Only got room for one!

Spbeyond

New member
Joined
Mar 29, 2005
Messages
945
Reaction score
2
Location
Utah
Okay guys, which pin is best for a single game collection in your opinion? My thoughts so far are between Whirlwind and Stargate. My budget is aroud 1500 and below.

SO if you could only have 1 game at a time what would you pick?
 
With a budget of 1500, I'd recommend The Shadow. It will keep kicking your butt and won't get boring fast.....or possibly, ever.
 
WW gets old, but is a pretty easy move usually.
SG: Deep and a really great game for the money!
Shadow: A really great game with some in your face action and tight shots.

I would recommend either of the bottom 2, but pass on WW.
 
Okay guys, which pin is best for a single game collection in your opinion? My thoughts so far are between Whirlwind and Stargate. My budget is aroud 1500 and below.

SO if you could only have 1 game at a time what would you pick?


I've played Whirlwind and honestly liked Stargate better... But I liked the movie a lot too. Not sure how it'd hold up for a single pin though in a collection. It gets played, but so do the other pins. Right now Game show is being played a ton!
 
you're gonna get so many different responses on "which pin should i buy if i only buy one."


i have six pins now...i like all of them. if i were gonna sell all of them but one, i'd probably keep who dunnit. but i'm not selling any of them. ;)




fwiw, i like whirlwind as well, but there's no way i could own it as my only pin...for me, it would get way old way fast.
 
Yeah, there isn't a right answer for this. Having gone through a few pins now, myself, I can tell you unless they're within a larger collection, whatever you choose will get boring after a while. 1500 I would pick WCS. I don't say Shadow because, while it's popular to SAY that the Shadow is a 1500 dollar game, how often do you actually SEE a nice one go for this price? Never.
 
Yes, I have noticed that everything says The shadow is 1000-1500 but have yet to see one at that price range. I would be interested for sure if I found one. Or a WCS, Stargate or Whitewater for the matter. I just need to find a good deal that isn't super far away, probably denver to LA is my search range.


Hadn't thought about the shadow though... great idea. Although I have heard that it is a drain monster, is this true? I get frustrated fast if games drain down the side a ton.

Im not a great player.
 
Damn..talk about a loaded question.

W?D = great underrated pin
SG = another awesome "Bang for your buck" title
Fish Tales has got to be in that category but getting tough to find at $1500.

I have both SG and W?D and guest tend to migrate toward the SG because of the looks and numerous multi-ball options. Myself I like the W?D...

I think a SG would be easier to move if you decide to sell and try another...

So basically I've given you absolutely nothing!!

I would say you're going in the right direction with your choices though
 
Wow - price lines seem to be all over the damn place but the only way you're finding some of the titles listed for your price range either means you got a steal of a deal or the machine is in crap shape. For instance Whitewater and Shadow are usually ~$2200 (give or take $200).

Whirlwind - I FINALLY sold mine last night. Was very happy to see it leave. In a collection of 4 it still got old quick.

WCS94 is a fun game and can be had in your price range. Same could be said for Judge Dredd. BOTH are super nice games and not sure why they don;t rank higher.

To answer your question - Stargate hands down and don't look back. The audio on WW is what killed it for me. The audio quality is terrible and the sound bytes are just as bad. I love Lawlor titles but that one was a real stinker IMHO.
 
I use the boston pinball ebay tracker as a guide and even at ebay's crazy prices, Shadow's are averaged out at 1500. Not knocking the machine, cause it is great. One of the best values out there. I see them selling for 1800 to 2200 sometimes for really super nice examples. I would imagine most games are not super nice and would command the 1500 price tag.
 
Stargate has been my goal game for a long time. Finding on in decent shape for decent money has become a bit of a problem for me. They all seem to be pretty warn on the playfield. I might just need to wait for the right deal. If I could have the shadow in that range it would be awesome.

And yeah WhiteWater is pretty much no chance I know. haha
 
I use the boston pinball ebay tracker as a guide and even at ebay's crazy prices, Shadow's are averaged out at 1500. Not knocking the machine, cause it is great. One of the best values out there. I see them selling for 1800 to 2200 sometimes for really super nice examples. I would imagine most games are not super nice and would command the 1500 price tag.

I'll one up you and say I have the best guides ever! It's called my wallet and my wife. Both tell me what I can afford to spend lol.
Anyways Bostonpinball.biz or pinpedia.com are two good resources.

At OP - realize some people have this crazy notion that because they bought their machine for "$XXX" then that's what they all go for. These stupid machines are NEVER to be viewed as an investment and there fore you simply pay what you are comfortable with and can afford and just enjoy your purchase.

A word of caution though - Just remember to shop around because they ain;t nuttin nyce about tryin to sale one of yer machines when you over paid in duh first playce :)
 
Stargate has been my goal game for a long time. Finding on in decent shape for decent money has become a bit of a problem for me. They all seem to be pretty warn on the playfield. I might just need to wait for the right deal. If I could have the shadow in that range it would be awesome.

And yeah WhiteWater is pretty much no chance I know. haha

Don't let the wear scare you away from a SG. It seems all Gottliebs from that era have some issues with wear. On SG, expect it near the flippers and at the drops.
 
You sure you only got room for one? I thought the same and managed to make room for more than one and now I have a Demolition Man and World Cup Soccer :) Some other underrated titles that I think fit the OP's budget are Congo even though it has ugly artwork it has lots of neat ramps, gorilla under the play field is sort of neat and balls erupting out of the volcano before multiball kicks in. Another title that I was recommended was Jurassic Park.
 
yeah...two pins would be infinitely better as you could have that one "really fun, cool multiball, easier to pick up and play" type pin and the "deep ruleset, more difficult" pin to go with it.

but hey, i understand not everyone has the money or space for multiple pins. i'm lucky to have plenty of space to work with.
 
Yeah 2 would be great. And I may be able to swing number 2 later, but the budget wont allow that for awhile. If I can find a good stargate somewhere between denver and LA sometime soon I will be the proud owner, I am also looking for others, Im not set on stargate. WCS would be great to.
 
You sure you only got room for one? I thought the same and managed to make room for more than one and now I have a Demolition Man and World Cup Soccer :) Some other underrated titles that I think fit the OP's budget are Congo even though it has ugly artwork it has lots of neat ramps, gorilla under the play field is sort of neat and balls erupting out of the volcano before multiball kicks in. Another title that I was recommended was Jurassic Park.

JP's layout is so similar to Whirlwind. I'm amazed how many locals and I have had this exact same talk. Weird how people like WW and hate JP but NEVER the other way around. Go figure!

@ OP : Good luck in your search. Until then go rent the Williams classic games for a Wii or Xbox360 and try a few games out and see if any peak your interest.
Chances are that if you like the video game you'll love the real deal.
 
Honestly, while we're on the subject of Who Dunnit, I think that game is awesome, too. It was my first machine and I wish I had it, still. Turn off tournament mode, so that the roulette is totally random, and that really makes placing bets a tough decision. Not super deep, but the game is always different every time you play it. Awesome sound and great looking playfield.

I currently only own a JM, and that game is actually really awesome. However, if it's your first, you may want to stay away. There's a lot of things you need to do to it to make it play perfectly. If you have one that plays perfect, it's a great experience. If you have one with a crappy spinner and broken hand, the fun goes down the toilet. Sadly, you need to know a bit about pins to fix these issues. If you found one perfect, that's another nice one to start with.

But, try to get at least 2 or 3. That way, you'll enjoy them a lot more.

Finally, if you actually can find a NICE Shadow for only 1500. Buy it and run. Don't look back and run... Awesome game.
 
Back
Top Bottom