GNR vs Wh20

We actually have both and that is a tough decision.

GnR is pretty unique but it is less challenging from a gameplay standpoint. It is my wife's favorite even though she rarely plays. Obviously this one has a better soundtrack than most other machines, including WH2O. The magnets add a bit to the gameplay and the creative artwork and other elements make this a better machine long-term if you have room and the ability to have more than 6 machines. We have between 8-10 as things come and go and this one has been here since June 2006. It is the only Data East machine that has lasted more than a month here.

GnR appeals more to guests and casual players at our house.

Whitewater is faster and more challenging (here since Nov 2007). I play it more often than GnR, but it is not in my top 3 overall (ACDC, STTNG, Whirlwind and others are better IMO). It drains far easier than GnR. It requires a variety of shots to get Vacation Jackpot and it does flow better than GnR.

Ultimately, I suggest that you proceed with a sell and buy (unlikely trade I think), assuming that it is a for really nice WH2O. I believe that it is much more difficult to find a GnR in good shape.

IMHO GnR is the keeper, especially if you're a fan. Depending on your location, you might not see another GnR for a long while, Whitewaters are a dime a dozen in comparison (7008 W20s vs 3000 GnRs.............).

Again just my 2 cents...

Can't comment on which to go with but I agree with the rarity of nice GnR's being scarce. I've played both but not enough to warrant a valuable comparison. Keep the GnR if at all possible.

I think both would be keepers.

WH20 is one of my all time favorite games, though. Probably 2nd favorite behind Whirlwind.

I own both. Both leave when I die.

I had GNR for 3 months and have had WH20 for 3 years and it will never leave. GNR is cool but the game play and hearing Welcome to the Jungle at the start of every game got old. WH20 never gets old and I play it every couple of days in a 9 pin collection. I can never play just one game more like 4-5 every time I turn it on. It is challenging and all the shots are fun. A top 5 game in my opinion and I have owned 42 games.

I also have both. Finding another Wh2O is easy. Finding another GnR not so much. They are both very different games, but the GnR gets more attention (especially from non-pinhead friends) than any of my other games.

GLWS?

LOL

I've owned both, sold both. GnR I've bought/sold twice. Only reason I got rid of it the second time was to chase a MM. GnR is on my radar again at some point. WH20 not so much, despite that excellent left ramp/waterfall shot. I'd keep the GnR.

Guns and Roses is a DE game, and with few exceptions, is a lesser game than most B/W games. Wh2o is one of the better games from B/W and while some people call it a "B" title, this deck has more game in it than most modern Stern games. The playfield is asymmetrical and while some people lament the lack of shots from the lower left flipper, this game has enough nearly vertical shots in the center of the PF to still challenge the accuracy of even center of the PF shots.

GnR also has two big things going against it.
1) The rules, with SO much to do on the PF... the rules aren't that great at utilizing all the shots and score imbalances are many to had.

2) Axl Rose.

Have fun with your pinball collection!

Hey Blackbeard curious as to how you like having GNR & TFTC. I always loved playing TFTC back in the day and the show still as well. How do you like having both as I have thought about getting a GNR someday down the road but probably could never give up my first real DMD pin TFTC. Just curious. White water has gron on my lately but I could never get ride of DE best GNR.

GnR for me. I have always liked rock music, and GnR is the only music pin that came out when the band was still somewhat relevant. I don't put on their records anymore, but while playing the game they still sound good. And it's in stereo. It was a game of it's time and came fully loaded with just about any playfield feature you could want. The rules for the game are challenging enough that rarely if ever does it get beat.

Whitewater is fun, but not worth the money to me.

Plus RIOT multiball on GnR is so much fun, and intense.

Thanks! i used to add band members whenever possible to crank up the multiball. I love Nighttrain! But lately I am getting a renewed enjoyment by starting and completing modes instead. Just like you I'm getting SOOO close to Riot.

This was my first machine I bought, and had to have been one of the coolest games I found on route back in the 90s. It's never leaving!

AC/DC if you can.

Personal preference of course, but it is a lot easier to listen to Axl Rose than Brian Johnson.

lower left? there's the center lock, disaster drop ramp, boulder orbit, red and white targets and extra ball target for that flipper

Alright, I'm gonna take a step back here and state two things about GnR. The good things.

1) Slash. He's awesome and was even involved in the dev process. I have no idea what that really means or how deep that is, but good on him. Axl Rose still the reason why I put headphones on when I listen to this deck. Last night was a King Megatrip remix featuring... AC/DC! If you like mashup mixes, check out: http://megatrip.blogspot.com/

2) Multiball ruleset. It's quite good. ramps to a small super at the left lock lane, ramps and the super jack at the upper loop. Way sweet! It's just that, that makes it great for a comparison to a system 11 game. The modes are lackluster, unbalancing and for the most part, uninspired. So I rock the multiball utilizing a backhand shot from the right flipper. Over and over and over and over and over and over until multiball activates.

I will admit that, putting up 2.34 bil last night in league was satisfying. Select super pops, hit the multiball... rinse and repeat!

As for the Wh2o comparison. Most of the shots from the lower left flipper are not in the "sweetspot" of the flipper other than the lane through the pops which is most dangerous.

I own both... this would be a tough call. My suggestion; sell something else!

Sold my GNR recently and I definitely miss it. Great pin.

I have owned both, miss GNR!

GnR would be awesome if the rules and playfield were tweaked. Everything about it is great, the music, artwork, vibe, etc, but when you actually play it the game just doesn't hold up. The problem is that the modes just aren't very good for the most part and lack creativity, plus the fact that the game starts on the same mode every single time is also annoying. The upper flipper only has one shot, which downgrades the fun factor too.

The main multiball is fun, but the meat of the game isn't unfortunately. Like others mentioned above, the scoring isn't balanced either. When comparing it to Whitewater, it kills it in every single category except the actually playing of the game...but unfortunately, that's all that really matters in the end, so I'd take whitewater in a second over GnR.

All games get old after a while, so one can't be faulted for wanting to change it up. I've had GNR for longer than most of my games and have considered swapping it for another on more than one occasion. There are a few reasons why I haven't... first is the odds of finding one in as nice a shape is very slim considering the production number. Second is it looks great with custom artwork and music is a relatively timeless theme. Third is there is a lot going on in the game with two orbits and two ramps integrated in the game as well as any two ramps in pinball, 3 magnets, 1-6 ball multiball, and good shot variety. While it is a wide body, it feels closer to the way a standard width game plays.