Yah this.... in general what I found over the years is the people that complain the loudest about the way games play are the worst at setting them up.

Any game will play like crap if its not setup right or has other issues.

That being said LOTR is one of the all time great games, maybe top 5 for me.. Hobbit wouldnt be in my top 50.

same with the movies.

I dont know the details like this.. all I know is I love the LOTR movies and could barely watch the CGI nightmare that was the Hobbit movies.

I was alternately annoyed and bored... I think I made it through them though probably because I was watching in 3D so at least that part was cool.

As far as the pins go... I always found jersey jack to be going after the "I want my pinballs to look like an xmas tree and be stuffed with toys" market so its more about looks and stuff then playability.

LOTR is an all time great players pin but kind fugly.. Hobbit is neato to look at.

Only JJP I thought played more like a players pin to date was Wonka.. could just be because its not a widebody.

Yah this... I had my LOTR setup tough with outlanes wide open etc.

It was way harder but also way less fun.

Same with games like Monster Bash.. you can make them play tougher but then they lose their appeal.

Not every game is meant to be a ballbuster.