I'd highly recommend playing one before buying one if possible. That's a good general rule, but more so in this case IMO. I love the Hobbit, but it's a slower, floatier game than most modern pins. It's a widebody with JJPs lighter flipper power so ball times tend to be long. You might love it too, but it's a bit of an acquired taste. It's one of the most beautiful machines I've ever seen with wonderful art package design and JJP's killer light show, plus it has some of the best theme integration out there, so it's a winner in my book. I'd like to own one just to look at it every day.

Cheers, yeah it can be hard to test drive games. Especially right now. Good luck to you. It's a great pin, so I don't think you'll regret it. You can always get another LOTR down the road if you decide you want it back.