To answer your questions yes, yes, & yes.

That's a TOUGH question. I've owned both, and absolutely LOVE both. Fish Tales was traded, and came back a month later at the girlfriend's request. Getaway was sold only because I want to own a near-CQ one some day, but wanted to rotate other games through the collection first.

There is a reason they're the two highest-production non-licensed-theme B/W DMD games. Both are excellent.

The left orbit shot ends in a saucer. The right orbit shot can make a full loop, or go to the pops, based on a gate.

Fish Tales doesn't have the best spinner, but it's decent.

Are you looking to buy one or the other? If so, have you owned either before?

Or are we discussing just for the hell of it.

My problem with FT is the theme - the country background music is a huge turnoff and the PF just seems odd - can't put my finger on it but it doesn't flow like HS2.

HS2 has an incredible PF and flow. Theme is great, music is great, call outs sound great - just love everything about it so I would def go HS2 (which is why I own one ; ).

HS2 is too easy. I would get to redline mania almost every game. For that reason it had to go. FT still kicks my ass after owning for over 2 years. I don't listen to country music but I kind of like the FT music. I couldn't listen to La Grange one more time. FT has more to do with short ball times. I just checked my average ball times with lightning flippers is 49 secs.

High speed is more fun. A better theme. I am a big car guy so high speed makes the most sense.

I don't really like either. For whatever reason.

Both are great games and I think it comes down to which theme you like better. The jackpots and light show is awesome on Geraway though!

That really is a tough one. As far as FT goes, I also don't care for the country music and the fishing theme. Problem is, the game is awesome!! The theme and artwork are done so well it makes me want to buy a boat. Getaway is also just straight up awesome and one of the fastest games around. In conclusion I go with FT, but only by a hair.

Here are the reasons I don't care for each game.

FT: The symmetrical ramps you can hit all day. It feels cramped. I don't mind the music.
HS2: The super charger. Why is the ball flying around that thing 10 times while I'm sitting here doing nothing?

Don't have a lot of time on ft, but I've owned hs2. Hs2 gets old fast as its shallow and too easy. It was a really fun game, though. I'd like to maybe own FT one day.

Double post, ignore

Never played getaway but just bought a fish tales and think its a lot of fun!!

I have owned both. FT remains in my collection. It's more challenging and it looks better. I am not the biggest getaway fan however. I prefer the original high speed which also remains in my collection.

flapping fish topper awesome
Gone fishin leave a message!!!!

Can't provide much on this poll just yet.

Love my FT.

I have a getaway, but have yet to play a game on it.

As of today, I have 121 hours into the restore. Hoping to play my 1st game on it soon.

My Getaway isn't going anywhere. 4 years, and still a blast. Visitors love it because the rules are easy to explain. I love it because it's still a blast.

As for FT, I don't like those center shots. They just never feel good to me.

Fish Tales is more frustrating than fun. Getaway is awesome and far more accessible.

Getaway has the better theme, better flow, better sound, better gameplay, better everything. Fish Tales is more challenging but you'll find yourself cursing more than smiling.

I own a Getaway and not a Fish Tales for a reason. I also have yet to find a pin more fun than Getaway as well. Never leaving my collection.

I love both FT and HS2 but have to agree with Sticky. Both are fun but I often walk away from FT frustrated. It has great music, art, and charm but one slightly off shot to the boat ramps and you are done. Gameplay is pretty shallow. Going for locks is tough so better to just go for monster fish. I might like to get one someday but it's not on the top of my list nor will I want to pay much for one.

HS2 is easy by default but can be setup to be more difficult. Gameplay is shallow like FT but has that Ritchie flow. I love banging rpm loops and shifting. Using the plunger during gameplay is such a cool idea. The supercharger is a gimmick but still pretty cool. The lights, dots, and sound make it all come together. I've put in a ton of game on my HS2 and it still gets my blood pumping going for jackpots. I don't think I will keep it forever but it's going to be tough to let go that's for sure.

Both games work better when paired with other pins with deeper rules or different type of gameplay. On their own, I think HS2 is better balanced but both are great examples of early 90's pinball with unique themes.

Fish Tales is awesome. HSll is pretty cool but I vastly prefer the gameplay on FT. Yes I own it!

FT is more fun than Getaway and it's much tougher. I want a FT someday, but can't say the same for HS2.

FT is a great machine, I'll hit them ramps all day, I don't care. All. Day.

I think I'm inclined to agree with the majority (as least how I see it). HS2 is a much more guest friendly game, and a lot more fun for casual pinball players. It will get too easy for most players pretty quick. FT will get more play over time by it's owners because it is more challenging, and generally more challenging pins get played more, even if they are frustrating. So it's important to know what you want it for. Best solution is just to have both! HS2 will stay in my collection because it is a guest favorite as I don't have any other racing pins - but if it's competing with another racing pin, then that may be another story.

Overall both are excellent games. One has more mass appeal to casual or non-pinball players, and the other is more challenging and should get played more by their owner.

I really enjoy the ramps on it too.

FT by a long shot.

One of the best music packages of any B/W game ever produced. Very deep music package too.

