Both turds

Two games with some interesting qualities that you’ll want to be rid of within a week.

Forced to pick? I’d go with earth it has more charm and will remind you of better pat lawlor games.

Never been a fan of either. I guess ES

I owned ES and still have JD. I like playing both, but they are both fairly simple to play and master. JD has more to shoot for. In a two game collection I would probably go with JD if I was forced to choose between the two titles.

JD is the easy choice for me. It is a beautiful pin (cab, BG, and playfield), it has tons of shots, fun modes, a great multiball, lots of fast flow, and plenty of depth. It is newer and made by bally as well, so the quality is there.

JD is also rated much higher on pinside (if you pay attention to such things), so several hundreds of pinsiders feel the same.

It’s usually a mistake to curate by checklist.

“I gotta have one X game, one Y game, etc”

You just need cool games.

You have 30 reasons to get JD...the only reason I can see to get ES is because it's made by pat lawlor. I've never picked a pin simply because a certain person made it...

Also wise

It also occurs to me that you have several underpriced games on your wishlist:

LAH, baywatch, high speed, JD, JM, black rose.

I think JD and JM are the best of the bunch there too.

That’s a very noble pursuit. Collect all 30!

Both are fun games for what they are.

If the price is good, buy both!

If I hadddd to choose one, I’d probably go JD.

Cool metal soundtrack, some humour in the game (hold the side buttons at the end of the modes for some LOLs) and some multiball action. Yep, that’s what I’d do.

rd

There’s also plenty to mod on JD, ES there’s only a few things to add.

JD, or save up and buy a more modern pin, or something.... better

I didn't ask before...but I am assuming you have an opportunity to get one already. What are the prices being asked for each?

I would pick JD all day, but if they want 4k for JD and 1k for ES, that changes things...

jd for the win. only game ive owned 2x

Judge dredd all the way!!

JD has a lotta bang for the buck. I really think its one of the most under priced pins out there, and it is on his wishlist.

They go for 2600-3100. What else would be a good value at that price? Getaway, wcs, whirlwind...maybe a BSD...if you could find a beat up one low enough to be at the top end of JD. None of those are on his wishlist either.

JD is ranked currently at #56. There really aren't a lot of pins that would be comparable for not much more (others than the ones I have already mentioned). In most cases, he would have to add another $1500 or more to get a "better" pin...and by that point...why not just get JD and ES?

I think JD is a realy nice game, I dont think you regret it.

I used to have an ES and miss it and I currently own a JD. I also own a Mousin Around. I'll assume you have played and like both games (as I do) and spare you my reviews on them.

I wouldn't worry about having two System 11s in a two game collection. I love the System 11 era and actually find that I can replay those games more than the mode based games. It sounds cliche to say pick the one you have more fun with, but that's probably what it comes down to. I think I have more fun playing JD but it seems to be an easier game to come by than ES. If you think you'll add a 3rd game at some point I would grab the ES now since those tend to come up less and pick up a JD later. If you intend to just sit on two games for a while I think JD would give you nice variety.

Judge Dredd all the way. Price seems about right.

Its the upper end if the pinside market, but I had a REALLY nice one that I ended up trading for a $3500 value a few months back.

I don't think it is bad if it's a very nice example. Of course, you can always try to tempt him by offering cash, a quick pick up, bringing up that there is a pandemic that's dropping prices, bringing up any flaws it has, or that it has been sitting unsold and you are a serious buyer.

I would shoot for 2900-3000. I don't think you will get it for less than that from him.

It's $200 difference, and you live in South Dakota. Not exactly a hotbed of pin availability I would guess. If you are comfortable with 3100 don't see why you are terrified at 2900.

Regardless, that's fair market on a JD these days.

I'm with CrazyLevi on this one. I paid a little less for my JD but it's not as nice as the one you are looking at. I would totally pay $3100 for that machine.

I would agree that 3k-ish is probably the going rate for these, +/- based on condition. I don't love the rust on the ramp flap on the right ramp...I would want some better pics of the wireform and under the playfield to make sure its nothing more than that one.

