Played them all, do yourself a favor and buy a standard LOTR. That being said, if the LOTR theme does nothing for you, how is this even a question????

I have a LOTR LE and honestly, it looks better than a standard (minus the dick) and you get a double clear coated playfield which the standard doesn't have. You also get the shaker. In terms of gameplay, both play different. LOTR is a game with deep rule set that has long ball times. But it also is considered one of the greatest themes and how that theme is integrated into game, ever. Nothing against TWD, but there's not shot on TWD as cool as the ring shot and no modes come close to Destroy The Ring and There And Back Again. Coupled with the music and callouts from the so many of the actual film actors and LOTR is a classic.

I wouldn't hold you breathe for a VE and if it came, using SMVE as a base, it could cost at least 7500MSRP.

If you don't mind me asking, how much is each priced at? I got my LOTR LE for around 7K. Put another 1-2K into it with mods.

you will never be sorry that you bought a LOTR

I bought my LOTR NIB back in early 2004. I had not watched the movies or read the books. I fell in love with the gameplay, ruleset, lights, and sounds. Still one of the most challenging wizard modes to reach. Can't say I am a LOTR fan per se, but I think the pinball game is great.

just buy a regular LOTR and if you really like gold trim just have those parts replaced and save yourself thousands!

same with walking dead, buy a premium!

LEs are for diehard fans who just feel incomplete without every piece of trivia for their obsession.. in neither of these games it adds anything special to the actual gameplay experience.

Both are great games. I prefer TWD currently.

Between TWD and LOTR, I would decide based on this: do you want really long games?

The biggest reason LOTR does not get played at my house is the games are long. There are many more instances where a shorter game works better. I practically consider LOTR a 1 player machine, because playing with friends can feel like a marathon game. This greatly depends on your skill level. If you aren't a pro/semi-pro or will mostly be playing alone, maybe you would prefer LOTR. On the other hand, TWD can be very tough - so if you're not very good you might get frustrated with it.

Lotr by miles

TWDLE !

What about the extra coat of clear? The gold on the backbox an the much nicer translite? You seem upset about LEs. Why?

I do agree that LOTR can have long game times if your doing well and because of that its not an ideal choice for multiplayer games. However, I will say that as a mediocre player, most of my games are not that long. Also, the game itself can be set up to be more difficult and thereby decreasing your game times significantly. I'll bet that most don't do that though, because it will diminish your chances of getting to TABA or Valinor. I've had mine for five years now and its still on my not leaving anytime soon list. Its just has a great combination of shots, rules, features, callouts. I also have an TWD premium on order, so I will be a better judge to this in a few months, but for now, I'd say LOTR.

LEs are fine, but you are paying for a number really. The LE has a real backglass, not a translite. It is gold trimmed, but there are lots of people who don't like that look. I am not a fan of the gold armor either as it wears terribly. Much better to go aftermarket if you want that look. Plus, with the LEs you loose all the figures that were originally all over the game. I personally think the figures are a nice feature in this case since it looks like the playfield is a map and the characters are taking a journey over the game. It looks like it belongs and not like they were just thrown on. The extra clear in a home environment is not much of a value IMHO and since you can add the shaker to an original LOTR now, that shaker isn't LE unique anymore.

I got an original LOTR that was restored from the ground up and I am so glad I did. Traded my favorite game of all time for it, but I don't regret it all.

Basically double the price of a nice regular LOTR here? I don't see the justification and I totally agree with the post below.

At 7.3k€ TWD LE cannot be NIB, right? Meaning the previous buyer already took the hit for opening the box? Price seems fair here (remember we pay more here because of sales tax, etc).

Having a choice between these two at these prices I would pick the TWD LE. But beware not everyone loves this game. Original layout, nice ruleset but tough... Unsure about the added features on TWD LE vs Pro, but the LE looks nicer.

This is a family blog, sir. Please refrain from describing your pornographic toys here.

None of our games are getting played since we added TWDLE, just checked the audits and it's over 500 games in less than a month.

It can't go unseen once noticed lol

Just been through the same exercise and went with TWD Prem in the end. The game is fantastic and I'm glad I made the choice. Having said that I haven't spent a lot of time on LOTR, but I liked the idea of TWD's more intense gameplay.

Also preferred TWD as a theme. And if you like the theme, this game captures it better than most recent games have.