Very strategic playing choices to be made - all about risk/reward. Do you go for Monster Fish all day (yes), or do you go for Jackpots in multiball? Multiball is such a risky strategy but the payoff can be enormous.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as slamming 6 boat shots and then ripping the spinner for the monster fish collect.

Building the long cast (right orbit) is also a really fun challenge.

Rock the Boat is a super exciting mode and getting it going with multiball is a huge payoff.

Have both and neither is leaving!

Really miss my FT . I have owned both . I will get another FT some day. .? Looking for one

I missed this the first go around. Had chances to buy both at decent prices. Bought neither.

I just don't enjoy Fish Tales at all. Can't put my finger on what it is, but I don't enjoy it.

The Getaway has some code issues that I don't like. Additionally, I worked at an arcade that had one and I found out years later the Super Charger diverter was never working on it. Hadn't realized it should have when I worked there - it was the only one I'd ever seen and I figured it was just for something cool you almost never did.

Found one later on where it worked and was surprised by how much less I thought of the game as I stood there watching it go around that thing.

Ill gladly play a Getaway at a party. I'll pick something else before Fish Tales.

Even though I really like my Getaway, I think FishTales is a better game.

These are legit complaints. I like ft more than I should even though it is cramped and all the play is on the bottom. I think it is due to the humor, music, and animations. That part all came together.

After owning many pins over the years, FT is gonna stay!

After 'studying' this game, I am beginning to believe it is one of the best conceptual games ever made. Such a FULL package!

So many unique and fun aspects of it: Loading the reel, hitting the multipliers in the upper rollover lanes, the two ramp modes, trying to get a ball into the Caster's Club during multi-ball, shooting for Monster Fish, hitting the ball at the center of the boat ramp, all those choices that get randomly selected as it scrolls up and down during Depth Finder, the always enjoyable brief respite from playing and then firing the torpedoes in the video mode, the topper with the fish flopping, the music (not only is the so-called country music very well done, but the end of game music for putting in your initials that sounds like calypso is just beautiful! I just stand and listen to that until it fully plays out.), the Extra Ball target that is SO hard to hit, snappy flippers . . . . I am amazed at how many 'things' this pin was designed to do.

I actually like it over my LOTR LE, WOZ LE, TSPP, and MMr.

Mike in Kentucky

Just picked a fish tales up and got done cleaning. Man is it fun! Its one of those pins that is just a blast to play, and when you get in the groove you can put up some awesome scores. I cant comment on getaway as have never played, but is definitely on my list.

my first FT only left to get one in better shape (thanks guidotorpedo!-is he still around?)...really like the options in gameplay , the theme and the humor. looking for another game from that era, so maybe my question of which one is answered! get a HS2...

hs2. FT makes me behave violently.

What does a 'decent' HS2 go for? I know its tough to say without seeing, but a range anyway? Got my FT for $2,200 but needed a little work. cleaned up very nicely though. spent money on LED's, and a couple of plastics. DMD getting a little flaky now. etc.

1800-2200

I'd bump that up by $200 on both side with what I've seen recently, actually.

I have been playing them a lot on location lately, both are great fun. they are quick brutal games.

but i would have to pick fish tales by a little. the ramps are a blast

Getaway Love it!

I find that Fish Tales is a drain monster

i have fixed and played fish tales. i use to love it until i fixed one. the art on fish tales is solid. the game play is boring. all of the action is really in the front half of the game. not a deep game either. HS is very fun.

A perfect summary of a perfect game. I can't think of one thing on FT that feels out of place, awkward, unfinished etc. and that calypso music makes me dance every time.

The true measure is the 100M SJP. It feels deserved as opposed to unbalanced. It's hella dangerous and shot under pressure. It's RAD!

FT is a classic game.
Getaway is a sequel to a classic game that isn't as good as either.

Few shots in pinball feel as satisfying and just plain amazing as the 100 mil super in ft. It's a hard setup and a long road but the payoff is soooooo good. Ft is a players game wrapped up in a pretty package. I've owned two of them, my first I really didn't like as I didn't have the chops for it yet. Now it's one of my top pins of all time, the replay ability is just awesome. As a similar comparison I've also owned two bsd's. Absolutely loved them as well but as far as the entire package, ft is it baby. Both very tough games, but here's the difference,

Ft smiles at you with a little smirk as the ball drains....

Bsd flips you off and laughs...

Sorry I know you are talking hs2, but I just felt compelled to make the comparison to the two..

Hs2 is pinball. The theme is fun, a great game for the novice, and just a overall good time. SR knows how to make a shot just feel good and sometimes that's all you need. I respect these types of games more and more. The ability to pull in a player that never has heard of pinball is a testament of great design and has stood the test of time.

I route both of these games and they are side by side. Both represent the era very well and are amazing in their own rights. I've been foolish and let both go the first time. They are bolted to the floor now, and if it matters ft and t2 would be two games I'd be buried in.....sttng may be there as well, but time will tell. Man I love that Ritchie family. Get both!

I much prefer the getaway

+1 for Getaway

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