Either LOTR or TZ, tom is pretty shallow and gets old fast. If you like tinkering, TZ is a better choice. If not, get LOTR.

Fh is a great game too, and at cheaper price. I never tire of Rudy.

TSPP and TZ both have deep rule set. I would probably get something that uses less brain.

Poll?

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Did you read the first post?

Close the thread and start a new one

O I C

Poll seems biased...

I own all 4

LOTR > TZ > ToM > FH

For descriptions why you can go back and read the last few hundred times comparisons have been made with these machines.

Any interest in a great condition DW?

TSPP is a pretty deep game, isn't it? You may want something more "fun" that has shorter games, which would be ToM. The others are right though; that game is a little "too" shallow. So if you're ok with knowing you won't play it every day, its still a great game, and fun. LOTR has legendary status but is a long game, so consider which you're looking for (fun quick vs a long journey)

Tz and lotr are my favorates of all time. Cant go wrong with either.

TZ from that group. Although I've never owned one, I was very close to it at one point.

I own tz and lotr and I suggest getting twilight zone it is a great game good rules, awsome toys,Great music and sound, and great artwork.
Theatre is way too easy and it gets very boring fast.
Fun house and lotr are good games but I think twilight zone is more fun.

TZ I think would be the best choice. Classic and plenty to do. I like LOTR as well but for me the ball times are too long. I am not that great a player either...

1. Twilight Zone
2. Funhouse
3. Lord of the Rings



4. Theatre of Magic

ToM isn't bad by any means, but it's very simple and doesn't hold up long term compared to the rest. I still think that after all these years that Twilight Zone is the best game ever designed. It's just a blast to play with a great mix of flow and stop and go. It has it all. Funhouse just slightly gets the edge over Lord of the Rings. LoTR is one of my favorite games ever, but it takes quite a commitment of time each time you play. When you have it in you, however, LoTR is a tough one to pass up.

Ya I don't want to sell my lotr. Even if I stop playing it for a while, I know I'll eventually come back and say 'today is the day I get to valinor!'

TZ- one of the greatest games ever made (might be the perfect pinball machine)
LOTR- Fantastic game for 1 player. Great epic journey for home use (not good for leagues, tournaments or group play)
FH- fun game, shallow in some aspects but still a good game
TOM- Looks nice, but very very boring. Had it for 6 years only because I didn't need the footprint and I loved the way it looked.

I've owned all of these games. I know them well and listed them in the order of awesomeness. the first 3 are top 25's for me, TOM maybe in a collection of 100+

I had the LOTR/TSPP combo and while it was nice I feel like you need something a little more frantic to go with TSPP which is a pretty deep game.

LOTR is just loooooong to get to anything fun. Great theme, great sound, good looking. Want to get to a cool mode? Got a while? Destroy the Ring is a cool sequence tho, and if you have the time There and Back Again always feels really nice to get to... I was never baller enough to get Valinor tho.

TZ kinda too. It's a favorite of mine and I love the theme but its like, get ready to play a buncha modes, then LITZ. Plus alot of cheap drains. Still, the POWER is pretty cool, and the Powerball is always a good time.

So for less deep games, TOM is neat, but somehow it never hooked me... it's kinda brown and red and the sound and calls are just not for me, but it's good fun and does some cool stuff with the pinball.

Personally tho, I'd do FH. Rudy is great and the game is just really about getting in there and making some points. It's always fun to close the funhouse down and mess around and get Rudy pissed at you, you big sausage!

That is how I would rank them as well. I have owned 3 of these games (no TOM). I really like all four so you can't go wrong. Actually, TSPP is the one I would get rid of, and did.

I'll throw in a vote for TZ or LOTR. I believe LOTR has more universal appeal overall, however, so if you're trying to please your guests and more casual players, go with that. I've heard people say they don't like TZ. I've never heard someone say they don't like LOTR. I love both.

What can I say, TZ still the best game ever made.

Agreed. While it's not perfect, I still think it's the best. If there is a perfect game, however, it's probably Attack From Mars.

Hmmmm...hmmmm....I wouldn't argue that one too far.

You would be correct if it weren't for Whirlwind. It's the best game ever made.

Oh geez It's hard to argue that one too...next you're gonna throw in HS and then i give up.

Whirlwind is amazing. So good for tournament play or casual play too.

I owned LOTR and like it, but I sold it cause it got old to me. Its still a fun game though.

TZ is currently owned and I never get tired of it.

I'd go TZ, FH, LOTR

+1 for TZ. Fond memory of getting my ass kicked on the first league game i ever played. He had the game of his life and i got to see all the modes unlocked and "entered the zone". Pretty awesome to see live even though i was on the wrong end of that game! Will have one in the Collection one day. +1 for WW too i'm picking one up this weekend but thats for another thread....

Sell TSPP and get LOTR and TZ.

TZ and LOTR are great! ToM gets boring pretty fast. Never played FH so don't know on that one but it seems popular

I own all four games and think they are excellent in their own way. In no particular order.

TZ : Similar in gameplay to TSPP. Great toys. Not very beginner friendly.
LOTR: One of the best theme implementaions. Not as stop and go as TSPP. Okay for beginners and advanced players.
TOM: Playfield has excellent flow and is just fun to shoot. Very good for beginners. Shallow rules may not hold interest.
FH: Rudy is one of the best toys in pinball. May be creepy for young children. Stop and go game play. Not great for beginners but a great overall package.

So, depends what you're looking for in your two game collection.

If you want a game that non pinball enthusiasts will enjoy, I'd stay away from TZ and FH.

If you want a game that plays like TSPP go with TZ.

If you want a deep game that plays different to TSPP and might also appeal to non pinball enthusiasts, choose LOTR.

If you want a game that shoots very different than TSPP, plan to share it with beginners and don't mind a more shallow ruleset, TOM could be a good fit.

If you are drawn to any particular theme and/or art, that is also a factor.

Wow.

/thread

I'd go shorter ball times in the other game. I won't give suggestions that are not on your list, but IM sure you could think of a good game for the spot

Own Lord of the Rings . Play Twilight Zone a lot locally. Both are great. Lord of the Rings seems to be more enjoyable if you have full knowledge of the movie franchise. Twilight Zone is fun even if you only have passing knowledge of the show.

I have owned a FH. I currently own a TZ and a LOTR. All 3 are fantastic games you really cant go wrong. My opinion is TZ is one of the best pins ever made by any manufacturer. LOTR is the best pin made by Stern. So, if you cant get both grab the TZ and LOTR later. That being said a FH in pristine condition isnt easy to find. If you come across that one, Id grab that and go for the others down the road.

Mike

No love for ToM! ToM is a smooth flowing machine. So much fun to shoot, even with the shallow ruleset. You already have TSPP, which has a deep ruleset. TZ and LOTR, which both have deep rulesets also. ToM is a fun pin to just bang around on. TZ is a classic and you can't go wrong with it, but next to TSPP, might be similar playing. LOTR is also a fun pin, but again, you'll be playing 20 minute games. ToM has an easy ruleset, but probably has the most appeal to beginners and novices. It's so damn satisfying to hit those shots.

At the end of the day, I would get TZ, but I love TZ. Don't discount ToM because it's easier. It's the prettiest one out of all of them