I just played both quite a bit, and I'm trying to figure out how to get a JP Premium. Both good games, but the shots, software (so far), integration with theme and display, JP has the edge at this point. I just had more fun shooting JP.

Having played the LE versions of both, JP takes it on shots, fun, and features.

Elvira for the theme. The floating heads didn't bother me as much as I thought they would.

JP was really a pleasant surprise for me. The shots were all satisfying with endless combos. The T-rex was really cool. I wanted to keep playing it.

In contrast, the Elvira shots felt repetitive and easy to hit, so while it was fun for the handful of games I played, I'm concerned over its lastability in a smaller home collection.

In fairness, I don't have a lot of games on either one. These are just my initial impressions of both.

Play them both and then decide what you want...

JP LE all the way fun game cool shots and good code. Elvira is a fan layout with very very early code.

True but it's Lyman and you know where that's going just as Met, BM66, TWD, ACDC and so fourth did.

I think this is a joke thread. Has to be.

Not to be hyperbolic but Elvira can’t be better than JP of any model. JP is so good. I haven’t seen an Elvira in person but it isn’t better. It just isn’t.

I would go with JP as it's a proven great game today. Those buttery smooth ramps are so smooth on Elvira 3 for a reason...they are 100% plastic and return the ball directly to the flippers. JP has metal ramps + metal habit rails and every model cost significantly less then Elvira 3.

Don’t get caught up in that... trust me.

But to your question, I played both at expo and wouldn’t even try to compare the two. JP is a home run, I wouldn’t own an Elvira. But that’s my opinion. If you played JP and liked it, buy it. Don’t consider another pin, especially one you haven’t played just because you think it might be good or better. Just my 2 cents...

not trolling - just thought this was a joke considering you're comparing a barely coded game that is so simple in it's current form to a absolute powerhouse in JP. It's a joke of a comparison. JP all the way.....like literally everyone has said here.

and I've played both.

I love pinball, sure is great to have choices.

Elvira looks fun and the B movies are an added treat. HOH looks great and some cool toys, but have to agree that JP3 is the way to go. It has 4 ramps! All metal and great code that sucks you into the story of the game. Can’t go wrong with either, but the price of Elvira causes me to pause. JPLE is far better value.

Shot value on JP3 is better and having played quite a few games, not difficult after dialing them in and knowing where they’re at on the flippers. Elvira looks too easy shot wise. As your flipper skills improve, JP3 lastability may prove to be much better.

Jurassic Park is a “BEAST“ of a pin.

Amazing.

I played both (JP Pro & Prem) and Elvira LE. I think JP wins by a mile. It is a blast of a game. Elivra's shots seemed slow and easy to me. The ramps where not much fun but it is a nice looking game. I don't think I would buy an Elvira but JP Prem is at the top of my list.

This really isn't close. JP is so much fun. I watched Escher destroy Elvira this weekend (Expo tournament) and the game looked unbelievably dull.

JP is one of the best games Stern has put out in years.
YEARS.

I’ve played JP pro and LE as well as Elvira. JP is the much better game currently. I would buy it now and in another year or so revisit Elvira when code is more mature. All the shots on Elvira are rather easy to hit.

I love Keith’s games but Lyman gives you such deeper code then what Keith offers his games are usually lighter on modes and stuff to do vs Lyman

Not on Jurassic Park.

Really? I thought there were only 3 main modes and a couple T rex events?

C'mon guys put your childhood Elvira fantasies aside she's an old woman now and the pinball machine isn't much better. This isn't even close, JP wins this poll easily!

I have to go with EHoH...I just can't get into the JP/dino theme. That said, I played JP a handful of times and is an awsome machine...I own EHoH and cannot get enough of it...it is truly a blast to play and it is just getting started.

Elvira does seem to have a lot going on it rules wise. The items below are from the official thread. I said earlier that I would pick JP but I can see picking Elvira just because of how much deeper the code will be. Elvira appears to have a much deeper objective based ruleset. Also, the callouts in JP are absolutely terrible in my opinion.

