Opinions on LOTR LE "Gold" edition

khabbi

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Looking at a LOTR pinball machine, I have a nice HUO LOTR locally that I can buy that has about 1500 plays on it, or for about $1300 more I can buy a NIB LOTR LE edition.

A few things I am looking for feedback on:

Which one would you get? I'm not rich, not poor, the extra money sure could be used for something else (perhaps saving for a Ironman Pin to add)...

I plan on keeping the LOTR pinball in my collection for a LONG time. My other pin in my collection has been here for 10 years. I don't anticipate getting rid of it for a long time.

Is the Gold edition really worth it? As far as collectibility, the Addams Family gold has done well, but I don't think the Elvis gold pin has. Did the Addams family pin sell faster than the LOTR gold, as the LOTR version appears to be pretty easy to find (so it didn't sell very fast).

I like the gold look, I know some have said it's gaudy, to me it's cool. But I would be OK with the standard edition. I would want to add the playfield figures, shaker motor, LED's, and more. All in due time, however. The shaker motor can't be readily added to the older LOTR pin.

I also think that the LOTR is one of the best Stern titles out there, so I know I want the game in my collection either way.

This may be the only pin that I would buy NIB from Stern, so it would be cool to have a NIB pinball at least once in my life :) But who knows, if they do a Tron pin, that would certainly be worthy of a NIB purchase.

Here's some nice pics I found after searching for a while on the internet for the Gold edition:

lotr3.jpg


lotr1p.jpg


lotr2.jpg


lotr4z.jpg
 
imo.....short answer is no le is not worth 1300 more


its like when they did the "gold editions" on new cars in the 90's, it cost the dealer about 50 bucks but they charged the buyer a grand
 
You mean this is the HD version (HD is hair dick google it)
No it's not worth it. You get the shaker motor capability and like 5 coats of clear on the PF otherwise same ole game (excludin gold package).
These have been out for quite a while now and the value from NIB to used is not even. You lose money as soon as you crack the seal.
 
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You mean this is the HD version (HD is hair dick google it)
No it's not worth it. You get the shaker motor capability and like 5 coats of clear on the PF otherwise same ole game (excludin gold package).
These have been out for quite a while now and the value from NIB to used is not even. You lose money as soon as you crack the seal.

Well, I did google it and don't know what your talking about?
 
I guess I'm against the norm but I'd go for the gold. I've heard that opening a NIB game is pretty incredible; especially if you're going to save it for 10+ years. Not to mention the possibility of the gold machines going up in value in the future. I'm sure people had this dilemma back when TAF gold came out.

Like you said, this could be your only chance to buy NIB of a machine you love. In 10 years the $1300 wont matter. Especially if this machine already comes wired with things you're going to add later anyway. IDK $1300 is a lot, but if I liked LOTR that much, I'd do it.
 
Go with the regular one. The gold legs / ugly translite are not worth the extra cash (neither is the extra clear). They just look nicer (maybe the clear impacts game play). Stern shakers SUCK. They are too subtle. Better off getting a good subwoofer - same effect.

Better yet, dont buy either - put it towards Iron Man. Being an ex LOTR owner and a current IM owner - IM wins hands down.

Unless, you are a big LOTR fan and really love the pin.
 
I got to play LOTR yesterday. I was in a noisy bowling alley buy I did enjoy it. I'm a big fan of the movies etc. I would probably really enjoy having one of these at home. Being really new/bad at pinball, I did get to a multiball level and that was very fun. My final score was about 3 million after 3 or 4 tries. Good times.
 
I got to play LOTR yesterday. I was in a noisy bowling alley buy I did enjoy it. I'm a big fan of the movies etc. I would probably really enjoy having one of these at home. Being really new/bad at pinball, I did get to a multiball level and that was very fun. My final score was about 3 million after 3 or 4 tries. Good times.

I'm a huge fan of LOTR. So much I bought one and man o man is this pin deep! BTW so far my HS is 116 million ;)
I have destroyed the ring twice now after playing ~100 games. Still have yet to actually complete the Fellowship multi ball (getting the fellowship across the bridge) so needless to say I haven;t heard Gandalf say, " YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
And once again needless to say I haven't completed all modes to play "There and back again" and Valinor flat out seems unreachable. In Fct I know a few people who have owned this game a couple years and have yet to beat it. It helps that I am a fan of the movies too. My wife just creams over this game. She loves it.
While on the other hand games like IM are fast paced in your face and good for a quick game. Keyword is quick ;)
IMHO none of the new games trip my trigger like the older ones.

Oh and look at that Hair Dick! Damn you TheKorn - you have indeed embedded this in my mind.
 
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I now see what you mean by the hair dick. Damn you! Now I will always see that! Of course most people are distracted by what the eye looks like that they don't even see the HD.

I played LOTR more this weekend, and I know I'm going to buy one, just not sure if I want to extend myself for the LE edition. I LOVE the gameplay and theme of this game!

I will say this, the LE backglass looks better in a darker setting with the backlight on, I saw some pics of it (should have saved them) and it looks amazing in what I would consider darker arcade settings. The gold legs I think actually go pretty good with this game and the ring theme also. I think it certainly goes better than the Aadams family Gold or Elvis Gold pinball.

I guess you're paying for the ability to own the best (my opinion) Stern pinball made with zero plays on it, and you can keep it in your collection from the time it came out of the box until whenever (if) you decide to sell. Not sure if that's what I want to do or not, but I am having a hard time finding a good HUO one in my area at the moment.

And as far as any NIB Stern, you're going to lose money on it, period, unless you get lucky and get a game that takes off in popularity, so you can lose $1K on an Iron man or LOTR, so it is what it is IMO. It's the price you pay for that NIB smell!
 
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(HD is hair dick google it).

Well, here's one Pin I won't ever be able to buy, thank god it's out of my budget! Still looking for the first one, are there any more "anatomy" issues I have to think about before I go out and purchase the first one!!
 
HD is no longer for TV only LMAO!!!!!!!!

Anyways, back to the heart of the matter. I too was faced with buying a NIB LE or not. While I always preach these games should never be treated as an investment, I'm wise enough now to at least ensure I buy something that I can/should/will at the very least get my money back out of it. Luckily I paid $2600 for a used LOTR with a new out of static bag DMD and an almost perfect PF on it. Had a few bad bulbs, a couple bad switches, needed shopped out but the OP (yes was routed) took really good care of it. That in itself is almost funny - an OP taking care of something ;)
Since my purchase I have invested ~$130. New bulbs, rubber, chunk of lexan, New Stern side rails with the large hand area (what ever those are called) and mandatory Cliffy protectors. So making round numbers I have ~$2700 into my machine.

All I can say is buy what makes you happy. I honestly don't see the LOTR's going up much more in value and NIB cost shipped can be had for $5300.00. I nice HUO can be had for $4K and considering LOTR isn't appreciating ..... I personally say buy used unless you're OK with losing money and/or you plan on owning this for a loooooooong time. My .02
 
I own a regular one and also think that the LE is not really worth the extra money. Great game, I just don't feel the extra things on the LE are worth the money. Now having said that if I had not bought a HUO LOTR a year prior to these being announced I probably would of bought one.

Now I'm not going to tell you not to buy NIB because it's a waste of money as I have done it 3 times with TSPP, FGY, and I bought my SM NIB second hand as the original owner never opened it. I also didn't pay near the $5k these pins sell for NIB either as they do now a days.

I would say just go with what your more comfortable with. NIB is nice, but in all reality you could save yourself some money going the HUO or gently routed route. LOTR's are out there just need to be patient. Then again if you truly plan to keep it long term the money factor may not be as relevant.
 
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