Welcome, it is definitely more friendly, I don't even go on RGP anymore people in here are 99% better.

I actually had Fish Tales in a small collection originally, was first game I owned and I loved it! I had 3 games as well and had it along with Earthshaker and a newer POTC. Ended up trading out Fish Tales not too long ago just to shake up my collection since I had it so long and I am actually regretting it and want one back.

Game is simple overall but SO many great shots and challenges I don't think it ever gets old.

I have a 3 pin collection with FT being one of them. I think as long as you have an easier game to go along with it it's a fine pin for a smaller collection. It can give you short ball times if you can't hit your shots.

Welcome to Pinside, BTW!

I play FT more than all my other games put together. With that said my wife won't play it. She says it's too difficult, but that's what keeps me pressing start.

I have fishtales, potc,afm,wh20,fh, and space odyssey and there are many times i only fire up fishtales. It is one of my faves and never gets old!

I had 4 games upstairs which is the most played too
Cuz it's handy and doesn't need "powered up" and when family is over its the main room. Of Addams family, spiderman, csi, and fish tales, FT was the favorite of the guests.

Based on T3, BBH and Ft you will probably find FT to be the favorite! Go for it!

Easy to play, hard to master. FT is one of the very best for novices and pros. There's a reason why they get the most play in a collection!

Awesome game IMO, even in a collection of 1 I will never sell mine, unless it's to get one in perfect condition..

+1
Firebaall called it. There are very few games out there that you can say this about. Approachable for guests and non-pinheads, but lots of challenge in there for the pro too. I think MM is another pin like this (although I'm hardly comparing the two).

I played this game a ton when it was released (along with T2 and TAF; another approachable yet challenging pin) and I don't think it gets the respect it deserves. Like whitewater, I think FT is a bit of a sleeper that, in 12-18 months, you won't find for less than $2500-$3000. I would pick it up if the deal is right. You won't regret it and it seems to be hot right now since clean examples are hard to find.

I was looking for one for months and just picked up a good routed example for $2k shipped. Since it has zero PF wear due to factory Mylar on the PF, I feel like I made out great on the deal.

I think that is pretty dead on.....great game

FT was my first and only pin for several years. It's a favorite of guests and still kicks my butt after all these years.

Fish Tales was my 2nd pin. I would never sell it!!! I have 12 pins now and I play FT as much or more often than the others.
Mike in Kentucky

_{Post edited by Pintucky : Corrected grammar mistake.}

FT certainly holds up in a small collection.

I've owned a FT since Sept 2011. It's not going anywhere, haha. I'm not so sure that the price for FT will escalate that rapidly, though, since there were 13,000+ of them made. Of course, as was the case back in '95, I could be wrong.

I've had 2. Fun game. One of the IPPL members in Columbus wants one - if you pass, or want to play for awhile and flip.

14 years in my collection....until last month.

14 years of challenges...they never stopped. Could never completely, consistently master.

The right, left, right, left shot messes with me!!

A winner all around.

I like FT. Great shots and flow, goofy humor and silly music. Watch the original promo video for a good laugh!

I miss my FT, one of the most addictive pins ever!!!!

I'll add another "yes". Unless you hate the country(ish) music, I don't think there is a pinball collection that FT wouldn't fit into.

I bought 3 FT and used all the best parts to make my Franken Tales.
Had the handle chromed by Mike C. and added the proto lighted launch button.
Whitewater sits next to it, you have to have the set.
FT is a keeper for me and gets played a lot.
Love the long cast and slap shot into the Caster's club.
Catch a ball on each flipper during multiball and make the crossover on the boat ramp is great when you can pull it off.
If it is set up right the game is very fast, if the wrong size post rubber is used on the left exit loop the ball get deflected SDTM, this one rubber can turn the game into a suckfest.

That's the only reason why I sold mine..That music got on my freaking nerves

+1
I'm doing the exact same with mine when it arrives... and its nice and dirty! Can't wait to peel up that Mylar and see a shiny new PF underneath. Not sure if yours has bad cabinet fade, but Joey at PDI has great silk screened decals (I'm assuming old Pheonix Arcade stock?). I scored a set before the prices got jacked, but still, they are high quality. Have fun!

