Both great games, but Sky Jump wins by a nose because of Drop Targets.

I have a small collection and only room for such and already own an Atlantis which is somewhat similar to Sky Jump so I would personally pass on it and buy the Top Card as it is different from anything I currently have and on my Wishlist.

P.S. I do like the art, colors, and theme better on Top Card than Sky Jump.

Ken

Depends what you want. I bought a Top Card (which is still waiting in my repair queue) because of the three independently firing bumpers (unusual for a Gottlieb) and FOUR slingshots. I have a thing for random and fast games and, with no drop targets, there's almost no slowdown on TC.

Sky Jump's going to be a slower game where you'll be picking off the drops. Up and back, up and back. Still a really fun game and will sell for more because of drops. I'd say it's a bit "easier" than TC because some of TC's stand ups don't really have a line of sight from the flippers.

Both have great art for their themes.

You can't lose with either one.

yes, on the drop targets... even though i generally prefer stand-ups, i like the drop target arrangement on sky jump, and i also like the whole pf layout better than on top card...

but i wouldn't say "no" to either one of them...

I remember playing Top Card back in the day and recall being able to spank it pretty regularly. I haven't been able to experience one since so can't confirm that recollection.

Sky Jump has enough going on with the variability of which drop target has the pink dot lit to have more staying power. If it gets too easy adjust a few of the post set ups and make it more difficult.

My vote is for Sky Jump. I hate the bottom feed lanes of games like Top Card. However, I do love the Backglass Artwork of it!

I think Sky Jump has a bit more going for it as to some variety of things to shoot at/for. Top Card, other than trying to maximize your score as to the value of the next card (which normally works off the position of the score motor), is simply a Shoot the Special type game rules. With Sky Jump, you start out by having to learn a few of the ball shooter shots to get the 4 top numbers. If your game is strong, the Pops can award those too. As can a left flipper shot up through the #6 Roll Over. 1, 2, and 3 kind of suck since its usually pure luck or you have to loose a ball to get 1 or 3 but its still fairly balanced with #2 on both flipper feed lanes. #1 is pretty easy since it tends to be the default for balls going below the left Pop Bumper. So, that makes #3 the tough one (so make sure your game is perfectly level and not leaning to the left!!!).

If the number aren't going your way, you have the Drops staring you in the face to line up the 50 / 500 / 10X for 5000. Or, complete the whole bank and start over.

I have played both games in the past two weeks. Top Card is average for me. If I was going for the arched stationary target nudging game then I would pick up a 1969 Gottlieb Target Pool or just play my 1966 Central Park.

As for Sky Jump.....GET IT! It is a fabulous game that goes under the radar. Get it especially if it is in nice condition. This game is hard to find without a planked out playfield. Some people get annoyed with the drop targets being so close to the flippers. To me this is the beauty of the game. It creates that much more of a challenge of not losing your ball. The best Sky Jump I played was at Texas Pinball Festival in 2011. Everything on the machine was NOS. Brand new playfield, drop targets, backglass and even an original unmolested cabinet. The game played like a dream. It was the EM I played the most that weekend.

You're welcome to come out to Torrance to give my Sky Jump a try first if you want to see if you like it.

Personally I'm a fan, it's a great game. My playfield has some mild planking, but overall my game is in pretty decent shape.

Not even close... Sky Jump without question.

Top Card is a great game too but if it has a fatal flaw... it would be that it is too easy.

Top Card is better suited for a route game and even there, can become boring... so imagine owning the game. I do but it's all sentimental value and would be the first to go if I had to pick one to sell.

Sky Jump is always going to offer you more of a challenge and this is something that is important in a home environment. Not sure what your skill level is... but would 'still' recommend Sky Jump.

I'd rather have Sky Jump also. The playfield is much like the multi-player, "Royal Flush," which gets a lot of love around here.

the middle of the playfield on "Top Card" just feels a little too open for me without having some rebounding rubber incorporated for some entertaining pop bumper action. I know there's a pair of upper kickers but their use is limited with that lower pop in the way.

I also can't stand the inlanes on this one. With a little practice, you can actually learn to goose a special inlane with a direct shot from the opposite side flipper. Without the standard 2-part wireform return lane that Gottlieb used on most, (along with the harsh angle the ball turned to head towards the flipper), this inlane rollover is reachable since the angle the ball needs to turn is compromised. It also uses a plastic as a lane guide, buffering any shot imperfection without losing momentum to roll up and make contact with the rollover. You may lose the ball down the side this way on occasion but that price for another replay obviously is worth it. Needless to say, the game didn't last long in our location, (LOL).

Is the Top Card the one that was for sale in Orange County?

They are both great. Top Card for a fast moving game. Sky Jump for more skillful and strategic play.

I believe that was my game, Dan. If so, other than the backglass and flipper and pop bumper rebuild parts, that game is an all original well cared for lower play route game. It had to have lived an easier life. Even opening it up it looks and smells new. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Of all the games in my collection Sky Jump has been with me the longest. That is only because I found it first and it was one of the nicest original condition games I have found. There are no plans to part with it any time soon.

I own twenty wedge heads and Sky Jump is right up there with ElDorado, Jack's Open, Atlantis, and Strange World. It is completely under rated.

I have a Top Card as well and it's a great game, just lacks the strategy of Sky Jump.

Yes Mike it was your game. It was very exciting to play. Hopefully it makes another appearance at TPF in the future.

Heh, those are a partial short list of the games I'd give up my Sky Jump for, otherwise I'm keeping it, because it's fun.

I own both and prefer Sky Jump.

They are both great though. You have good taste.

I also prefer Sky Jump because of the drop targets.

Has Rob PM'd you yet to get dibs when you sell it in a month?

Congrats, it's a fun game, hope you enjoy!

Dibs!

You will love it.

Deal! (But Odin still gets first shot of getting it back)

You guys are too hard on my machines.

don't tell me they actually..... nudge them?????????

No.....they actually break them.

dang... that's impressive... memo to self: be careful around rob and bb...

my bestie has some serious guns and he exercises them hard while playing (hence the VERY loose tilts on my machines), but even he hasn't managed the break one yet...

He didn't break it until he got it home. But for one glorious evening it was poetry in motion.

soon... sounds like you are about to be blooded... when does it show up?

wise choice...

well, at least he got it home first, that way he hadda fix it...

th-912.jpeg

i see what you did there...

image-961.jpg

i'll gather by the no comment that some assistance from the previous owner was required...

guilt by association...

I have bought 3. I have a parts machine at home, so PM me if you need something odd.

Welcome to o-din's house of pleasure then.

it's good to have another basketball nut around here...

kobe and melo... wonder if kobe is challenging him to see who can get 35 shots in the game?

Problem I've always had with Top Card is it seemed too easy, went to look at one to buy once and was able to get all the cards in my first game, so I walked away.

"at least i got to play for part of my career for an owner who isn't a complete whack job"...

I fixed it myself, bitches!

I recently passed on a Sky Jump that was offered to me at $400 because I need another project like a hole in the head right now.

Woo hoo! I knew you could do it! You are now an officially licensed EM tech!

Heh, I don't know about that. I never did fix that issue on Grand Prix.