Get the MBr, you can buy a classic edition for under $6000

MBr

MBr vote here too. I had an Xmen and it just didn't have staying power in my collection.

MBR

Look I get There's a little ground swell of 4 people mentioning how good xmen is but is aint MB.

MEt is not a mode based game btw

I'm planning to bring XM Pro to MGC. If you're going, make sure to give it some plays. Shoot me a PM and I can meet up with you and explain some of the rules. It's crammed full of shots, has at least 4 multiballs, and 2 different sets of modes (heroes and villains). It is a really cool game.

If you do go the route of MBr - make sure to hit up @kingpingames.

I would call it a collection game; you're collecting each item in order to unlock/get further in the game.
TZ is a true Mode based game. You have to complete X amount of modes to progress; modes are times. JP, GB...etc

Lady Justice is of no consequence of the end game though, it isn;t needed to progress though the game.
Anywhom, modes are pretty well defined and games like TZ, WW, TAF, & JP are going to be some of the first examples people mention.

Honestly, neither of those two games are really good mode based games. For MBr you shoot a shot to start that shot again (for the most part). With X-men, it's the same thing for Hero's. Villains have a bit more variety though at least. I really hate those that come into these threads and suggest other games but if you truly are a mode based person then I would strongly suggest expanding your market. If it's between these two games X-men has more "modes" and has some good flow. MBr is just that special classic for a reason. With a family I'd go MBr but for you I would go X-men.

I'd go with MBr easily...
Is it as deep... No... But, I think the remake animations are better, just go with the SE or get the upgraded display. Callouts and music better. And while both cabs and translights look good. I think MBr has a better theme. Love the X-men though. And I do think it shoots really good.
And can be had cheaply. I think around 4-5.5k can get an LE.

The problem though is... You might have to tinker and tweak the machine, if you already haven't done so. Lots of flaws and stupid things, like the Wolverine bash toy, that should be sorted out by the time you get it, but you never know.
Also, the iceman ramp had a lot of issues.

Still, if both the Wolverine and Magneto LE do look really nice. And would be cheaper. I for one don't hate the callouts, I think they do a nice job trying to convey the 90s animated show, but Monster Bash has better callouts... But, then I'd say the same thing against 99% of pins, that Monster Bash has better callouts. Its a fun game.

If you do get an X-men... Just look through the forums and online for the flaws and things you need to look out for. That way you get the best version you can.

H had x-men wolvie and really like it... Lots of shots and over a fun game. Loaded with mechs compared to many other games.
Monster bash is beyond boring to me.. had one years ago and couldn't wait to sell it. Is it a great looking game... yeah it is, but after 3 balls its time to move on. Never understood the love. Either of the other big two (AFM or MM) are way better.
Try xmen if you can grab it for a good price

MBr SE

My $.02 is that if anyone other than you is going to play the chosen machine then MBr.

Guests, spouses and non pinball people will almost certainly appreciate Monster Bash more than X-men.

I do think AFM is the best of the three(MB, AFM, MM), but with the stupid market of LE being what it is... I really wanted to make sure I got an LE, because I just think the LE is something special. Otherwise I would have taken my money and bought an AFMr SE... Or maybe a nice used LE... Just a really nice offer and a reasonable price(for an LE).

For me AFM has more to aim for. Total Annihilation, then destroy mars, and then finally ruler of the universe... And lets not forget that along the way you have a nice goal of achieving Martian MB, which is always fun to get and stackable, and adds so many different strategy options. And also I think it has one of the best video modes. Short, but sweat, and fun, and totally fits the theme.

Monter Bash has nothing like the above, and that does hurt it. It has really just a few modes and goals. Mosh Pit MB, Frankenstien MB(which you can stack with the other modes if they're running of course), Monster Bash WM, and Monsters of Rock WM. I do like how you can stack Monster Bash mode with other modes, and that makes it easier to get the instruments. The only problem with that is you go out of MB and into Monsters of Rock right away once you collect all the instruments. Yes, it is a more lucrative mode...
But, I think the best strategy is to save one instrument(an easy to get one like mummy), for after you complete and drain out of MB. Hopefully not triple drain. And then activate Mummy and get the instrument and then start up Monsters of rock for the big points.
But, yeah... That's it for MB...
Not a lot to mine and dig in that game. If you're a point player, a bigger score is what you shoot for.
But, I think its just too pretty and too fun to play to pass up.
Best machine ever... No... But, its a good one. Just not very deep even for a 90s pin it was shallow.

I own x men and original MB I prefer playing x men because of the deeper rule set compared to the easier rule set of MB but they are both great enjoyable games and you can't go wrong with either one.

