In the 90's, I get it... But today, I find the audible compression artifacts and noise-static irritating. Perhaps it's MY games or perhaps nostalgia is a factor.
I've had TZ for 20yrs and the audio is 'fine' for me. But I recently picked up a nice Addam's Family and immediately upgraded the speakers, added pinsound, etc.

BTW, you can switch mixes (new, original, etc.). I prefer the new mixes, they change the vibe of the game, but it's interesting to switch back to the original sounds.

Oh, that’s good to know.

Yes, I run the original Champion Pub mix on the SD card of my Pinsound.

Pinsound uses a SD card to store the mixes (wav file format?), then triggers the appropriate soundclips based on game events.

With Pinsound, you can just insert different SD cards with different mixes as you wish. So you can always fall back to the original rips of the original game. Takes 3.25 seconds to swap a SD card.

Another advantage of Pinsound is its audio amplifier and its built in EQ. There are analog pots for low, mid and high freqs (3 band EQ). There's also a out for a sub and headphones built in on the card.

My point, even with the original "thin" Champion Pub mix, I can boost the bass, trim down the mids etc. Just this makes it sound better than the original (even with stock speakers).

Actually, just press the volume down (-) till it reaches zero, you'll hear pinsound chime, and it switches to the next mix on our USB stick.

Wow that's even cooler! Thanks!

I wasn't aware of this.

I know, right!!!!! I communicated with the French engineer(s) that designed the board. They are great. But marketing is apparently not their strong suit.

The product is GREAT. You actually get a kick-ass preamp, with EQ. That's why it's not cheap, but totally worth it!

(it's also a very nice way to remove the old WPC95 A/V board from the machine!)

I'm on the fence of buying a good condition LOTR. I can get it for a good price, but I'm a bit hesitant because of a possible VE release.

What are the chances of a VE? How long does the JJP Tolkien exclusivity deal last?
What would be the impact on prices of existing LOTR?

As an alternative, I could get a nice Hobbit LE for a good price. Rules wise, I believe LOTR is the better game though. And even though art is kind of ugly, it has a certain charm I cannot resist...

I wouldn't hold off on buying it personally. Stern has been surprising everyone recently so they may eventually do something though. The thing is, huo games are selling for around 6k and around 6k is what any new vault game would cost. Point being, the demand for a remake isn't high due to the availability of very nice ones for 6k

If you want one buy one now. A vault version is unlikely, but I am a skeptic on this subject. I'm sure that JJP has license protection against another Tolkien pinball release while they hold the Hobbit rights.

I've owned both machines, and LOTR is far superior to the Hobbit. Hobbit looks and sounds great, and the code has improved, but it is still a boring shooter.

I’d say LotR remake is unlikely. I’d like to see it happen but I’m not optimistic. I think the price would be at $6k+

Much more likely would be a Tron Vault.

Nobody really knows, I didn’t think SM Vault was needed or would be a complete art and package re do.

stern has to see how well Cgc is doing with remakes. Here’s hoping 2019 will be a vault year for an older game. even if it’s not lotr.

Ok, thanks. I played both but only a few games each. I had the same impression. Shooting games can be great as well, but then I don't get all those multiballs. But, TH is just beautiful... However, maybe you should reconsider your rating for TH. Seems a bit high for a "boring shooter". Sorry...

Enjoy it now, not in the hypothetical future I just bought one, no complaints.

BTW, doesn't seem like re-production releases necessarily affect older versions. You still can't get an original MM or ATFM for a "bargain" and those "remakes" are far bigger upgrades to the original than LotR would be.

That's funny, my review was from 2015, before I owned it. Lowered my layout, lastability, and playing numbers, but keep the artwork and sound high.

Guess I'm part of the reason new machines are overrated.

Someone who played a few games is chiding someone for their Hobbit rating. Priceless. I’ve put hundreds of games on Hobbit, it’s never even remotely boring. I stand by my high rating. It’s a phenomenal game.

Same here, especially since "new" code.

Is this speculation gaining any serious traction today? I'm hearing things. Like, 2019-release things.