To put it simply, LOTR is one of the best games ever made. TWD premium/LE, however, is THE best game ever made.

TWD LE for me, it is very immersive, specially if you like the theme

I learn towards LOTR, but either is good. I'd suggest regular editions over Prem/LE.

I own a LOTR HUO. I've never thought the LE was all that. The backglass looks worse with the outlines and Stern's brass plating doesn't last. If you really like the look of the LE, as someone else suggested, you could get the parts brass plated. In the end you will have better quality plating plus cash in your pocket . The extra clear on the playfield is a non-issue in home use. I've had my LOTR for years (2nd owner) and it still looks like new.

TWD Pro is a blast and I really don't find the LE/Prem. worth the extra money. The Pro is fantastic value and a great game. I totally understand why some would get it. I just don't think it's a deal breaker to get the Prem/LE and would rather use the extra money towards another pinball

Much like Slimer with a dick forehead & scrotum double chin

image_(resized).jpeg

Gotta disagree.

TWD is fun enough, but art is meh. Fan of the show, but the art style looks like generic hack n slash rather than walking dead. Also the sound package isn't amazing. Not bad by any means, but nothing to write home about.

LOTR's sound quality suffers for being white star, but the sounds are perfect. Also the quality of the playfield resolution is meh, but the style is great.

Right now feeling like TWD still gets love in part for being new. Gotta give it a few years for people to let the shininess of it wear off.

I have both, TWDLE by a country mile!

lol yep was thinking of that pic when I was typing before. Too funny

I'm with you. I think LOTR captures the theme in a pinball machine better then about any other including TWD. I'd wouldn't hesitate to take a lotr over twd but I vote for owning both.

we know.... we know

I have LOTR standard w/shaker and Twd premium. Both are very good, but LOTR is better. The rules, Design and theme integration are much better on LOTR. LOTR is also built much better. LOTR will have much longer ball times and shots are not as tight. Having both I think is a great mix.

The clear is definitely better on LOTR LE. Everything else is the same or better on the original LOTR. You seem upset about that. Why?

LOTR is awesome, but it becomes a slog after owning it a while. Games just take too long. Still, if you've never owned one it's the way to go.

I also agree that the LOTR LE armor wears easily and is not worth paying a premium for when you can upgrade a standard if you wanted. I'd argue a standard LOTR with shaker and equal mods isn't worth much less then the LE in a similar spec. I'm sure I'm wrong but I would never trade mine and pay a fee just to say its an LE.

LOTR has stood the test of time and TWD is still in it's honeymoon phase.

No way LOTR LE is worth double a standard LOTR. Maybe $1000-$1500 tops.

I'd rather (and do) have a standard with all the best mods, shaker motor, color display, powder coating, etc than a stock LE.

I did that because of the STUPID rankings of having an LE and regular of same exact game, see where i rank regular Lotr

It think the lotr le is over rated. I have a Hou lotr with tons of mods, shaker and le rom. Never once have I even thought about getting or even looking at a le. I would rather have powder coating then the ghetto gold....but that's my opinion

I used to like LOTR until I discovered you can easily backhand the Vuk by the pops and keep lighting locks to stay in MB all day. Its tedious work but very easy. So I vote TWD

They're both Amazing pins but if I had to choose a pin for longevity.....Mr. Frodo

TWD is great. I love it. However, LOTR is the best thing that Stern has ever put out. Time will tell on the TWD. It is a dam fine game in ite own right, but LOTR is still the king of Sterns.

Nope.

Well I'm not sorry I bought it.....but I'm not sorry I sold it either. Ball times are too long (for my liking) and it's a horrible multiplayer game.

For those reasons alone I would go with TWD.

I paid $6800 in December for used LE with topper, shaker and a bunch of other mods. May have paid too much? but didn't want to wait until Feb for a premium.

Sold my TWDLE for $7,900 right before Christmas. It had the topper, a custom WW from Koop Customs, mirror blades, bicycle girl light, shooter rod, Hooked pop bumper tops and I'm sure, something else. No regrets!!!

2 totally different style pins so I recommend putting some time in on both before purchasing. Im a sucker for brutal pins so I love twdp bc its very difficult . I also love that its more of a generic zombie pin other than twd and I love the show. Only you can decide bc there are huge fans for both pins .

Wow great deal

Have both and neither is going anywhere but if I had to choose one it would be TWDLE.