AC/DC or LOTR

starbuck77

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I played AC/DC last night at Gameworks (local arcade in the chicagoland area) and I thought it was REALLY fun, not to mention I LOVE AC/DC. I have never played LOTR, but I know I would love that also just because I am a huge fan of the books and movies. Which one do you think would be better to get? Pro's are I could get a NIB AC/DC for just about the same price as a LOTR.

Im also not looking for a multiball fest, my Lost in Space seems to give you a multiball every 30 seconds. While AC/DC was pretty stingy with the multiball, and made you work for it. I also like the ST:NG style cannon on the right side.

What do you guys think?

OR OR OR, get 2 lesser pins for the same price as one of those?

Doug
 
If you liked AC/DC you think you like it in the long run buy it.

When you buy a MIB Game go to sell it later there's a drop off in price.

LOTR I have not played that one before . I've heard alot of good things about the pin.

Really risky buying something you never played before.

If you can get 2 2grand pins that you really like then go for it.

most of the time 2 is better then 1?
 
i would go for a LOTR pinball for sure....

theres a reason why this pin is rated #5 on the TOP 100 PINS page over @ pinside.com

I played AC/DC last night at Gameworks (local arcade in the chicagoland area) and I thought it was REALLY fun, not to mention I LOVE AC/DC. I have never played LOTR, but I know I would love that also just because I am a huge fan of the books and movies. Which one do you think would be better to get? Pro's are I could get a NIB AC/DC for just about the same price as a LOTR.

Im also not looking for a multiball fest, my Lost in Space seems to give you a multiball every 30 seconds. While AC/DC was pretty stingy with the multiball, and made you work for it. I also like the ST:NG style cannon on the right side.

What do you guys think?

OR OR OR, get 2 lesser pins for the same price as one of those?

Doug
 
I own LOTR and you'll love it, especially since you already like the series. I know some guys that can't stand the LOTR movies but they love the game.. it's one of Stern's best, period. It was my first pinball purchase that solidified my entry into pinball collecting.. and many pins have come and gone, but my original LOTR remains and I doubt I'll ever get rid of it.

AC/DC has a lot of flash, but the rules are not finished and who really knows if it will have staying power. It certainly has the ability to entertain, and I do believe I would be happy with it in my collection at first, but I don't know if it would be a keeper, and it's still too early to say how it will do long term. LOTR has already been established as a great, deep game, and most likely it will maintain it's value if you decide later you don't like it.

Good luck! For me, it would be LOTR all the way!
 
LOTR is so good, and if you like the movies you'll LOVE it. It's an absolute complete package in every way.

I actually didn't like the LOTR movies but was so compelled by the music and story elements of the game - I watched all 3 extended movies and now dig them. :)

AC/DC's too early to tell, but honestly I'm disappointed in everything I've seen so far. It's really nothing we haven't seen before - and I hate the "jukebox concept" ...the music doesn't choreograph to the gameplay at all. Like DreamTR said - just play any game w/ some AC/DC music in the background. I hate how Multiballs just start without any fanfare....compare that to how the Multiballs start on LOTR - it's fucking EPIC with awesome light shows, sound and music. LOTR's playfield design isn't super unique, but it's the way it integrates with the software that makes it so awesome. Every shot has multiple purposes - collecting fellowship, collecting rings, mode shots, etc...I love the center ramp and the magnetic ring that catches the ball.

Plus -with the whole Pro/Premium/LE thing...I would NEVER get a Stern Pro, as it's just not the "real" game...but that's me- if you like AC/DC Pro, then - well, you like it. :)

LOTR is a very common game...it's not unreasonable to find one for ~$3500 ...so, you can save a few bucks getting LOTR vs. AC/DC as well.
 
I have never played LOTR, but I know I would love that also just because I am a huge fan of the books and movies.

Here's a video of me playing through tons of modes and multiballs on my LOTR...this will give you a taste of what it has to offer



This is the mode "There and Back Again"...it's very hard to get to - you have to play through all the ring modes....I LOVE the music in this mode...it puts me in a pinball zen state...hehe.
 
Thanks for sharing the vid and your comments. If I could find minty LOTR for 3500-4200 it would be a no brainer to me I think. Honestly LOTR are my favorite movies. The hard part is finding one local in great shape, I would want to check it out firsthand before I bought. I guess I'll have to play the waiting game.

I really did enjoy playing AC/DC, the bell shot is a huge drain though and fairly annoying, and another concern is that I will get sick of those AC/DC songs quickly as well....



LOTR is so good, and if you like the movies you'll LOVE it. It's an absolute complete package in every way.

I actually didn't like the LOTR movies but was so compelled by the music and story elements of the game - I watched all 3 extended movies and now dig them. :)

AC/DC's too early to tell, but honestly I'm disappointed in everything I've seen so far. It's really nothing we haven't seen before - and I hate the "jukebox concept" ...the music doesn't choreograph to the gameplay at all. Like DreamTR said - just play any game w/ some AC/DC music in the background. I hate how Multiballs just start without any fanfare....compare that to how the Multiballs start on LOTR - it's fucking EPIC with awesome light shows, sound and music. LOTR's playfield design isn't super unique, but it's the way it integrates with the software that makes it so awesome. Every shot has multiple purposes - collecting fellowship, collecting rings, mode shots, etc...I love the center ramp and the magnetic ring that catches the ball.