- Junk In The Trunk Awards
- Junk in the Trunk Multiball (2-Ball)
- Phone a Fiend Mini-Wizard Multiball
- Wild Women Multiball
- Add-a-Zombie Multiball
- Attic Attack Multiball
- Gappa Battle (mini-wizard mode) -> if you beat Gappa, you get to play Gappa Multiball
- 6 Haunts modes, plus additional bonus Haunt modes
--- each haunt mode has it's own special rules - in Lyman fashion
- House Party Multiball after playing 3 haunts
- Attic Party Multiball after playing all 6 haunts
- Hand of Fate wheel -> when completed there is a bonus Mode (Mini-Wizard?)
- 12 Dead Heads (Crypt Cleaner) -> Super Head Shot -> Mini-Wizard for beating all 12 Dead Heads???
- Directors Cut Wizard Mode - available after beating 4 Haunt modes
- Gar-Goils Gone Wild mode
- Drive Me Crazy (loops mode)
- Un-Happy Hour (ramps mode)
- Trailer Trash mode

I just put in about $20 on JP pro for the first time at a local barcade last weekend and here are my thoughts on the game. No prem or le JP at the place so YMMV. The game shoots smooth but those callouts gotta be one of the worst in pinball. And the dino theme doesn't work for me as a Jurassic park theme. And the non moving trex is an eye sore. Better off not even putting it in the pro model. So my advice would be just don't go for a JP pro model. Oh and it also had pooling around slingshots and about a 1/4 inch chip off of the right slingshot. Have only seen video on elvira but I can guarantee the code will be great, gameplay I can not say.

I have both, they are completely different, fun to play , like each one for what it is.

I played them both a lot at expo. I personally liked JP a lot more than Elvira because of the 3rd flipper layout. It really depends on what theme and layout you enjoy more.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

JP2 and for me it’s not close. Elvira is a simple two flipper game w questionable animations. JP2 has unique layout and terrific combos.

Sounds like you are ruled by FOMO. I recommend getting past that. Otherwise you will continue making rushed decisions with limited information which won't always work out for you.

Played both at expo, mostly while under the influence, so keep that in mind.

I wouldn't write off Elvira by any stretch, because Lyman. Any simplicity in the geometry will be offset by his magic, eventually. (See BM66)

JP is amazing in my opinion. The variety of shots, the early code, the art. I like all of it (the callouts aren't ideal, but, it isn't a deal breaker for me). The thought of it getting better is pretty exciting.

As it stands now? I'd take JP and it isn't close. If Elvira was up against almost anything else though, it would be a tougher decision. It will be fun to visit in 6 months and see if Elvira closed the gap some. Ahh, first world problems. We are living in a great era in pinball.

Man these threads are getting boring and should be banned. Play them both and decide for urself. "One mans goose is another mans gander" Archie Bunker 1972.

This is simple(for me)if you enjoy game play that leans on combos and challenging shots that are satisfying then go with JP2. If you are looking for easier and a bit smoother shots(that are forgiving) go with EHOH. The code needs work on both games(more on EHOH)because of how new they are so hard to judge that part. Art work is always up to each individual. I played both but purchased a JP2prem even though I really wanted EHOH to be my next pin. EHOH is a easier shooting game so it needs a deep rule set to make up for this and will end up being a long playing game(not a bad thing). Hold tight play both before you buy and pick up a premium in the one that feels good to you, good luck.

Voted JP at this point but let the record show I would have preferred Elvira callouts.

Was at a friend's house where he had both JP LE and Elvira LE. It was fun to be able to play both and discuss their pluses and minuses including which game one would choose if one could only have one. It's kind of sad that this type of discussion isn't welcomed on pinside.

Most don’t mind a discussion, but other than those who attended expo or you, who has really played both to form an opinion on an LE purchase?

I don't mind these types of discussions but this isn't even close. In it's current state Elvira is terrible. I agree that it will be updated bc it's lyman and he will fix it but you're taking about a Juggernaut of a game in JP.

