I think your best bet is to watch a bunch of videos to get an idea.

Where are you located?

XM LE

and welcome to pinside

I would knock AC/DC off the list since in was choice #3 and you said you would tire of the music.
Transformers LE has not held it value and you can buy a home use only for about $2,000 less than what you listed you would pay for a NIB.

So I would get the Wolverine Xmen LE as it's priced competitive and it's new and in demand. You may want to jump quick as I assume because it's limited and in demand and priced right it won't be there very long. Gameplay looks good, I have no desire to buy an X-men as I am not familiar with the theme, but since you are a fan and it was an option - I think it's your best choice from your options. If it turns out to be a hit it will most likely appreciate in value , the other 2 you most likely will lose money on when you sell.

Good luck - let us know what you get.

Search Epay and you will see that they can be had for closer to what you thought the price was. Since this is a "friend" see what they can do on that price. The disadvantage to Epay is shipping will be at least another $300. I think the original price you mentioned was fair, while the higher amount is near the top of the current market.

Sure you do...

I probably am :/

DrainO, look in our market place above. There are several Transformer LE HUO there some only have a few hundred plays. These are like new machines and can be had for around $5500 shipped.

Shazam! I think if you look around you can beat this by ~1500-2000 .

Shazam! You can beat that by more than 500.

Welcome to Pinside DrainO - good to have another Houstonian here. IMHO, you should play these games before investing so much $$. Since you're in Houston - check out http://www.joystixgames.com/ They're located downtown, and have every new Stern.

That's the best way to go!!

Welcome from another Houstonian (well Houston area anyway). Based on your comments, I would go XM LE. But look around a bit, you can do better than $7850 just using eBay so deals better than that are probably out there. For the Magneto version certainly.

Play before you pay! And pay...and pay...and pay!

I would also knock ACDC off the list. Only played it for a night but I'd go Xmen. TF is catchy at first but you might get bored of it.

If you don't like AC/dc its gone.

Between TF & XMen it's XMen hands down.

TF LE is a dud and dropping like a rock in price

not really, you can add some EL wire, but there is a lot more going on for the LE.

Like others said, if you can play them first, definitely do it. Especially if you can go sometime when it's quiet and really hear the details of the game.

I like TF.
I have ACDC premium and love it. The music is not tiresome to me.
I have not played X-men.

Good problem to have, good luck.