I own a SS and love the machine. Not a deep rule set and pretty easy but always fun to play and is always one of the favorites if people are over. My friend picked up a super nice TOM about 3 months ago and is already trying to trade/sell it. TOM is a good game as well in my opinion but I would choose SS. Seems like more TOM are for sale on a regular basis.

For the money SS it's alot cheaper and a better machine IMO

I would go for a TOM over SS myself. Why did you end up getting rid of the LOTR pickle?

SS over ToM anyday .. They Both got Old to me tho.. Get you a BSD .. Less $$ and better Play.

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I'll have both side by side in a week or two. Then I can chime in.

Sell NGG and add both!

I happen to love ToM, but I've heard a lot of people say that it gets old pretty fast once you own it. Even though SS isn't necessarily one of my favorites, people don't tend to tire of it as quickly.

Even if the rules aren't terribly complicated, the sounds, quotes, and humor never got old for me on SS. You had better play it first though, because if you don't like that type of humor, or that "genre" of speaking/music it would likely drive you nuts. Never played TOM YET............

I like both games. TOM is a great looking game, and the humor + Elvira on SS are awesome. Gameplay wise I give the edge to TOM by a bit.

I've owned n sold ToM & currently have a SS. Both great games but the wizard modes on SS set it apart from ToM. Get the SS!!!

Definitely SS. TOM is a neat pin, but it seems like one that would grow old quickly. Definitely not one to add to a home collection IMO.

Both great games but the wizard modes on SS set it apart from ToM. Get the SS!!!

+2...

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Of these!

Now THAT is a wizard mode!!! Can we get Jack to put those in the next pin from JJP?

Can we get Jack to put those in the next pin from JJP?

Don't get me started-
Don't even get me started..!

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Don't get me started-
Don't even get me started..!

Speaking of boobs... They should make a Total Recall pin and have the three breasted martian chick's boobs be the pop bumpers. Who wouldn't want to play that?

Baby... You make me wish I had three hands!

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One of the best posts I've read on Pinside!!

You have to have both, as both are great well designed and unique games. TOM with its trunk and fast flowing game-play and SS with err Elvira for a start plus great wizard modes and game-play!! I'm also a big NGG fan and have owned and TOTAN in the past. They would make an awesome line up.

Yessa! You are correct sir. Give that man a prize.

I can't stand the gofers, Foolish game. I owned it for about 2 weeks.
A chucky Cheese machine. I was embarrassed to play it.
But I have to say it is a complex design, there is a lot going on. Classic Lawlor. But the audio ruined the game for me.
Just my opinion.

+ 1

He actually doesn't need to sell anything. He has space for 4 and only has 2 right now. He could buy them both and fill out his collection. Then, when he needs space later on, he can sell his TOTAN to me.

Yea everyone has their own tastes when it comes to pinball. I would take a SM over TOM or SS any day of the week and twice on Sunday. If you get a chance try to get some play on a SM before you make up your mind. I think TOTAN, NGG, & SM would go very well together. I may be in the minority but if you like flow doesn't get much better than SM IMO.

Am does have great flow and lots of action

If you already got a TOTAN, then you need a Nordman design in your collection and I would go with SS. I love both almost equally, but in your particular case I would recommend SS because TOM feels a lot like TOTAN, and SS would be a little change of pace.

it is going to be interesting to me to see how I like TOM and SS side by side. As soon as I get my SS which should be soon from GAP I will post. I am eager to have Elvira in da House and spend some time getting to know her better. GAP is making her shine.

Post quickly!

I cannot decide between these two, so am hoping to buy both

Slight doubts re TOM as once the beauty wears off, many seem to trade it quickly. But, I guess trading is part of the fun!

It seems as if everybody I know of who has a TOM is trying to sell it. None of the people I know with SS are trying to unload theirs. That should tell you something...

What killed TOM for me was the horrible wizard mode...."fifty million, fifty million" etc etc.....got old fast.

Even though getting to the stiff o meter is easy its still not the easiest thing to complete the 1st time you get to it. They made it easy for us letting us start where we left off if you get there a 2nd time (would have been nice to see an adjustment making you start at level 1 each time you got to it to really make you earn Monster Multiball). What I love about SS is spider multi-ball. The best interactive back box toy ever and getting to spider multi-ball is very difficult but worth the effort working that right ramp.

I'd love to have both pins in a deep collection but in a smaller one SS is the keeper.

Does seem to be this way although I emailed a ton of TOM owners who had nice examples and none wanted to sell. Have since been offered a few. TOM just looks so good in the dark though!

I'd pick SS over ToM. The theme on ToM is IMO not well implemented, and the wizard mode is terrible. I didn't find the layout particularly compelling either. Assuming you don't dislike the SS theme/humor, SS's theme is more fun, and SS has good wizard modes, and i feel like it generally plays better. TOTAN, NGG, SS would be a really solid set of games.

I'd get the SS. Skip the TOM, and wait for something better and more unique than ToM for the 4th.

I'm with you on ditching LoTR - the build quality just isn't up there with WPC pins, and I don't care for the byzantine ruleset - it might as well not have a wiz mode, because almost nobody is good enough to see it.