I owned both at the same time, and I recently sold the MB. The main reason was really that I received an offer I couldn't refuse, but I also find AFM to be more playable. The goals on AFM are more varied and will keep you busy for longer. Granted the "big 6 stack" on MB can be a huge challenge, but that's just an imaginary goal, IMO.

AFM is a fun machine. None of these A listers are worth their value play wise, or should I say not worth more than the others, but I do enjoy AFM. I'm not a fan of the play of MB, but in what I do know about it, I was not aware of this big 6 stack...? I must read more about this and do this!

I like both games. I like AFM best but not by too large of margin.

Really hard choice, and it depends on the day for me, today I am in the mood for monster bash

I'm lucky enough to have both currently, and I give a slight (slight!) edge to AFM, because it's just a simple blast and the 50's "B" movie bumbling Martians attacking Earth theme just does it for me.

Both are great games. However, out of all my machines there's a few features that I've never been able to accomplish yet, and MB has 2 of them, Lyman's Lament and the Big 6 Stack. The other is SS's Spider Multiball. Trying to get Lyman's Lament (without putting in the code at game start), and the Big 6 Stack is obviously pretty challenging, and I've been trying for 2-3 years now.

You'll most likely see all that AFM has to offer long before you'll probably be able to pull off MB's Lyman's Lament, or the Big 6 Stack, if that means anything to you. Even though I've seen all that AFM has to offer in getting to "Rule the Universe", it's still fun for me to play over an over. I haven't tired of it, and don't see tiring of it.

I really don't think you can go wrong with either, truthfully.

Own both. In a vacuum, Afm edges out MB due to greater depth and more challenging play.

Big 6 is the MB's siren song, and you mostly will find yourself dashed against the rocks. I find
myself either playing for that or playing for MOR, MB and MoshPit. Love the MoshPit intro animation.

AFM has more interaction between modes and goals. Love the international and especially the alien theme. Great humor and color DMD adds a lot. Fast with flow. Easier to shop.

Really cannot miss with either, but given the context where both your games have depth and epic depth, I'd might go for MB.

Dan

I also own both, and AFM gets the nod as being better IMO.. but that's not because MB isn't any good, it's just not as good IMO.

This is easy... Get both

I own both and give the nod to AFM as well.

I like AFM, but MB rocks!!

It's as easy as that,just go out and get them.What's stopping you?

Tfle

AFM is better but MB is now slouch. There is no loser in the race.

Had both. Would like another AFM. Gets me hitting the button for just one more game!

Nothing, I already did get both. Of course, I bought them both before the prices skyrocketed. It also helps when you restore your own machines - you save $500 that way

Like I said, I'd give AFM the edge.

WOW, I'm surprised by the vote being 51% AFM and 49% MB and all the talk is mostly AFM. Come on Pinsiders, I want to hear all the great Monster Bash stories out there. Also can someone explain Big 6 on MB? I know about Lyman's Lament but I haven't heard of Big 6.

Afm. Mb is too repetetive. The corny humor in mb is great, but for my money, afm all the way. Even if money were no object, I just don't think mb would land in my collection.

You have to get all six monsters going at once. Very tough, maybe nearly impossible for the average player.

Big six is a mode stacking strategy for MB where you activate all of the modes and pull them into Bash. And then complete them and get MOR in one turn. You get back to back wizard modes and lots of other bonuses on top of that. I've never come close. You need to get all modes basically one shot away from activating and then make each shot as quickly as possible while the clock is running out. So if drac and mummy are lit you can't have the ball accidentally land in the scoop.

A more realistic strategy is to warm up on MB by just making a few shots and then concentrating on pulling one or two modes into Mosh Pit, Frank, or Bash. If something is running and I'm not close to a multiball then I'll try to complete that mode rather than trying to progress towards a mutliball. Mosh Pit is often overlooked but getting that center lane shot gets you monster bombs, decent points, multiball, and an extra ball light occasionally.

I've gotten Lyman's Lament twice now within two years. Both times on monster games, like twice through Monsters of Rock, where I figured I was close to LL so I status checked how many hits I needed and then fired away at the scoop. It's not really something that I'd recommend trying for unless the return from your scoop is really consistent and you've mastered that shot. Bricked shots on the scoop can be all sorts of trouble.

MB is a really simple game where the rules are easy to comprehend once you get a hang of things. I've got most of the rules memorized, how to activate modes, extra ball and special awards, stacking modes, and so on. But getting to Monsters of Rock consistently is much easier said than done. Set the outlanes posts to hard, and even set the software up hard, and you'll have to be really dialed in to get into Rock.

I have both games and AFM is the better game for a dedicated player. MB is also a great game and will be more popular with guests.

Thank you. I will have to try and make those although sounds highly unlikely next time I get a chance to play the BASH!

I also prefer AFM, although MB kicks ass as well.

Hate being negative, and apologies to Sheets, but The Lament to me was a huge disappointment. I was expecting some kind of informative narration, but it reminded me of a whining Valley Girl.

Dan

have both, love both, i give afm the nod by a hair.....

I also have both and I would give the nod to AFM. It just never gets old for me. I have had it for about 4 years and I still have games where my adrenaline is pumping, my palms are sweating and I am getting the shakes. It is by far the most played game in my collection.