You're keeping your Met right??? If so, when you get a bit bored of either pin go play Met, and then come back. Rinse and repeat... Everyone wins... Three of the 4 games in my collection are broken and need some work, some major, some minor... But, I have a Maiden and honestly... I prefer playing that over them... So... I let them sit instead of getting them serviced. Waste of space I know, but I am single. So I got plenty of space to waste.

So as long as you're not unloading any game to make room, I think you'll be good enough in your lineup to not truly be bored.

Personally for me, I'd never own a Met... But, everyone has their own taste. And I'm just ribbing you on that last thing. So don't be offended. But, yuck... You couldn't pay me to own a Met.

MB is kinda like a less-complex Metallica in that sense. Starting the Bride mode is kinda like starting Lady Justice. Hit each of her ramps a bunch of times to light up her inserts, then her mode starts. Hit the orbits (moons) a bunch of times, Wolfman starts. Spell Dracula with the red targets, then hit the scoop to start Drac mode. Get enough bumper hits to light Mummy at the scoop, hit scoop to start his mode. Hit Creech's saucer enough times to start his mode.

Starting all characters (character inserts) lights Monster Bash (mini-wiz mode). Completing their modes (instruments inserts) lights Monsters of Rock (main wiz mode).

The big fun of Monster Bash is getting as many modes stacked as you can before starting Frank Multiball. The modes are timed, but if they're running when you start MB, they keep going as long as that MB is going.

X-Men blows, stay away unless you like absolutely horrible voices. It has a ton of modes, but they don't really amount to anything interesting or fun. It's an example of people using the term "depth" incorrectly. X-Men doesn't have depth...it just has a lot of content...but it doesn't gel into anything resembling true pinball depth.

I just can't stand MB. Besides being shallow (esp. for the price) the sounds and voices get on my nerves. Nothing inspiring about it.

I wouldn't call X-Men LE inspiring, but there's much more to do in it. Beast is the worst voice in the history of pinball, and perhaps the world, but the others are good (Storm's acting is over the top, yes). I liked the game because there's a ton of shots and cool mechs. Dark Phoenix wizard mode is very cool.

The market's going to be flooded with MBr. They'll never be more X-Men LEs.

If thats the case id go with xmen... mb can get old fairly quickly . Xmen has alot going on and nice code... plus its cheaper.

Also there are some great sound packages available for xmen to take it up another level.

This is the easiest decision you'll ever make....MBR by a mile.....if u have the cash get the SE or LE

The call outs on either will have u gun shopping within a week or so. Buy a Maiden or SW's

Unlike Guinnesstime I like mb, but this point is good. If you like x-men and have a good le deal,go for that. you won't have trouble finding mbr for years.

Had a Wolverine bought new in box, had fun for a while but I agree it won’t have long term staying power. I just got a MBrLE and love it, and maybe more importantly the kids love it.

AFM is better than both.

AFM > MB > XMLE

It will.... MB is fun, but it is $3K fun from a rules perspective. It has a ton of charm, but once that wears off, you are stuck with a pretty easy game.

Xmen is the opposite. Not a lot of charm, but a ton of depth and a lot of shots. If you liked the layout of Funhouse, you will like Xmen, it is basically a mirrored Funhouse.

I only sold my Xmen Pro to Deaconblooze because I was pretty heavy with games with deep rules at the time. It will make Metallica seem shallow.

Take Deacon up on his offer... Having someone get you pointed in the right direction on Xmen is a good idea.

It would be best if you played while he explained what to shoot, if he had to make the shots, you would never see what the game has to offer...

Not much at all.... you just complete each character. It really is simple, there are no missed shots that punish you.

Getting to Lymans Lament is the real challenge....

I like every shot in MB.

So.... get a JJ Pirates. Designed by a native Wisconsian. It will be the last to get old.

Can't go wrong with either one.

Let the kids choose.... Make it fun for them.

The MBr with the new, larger dot matrix is stunning and a game changer.

Almost seems to be a no brainer, any negatives about code with the machine won't effect your son.

Game changer? How?

I'm with you there. I have a ColorDMD in my XM, it's got a great dots package, and the color is really well done.

Its nice but I'm totally fine with color dmds. Also jjp screen is awesome and stern is getting better imo.. bat 66 and munsters are pretty well done.

Solid advice!

Id definitely grab a xmenle now if u can.. mbr se will be available for a long time . Xmen will stay same price but mbr will go down imo especially when u can get a nib with warranty for 7k ish. Id expect used ones to settle in low 6's.