Quoted from HOOKED:

I would get a Houdini with a second pin or hold extra cash. I am just under 200 plays and have yet to finish all of the modes in one game let alone all of the films and mini tasks. Houdini is plenty deep for a home game.
If Houdini is a low run (and is or will be out of production soon) it would be an easy flip out later for a POTC.
I had planned on getting pirates but waiting so see how it all pans out now.
I played the proto JJP at a show over the summer a hand full of times and watches another half dozen players (some seasoned some not).The consensus was Houdini played better even with the tight shots. I will say it was a proto with the three discs and the working trunk but there seemed to be a lot of SDTM drains. While I played I never had an out lane drain.
Fan of both but Houdini would be my choice.

Quoted from TheGunnett:

Who the heck wants to play with 22 different characters amyway? Sounds like a chore and a bore. I just to want to hit start an plunge the ball.
Pirates by a mile, just an FYI for everyone The individual characters just have a “perk” that no matter which one you chose at some point during the game you’d wish you would of chosen a different character. One makes the boat rock less, one makes collecting gold easier, one doesn’t allow you to be plundered and would only be beneficial during multiplayer, They are fairly balanced and it depends on what your strategy for the game is on who you’d want to start with. The LCD animations are extremely polished along with the code. Houdini’s are selling for $6k used and Pirates are $9.5 , it’s the quantity or quality question once again. Best of luck!

Quoted from Docb8456:

so same question, but what if potc theme doesn't interest you, but you love jjp and are worried about the bad press with Houdini, for home use with kids, what would be the choice? I am going through the same dilemma.

Quoted from mnpinball:

Is this a joke ?!?!?!