Whichever one you find first in good shape at a good price. And if you find it is not the right choice, sell it. But I am partial EATPM and Pinbot.

One of the best additions to my System 11s was to add a DMD game, chose Maverick as it is affordable in the $1000-$1500 range and packed with great features.

Taxi, as you mentioned is a good choice for another system 11. Pinbot too.

I always considered myself a "System 11 guy"...until I wound up with a Starship Troopers - an affordable game packed with all the ramps and multiball mayhem I wanted out of my next System 11.

If you want to stick with a classy lineup of System 11s, Taxi, Diner or Pinbot would all add a touch of something new to your lineup. Or, ya know, Black Knight 2000...if it's your thing

Add one of these: taxi or pinbot. Great classics. Whatever you do though, buy one in nice shape. Don't get a crappy version.

Like RyThom said, I too loved system 11 pins and that's all i'd buy. Then I got my first WPC DMD. Sold the system 11s as I felt they paled in comparison.

Now i'm stuck in the WPC DMD era of pins.

I'm with Blackbeard: Taxi or Pinbot. Absolute classics.

Taxi is a little shallow, but makes up for it in music, sounds, and overall character. Pinbot's hardest goal(for me anyway) is to get to the Sun. I think I've only done it once, but still really enjoy playing that game. The music for Pinbot is way cool, too.

I vote for Diner. Similar game play to Taxi but feels more refined IMO. Plus its a beautiful machine once polished up.

I have repaired, shopped, or owned nearly all system 11's over the years. I learned a long time ago that Whirlwind is in fact the best system 11. Not even really my favorite sys 11 game but I recognize a system 11 masterpiece when I play it.

Pinbot.

I'd usually throw in a vote for Rollergames. You can get that game moving pretty fast. However with HS/F14 in the collection already it may be too much "Signature Ritchie" for you (upper right flipper, side ramp shot, kickback, etc).

How about Space Station? To me it stands apart from nearly everything in the System 11 lineup. Pretty unique. Maybe Funhouse, if you are willing to shell out Funhouse prices and can stomach Lawlor's distinct pre-TAF style...which ain't for everyone.

Good Luck!

Rob
creditdotpinball.com

Swords of Fury

Taxi. Pinbot transporter whirlwind

Considering you have 3 B+ titles, I'd go A / A- with your final system 11 - and that means Funhouse, Whirlwind, Diner, or Earthshaker.
You cannot lose with any of the 4, and people each prefer one or another for their own reasons, so no need to debate.

Whichever you like the best of these 4, that's the move to make.
All are reasonable price (except FH) - all hold their value - all are fun and deeper than the 3 you have.

And...all 4 are always in demand - so easy to switch up someday.

I noticed the OP mentions they are not a fan of Whirlwind.

Also, for what it's worth, I HAD/have owned all three other OP games in the title for many years time...

Funhouse is not a System 11 pinball, it's WPC. (slaps forehead)

If you are talking "classic system 11" like taxi or "iconic and groundbreaking system 11" like high speed, that's an entirely different conversation all together.

The best designed system 11 layout and gameplay that exists is Whirlwind.

If not for the design and success of that game, TAF, TZ, Funhouse would have never been conceived.

In much the same way Ritchie changed the speed of pinball with the use of the "wireform" guides/ramps in HS, Lawlor did the same thing with Wirlwind, pushing pins to new places 5 years later.

EAPM, Diner and ES are all great iconic games but grow tired in a group of games much quicker than whirlwind.

Only annoyance I have with Whirlwind is it's sound is lacking "greatness". However, strictly judging a system 11's game-play and objectives, it's the clear winner.

I'd go with this. My vote was Pinbot, but this is a better idea. I think Diner is an acquired taste, but WW and ES are great games that are a lot of fun to play and they aren't as polarizing as FH (people either love Rudy or hate him) and FH doesn't count anyway (not Sys11).

OP original post implies doesn't have to be a Sys 11, seems he wants something with a similar "staying power", similar rules/depth, but maybe something a little different to get some variety. I think an entry level DMD is a great option, in addition to the higher regarded Sys 11 titles.

I would say Taxi over Pinbot by a mile, but Whirlwind blows them both away. I have both Taxi and Whirlwind and I had Pinbot. Pinbot is a cool game but got old very quickly for me. The shots are very limited. Another system 11 no one has mentioned yet is Mousin Around. Probably has the best flow of any system 11 game. Lots of ramps, and the mouse trap ball locks.

