Nice post Pinballcorpse!

It's apples and oranges so it depends on what you're after and/or what need you want to fill in your collection.

LOTR is like playing chess.

TFLE is like playing tennis.

If you want a pin that you can put in a few quick games on when you go downstairs to grab a beer from the fridge, take a TFLE hooked up to a 12" external sub. Fast play, shooter's pin, and intense sound effects. Everyone in the house will know you're playing it. It'll kick your butt before the beer gets warm which I find to be quite the rush.

On the other hand, if you want to grab a barstool, put your beer into your Pingulp, and challenge the table for (what feels like) a good long time, then you want to sidle on up to your LOTR and have some fun. Like pinballcorpse wrote, it's all about the progression in LOTR and when you have a great game it's totally a rush too.

cheers

I prefer LOTR for game play but, TFLE is worth more. So, it depends on what you in it for play or value.

I love them both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not in a million years.

I did it.

Standard LOTR for TFLE? That's a no-brainer - do it!

No, I wouldn't. Unless I was receiving the LOTR, then probably. TF is a good pin. LOTR is an epic pin. Also remember, I don't state opinions, I state facts. Sorry I took so long to respond.

Having been a pin freak for so long, it is hard to understand which would be better for the WHOLE group, but I have to go with TF

um...I WAS kidding.

If you like TF, then go for it. It sounds like its what you want to do and that you aren't as into LOTR like some others.

I dunno. The Keefer Invitational (WPT) may be totally kick-ass. I've never gotten close to it, and haven't seen any reports on it. Also, speculative as it is, WOZ may raise the bar still. Keefer has indicated it would break new ground...

They're both Gomez fan layouts, but physically I think TFLE is more brutal. I've played on three TFLE's and certain shots across the board seem much more unforgiving when screwed up than shots on LOTR. 1)Optimus. 2)Lock drop down. 3)Missing Megatron and smacking those targets. The outlanes seem much more brutal than the LOTR's I play on (TFLE supposedly had no outlane rubbers...every LOTR I've played had them). Even Megatron returning a ball back into play is pretty damned risky, even with ball save.

When I think of dangerous shots on LOTR, I can only think of the Gollum hole or trying to cross flipper shot the Sword lock (maybe Ring shot if the flippers and magnet are weak). Maybe I am alone (and crazy), but bad drains on TFLE seem to be quick. A bad shot to a risky shot on TFLE sends the ball screaming. A bad shot on a risky shot on LOTR tends to float. I tilt LOTR a LOT more than I do TFLE. I think a lot of it has to do with the time spent seeing the ball going to a bad spot and reacting.

Would *I* make the trade. I dunno. They're both good examples of the Gomez fan layout. I'd have to be bored of LOTR. If I had cash in hand to buy one or the other, I'd go TFLE...because I *am* slightly bored of LOTR after all this time playing it on route.

Excellent write up by corpse btw.

2 cents.

Going on that I would say TF.

On the other hand, TF feels like something you could play seriously or just something while shooting the breeze with your buds over a drink. LOTR is probably a game you would rather play by yourself. I do feel LOTR does the theme justice better than TF. TF feels more generic, where LOTR feels like the modes and MBs really pull you in to the story. Maybe it's something Keith Johnson just does well, as I feel TSPP does the same.

No......

That's kind of what I was getting at. I've played it with others as well, but I'm usually the only one ever playing that understands the rules and actually plays pinball on a regular basis when I play with others. I could imagine playing a 4 player game with people that are really good could be a bit draining while standing around for 15 mins or so while the other 3 people play.

I'm not saying make the trade, like I said I prefer LOTR over TFLE myself. I would actually try to find another way to get TF if you really want it.

I checked you rating on lotr, man u did not like it scoring it a 6. But it looks like you did not like TS, MM, or TSPP either scoring them at 5.

Its interesting to see what machines people like. I use the rating system like grades so 5 is flunking. I don't know if I have played a game that is flunking...hmmm have to think about that.

After rereading this the facts are TFLE is a great game and LOTR many consider superior. There were so many LOTR's produced that worst case is you regret the trade sell TFLE for $5K and find another LOTR.

If LOTR were a hard game to find then I think you'd be better off keeping it. Since it is not my advise would be to trade it, play TFLE for a bit and if you tire of it keep an eye out for another LOTR.

It seems to reason that TFLE is 5K and LOTR varies between 3.5 HUO low end and $5k so you would stand to be in a better position if you eventually sold TFLE and bought another LOTR.