I know what you mean about the side artwork on the Smaug edition. I was hoping for unique side artwork like on the other two editions. I think I'm still pretty set on switching my LE to the Smaug edition though, especially with getting in at $7,500.

As for the Smaug toy it doesn't appear to interact with the ball. According to JJP the license wouldn't allow Smaug to be hit with pinballs...Still, it turns around 180 degrees, appears to move side to side, features several lights and a moving mouth.

Smaug toy is a glorified talking fish like on Sopranos.
No limit on Smaug but has to be ordered or swapped from LE before Dec. 31st.
Production begins still mid December.

I'm in and buying an LE but won't say Smaug was a giant let down for me. I was expecting a moving neck and head, eyes and mouth. Just a damn head.

Sound, drops and animation were freakin GREAT though.

Nothing "lesser" about the LE. Only difference is artwork and color of the powder we did and a few attract mode screens. There are NO game play differences at all between any of the models.

I doubt we'll ever know exactly how many Smaug machines are actually made. They aren't really a numbered "limited edition" type game although it sounds like you'll be able to arbitrarily assign a number plaque to your game based on your previous Hobbit LE number. So technically you could own game number 1500 of ?.....

My guess is that a vast majority of LE owners will slide into the Hobbit LE. Since it sounds like most of the 1500 Hobbits are sold out it wouldn't surprise me if 1000 of these opted for the Smaug edition. The end result is that we'll now have 1500 regular LE's along with approximately 1000 Smaug SE's. It looks like it will be a fun game but with 2500 LE/SE games and the high price point I don't exactly think this will be a rare/hard to find game in the future. I'm looking forward to playing one but will most likely hold out for a HUO game in a couple years once prices are more reasonable.

From the pictures I have seen is this the finished product? Play field is what I am referring too. Code of course not. Just looks unfinished to me. Thoughts?

Alex, is it possible to get a 'normal' Smaug on the SE version instead of a gold one if preferred?

Are there photos available of the Gold Smaug en gold trim?

How come all the shots seem so distant,far, and long? Wont this lead to some frustrating drains? Will video be included from the third movie?

People asked for an open playfield with lots of flow. And you have 4 pop ups in the open space.

Probably both video and music from the third movie will come with future game updates

I don't know the answer to that. Jack would know

I will send him a mail then