Since these “vs.” threads have been producing some good dialogue, here’s another one: The Shadow vs. White Water

The Shadow: diverters on ramps, an upper playfield, third flipper with 2, sometimes 3, shots, lots of modes that are tough to start, and the coolest ball lock around with The Sanctum

White Water: best topper in pinball, upper playfield with the third flipper to 2 shots, a big foot diverter, and the best ramps ever.

So if a guy was gonna add another pinball to his collection, and could only fit one of these, which one and why? Factor in longevity in a collection and price being a slight factor.

So what did you vote? Haha!

This sounds like the best correct answer based on the poll and comments. Almost a 50/50 split, with WH2O having a slight edge.

Bump

Shadow has Mongol dolls! Haha!

First you said Shadow...then edited to White Water. I am curious as to reasons why you changed your mind?

As OP to this thread, and past owner of The Shadow (had to sell for financial reason)...I am now a current owner of White Water for about 3 weeks.

The Shadow: what other posted above are all very accurate. Once Luppin Rules are put in place, the game becomes more accessible and enjoyable...but not easier. I hope to one again someday.

White Water: my first impression was that the game was fairly easy. I was staying away from the entire right side of the playfield and hammering away No Way Out, up to third flipper, and playing White Water multiball a lot.

Then I wanted to get to Vacation Jackpot, and the game started kicking my tail. Just getting to Wet Willie’s is tough enough. Getting the rest seems daunting at this point. I’m just looking forward to maybe completing Wet Willie someday.

White Water forces you to hit shots all over the playfield which is great. The humor is fantastic. The music does get repetitive if one isn’t advancing rafts, however I don’t see the music as negative like others do. Like many other 90s Bally Williams games, once it’s “wound up” it gets really exciting.

Only time will tell how long White Water will hold my interest. Early returns are very favorable. It compliments my other games (WW, TZ, WCS94, T2) very well. Best answers of this thread are “get both”.

WH2O not difficult? Which aspect? Getting to Wizard Mode or going for a quick, high score?

Vacation Jackpot is very difficult to reach and obtain. There is a bit of luck aspect to getting it. Keeping the River Class 6, while getting everything else, is really tough. Everything has to align just right.

If you are looking to score high quickly in a head-to-head playing situation, getting 5x Playfield and then getting WhiteWater multiballs going as fast as possible, plus getting double or triple jackpot on it...boy, that’s pretty tough while keeping 2 or 3 balls going.

TS has more “work” involved in getting to Final Battle. If you do everything on the Scarf, you get there. Done deal. It’s not like one of the scarfs resets if you drain, as does the River Class on WH2O. Now... defeating Final Battle...that’s very hard. Maybe there is a little luck aspect once you get there, too.

Writers note:
Owned TS for a year and a half, no longer own (financial reason at the time). Reached Final Battle twice, never defeated. Closest was two shots away.
Own WH2O now for 6 months. Got VJ after 4 months. I feel like it was a complete game of a lifetime fluke, because I haven’t got anywhere close to completing the Vacation Planner since.

Quick update: I’ve now owned WH2O for about 6 months. My lineup a month ago was Whirlwind, White Water, Twilight Zone, and World Cup Soccer. I needed some cash for non-pinball purposes. I sold the TZ. Does that say more about white water or twilight zone? Haha!! I have an open spot now.....hmmmm??!!? Shadow anyone????

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the hole in my lineup was filled with I500..it’s a fantastic Nordman compliment to white water.

I have found the key to White Water is playing for Vacation Jackpot, and not focusing on the 5x/multiple multiball jackpots. That opens up so many subtleties in WH2O and it really shines.

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