Ugh see my avatar... I have custom TMNT cab with switcher running TMNT and TMNT Turtles in Time both on original hardware arcade boards. Signed up for this site years ago wanting either Mario Gottlieb, TMNT DE or Simpsons DE as my first entry pin but moved along...

Now it seems like I may have to pull the trigger on this one. Should I just go for LE knowing I'll keep this as HUO and probably will stay under a few hundred plays? In my experiences you get the new toy and everyone wants to play, then it gathers a lot of dust.

Theme was #1 factor for me and this is my calling it seems. Theme seems to be a polarizing issue here but as a collector of vintage video games TMNT prices have been batshit crazy over the last 3 or 4 years. You used to be able to set a Mint Sealed TMNT 1 (NES) for around $600-$800, now it's $3500-$4000. TMNT has a cult following and these will go quickly I imagine.

Somewhat true. I said "Mint sealed" in my price quote and the guy came back with average sealed comps. I'm talking VGA 85+ or Wata 9.4/A+ level. Been collecting very actively about 12 years. I'd say price was $850 in that condition as recently as late 2018. Then it jumped to about $2500 beginning of 2019 and I sold there. Was able to find a raw one to replace at a fraction of the price later on thankfully. I expected price to drop but it didn't. I stand by my assessment that the game in that condition is now $3500 as of today and frankly an easy sell there if you are connected in the market.

Point being, speculative investors, sure, but TMNT games have been in demand and held these price levels for well over 18 months now. Usually when new dumb money gets in prices quickly bubble and fall. They haven't fallen on the good titles and won't though.

So what's the standard best price you can get on these before taxes and such? Can get the Pro at $5,899 or LE at $9,099 plus tax and free delivery setup if paying cash. Is is possible to shave another $100 or so off the Pro?

Collector in me wants the CE but hard to justify the $3400 premium for something I know will sit and not get played much, even if it will hold its value mostly. I'm a pin novice so the extra rule sets aren't a huge selling point with the price difference considered.

Screw it, just bought my LE. First pin for me. All bought on theme and I'm a pinball rookie. Just in case anyone underestimates the power of theme.

I will say I didn't quite jump in sight unseen as I've had a casual interest in pinball for about 2 years. Just couldn't quite get anything that motivated me to jump in and I'm not that handy so maintenance was a turn off. I played some machines at Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas to feel things out but yeah, this theme is the home run for me. And collector in me had to go LE.

Yeah I like the Pro artwork better than the Premium as well. Choice for me was Pro or LE and I just went LE as this is my dream theme.

I'm getting my TMNT LE right around $9k out the door, fully inclusive of all taxes with free delivery and setup. Paying in cash though, without Paypal or Credit Card you have a lot more flexibility.

Also, judging by your name and location I may be able to help you out, I"ll FB message you if you are who I think you are.

I agree on preferring the Pro art over the Premium, significantly so for me. I was between the Pro or LE with no interest in the Premium because of it. Collector in me went the LE route though.

I couldn't justify the $1800 upgrade for diverter / krang when I felt the art was inferior. This is a turtles machine, you want green to be the center color. Purple didn't do it for me.

I was between the Pro and LE for that exact reason, didn't the purple and thought it was inferior to the Pro. No way I'd pay $2k more for a Premium, even with more functionality, when I thought the Pro had the better art package.

So I went the LE route myself!

I'm actually putting this TMNT LE next to my TMNT and TMNT Turtles in Time Arcade cabinet. Good tastes!

Are you kidding, what are the odds. Same exact thing here, wife and daughters away to my sister-in-law's baby shower. But I know my LE won't make it here until July.... sad face.