I've owned IM Pro, TWD, and TH. I liked all three but Hobbit is the only one still around. I like longer playing games well. I really appreciate how JJP integrates the theme into the Hobbit. IMO, it is the best theme integration of all the JJP games and easily top 10 of all time. The playfield is open but there are lots to shoot for...both the qualifiers you need to get to wizard modes AND the individual modes. I also own JJP POTC and will say that I like it a tad more than TH. But Hobbit has it beat in individual modes because they are all so different and integrated into the theme. TH is really a beautiful game.

Also wanted to add that the game gets dogged a bunch. Not sure how people can call it boring though. I guess if you don't understand the ruleset or played on an old code set. Yes there are a couple of easy multi balls, one of which is Smaug. The ramp shot can be hit from either flipper. But have you beaten Smaug? Because that is pretty damn exhilarating! Also with the new code you can turn off Multiball stacking which you really need to do so you don't get Smaug and Beast at the same time as it makes killing Smaug near impossible.

The only thing I want from Hobbit that POTC has is character selection with perks. And the only thing I want from POTC that Hobbit has is more thematic modes (chapters).

I think you misread what I was saying. I wish the modes in Pirates were more thematic, like Hobbit. I would rather have 31 thematic modes than 105 modes that are just "hit these shots in any order".

I agree the upper flipper on Hobbit is a bit of waste. I own both games so I understand what the upper flipper does on Pirates.

Yea that was kind of my point when I followed that up with, Have you ever beaten Smaug? I like the fact that it is easy to start. It gives novices something to shoot for.