Plus -with the whole Pro/Premium/LE thing...I would NEVER get a Stern Pro, as it's just not the "real" game...but that's me- if you like AC/DC Pro, then - well, you like it. :)

LOTR is a very common game...it's not unreasonable to find one for ~$3500 ...so, you can save a few bucks getting LOTR vs. AC/DC as well.
 
Thanks for sharing the vid and your comments. If I could find minty LOTR for 3500-4200 it would be a no brainer to me I think.

Are you open to doing your own shop job and repairs? Dirty routed Stern games tend to clean up really nice if you don't mind putting in some elbow grease & replacing some parts.

If not, you're probably best off spending a few more bucks on one that's done up right....if you go that route, make sure you're at least getting some good add ons like plastic protectors and has been dialed in and such. Don't worry about LED conversions- the game looks fantastic with natural lighting. However, I would recommend Warm White LEDs for the spotlights and a flasher LED behind the ring hole ...that one tends to burn out quickly (I think the magnet destroys it, actually!) ...most people don't realize there's supposed to be a light there! It looks cool though, flashing behind the ring!
 
I would be up for a routed one if it wasnt completely trashed. I don't have much exp shopping a pin except for changing bulbs, glass, legs, lockdown bar and stuff like that. I only have one pin at the moment, and I have only had that for a few weeks. I would like to learn to take care of all that stuff myself though.
 
LOTR is my all time favorite pin. It's a bit stop-and-go which isn't typically my thing but I still love it. It has the feel of an epic journey, just like the movies. Some people don't like that, but again to me it does the movies justice.

One of the best things about LOTR is they're still affordable. They haven't really changed in years. Stern sold a ton and the theme and gameplay isn't for everyone so they change hands pretty often. They also made them before some of the cost cutting things went into place at Stern.

The problem with AC/DC is that if you don't get the LE you'll end up feeling like you got a stripped down model. And if you get the LE you're out 8k or whatever they ask now.
 
I would say lord of the rings is your cheapest best bet. I love acdc but am trying to justify the LE or even a premium to put next to GNR. I have never seen ANY of the LOTR movies but really enjoyed playing the pin.
 
I played AC/DC last night at Gameworks (local arcade in the chicagoland area) and I thought it was REALLY fun, not to mention I LOVE AC/DC. I have never played LOTR, but I know I would love that also just because I am a huge fan of the books and movies. Which one do you think would be better to get? Pro's are I could get a NIB AC/DC for just about the same price as a LOTR.

Im also not looking for a multiball fest, my Lost in Space seems to give you a multiball every 30 seconds. While AC/DC was pretty stingy with the multiball, and made you work for it. I also like the ST:NG style cannon on the right side.

What do you guys think?

OR OR OR, get 2 lesser pins for the same price as one of those?

Doug

I played the same AC/DC at GW a week ago. And I own a LOTR.

For me, it's a no-brainer. LOTR. Others have said what's great about LOTR; it's all true IMO.

I was really disappointed in the AC/DC. The look? Plastics for the band, train, cannon, TNT all look cheap, cheap, cheap. The sound? It was very muffled. There was some bass but it was boomy, and absolutely NO clarity or punch in the mids or highs. Very disappointing for a music-themed pin.

The gameplay was totally meh to me. A few standard ramps and lanes. I also didn't like the drain shots--bell lane and top set of standups. I don't like how the cheezy cannon obscures the right inlane/outlane. Didn't fully get into the rules or subtleties, bit it seems to be the same old "hit the shot with a flashing insert until you get them all" ruleset of most recent Sterns. Played several games hoping it would get better, but it didn't.

In contrast, LOTR has incredibly well-integrated, deep rules. The shots are far more interesting and challenging, with great use of diverters and intersecting ramps. Totally in a different league than AC/DC. Sadly, I doubt the Premium/LE versions of AC/DC will play much better.
 
I would be up for a routed one if it wasnt completely trashed. I don't have much exp shopping a pin except for changing bulbs, glass, legs, lockdown bar and stuff like that. I only have one pin at the moment, and I have only had that for a few weeks. I would like to learn to take care of all that stuff myself though.

Shopping out a game seems a bit scary - but if you just start taking the topside stuff apart piece by piece and writing it down as you go along, you just follow your notes backwards to put it back together.

My LOTR was HUO - but, that didn't mean much...it was DIRTY and tons of stuff wasn't working right. However after cleaning it up - it looked HUO again. :) Don't let dirt or non-working features scare you...everything can be cleaned or fixed. As long as you don't see playfield wear you're good to go! However - it is advisable to make sure the Arwen plastic isn't broken...it often is on route games and is almost impossible to replace.
 
Seems like someone was selling a replacement plastic that was just trees, no Arwen face. Might be the Sunday afternoon beverages talking though
 
Seems like someone was selling a replacement plastic that was just trees, no Arwen face. Might be the Sunday afternoon beverages talking though

Yeah, that's true...I guess they couldn't get her likeness rights when they ran spare sets, or something like that.
 
I have played both and prefer the LOTR, ACDC was cool but like said before, just play any other pin and put in a best of CD and you have the same thing.
 
Tough call if you love the AC/DC theme. Sometimes a theme you really like can overrule a lot of other factors.

When it comes to straight gameplay, however, I think Lord of the Rings is superior and has a longer shelf life.
 
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