I like Ripley's better myself. There is a signpost in the game with different locations on it and one of them is Wis Dells, which is a town about 15 minutes from me where I spent a lot of time working and playing.

I also enjoy the vari-target and the 6 pop bumpers. The upper playfield is fun (but so is the lower on congo). The spiral ramp is fun too. I think Ripleys might be a little deeper of a game as well, which i like.

that being said, i have limited time on congo and more on ripley's, so my opinion is slightly bias.

Love both games but congo is better it has cool toys, good artwork, good rules, and good music. That's why more people own congo than Ripley's. Monopoly stinks.

Have had both and congo lasted year's longer than rbion..... still miss my congo.

By far..... its deep but i just didnt enjoy the gameplay.

Congo is super fun

I miss Congo. It's got a ton of great shots.

That's like comparing Filet Mignon or Ramen Soup for dinner.

I just got a Congo back after making the stupid mistake of selling mine years ago and Amy will never leave this house again! Beautiful Gorilla.

RBION is not horrible tho, if you find an affordable one it is worth a whirl

Amy Loves Pinball

IMG_20170912_170959 (resized).jpg

Had both, would only want Ripley's again. RBION has deeper/better rules IMO. Congo isn't really mode based at all whereas Ripleys is. I find the shot layout in both games to be quite fun, you can't really go wrong with either.

Congo might have more rules with more modes going on, but it is MUCH MUCH easier than RBION, and more people will find it "fun." If you really want to challenge yourself RBION is the way.
Congo has much longer ball times if that means anything. Monopoly isn't the worst little game out there...but shouoldn't be in this discussion.

Funny I find the monkey voice in congo much worse

This Amy monkey broad sucsk on some helium and yells at you all game. I'm not really bothered by either honestly though.

Ripley's has a lot more going on but becomes a little bland after a while. I never cared much for Congo starting right off with that lame skill shot on the plunge.

I bought a RBION in April. My girlfriend bought a Congo the next week. Which is better is a debate we have often.

(I think I'm right though)

I love my Congo and probablt fav pin. All shots feel great and is just a lot of fun. Gameplay is on the easy side so not a big challenge beating the game. It's just the type of game I can chill and just have fun playing. Lot's of interesting and unique modes, many multiballs, and several video modes.

I like RBION and it seems like a deeper game. I do find parts of the game annoying and it lacks the quality classic feel of B/W pins. Pretty sure you can get one a lot cheaper than Congo. If you can get one cheap, I would go for it and keep an eye out for Congo later. They can be hard to find.

They're both not cheap games anymore and Congo agreed is tough to find. I would argue the the feel issue as i think RBION is built like a tank.

This was my main point as well. RBION is a shitkicker...took me over a year to get to the wizard mode, still havne't made 1 mode. Congo isn't mode based so there can be a lot going on from diff'rent areas which is nice...and everything is in reach.
Much more relaxing game to play.

Anyway, looks like OP alrady made his mind up looking for a Congo. Good luck.

Wow, that's sad. Anyway, plenty of more fish in the sea!

First: can I ask why you said the above quote? RBION is designed by Pat Lawlor so it confuses me.

Oh and both RBION and Congo are sweet games. I would say Congo shoots a tiny bit better but Ripleys has better rules. Either way you are doing good.

Hey OP,

interestingly enough, I once traded a Congo for an RBION. I found both games fun. But like you it is the audio (and light show) that really adds a lot to a game for me. I loved the audio on Congo and it was just plain fun to play but it is a little on the easy side so I think it would get old in a smaller collection. Lots of people don't like Amy but I liked the campiness of the movie so it worked for me.

RBION just didn't have the audio package for me. The sounds were too old school (for lack of a better description) and the talking head got old after a while. I also found that it was too stop and go for me. I do like stop-n-go from time to time but it gets old quick for me. I also made it to the Wizard Mode the 3rd week I had it. It is easy enough to make it more difficult but once I seen almost everything there was to see - it got old. Now to be fair you can see everything Congo has in a shortere time - but the game still seemed fun to me.

I agree - that maybe neither of these are the pin for you. The sound package on the Shadow is awesome and the game play is very nice.

The super skill shot is to plunge the ball into the left out lane, which the kicker will then shoot it back out vs the blinking targets. That's a pretty enjoyable shot to start off with.

Now that you've changed your mind on options, I'd say: TS>RBION>Congo

I was going to say Indy 500, but see you had that one already. Absolutely love that game!
Of the games you mentioned
Shadow>Congo>RBION>Monopoly
I see you have not owned White Water yet. Check that one out a true 90's gem.

Congo with pinsound board

I've had both, RBION is still here. Funny enough I picked up Congo and Ripley's from two different people on the same day about 5 years ago. I like Congo, it's a fun, different game. I bought Congo when it wasn't cool to have Congo. I would get Congo again, but not at the ridiculous prices it goes for now. Congo is very approachable, but it can get old though. There is no wizard mode, just super diamond hunt multiball at every 100 diamonds. It's gets to be how many times you can do it instead of can you do it. It just isn't worth the money it commands nowadays IMHO.

RBION on the other hand is an insane challenge. Tons of strategy, very difficult to do well. Insanely difficult to hit frog frenzy and just slightly easier to get the Atlantis wizard mode. I'm always excited to play Ripley's because you never know how it's going to go. All that and It's cheaper than Congo too, which is crazy. I can't see it ever leaving.

I've also had Shadow, fun challenging and different style of game. Only sold to help pay for the gameroom build out. Would get again and it's worth the price of admission it still sells for. Monopoly is not a good game and not in the same ballpark of any of the other 3 games.

Have both. Congo is more fun, Ripley's is "challenging"...I'd take Congo all day.

I have a Shadow sitting next to my Congo. Very different games. Congo is campy fun and just having fun. Shadow is a very challenging game and you have to really plan your shots. Just flipping the ball will get you a very short game. Novice players will have a very hard time with it. I love the ramp diverters but 4 buttons and 3 flippers way too much for novices. Great fun when you get a feel for the shots. It also has great audio and humor. Lot's of random stuff. I love having both games. One for relax playing and one that puts up a challenge.

Dr. Who or Johnny Mnemonic both classics

Your girlfriend buys herself pins?!

Bravo on landing her

Ripleys and Shadow is top 2.
Ripleys is so tough and rewarding to reach Atlantis.
Shadow is rock solid.
Congo is too easy but fun. Everyone misses their Congo but they got rid of it the first time around for a reason.
Monopoly is boring for me.

I agree.