modes suck in that way, actually. You can stack them, but it doesn't help you other than saving time getting them all started.

RBION, STTNG, LOTR are better, rewarding your game progress beyond points if you can "beat" the modes. TSPP is by far the best because you benefit by beating modes, PLUS the game allows you to stack them all which really rewards you with exponential shot point value if several are running concurrently. Throw in the double scoring variable, and scoring the earned treehouse awards, and it's in a class of its own. And if multiple modes are completed during the same ball, every shot is worth an increasingly higher value based on the number of modes completed. Every shot can score Super Jackpot values. Ridiculously hard to achieve. Good play in a single ball is well rewarded, and all destroyed when it drains. TSPP always offers a rewarding balanced exponential scoring challenge.

RBION, STTNG, and LOTR have great modes but are not stackable, but the non-stackability creates a strategic approach which is good. But TSPP is superior due to the stacking ability which offers a more versatile game-play experience each game.

But I hate the Simpsons, can't even play the game.

Yeah I can;t stand the look/sound of the thing. To bad because it has some things going for it.

Yep. Guess I could get used to the look, but the sound kills it completely for me. Apart from that it's a great game.

Doctor Who allows you to choose different doctors with different properties for each ball launch.

Williams India Jones & The Simpsons Pinball Party.