I’ve owned both (STLE, Wolv LE, XMEN PRO).
Layouts are actually quite similar. XMEN shots being tighter, harder, but a little more satisfying. Warp ramp is my favorite upper ramp shot in Pinball, but Storm shot is my 2nd favorite! These are two fantastic upper flipper shots.
Vengeance smokes magneto away. But both those main toys did not get the level of attention software wise that they deserve. So much more could have been done with both mechs.
Art: XMEN
Theme: ST
Sounds: ST
call outs: ST
Rules: XMEN
Lighting: ST
Overall code: ST
DMD: ST (now that it has color dmd)
Cons of both games:
- XMEN wolverine is way oversized, huge, and a missed opportunity. There is a mod to fix it though I haven’t seen or played it with the mod.
- XMEN sound package is hit and miss. But more of a miss.
- XMEN multiball code is pretty bad for wolverine, and the 2 villain MB’s. Magneto mb rules are good but the sounds are annoying as hell. When you defeat villains or the multiball there’s no real ending or transition, just starts over with the villains you defeated alive again. On the flip side, danger room and dark Phoenix are bad ass.
- ST lacks in rules progression. It seems to lie on a linear plane with not many twists and turns. Granted, that linear plane is fast and Adrenalin driven. But progressing to special wizard modes and such is its biggest con.
- EDIT: ST relies on two very tough shots to progress missions and away team which needs to be made very often in the game. This is the game’s biggest con by far as you can sit there for a good minute just trying to get a mission started.
Overall, both need a really good rinse of polish code wise. ST really has a deep thinkers strategy to its ruleset and is overall the way better game. ST rules are simple up front, shoot colored arrows, but have a deep meaning to all the shots and strategies. XMEN is a bit harder to follow but is also more unique in that aspect. Both are great for small collections but the XMEN sound package is irritating and eventually will get to you. ST for the win.