Do whatever feels right to you. You don't need validation from the interwebs.

They are both complex games but Star Trek is more about hitting the right sequence of shots in the right order to maximize available points. They play pretty differently. Watch some videos or go out and find one somewhere, either of those shouldn't be too hard to find in the wild.

Star Trek Premium/LE

Steve Ritchie is the King of Pinball.

Since you already have a STTNG, I would go TZ. Even though you are a trekkie, the shot map is almost identical between STTNG and ST so, TZ would add a bit more diversity to your collection.

I traded sttng a while back, but ST isn't going anywhere!!!

STLE hands down I picked one up a month ago and can't get enough of it

As a ST Premium owner I would say ST is great - very pretty and fun game with good flow that I like - but if you already have STTNG and have no plan to trade it then go for the Lawlor pin in TZ. I agree with adding some different flavors...

I would definitely pick TZ, but I have a ST and enjoy it. Since you are a huge Star Trek fan, you might be happier with ST. ST is more of a flow game, but TZ is one of the best games ever made IMO.
If it were me, I'd sell STTNG and get both TZ and ST - but that's just my personal preference.

I think either could be a good choice. One factor to consider is that the ST pro is a new game with a warranty and TZ is 20 years old with a lot more potential maintenance issues.

I have a ST pro, STTNG and TZ. If youre a Trek fan you cant go wrong owning both STTNG and ST. Yes the layout is similar but they play COMPLETELY different. TZ is a great game too so you really cant lose either way you go, they are both readily available so it just depends on how much you want to spend.

IMO...go with ST cuz I'm having more fun playing it right now!

I have owned both and Stern ST Premium or LE is a keeper. STTNG is gone.

I also don't like IM or T2. Too simple for my tastes.

SWE1 is a only good for 14 and younger or for on route

You already have STTNG, so you don't need another Star Trek themed game.
And STTNG is a widebody pin (WMS superpin), so you don't need TZ then.
What are your other choices?

I have an STLE I got NIB, and a HEP TZ. Lots of time on both. Both great games, but I'd have to keep TZ if it came down to getting rid of one. STLE is very fast, but not as complex a lay out as TZ, nor does it have the shot variation of TZ. It's not really fair to compare the two, as I said both are great, but totally different. Not looking at apples to apples.

Sounds like you have some strong opinions on certain games. ST is a great game but not everyone likes the way modes are implemented. The main complaint is that all the modes play the same which is kinda true. Variety comes in the way you go about playing the game once you understand the rules. It doesn't hurt that ST has the best light show, great sound, and new code that will help ST stay on top in the ratings.

TZ is very different. I like it but don't know if I will ever spend the big bucks to own one. Lots of stop and go action and a loaded playfield that could be a maintenance nightmare. You could argue it has more variety of shots than ST but they are really completely different kinds of games.

I sold my ST and I do not miss it. I would go for a TZ.

For what it's worth I don't find the gameplay between STTNG and Star Trek at all similar.

I own STLE and STTNG. IMO, even though they are both fan layout, they both play drastically different from one another.

I honestly thought that having both of them would be too much Star Trek and too similar layouts, but I couldn't have been any more wrong.

As a huge star trek fan... I say join the crowd / owners of all the Star Trek Machines made.

Just got my TZ a few months ago. I think it lives up to its reviews. Mines not going anywhere. Awesome game. Plus I'm a fan of the series

Twilight Zone, if for no other reason than the code being finished.

Two awsome games. I have TZ more highly rated and think it's probably the best pin of all time, but if I'm really into bright lights, STLE is my preference for the best light show in pinball, and it helps that the game shoots great too.

I had TZ and have STLE, don't plan no selling my STLE for a super long time, to me TZ was a maintenance problem and I don't fix my own games so I prefer the newer titles as you could guess from my all Stern lineup. Color changing insert lights for the win.

TZ better game, but STLE also very good, but my preferrence to the color changing inserts and side cabinet lightshow.

I own both.
TZ.
Harder to find in great condition and will only get harder. never have to worry about it being remade either.
Star trek will be easy to find for the foreseeable future.

my .02

Since you already own STTNG I would go with TZ over Stern's new ST.

I would ask yourself what type of pinball ruleset you like to play. Going mainly for points or feeling like you are on a mission? While I love TZ the game doesn't make me like I'm on a mission the way games like STTNG, LOTR and the new Stern ST does. If you prefer story based rulesets I would go with the new ST over a TZ. However, TZ is still a blast to play as there's so much to do on the game, has a lot of unique shots and also has some of the coolest toys in pinball.

The best choice when choosing pins!

tz by a light year, played the pro st and it was good but there is a reason tz is at the top of every ranking...

Quoting this for future posterity so we can laugh when you go past 5.

TZ knocks new ST out of the water so much it's not even funny.

That's a matter of opinion, and you know what they say about opinions....lol

If you can budget it, please go for the prem/LE. The light show alone is worth the upgrade. It's absolutely phenomenal especially after the last update. Especially if you're a TREK fan.

I think you mean 5 will fit perfectly in your house before you have to move/renovate.

I had an ST Pro. It was like chopping wood. I'm on my second TZ. Only reason I sold the first one was to buy the second CQ one. TZ forever!

TZ>ST/STTNG

These two games really couldn't be any different. TZ is wide body, stop and go, and while it isn't slow it also isn't the fastest of games.

ST is flow, flow, flow...speed...pulse rising speed...

I'm a big Lawlor fan, but TZ didn't last long in my collection. I absolutely love my ST. Can't see it going anywhere for a while (the pro can really be dressed up with some cool mods).

Just my 2cents

Stern Star Trek is on the top of my short want list....... TZ is one of the few games I dislike. Based on that, ST is the way to go

Get both

TZ...all time classic.

Well, you mentioned you are a trekkie. A lot of trekkies I know didn' t like the rebooted franchise so much. (I'm not one of them, anything space-related on the big screen gets my money) So long as you don't fall in that category I don't think you could go wrong with either pin.

I have both STTNG and ST Premium. They are definitely different games so I don't think the overlap would have you too Trek'd out. Neither of mine are going anywhere. That said, TZ I think is better in terms of long-term playability.

Again, I love my ST Premium but TZ has the reputation and standing on the top 100 for a good reason, it's a next-level sort of game to keep you coming back long after the great sound and light of ST Premium have faded in novelty - wish I had one in my collection.

I have both, and both are great games. However, I'd go with Star Trek Premium/LE. It is a blast and I keep going back to it.

Sell STTNG, Buy both TZ and Stern ST.