I have both and I would say they are on the same page as far as maintenance goes. I would say TOM might be a little more because of the trunk. You simply have to replace the $40 trunk from time to time as it cracks. They are both excellent and fun. IMO they are pretty = to each other.

I think they are pretty even in most of your assessment categories. SS has more lastability in home use, in my opinion.

The replacement trunks available really are weak. Mine broke in less then a week. However I did run a hot glue backing on the inside bottom inch or so and that seemed to hold it, even the broken piece I put back on and it never broke again.

Only played SS a few times, so I really cannot say which is better. I loved TOM overall but the rules just fell flat for me. If they did a home ROM I could see TOM being in the top 5.

I've got both games as well and I would give the edge to SS by the slimmest of margins; as the other guys said, they're almost equal.

TOM is one of the greatest flow games ever designed.

SS's main attraction is Elvira.

Ballers scoff at both games which means I must suck as a player--because I consider them both to be just a lot of fun.

No measurable maintenance difference.

SS, it's better looking, better theme and better playability(IMHO). Once you get it tuned in, it's an extremely reliable machine. Get some hole protectors, adjust the flap on the ramp for the spider hole for proper operation and get an extra piece of mylar for the playfield in front of the crate over the word "terrifying"( the ball will damage that area when it comes out of the VUK) and you should be good to go. As far as a future trade in comparison to the TOM, it's probably a toss up. There were approximately 2600 more TOM's produced than SS. That might be something to consider.

Goodluck!!

ss

Not much in it really. I wanted both but got TOM first because of condition and price. Both great pins and both are real lookers. If you are a serious player then both are likely to get old. I would find it hard to split them really.

Both of those games will get boring in a very short ammount of time. Neither of them have any depth. I have had both, and neither of them lasted at all.

I'd give the advantage to SS. Getting to the spider wizard mode is super duper hard. Owned for a year, have only witnessed one person reach it in 100's of games.

Agree. I owned both and still have my SS. Actually owned TOM twice. Beautiful game with excellent flow but SS just has more lastability.

I own both currently as well and largely agree with this. I might give the nod to SS because of the humor.

I own them both. My wife happens to like both of them as well. I want to sell TOM but SS is a keeper in my mind. They are both on the easier side but SS is more fun (gameplay, audio clips, theme) to me.

I think SS is the better game, make sure you retrofit the boogeymen and skull pile LEDs, they were dropped for production but really deserve to be there.

I know most would not agree with this but I definitely do. That said, I would probably give the slight edge to SS over TOM.

SS > TOM

wife loves SS and so do i

You should post some pics.

Not really, lots of glare off the glass, low quality pics.....but, congrats on picking up a GREAT pin that is tons of fun!

Congrats.

Keep that blind closed at all times man!

SS > TOM

+1000

I had Theatre of magic and while is was a beauty to look at it became too repetitive. I sold it after about a year. To put it into perspective I have had lord of the rings since 03. My point is I usually keep my games long term if I like them. In fact I played it again at a local pizza place and realized again why I let mine go. That said I only have limited experience with scared stiff but it was fun but not sure it would hold me like say like spiderman or Addams family. If I had to pick id go with scared stiff. Good luck

Sunlight will fade the cabinet art and playfield over time. It's never a good idea to have your machines exposed to sunlight. If you’re going to keep it in front of a window, keep the blinds closed all the time during the daytime. A faded cab and playfield will severely devalue your pin.

Monsters like the dark anyway!