Unless you're an old guy who has no interest in JP theme and enjoys dick jokes coming from an even older woman, then I can understand but cmon now this is a no brainer. Give Elvira time and then revisit

enjoys dick jokes coming from an even older woman...not me!

This’ll scare that pants off you...I hope!

I've played both and had a lot of fun on both games. For me it comes down to personal taste. If I could only get one, I'd get the theme that is most appealing to me. I own Elvira LE and plan on getting Jurassic Park down the line. I have a Halloween party coming up and went with Elvira. There's quite a bit of depth so far with Elvira and new content with the lastest code. Good luck with your choice!

delt31 I actually do like the JP theme. I also think they did a great job with the T-rex and there is a ton of value on that game in terms of the amount of stuff you get especially at the pro level. If you want to spent less than $6k on a NIB game JP pro is great option, and probably even the best option.

My problem with this game is that to me it feels like they just slapped the JP brand on a bunch of dinosaur CGI with some generic voice work that includes only one minor character from the movie. I find a lot of the callouts annoying. It reminds my of those TV shows where they get a license then do a low budget cartoon version for kids to watch. The renderings of the dinosaurs are well done, but the people and vehicles look really odd and the story line of the game lacks at lot the nuance that made the movie great.

I like the originality of the JP layout, but I find that I brick a lot of shots - maybe this is because I'm not a good enough player, but I also feel the shots are also narrower and harder than most games. I also find that there are often a lot of shots lit due to the way the modes are structured but also because of the high degree of stacking. As such I often the feeling that it isn't clear what I should be shooting at and it probably doesn't matter. A similar criticism applies to things like which way that vehicle is pointed to start the next mode. I get that you can choose a slightly shorter course but also most of these modes seem very similar and I also feel like I can never get to the end anyway so it doesn't really matter. I also find that post that comes up in the left in lanes slows the game down.

As for Elvira, I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of the Elvira character but I don't mind adult themes. If you get offended by a mature woman making sexual innuendos, Elvira won't be the game for you. That said she doesn't take herself or these films that seriously which for me makes it fun. I do like humor in pins which JP mostly lacks. Obviously, Elvira it isn't kid friendly like JP, so for a kid environment JP would be a better choice. I also like B-list horror/sci-fi and I think of the game as more focused on that. That said the theme integration on this is way better than JP - they have lots of original film clips, and custom callouts (and animations/video) from Elvira herself. The music is pretty good and fits the theme.

I think they did a great job with that house also - it is well made, there is a ramp that lifts and a diverter beyond that, there is a physical ball lock on the left, the lighting in incredible, the windows light up individually. Overall this is a great toy. You also get the crypt and the chest. I really like the way the game shoots, although I would also agree that it is a more standard layout and the shots are easier to make. That said I think it is fun to make shots, while bricking shots isn't as fun for me.

Code is early on Elvira, but this is a Lyman game so you know he isn't going to half-ass it. That said the game has some annoyances like the spinner doesn't make sound yet and the modes seem incomplete.

Elvira is more expensive and I get that people aren't happy about that. But let's not pretend this is only a $15k pin, the cost difference when you compare to standard LE and prem prices is only a few hundred more than other recent games and for many of us that isn't a huge issue.

I've played both games about the same amount but haven't bought or ordered either. Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to own both. That said if I were going to buy one today it would be Elvira because I enjoy it more even with the early code for the reasons above. I bought BM66 early and actually enjoyed playing the code as it developed, if you want finished code on day one its better to focus on games that have been out a while. I also feel that JP will be the type of game that will be almost everywhere, so I'd rather have a game that is more unique at home.

JP LE, so much better than elvira HOH.

I mean if I play Elvira and JP and prefer JP then to hell with anyone elses opinion.

NGG.

Now that the code has evolved on Elvira, is there an updated perspective on this comparison?

These games are so different that they are tough to compare. Both together would make an awesome little collection I think.

Ehoh, so much better now