I'd also get a look at the boards. If it's a clean game and he has the deadworld mod you are probably at the market price (not a "deal") price at 3000-3100. I actually took the deadworld mod off my game because the optos are real finicky in the entrance and exit and it would occasionally lose track of the balls. It looks cool but ultimately wasn't worth the annoyance...YMMV on that obviously. If the game is already LED that would help too. If you like them you are going to be another 100+ into that as a cost.

If its past your budget hard cap and makes you nervous grab the ES or wait for a cheaper JD. If you love the game I wouldn't lose it over 100 bucks.

Ah ok, this information is actually helpful. I think you would be way better off to play the game if you can a bit before you buy it, it tends to be polarizing at least in the people I know...seems very love it or hate it. It is a widebody game that does play a bit faster and flow-ier than you would expect it to because there are no pops on it. It has the Trudeau wide flipper gap similar to GB and the outlanes can be kind of brutal on it. I like the game a lot but I got it from a buddy who bought it with no real time on it and ended up hating it (so it worked out for me ha). Not trying to talk you out of it, but I wouldn't say its a "safe" bet with no time on it, where as WCS is a good example of a game that's pretty universally enjoyable to most players. You might struggle to find a JP or WCS under 3K, but if you know you like WW already, I'd just wait for that to come up because it would be in your price range AND is my favorite game .

I'm not sure what quarantine is like in SD, but games that would normally sell have been sitting here too just because people don't want to risk the travel and interaction. I wouldn't necessarily assume that because it's been sitting 3 weeks no one wants it...it's likely that everyone is just being cautious due to the virus and the uncertainty of employment, income, and the economy right now.

Coming from someone who loves both games and owns one of them (Dredd) I would have to go with Dredd. ES is the game that got me hooked on pinball a few years back, but if you only have room for one game you'd probably want something deeper from the DMD era. Even if Dredd isn't exectly the deepest game in the world it still has a lot going for it between the modes and multiball - not to mention supergame gives you a quasi second game.

And the soundtrack totally kicks ass, too.

Believe it or not, Judge Dredd is the easier of the two to completely teardown, shop out, and put back together.

Loved my Earthshaker when I had it, but would not take it back even when my buddy offered to trade it for my High Roller Casino over the weekend.

Judge Dredd is here to stay now.

Probably in the minority here, but I would go with earthshaker. There's not a bunch to do, as is the case with many system 11's, but it's super fun. However whichever you pick, they're both great games, so you can't go wrong. Good luck!

I have both. 2 great pins from different times.

Ah got ya. Well in that case it sound like ES is the answer!

I agree.

3k is about the going price. I don't think the seller is off, but I do think there is a lot of leverage with the rust and in this pandemic for negotiations. It has also been sitting online as well.

Haha that outlane fix!!!
Sometimes you gotta get sketchy when buying s machine. If you've never thought "oh shit I might not make it out of here alive," you've never really bought!

Going to throw some love to ES. I have owned 2 JDs and on my 3rd and final ES.

JD was a lot of fun but for me got old fast, and that was with a cherry game with the dredd world mod. I think it’s the theme that gets old for me can’t really put my finger on it.

ES on the other hand is just a good solid design that is appealing to look at with a well thought out original theme and although easy play it is just fun. My third ES is a sample with original sinking building that has been total restored.

My vote is for ES and believe you can find a nice one in the 2 to 2.5k range.

Don

ES is a one trick pony, spam the center ramp over and over. JD is pretty deep with modes and such.

For a 1 machine collection, it’s shocking anyone would say earthshaker.

Between these two JD for sure. Of the pins on your want list JM over JD.

I think you’re sweating a couple hundred $ too much and should instead focus on condition. The rust is an easy fix as long as there isn’t wider moisture issues. JD is a relatively complicated pin and can be hard to find in good condition. A lot of the negative opinions are from playing machines that are dirty, dark and have broken ramps and/or malfunctioning Deadworld. If the machine has clean boards, no significant playfield wear or insert lifting, a well functioning deadworld, and non-broken plastic ramps then $3,100 is very fair.

Earth Shaker gets old real quick after about five games it will feel like a chore to get yourself to hit the start button .

Owned both.. ES still in collection. JD was cool to look at but I hated the modes personally.

Unless you are drunk or high and your area is long overdue for a big earthquake. Then it kinda hits the spot.

Get JD, its a good game.