It's not even remotely close for me. Between the two, Congo.

My biggest complaints with Popeye is that the big boat hull takes up a good portion of the playfield, and the ball gets concealed from view quite a bit.

Congo rules.
Who cares about the ratings.
Play/buy what you like.

Same feelings here, I'll always pick Congo over Popeye. Ball is obstructed from view 50% of the game for Popeye. Shadow has a deeper ruleset that Congo, and they made 4X as many Shadows, so Shadows are always cheaper and a better option in my opinion.

I really like Congo, would buy one if I found one for an ok price.

Popeye on the other hand is a smelling turd I would never own.

Congo over Popeye, but Congo is overrated and overpriced.

I like Popeye more than most people, but Congo all day long.

I have both in my collection. Would rather play Popeye over Congo.

Popeye has a more traditional rule structure with modes. Popeye’s upper playfield is better than Congo’s lower playfield. Congo has the more traditional playfield layout.

Popeye gets better if you install Pinball Life translucent animal ramp. Popeye also gets better if you are less than 6 foot tall. At 6’ or taller the lower pf becomes even more blocked, especially with 3D Bluto.

If its free will take both but most likely see one sold/trade for a better game. In less this Popeye Saves the Earth is better now after the last many other times i have played before. The theme gets me to keep trying but i just not seeing it.
This is why the top 100 is only suggestion because i just checked top 100 and in top 10 already not fans of 2 of them but yes i will keep trying them.

Amy is way prettier than Olive oil.

“Amy good gorilla...human woman ugly”

Have you seen my Congo “mind map”? It’s actually deeper than most people think, and it’s easy enough that an average player can experience the whole rule set. I also never got the hang of the upper playfield in Shadow, though I can’t claim that Congo’s lower playfield is any better. Interestingly, Tim Curry is in both pins. I like his character callouts in Congo better.

I've owned both and I've had them when it was "uncool" to have a Congo before people actually played it and realized it was a good game and they shot up in value. I actually liked both and regret selling them both but they had to go for $$$ and space at the time. If I had to pick between the two, I would pick Congo. It's a more overall complete game IMHO. That said, I don't think Congo is worth $4k+, nor do I think Popeye is as terrible as many people say it is. Personally, I wouldn't pick either of them up at today's prices, but I would gladly take either for free.

Where’s the love for Gilligan’s Island? Now that’s a fun game, and I’ve only seen one in 20 years (at a show).

That's why you think it's fun. You haven't played one often. Gilligan's Island is the most shallow DMD game around. With a couple good bounces you could get to the wizard mode in a dozen FLIPS. It's super shallow, has horribly unbalanced scoring and a pointless MB that you can only get as a random award. It's fun to drop a few quarters in when you see one on route (every 20 years) but it would be terrible to own...especially in a small collection.

LOL I didn't think this was a serious thread. Congo. Not even close

Congo is blah. Nothing but a bunch of disconnected modes, a boring LPF that is best won by flailing, and a wizard mode that is just the regular multiball but worth more points. Only real redeeming quality is the music. Oh, and the volcano barfing balls all over the playfield after the deflection tab breaks off.

Had it, sold it, don't miss it at all.

Correct, you must become the gorilla. I like to slap the flipper buttons like I’m hitting that obelisk in 2001, a Space Oddysey. Gorilla noises also help.

That's not inherently a bad thing...but, clearly you're a flowhoe....and you like what you like. That's OK. You're not gonna convince people to prefer Popeye if they don't.

Did anyone 10 yrs ago ever think someone would be calling out Congo as an overpriced game. LolL. Congo all day. It is a fun game which won’t last long in most people’s collection as it will get old. But the volcano shot between the pops is the greatest in all pinball.

Popeye. Ugh. Upper playfield that blocks view. Terrible theme and sounds. Turned down a HUO for $800 12 years ago after many plays trying to convince myself it was fun and worth it. No thanks.

Congo actually has the best flow of any of my pins. You’re not supposed to blindly shoot the saucers when they aren’t lit. If we’re just going by size, then Hercules is the greatest game ever made.

Apes together strong!

All games are overpriced now. I was surprised more by the "Congo is overrated" myself. People talk about it so little it's like it doesn't even exist. When it comes up around here I'm like "Oh yeah, Congo, forgot about that one".

You obviously haven’t met John...

congo, not even close.

I actually like Congo's theme because nobody ever heard of the movie. You never see that flick run on basic cable TV. If I had one I could pretend it is an unlicensed theme about some scientists and gorillas in the jungle. It's like The Shadow with an alternate translite and no giant Alec Baldwin mug reminding you it was licensed from a totally forgotten film.

Amy says CONGO

The music and callouts in Congo give me a ZEN experience all day long. Popeye was not awesome the few times I've played it.

That being said, Congo's price is ridiculous. So I'll never own one, unless I luck until a deal.

'Popeye' and 'Superpin'. I can't say those two words together without stuttering.

At the same price? Congo.

At current market prices? Popeye is the much better value.

I really enjoyed Congo when I had it. Mine was minty and shot great.

I admire your commitment, but this is the strangest and most arbitrary "fight" i've seen in a long time.

Enjoy your Popeye.

Oh man this old chestnut.
So would RCT

I would take almost any pinball machine for free... but I feel kinda meh from both titles... I would have asked it this way-

If somebody dropped both of these machines off free at your doorstep, which one would you pay the most to get hauled away? Now that is a hard question.

The protip here is to get a nice Popeye for cheap, THEN start hyping it up here.

In 2 years Demo Man will be a 5k game. Popeye will scale up along with it when people take another look at what’s affordable and everything moves up again.

Agreed. I really don't get this thread.