MB is also awesome, but I haven't had it long enough to speak on it's staying power. I don't think it's as easy as some let on. I think those people don't fully understand the rules or have the machine setup too easy. I have extra ball limited to one. Lots of people seem to think Monster Bash is the end game, but it goes much further than that.

-Brian

Yeah, because Lyman didn't want to do it. It was sort of a joke on him and all Gomez's idea. So he went in and reluctantly did the voice work for it, as I understand the story. The result is Lyman speaking in that annoying stoner complainer voice while you're trying to play, the exact effect that Gomez was going for.

I don't get the love for ATM... Kinda reminds me of ren and stimpy. A marginal cartoon at best yet was very popular among 20 something's back in the early 90's... I've played two different ATMs and am baffled by its popularity

I think people really just like ATMs for their convenience during non-banking hours.

Ha. Now that was funny.

Thanks Mechslave. Makes a little more sense now;his heart wasn't in it, and that comes across in spades in his voice.

Where did you learn that?

Dan

BASH BASH BASH!!! For me, it's more fun, has more impressive toys, has the best music.

Man, this is a really tough call for me! I love both of these pins. So much so that I'm going to be having both of them fully restored. Both great pins, great themes, tons of fun! I've owned MB longer than any other pin that I've had, and it still isn't going anywhere.

I think that it is perfectly appropriate that at the time of this posting, the poll is evenly split 50/50 at 35 votes each.

This is one of the better posts that I've seen in terms of describing what there is to do and accomplish on MB.

I absolutely love both games, but I give the edge to MB. I'd put them about even when it comes to flow, difficulty, and depth, but MB has a better art package (by a mile), better music, and better toys. I also think MB is the funnier of the two games.

MB is more pure humor, while AFM is more tongue in cheek.

For example, "We must build an Atomic Blaster" is not laugh out loud funny, but it is humorous in its retro tongue in cheek way.

Agreed. That's actually one of my favorite quotes from that game, and it makes me laugh every time. I'm also a fan of the French guy callouts, and of course "Womennnnnnn!"

MB is overrated , not much(cause it Is a great game) and I am a huge AFM fan as well as RFM, which would be a cool one for your collection.

MB for the callouts. "No! I will not go back to your doghouse with you".
The intro to the Frankensteins monster multi ball is also one of pinballs sexiest moments.

I gotta go MB as well. It's a total blast. Then again, I just got it Wednesday. The audio is way better in terms of fidelity, imo. Rippin' good.

Wow, I just got Monsters of Rock on ball 2! Man, what crazy ballistic mode. I don't think I had all modes stacked but I had 3 or 4. Was afraid to look up at the display. Then I friggin tilted with 2 balls left.

Did I lose a lot of bonus points? I'm not familiar yet with how MB does bonus. Ended up with 526 million. Shit dang howdy was that fun. I haven't got to Rule The Universe yet on my AFM but if it's anything close to MOR, I may have to make that my next goal.

I prefer MB for the humor, music, light show, and toys. I also the challenge of stacking all the modes.

Still own a beautiful/natural MB and decided to sell my HEP AFM and Keller MM. Even though I didn't need the cash, didn't feel like having ~30k wrapped up in 2 pins. In a 12 pin collection, only wanted to own one, and for me the cost/enjoyment of MB won out. My 2$.

Played both, bought AFM. MB is a fun Pin as well, but AFM is a blast...

Both are good games. MB gets old after a while. I would pick AFM between the 2.

The one you want...

MB is one of my favs. AFM was never a game on my list but I found a nice one for $4k. Couldn't trade it off fast enough!! It's an OK game,but if people want to pay stupid $ for it,have at it!!

I think it was in Gomez's Topcast by Clay.

Monster Bash is more fun to me. Something about the classic film monsters, I guess.

I think he was calling "ATM" on purpose, as ATM means something other than Automatic Teller Machine. It is a porn acronym.

man, why can't I vote both? They are two of the top 4 pins.

I've owned both and sold both. Both are amazingly fun to play, but I have to give the edge to AFM. Only reason for selling is because I already own a MM, and they are very similar as well but MM wins in my book. AFM will last many play cycles without ever getting bored. Especially for those who don't know pinball (family/friends get together) it's just a game that is easy to understand as to what needs to be done. MB requires patience and a tour guide. Great toys on MB but destroying the saucer and bouncing aliens is pretty damn cool! Best of luck on your new addition when you decide.

I didn't like AFM at first (I thought the theme was tacky) but the more I played it the more it grew on me. There's just something very satisfying about blowing up saucers. And there's something nice about the simplicity of the game that I prefer over MB. MB is fun but I keep wanting to rule the universe in AFM.

If you've already gotten Bash or Rock then you probably shouldn't tilt. But if you are in single ball play without starting any major modes you should be hammering away at the cabinet to keep the ball in play. MB isn't a bonus heavy game at all. Sometimes it is even worth it to tilt after playing Bash or Rock because the bonus pales in comparison to doing well in the wizard modes.

When MB is played in tournaments you'll see lots of people tilting the cabinet. No point in losing your ball over the paltry bonuses. http://pinball.org/videos/#m