Was it on a podcast? That guy’s on fire today!

Love old NES and SNES audio.

Doesn't need any traction. It's already on track. Gomez needs some love, and this will do the trick in spades. Will likely be Stern's best-selling vault.

Plus, with upcoming Amazon's LotR offshoot series, there will be tons of promotion/interest in the property.

I just do not see how Stern could do this due to the Whitestar hardware LOTR was built with.
One would think they used up the last of their parts on the 2007 LOTR run, but who knows.

Tron is equally in demand as a vault, and would be far easier for Stern to produce.

Hobbit is dreadful and a complete joke compared to LOTR.

Will not be Whitestar. Spike2 hardware. It's been discussed extensively a while back, and is the reason they'll sell to people that have the original - color screen, shaker motor, non-fade coils, etc, etc, etc.

As far as I know nothing has been said that is anything other than the same speculation that has been around since they started doing vaults

It's definitely been "discussed extensively" but with nothing at all from Stern we're all just speculating. I still think an LOTR Vault would be good business for Stern and I hope they make one, but none of us know if, when, or how it might happen.

None of us? I can confidently say there are people here who know those answers. The sooner, the better, since they're going to sell a ton of them. Only cutting features can dull that sales potential, and I don't think they'd do that.

Yeah, as in none of the people commenting. If you've got inside info an not just spouting off, enlighten us. As far as I know it's not even rumored but then again I don't pay for twip premium.

I’ll bite - who?

I'll demur. They know who they are. It'll all come out in time, and I'll be first in line as long as they don't cost-reduce away assemblies.

This isn’t vault related, but it was cool playing LOTR right next to John Rhys-Davies (at his signature table) this weekend at TPF. I’m sure he got sick of hearing his voice doing the call outs, but it was fun for me!

He's a fantastic thespian. Love the way he talks. His appearance on the TWIPIES was a nice surprise.

I’m so LTG...but trying to catch up.

I own 2 pins now - JJP POTC CE and CGC AFMr LE.

I didn’t even know Stern did “VE”s.

I played LOTR on-site maybe 2 months back or so.

It was fun! I was honestly a bit taken back that it was a Stern. =P

I just played my LOTR and noticed this thread was bumped. Defeated Ballrog, which is one of the more rewarding things to do in any game I've owned. The game totally freaks out when you accomplish this.

The impressive thing about LOTR is everything about the game is "deep". The callouts, music, dots, etc. are vast. It's transports you unlike Stern's more modern games.

I can't say I play it as much as some of my other games, but I think it's one of the best games ever made.

I hope everyone wishing for a vault gets what they want. If Stern decides to do a vault, I just hope they do it "right".

So some guy of CL tells me, he can buy a NIB Stern LOTR for 7K. Is he smoking crack?

There are NIB still out there.. Why this game hasnt been vaulted is beyond me, easy money for Stern.

You just answered your own question: Because there are still NIB games available for people to buy. No need to make more.

6 months ago these were selling for 6k now they are 7. amazing!

Exactly. They did several runs. Over 5000 manufactured, which is fairly high. Resales are often very fairly priced as well.

...and, at that price, they're pretty pimped out.

Kaneda just broke the news that an LE LOTR is coming with new sculpts and art work ect..
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Kaneda Posted after podcast:
UPDATE on this show after it went up as I got more details on the new LOTR offering.

1. Will be new LOTR art kit available vs entirely new game (not a vault)
2. Will be new cabinet art, PF art, backbox and translite art
3. Will need a LOTR to swap this kit in
4. New sculpt for game
5. PF swap will be required (ugh)
6. Kits will be limited and $$$

Wonder who will be selling this package...

Lior does great work. Will be interesting to see what he does.

And so another great games remain unobtanium for us folks who aren't nearing retirement.

LOTR isn’t unobtanium. There are probably like 8000 of them out there. I bought one for $500 once lol.

Those decals are such an improvement to the low-res originals

It looks even better in person.

Not to "poop" on the guy selling those kits, but how long before the copyright lawyers shut him down?