Elvira and the Party Monsters! Only System 11 I own, and probably will be the only one. I prefer my games a little deeper, but the charm and theme of EATPM is a winner. If it doesn't grab you theme-wise though then keep looking.

Without a doubt, Black Knight 2000.

I am biased though.

Chris

Whirlwind or Taxi. IMO a system 11 collection needs both.

There is no such thing as a final machine...

I second BK2K, It's not for everyone and it's not as fancy as some of the other games mentioned, but I love it. It's mean, it hates you, it's fast and colorful, no toys, just shots and ramps and loops back from a time when you actually had to earn multiball. It seems to be getting more popular since it's inclusion in pinball arcade.

I am also biased

Just to throw a curve, I am going to suggest Radical as your next system 11 since my previous posts really were more to show the downsides of other more popular titles. And since it doesn't have to be a system 11, I am going to suggest DE's Time Machine as your next non-sys11, non-DMD title.

If you're open to the idea of an early DMD, Terminator 2 is a decent way to go. It's essentially a glorified System 11. Simple rules, multiball, a cannon, and a great layout full of Steve Richie goodness.

Also, I'm loving all the recent BK2K support

Art package always had me sold on BK2K. And then I played it at a few shows and the PHoF...and was really underwhelmed. It creates quite a mood with the overall package of lights, sound and art, but I was really surprised how lacking it was in gameplay at the expense of focussing on speed. Maybe its just not my cup of tea. I like my stop and go too much...squeeze in a sip of beer.

Glad to see FH getting some love...I suggested it because the OP wasn't strict about it being a true Sys11. Funhouse is a Sys11 in spirit though....and still think it would be the ultimate cherry on top for your collection.

Rob
creditdotpinball.com

- Transformer The Rescue
- Mousin' Around
- Black Knight 2000
- Swords of Fury

Answer: Whatever sys11 you can pick up for $1000-$1500 in very good condition.
I have seven system 11s, and I recommend them all.
Best system 11s: Diner/Whirlwind *honorable mention Taxi
Best bang for buck: F14/Grand Lizard/Rollergames/High Speed/Space Station
-mof

You mentioned Taxi as being basic, but remember, this is system 11. Most, if not all system 11s are very basic.

I have owned both Taxi and WW, arguably the kings of system 11 pins. I miss my taxi much more than my ww. Taxi had clear objectives to obtaining the jackpot (and the crazy bell buzzer). The shout outs are classic imo. Overall I found it better than ww, which I found a tad overrated. Just a tad though.

I'd love to own a taxi again, but it would have to be with a cc'd playfield installed. Pinbot stranded....

Ugh - I only have one pin and it's Whirlwind. Can I vote for it?

Taxi is also way different feeling from Jokerz, in my opinion. Yes, they both have two plastic ramps, but thats where the similarities end. Taxi's ramps can be reliably combo'd where Jokerz dumps the ball in the lanes/pops everytime.

And like Blackbeard was saying, the theme is fantastic.

The yellow cabinet would look good contrasting the black and blue you've already got, too...

That is very interesting info.
-mof

Ha, you should post this in the sys-11 club!
-mof

Whirlwind, Black Knight 2000, Road Kings, Space Station, Rollergames, and Cyclone would be at the top of my list (not necessarily in that order).

Before addressing System 11's, you might also want to consider World Cup Soccer (WCS). It's a lower priced DMD with a rule set a little deeper, but similar to FH and the System 11's. It's a great family game with the sports theme, cheering crowds, etc. and basic rules that are easier to explain than other DMD's from that time frame or since then. Has two great multiball modes (Final Draw - you try to win your way up in rank from current seeding position by beating teams to the point where you get to play the #1 ranked team, and World Cup - traveling through the cities to make it to LA to play in the World Cup against Germany)

As to System 11's, I owned several and have played all of them a lot. The ones I would consider adding, in order of personal preference: WW, Taxi, Pinbot, Space Stn. And, to reinforce what others have said, WW is the BEST system 11 unless you don't like games that are very challenging with multiball that is very difficult to start and with hard to score jackpots during multiball.

WW and ES are similar in rule set, but I'd place WW over ES because ES has rules that are flawed and WW also has cooler (literally - get it?) toys. Taxi and Diner are also similar games, and, although Diner is prettier to look at and has slightly deeper rule set, Taxi is just more fun to play (and usually less $). Space Stn is similar to Space Shuttle with some added rules and a very cool (especially with LED lights) special light show for multiball - Condition Green. There are several other fun System 11 games, and I can see why they might also be preferred over the ones on my list by others, but just providing my preferences here.