JJP POTC isn't a boutique game.

I'd vote for that one. I am biased.

LTG : )

If TBL does come through, I vote TBL. The game is really fun and has a well-designed layout. Houdini looks great also. No offense to JJP but I don't like widebody game play.

If Heighway Pinball really gets their shit together and the pin is being produced hassle free then that has my top pick followed by Houdini, no interest in TBL or JJPOTC.

Not a fan of Houdini

I don't trust any of them other than JJP and that ain't boutique so I don't know what to put. I've only played Alien and it wasn;t spectacular, and TBL look pretty horrible to me....man that's a tuffy

Isn't TBL a widebody?

As others have said JJP is not a boutique pinball company.

JJP has a solid reputation at this point while the others do not. American Pinball needs to prove themselves with their first game. I won't ever consider buying a Heighway or DP game due to the support nightmare stories and past business practices of both companies.

Paying $8k-$10k for a game from companies that have support issues, take weeks (or never) to get back to customers and at times have not been transparent doesn't sound like a wise purchasing decision at this time.

Nope, not a widebody. My vote goes to TBL for what it's worth - I've had mine since May last year and whilst I've had some issues with it, I love it. The theme integration is perfect. Not the deepest code in the world thought, so if that's important to you then probably worth going for another option.

As I said above, I've had some issues with my TBL, but the support has actually been great. Barry has spent a great deal of time helping me troubleshoot issues via countless emails, and has sent me a load of spare parts without even asking me to cover the shipping. DP has had it's problems, but as an owner I can honestly say that support isn't one of them.

JJP is really the only option with a proven positive track record. IMO Houdini looks outstanding but you can’t go wrong with any of these games -ASLONG AS THEY ACTUALLY SHIP!-

After almost pulling the trigger on a TNA I went with Houdini. Just paid my dealer in full.

Factors:
Depth and breadth in code. It’s doing some fun things in code that I haven’t seen before like after drain, 2nd chance modes

Theme integration is excellent and Houdini is a dream theme

Unique toys and a lot of them. Stage, catapult, underground subway, magnets, etc.

Value! For $7,000 that playfield is packed.

Backglass LCD integration is very creative. Love that the game explains the rules to you on the small LCD.

Art package is cool. I love it. Incredible detail on the playfield.

Music is important and from what I hear it is very well done.

Full RGB LEDs throughout. I hate that Stern cheaps out on color RGBs on the Pros.

That’s my reasons for Houdini. I like POTC but the price was pushing my budget a bit too far and I’m a magic buff.

If you’re looking at March 2018, then Houdini looks to be your only feasible option. The next game available will probably be POTC in summer of 2018.

I had no idea they were ready to ship yet.

Famous last words indeed

So the pre-order model isn't dead yet!

Don't you think they'll be shipping a little earlier ? More like Dialed In this year ?

LTG : )

JJP ALL THE WAY.. So funny they were put in this category.. Hey Jack they just called your new Pirates a Boutique game. LOL I sure hope not as I'm in for a 12,500 Boutique collectors edition.

Joking aside The only company that has potential to come close would be American Pinball. Even if you are not in to there theme of Houdini you can still appreciate the detail and its beauty.

Hate Heighway Love CoinTaker!!!!!!

TBL... Not sure I'm not into buying Leprechauns and unicorns... I stick to buying what really exists.

American Pinball is not taking pre-orders. I had a deposit with my distributor and he told me that they’re very close to shipping so I locked in my order with him - not AP. He holds the money until the game ships.

Depends on TBL's price and build quality but likely my next new game is Houdini.

Yep, that's weird.

I believe that’s AP’s call, they will not accept payment until the first games are shipping. You could look at paying the distro up front like that as a way to possibly get ahead in the line by sacrificing the interest you might make on that cash in the meantime.

No I meant paying your Distro before the game is in.

I've paid in full for a cheeseburger before it hit the grill.

You mean a burrito right?

I don't usually get grilled burritos. That's kind of a Taco Bell thing.

That’s a good point - I was kind of wondering about that. Is this a common way of trying to get ahead in the line by chance?

No idea...maybe it's for people paying with a CC? Can you even pay with a CC? Oh duh I guess you have to if you're not buying in person.

Relationship with your distro has a lot to do with it I guess.

The real question is, is that money 100% refundable if you are not satisfied?

My distributor didn’t demand I pay up front. He told me I was in the first batch he was receiving. He indicated that he spoke to API and had good reason to believe they would ship in the next week or two.

I just wanted to get my payment in so I would be sure to get it ASAP. I’m just being a little impatient child waiting for his new toy.

Thanks for the clarification. I get it. I put in my deposit MONTHS ago to my local distro and would be happy to PIF now - but have not received any word one way or the other. I have the cash ready, just no communication

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Love Bill Engvall, but I don't get it. Are you saying I'm stupid for putting in a deposit, or stupid for not paying up front to get to the front of the line? Thkyoudrivethrough

I'm not saying you are stupid, it's just that I've read many statements like the one I quoted and many times it did not turn out quite as planned.

Noted - I was willing to take a risk on the deposit (which was only to Joe at PinballSTAR) but not the whole shebang. It's christmastime! Everybody deserves a new pin!! lol

O-din, If I understand you correctly... I think there's a big difference. I don't recall people getting screwed by their distributors. People were pre-paying, up-front to up-start manufacturers that were taking pre-order dollars to fund development. I'm confident that my distributor is going to either give me my money back or credit towards something else if, for some reason, AP fails to deliver Houdini.

In addition, AP seems to be doing this all with investor money and actually has produced a machine in a very short period of time. Additionally, the communication has been honest and realistic. Unlike Dutch or Heighway. I understand your concern but I'm not worried. I feel like I did my homework and my money is in good hands.

Houdini or POTC

The first Houdini's are leaving the factory! A new pinball machine is built and shipped in 14 months. That is quite an accomplishment. Hopefully mine is in that first batch.

I was thinking about that distributor that took deposits for MMr and then vanished into the night...

Seriously, how many have tried them?
I do not have played them so I would not vote.
If right now, based on what I see (pics, videos), I ought to make a choice, it would be by order:
- TBL: love the theme, best flow of all, nice artwork, great toy.
- houdini: really like backbox design, artwork, toy. A little dark to my taste, only one ramp
- alien and potc tied: I don’t like the flow of Alien and I do dislike ramps of potc.

WOZ does the same thing.

TBL is definitely amazing - I never connected with the theme enough to spend the huge $$ on it, but it is really really fun and just mechanically inventive.

But so is Houdini, and at a far lesser price, and (IMO) a cool theme, and oh yeah, they are the only ones actually shipping!

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JJPOTC. Not close.