Quoted from Yoko2una:

Don't sleep on Mustang Prem/LE. It's a very fun game with a lot of risk/reward. I never clicked with Hobbit, but the one I used to play had a Mustang LE 15' away and it always took quarters from me. Mustang Pro is also a good bang for the buck. People will continue to hate on the theme, but if your son already likes the theme, it's a great pin that was overlooked by many.

Quoted from CrazyLevi:

Hobbit is horrible and Metallica rules.
You're welcome!
Hobbit was invented for the noob pin buyer who thinks coil count and the amount of cacophonic noise a game makes at the start of each ball somehow translates into value.
Metallica was made for people who like awesome pinball machines.

Quoted from Lermods:

Own both, I’m choosing hobbit, but these games couldn’t be more different in just about every way.
Metallica games tend to be very short and it’s tough to progress, not as brutal as iron man, but tough. Great rule set and decent flow.
Hobbit to me is one of the most immersive games ever built, fantastic theme integration. Long ball times, much like lotr, but the rewards are awesome, killing Smaug is quite a rush. If I were you, I’d start by selecting the theme that most appeals to you.

Quoted from TheLaw:

Having read many if your threads, I feel like when you have made your mind up; its up.
So if you're over it sell just sell and move on.
IF the point is to gauge if Hobbits is good, there is no thread that won't end in a nightmare

Quoted from oropuro:

Hobbit deserves a run in your house, if you "liked it" on location you will love it in the home, Hobbit has a different story-episode feel to me, if you like the theme and movies, and it will sell just fine in a 6-12months when you want the Iron Maiden Prem.

Quoted from FatPanda:

Nothing else on the menu other than Hobbit?

Quoted from Tuna_Delight:

This. Both games are great for different reasons.
That said, I love MET, but my advice (FWIW) would be to sell the MET Pro and pick up a Hobbit for a different quality gameplay experience. If you miss MET too much, you can add a Premium/LE (better version) back into your collection in the future.
-OR - trust your older son's apparent spot-on instinct for bitchin' games and get a Mustang Premium/LE. VERY fun and HIGHLY underrated (mainly due to theme unfortunately)!

Quoted from Mr_Outlane:

Hobbit is a marvel of programming perfection and beauty! The best theme integration in pinball history (full assets). It is literally an adventure, and as such, a commitment to play! This is not a quick game pin! If you want that, get Metallica. It's a proven classic and fun. I love my Hobbit, but it's not a game for a small collection unless you want a game like this, and love the theme. If you do, than it's the greatest pin imaginable! This is a wide body pin and plays like one. It's not floaty when set up correctly, like people who don't know what they're talking about will tell you. So get on the owners thread and get informed.

Quoted from 6S3NC3:

When you have a smaller collection its good advice to keep the line up fresh. MET is one of the greats and not going to be an easy pin to beat but look at it this way, over 10 years of collecting do you want 1 great game the whole time or switch that game out every year and have 7 or 8 really good games come and go over these same years. You can always get another MET down the rd if you or the family miss it that much. Sometimes a pin you think will just be OK and you got a super deal on it ends up being fantastic. So if you think you will like Hobbit...you will when you first get it and when that fades you can start a new post Hobbit or ????

Quoted from PanzerFreak:

Sure is, damn tough game to find now.

Quoted from rai:

Sell met for TWD pro

Quoted from Jackontherocks:

Since you own Star Trek pre which I love as fast fun and shots all flow together so good on the game. One of my favorite Stern games for sure. As for the other game I like the Metallica premium more due to the features but game kicks my butt at times unlike Star Trek which more friendly. I like Iron Maiden music more and the pin is pure fun if you think about that game, just wish more in it like the toys or features in Metallica. If you want something completely different then Hobbit it would be but can’t seem to get the great flow in a JJP game but great to look at with it features. If not Jurassic park has a ton in it with features too might try.I am a one pin guy and still debating my next one between Metallica, Iron Maiden or GNR. Being in a pinball league helps me get by with one and tons of locations to play out here as just don’t want to fix or repair multiple games if owned.