This is a tough one. I love Lord of the Rings but now after the final few code updates have to go with Hobbit. The theme integration is off the charts, as are the light shows, wizard modes, etc. Keith Johnson, Ted Estes, and the team did an amazing job on code for The Hobbit.

For a long time myself and others were frustrated with the state of the code. I think a lot of fellow owners wanted it to be LOTR 2.0. With the final few updates I think it did become just that. Plus, the audio work by David Thiel is amazing and JJP hired a Hollywood level music company (Two Steps from Hell) to do custom tracks for every book mode. It's pretty insane just how much work went into this game.

Also, I just have to mention how damn good The Hobbit feels to play. Not only is there a true world under glass feeling but the game just feels like its built like a tank with quality spread throughout the cabinet, armor, and playfield components.

Oofda... definitely a tough one. For me LOTR wins based on the fact that it still captures the classic pinball feel vs. the Hobbit being more modern. Nothing wrong with modern as it’s a fantastic game and would love to have BOTH, but if I had to chose it would be LOTR.

I hear ya there. There's still something special about those DMD animations on LOTR's and the combination of the 3 main movie multiballs and Destroy the Ring. LOTR has more upfront progressive based multiballs with Fellowship, Two Towers, and Return of the King MB while Hobbit really only has 1 being "Smaug Multiball". The Hobbit does have some more progressive based multiballs but they occur later in the game as mini wizard modes with those being the 3 Arkenstone modes.

Yeah tough. Shots are better in the lord of the rings. Video though on the hobbit creates a deeper environment. Both rules are incredible.
Gotta stay at 50/50.

jjp for me im no pro of course so dont have a ton of time on lotr but seems all jjp stuff is just pretty awesome. need to play dialed in more hearing from lotta kats they like it. im so stoked i got to remt a hobbit gold for a month while were on lockkkkkk status. just broke a billy today. (i am using 5 balls tho for the fam/lil more time to play a game) ill prob try some 3 ball games and see how i do.. i love pirates.. love woz...willy wonka is pretty damn cool i need to play more.. love how the hobbit has this kinda airy vibe on the playfield the way the ball kinda floats? anyone ese experience that sensation w this game.. then its real solid tho shots ramps.. i dunno i love the game. hobbit fan too!

Easy choice, LOTR wins this by a landslide on all accounts.

The only thing Hobbit has going for it are good LCD animations.
Everything else feels very subpar on Hobbit, especially compared to one of the best games ever made

The Hobbit has the best theme integration in pinball, an amazing sound package with a better sound system, more toys, more shots, more playfield, and that beautiful display.

The Hobbit is more fun to watch and listen to, makes a better piece of game room decoration, and is better to show off to folks as an advanced piece of equipment.

The LOTR has a better layout, rules, and is more fun to play.

The Hobbit is more fun to show off, the LOTR is more fun to play.

Which will you be doing more often?

Lord of the rings is a great game to own for 5 years or so, then switch to the hobbit. I did this and don’t regret letting Lotr go and really enjoy my hobbit. The hobbit is a more immersive game for me.

I'll add one more thing. A cousin of mine has owned a single pinball machine since he purchased it new 15 years ago, Lord of the Rings. He has more games on LOTR then probably anyone in the world with over 6000 games on his (said he cleared the audits way back by mistake once too). Yes he's gotten to Valinor lol, 3x on default settings in 15 years. He had a chance to play The Hobbit at my place and was really impressed with way the game played, the theme integration, and the rules. I'm sure at some point he's going to get one.

LOTR for sure , better movies , better pin.