Relatively new Smaug owner. Anyone have any suggestions on where to find instructions on how to play Hobbit? For instance, many have mentioned beating Smaug, but I have no idea how to go about it. I enjoy the game, but am just shooting randomly at targets. Other than Smaug multiball, I have no idea what I am doing. I suspect the game will become much more addictive one I learn what I am doing!

I appreciate your attempt to better explain how to kill Smaug, but I am left with questions. What is a "stage"? What am I supposed to do and how do I know when and how to do it? Is the machine telling me what to shoot for? When it comes to hitting the Man and Dwarf targets, do I need to drop them all or only hit one? This game is fun, but about as un-intuitive as any game I have ever played. I never know what to do, apart from a few basic shots like multi-ball and the basic arkenstones. Actually I am still unsure how to achieve the Arkenstone at the very top. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. Never know why.
Also, everyone talks about the various modes and changing them by shooting the left ramp, but I have no idea what is required for the various modes. The machine doesn't seem to call out what shots to try for. Any tips there?

Thanks to all who helped explain - especially Rarehero and Crile1! I now can begin to understand what must be done to progress through the game.

A suggestion to anyone from JJP who might be reading along: Why not have a software option for something like "Old School Mode" or something like that, which the owner can select to drastically simplify the requirements to move from level to level? This would be for those younger players, or less skilled players who might play for a long long time without ever succeeding in doing everything needed to kill Smaug for example? Let the game default be as programmed, but let the rules be able to be simplified with the selection of a software option for those who don't need or want the great depth and complexity available to them in the standard game.

I'm guessing a lot of Hobbit owners who get frustrated and sell their games quickly might find a simpler Hobbit quite enjoyable when they don't have to play through stage after stage after stage to get to the "good stuff"! And the better players can still have the depth they want. Just a thought....

Hey LTG! My Smaug mouth has very little up and down motion. He talks, but the moths only moves a tiny bit. I have had it in and out several times to adjust as the factory suggests, but nothing works. Any ideas? Thanks!