I played both for the first time last weekend. Hobbit is a fantastic looking game - perhaps the best looking pin to date. I don't know why it was hidden in the back corner of TPF. Gameplay felt like an older SS pin. I enjoyed playing it but wouldn't call it exciting or challenging. The upper flipper is pretty much for show and didn't feel it had any shots other than the stand up targets which are easy to hit from any flipper. Lines were not too long but I never felt like waiting in line again. I would like to play it again but not going out of my way to do so.

GB was a looker as well. Colors really popped and the playfield screamed fun with the great toys. Gameplay was fast, exciting, and missed shots often resulted in drains. Code and dots were fun as expected from Ghostbusters theme. For me, this felt like more what modern pinball should be minus the ugly red display. Long lines were consistent all weekend at TPF. I waited 3 times to play it. People were taking pictures of the game and walking away from it smiling. Both games were hammered constantly all weekend and don't think there was one issue. The clear winner in my book. Add in that GB was just announced, demo'd, and will go on sale soon. Hobbit has been in production for years, had many issues, and who knows how long it will take to get out all the preorders.

I don't think anyone meant to be insulting. I have triplets and some people's response to that is negative like it's a bad thing. That's just some people's initial response and not meant to be insulting. Same sort of thing when people rag on their spouse. I don't like that sort of thing but it's usually It's great what you are doing giving those kids a better life - especially taking in all the siblings at once. Do you think pinball is therapeutic in any way? Maybe kids are different these days but it was always exciting to walk into an arcade with all the sights and sounds.

Gameplay > display. I played all the new games at TPF. Every game looked great with colorful art, bright leds, loaded rules, and in general fun to play. All had color displays except Stern. Hard to beat TH's gorgeous hd display but even colored dots on MMr looked great. GB was still my favorite to play but the display is still an eyesoar. It's a letdown because the rest of the game is amazing. To Stern's credit, GB is cheaper than other new games and will be on sale shortly after being announced.

I think GB and all the other new pin development stole a lot of TH's thunder. It's been out at shows for a few years so don't think there is much new to talk about other then they are starting to ship. Even after the long delay, there seems to be a variety of issues to limit excitement. At this point, I think you really have to be a fan of JJP and the theme to be excited about TH. I think GB did a better job gaining interest from the less serious pin crowd and those not that into the theme.

Interesting. I saw the exact opposite at TPF. Lines were long for GB all weekend and people seemed really into it. Lines for TH were about on par with other new games like MMr, TBL, FT, etc. That was when GB was first announced so I guess the buzz has died down and many have already played it on location.