I'll add TWD pro (as a biting game) it's wicked fun.

I just got AFM sitting next to IM and they are both excellent choices (one more game!!)

I owned STLE and feel like it's more of a long playing game like SM and you really need to play 10++ minutes to see a lot of the depth. It's still great pin bit not a quick brutal pin like IM/AFM/TWD. ST is more of a long game and games like Tron/IM/TWD/AFM can be long but not as necessary to be long game.

I have TNA on my wish list and on order but thinking much like you that it may be too much of the same same.

At least AFM has a martin attack mode to mix things up.

Bottom line I voted IM and would add TWD (pro) and AFM.

I prefer TWD pro (cheaper and also less things to stop the clock like the crossbow) ant the station ramp is a lot more smooth than the lifting ramp.
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If you owned ST (like I did) the LE/premium is nicer (IMO) sure you pay more but it's got the star field, the crashing Vengeance ship full color changing inserts, the up kicker to the ramp etc.. I still feel like ST has some bugs that would make me hesitate to buy. For example if the kickback misses the save it just drains while many other pins I have played will give you the ball back (it's obvious the ball was not saved like it should have been give the damn ball back that's so frustrating and such an easy fix/bug). I have not played the new code on ST bit didn't see that on the change log.

IM is just perfect, it's got just a few inserts to light (much like Tron) plus it resets the mode inserts on each ball which adds a nice bit of difficulty.

TNA has some demerits it still has a lot of great aspects.

Some people love it so I may too.
Great lighting effects.
Great music.
Great multi player game.
Shorter game type.
Great theme.

Some weaknesses:
Limited shots.
May tend to play the same way all the time.

On the whole TNA seems like a good choice but so does IM which you can get for less money.

Regarding Tron, I’d say IM is very similar with good callouts music theme and poor DMD clips from the movie. I’d call IM a poor man’s Tron.

Lots of people consider ‘shots’ being different than stand up targets (at least I do).

All shots are not created equal. Is the lock target or spider sense target at important or fun to hit as the three ramps on SM?

IM has : 6 (non-target shots)

2 orbits
2 ramps
1 Center orbit
1 War Machine kick back

The remaining are stand up (drone, whiplash, monger).

TNA has 4 (non-target shots)
2 orbits
1 scoop
1 drop target area

————

So IM has 50% more non-target shots.

I have not played a ton of TNA so not trying to be the worlds authority on TNA but the upper play field takes up let’s say a third of the entire game area? You flip the ball hit something or not and then the ball drains to the lower PF. It’s not like these shots are monumental not like you are trying to hit the center spinner on IM for 40M point shot probably a 4 year old can hit some targets up there by accident or randomly and get rewarded.

Much like the upper PF on Woz or the lower PF on AcDc which are a subplot of the game. AcDc completely does away with the lower PF on some versions that’s how unimportant it is.

I’m not attacking TNA still want one but I’m just pointing out what some people might call a weakness.

Seven shots on the upper PF?

I’m not against TNA, I may buy one. I’m just saying there are other great games and saying that does not mean TNA is not great as well. It’s in the discussion certainly for this thread.

I’m planning to play TNA at my friends house but we have to sync up our schedule.

I’m certainly able to change my opinion.

I was mildly against Woz and TWD on first impressions but now love both.

I was more against Woz during the initial year or two it was out especially on location but in a home environment I love it.