Like what I am reading
Have a ft coming in 2-3 weeks
It will be 1/3 of my collection

I think I need to spend more time with FT as I currently do not think it is anything special. I played quite a few games on the 2 at MGC and just did not see the appeal for being [art of the home collection. I actually love the theme as I love bass fishing, but i found the game play to be very repetitive and it did not seem very difficult.

I must be missing something. I am going to make a note that I need to play one for a bit more time in a more isolated setting. Unfortunately I do not know of any in the wild in my area.

I'm not so sure I would want FT in a small lineup. Alot depends on your skill level. I don't have the shot's down yet in my muscle memory, so it's a butt kicker for me.

It's at its best when you get several modes going at once, monster fish, feeding frenzy, rock the boat, any of those and a jackpot thrown in and that's when it shines.

You just nailed it! If I could only keep only 3 pins FT would be on the list. I don't like the music and I don't care much for fishing, but it makes me ha,ha,ha on a regular basis.

This says a lot given your lineup. It's just a fun machine to walk up to and play. Not deep, but fun.

Welcome to the community

I don't own one so hard to say but I really enjoy playing FT alot.
Location or virtual.

Interesting comment. I'd say if you're into stacking modes, FT is not your game. There are many better ones out there for that.

Agreed. FT is all about the Jackpots, which are the most satisfying things EVER to hit.

It's definitely in my top 3 in our collection. Right up there with Tron LE and IJ.

FT was the second pin I ever got. It holds up very nicely. I don't think I'd ever sell mine.

FT is one of my favorite games in my collection.

Great game two big thumbs up all day long

Great game two big thumbs up all day long

You can say that again mickthepin! lol

I bought one about 2 years ago thinking I would keep it for a bit and move on. Well it's still here and I don't plan on selling it either. I need to fix a few things, but the game is just fun and it's easy to just play a few games on it.

I like it in my current lineup, as the rules are pretty straight forward, and hitting the boat shots feels good when you get a few stringed together.

Think you will like it. After you get it the long quest for super jackpots begins. It can take months to get there. I have had only 3 legitimate cracks at the super jackpots in the past year. The first time I had been chasing it for so long that I put it on easy settings and got it that way. I would not recommend this, it is unsatisfying and a lot of the charm of the game is having a goal that you are not going to get to very often. Factory settings is best but can be frustrating as hell but this forces you to pit true skill against the game. Enjoy

I have had mine about 3 months now I'd guess, and I hit the super jackpot on the 4th day I had it. I'm not bragging, because I haven't come close to it since and when I hit it I had the lightning flippers still on it. Since then I put green flipper bats with yellow rubber on it. I think it looks better, but it doesn't seem to play any easier!

It's a fun game, but if you are off it can punish you!

It took me 5 years. You should brag!

If you concentrate STRICTLY on the lock shot, it's not that hard.

If you have the ball on the right flipper, then post pass over to the left to make the lock shot. I also try and drop catch or live catch the first initial plunge with the left flipper, then shoot the lock.

One key is actually being able to make the jackpot shot when you need it. If you can't make that left orbit consistently, then you won't get anywhere. I also try and get multiple jackpots in one multiball, that way you don't have to restart and lock 3 balls all over again...

Just a few tips...

I can backhand the lock shot off the right flipper on mine. Got Master of Salt Water Fishing the other night and then SDTM drained trying to hit the captive ball, PMO!

Playing other pins where multiballs are more easily obtained has actually made me much better at FT. I think I could actually kick its ass now if I put some time in.

I can't backhand that shot, unless I tap it off the post, let it roll up the flipper more, then backhand it.

I can get to Super Jackpot all the time on mine, but I've played it alot, and know every little nuance of my game

^^^^ Uses regular sized flippers..

John, if/when you get tired of the FT, I know a guy down in Columbus who wants one. Drop me a line when the time comes, and I'll put you guys in touch.

Mine has lightning flippers, not regular flippers...

Ohhh, I thought you said that you hated lightnings in the past. Maybe it was your youtube video?

sorry about that!