POTC and Scared Stiff opinions

30FathomDave

Well-known member

Donor 2011
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
6,229
Reaction score
2,450
Location
Glendale, Arizona
Well, it's official. I've got the pinball bug once again, and I'm going to be listing several of my games for sale in the next few days so that I can clear space and cash for pins.

Scared Stiff has been on my radar since CAX. Though I've only played it a handful of times, I dig the hell out of the theme, playfield, art, sounds, etc. I have a Monster Bash, and SS would look bitchin' sitting next to it. My biggest concern about SS is that I've been told that it's not a particularly deep game and can get old rather quickly.

POTC is a game that's just recently been added to my want list. I played it when it first came out, and thought it was underwhelming (though the pirate ship may be the coolest pinball toy ever)... but it's one of those games that I enjoy the more I play it. I played several games of it at a local arcade yesterday and had a blast. I like that the playfield setup is a little bit odd. The stop-and-go doesn't bother me, since I've got MB if I want to get all "flowy." I've got a pirate bar in my house, and POTC would make a cool addition to that area of the house.

What do you fellas think? I know SS is the more popular of the two with pin guys, but I'd love to hear some more opinions. Anyone own both? What's a fair market value price for each in good condition?
 
Personally prefer POTC over SS.
I found SS indeed too easy/the same.
But many love SS, either because it's so fun and easy, or they'll set the settings to extra hard and make it challenging that way.
 
I've owned both.

I liked SS much more. It was a FUN pin to play. Its not super challenging but getting 'scared stiff' and the jackpot can be quite difficult. Again, its just a great theme, fun, fast game with funny call outs. I'll take the spinning backglass in SS over the plastic mcdonalds boat on POTC any day.

POTC was meh for me. Feels chintzy compared to SS IMO. Lots to do but very cold and not 'fun'...Certainly challenging and if you want to keep coming back to it, there is alot to do.

Just my opinions, good luck!
 
IMO, SS will feel very redundant next to MB. Similar fan 2-ramp layout. Now, while I personally like SS more than POTC, I think POTC will compliment your MB better, as it's a totally different style of game....and, like you said - you have a Pirate Bar!
 
I own a SS and I've not really played POTC that much. But I would choose the SS over POTC any day. Here's my thoughts. Yes, SS is simple, but its a great shoot, and aim pin with a lot of control. Also, you can't miss with the theme. And SS is a lot like AFM. It may be simple, but its very fun, very direct, and simple enough that even the most novice pin player can get into. So if you have a few other pins to keep it company, and you aren't one of these "professional" players who needs game thats as deep as the Marianas trench, by the SS. If you want a truly deep pin, go find a Twilight Zone, or Star Trek:TNG, but if you want a good pin that anyone who comes to your house will enjoy, get the SS.

Now I'm not saying POTC isn't a good pin. While I don't particularly care for it, I have 4 friends who all attest that it is a great pin. At least 2 of those have owned POTC, and I think 3 of them have. But of those 3 only one of them still owns a POTC, and 1 owns an SS and the another one is looking. But aside from my just not enjoying the theme that much, my major gripe with the game is that it doesn't use the actual actors for the voice over work. And that is really annoying to me. That and I don't like the look of the playfield with the computer artwork rather than silk screening.

At least with SS, it really is Elvira doing the talking. If you wanted the best of both worlds, find a TSPP. Its pretty deep, and its very entertaining. Something I can't say about TZ or ST:TNG.
 
Thanks for the advice, guys. I found a mint HUO POTC with several mods, brass hardware, tournament button, LEDs, etc. I just walked the plank and sunk a deposit to the depths of Davey Jones Locker.

Yo ho ho and shit.

I still want a Scared Stiff, so that'll probably come next. TSPP also interests me, but I need to play one that isn't beat to hell. The one at the local arcade is virtually unplayable.
 
Last edited:
I've only played POTC on location, but played it quite a bit and I'd love to have one. I think its a great game. Plenty of cool shots and I find the ship kind of reminiscent of the MM castle, the way it folds up and drops down when destroyed.

Movie/TV themes are real hit and miss for me, but I think thats a pretty good one.
 
I have a friend with both. I like SS better but thats just me. Its your games room so you made the right choice if you like POTC. I like my TZ more. POTC just does not seem to be a pin I would enjoy. Then again I like RFM and just dropped a good chunk on one shopped up.
 
If you want a truly deep pin, go find a Twilight Zone, or Star Trek:TNG

At least with SS, it really is Elvira doing the talking. If you wanted the best of both worlds, find a TSPP. Its pretty deep, and its very entertaining. Something I can't say about TZ or ST:TNG.

I'm so confused. Are you saying that you find neither STTNG or TZ fun? Thats a rare bird...

I like STTNG a lot more than TZ but I wouldnt call it a deep game, but I'm one if those Marianas Trench guys. :)
 
Yeah,
That's pretty much what I am saying. I'm more of a Rio Grande player rather than a Marianas Trench guy. You know, something easy that I can wade across. Admittedly, I haven't played ST:TNG enough to truly enjoy it. I do like it better than Twilight Zone. I think both machines well shopped are gorgeous. Maybe its the wide body thing. But I can't honestly say I've had a good game on either. I've played a great example for each, but they just didn't do it for me. I love my SS, and I think my Earthshaker may be my favorite pin in my collection. I like my Freddy pin pretty good....if I can just get it 100%. I had a great playing Frankenstein that I truly did not enjoy. I enjoy pins that you control and make the shots, with plenty of stop and go action. A good flow with some decent speed, that gives you enough time to react. Not too deep that you can't figure out what to do, but challenging enough to keep you coming back. My ideal next pin would be Attack From Mars or The Addams Family if that wasn't available, or a TSPP if the opportunity presented itself. I've made a deal for a Fishtales that I still have to get lined up. I'd give BSDracula, Judge Dread, or WhiteWater a crack if the opportunity presented itself. I think I'm one of the few people who like DE:Star Wars and TFTC is on my list. And I'm not against picking up a nice system 11 just because it doesn't have a DMD. And I'm perpetually looking for a Funhouse. That's where my tastes lie. I really want to like ST:TNG and TZ, but I don't. But all that said, I wouldn't pass up a 1500 dollar broke down example of either. I'd buy it, fix and and play the hell out of it trying to learn to love it.

I'm so confused. Are you saying that you find neither STTNG or TZ fun? Thats a rare bird...
 
Last edited:
Well, you never know..

I paid 1400 for my STTNG fully working, just needed some touchup work on the GI and to free a stuck ball diverter to function 100%. There was a TZ on Craigs here in Dallas for 1800 a few days ago too. Son of a b---- I wanted that so bad, had all that cash in hand too...

Will say that STTNG, depending on how dialed in it is can be a vastly different game, and the more dialed in it is, the harder it plays, IMO. Mine doesn't have the upgraded coils so you've got to be dead on with those flipper shots to the middle ramp, but my cannons are slow moving so it makes those shots slightly easier. I plan on taking apart the gearbox and re-greasing and seeing if that will improve the cannons. Should have the extended outlanes in a day or two...will see if that makes much difference, but I enjoy the games with the killer outlanes anyways..
 
I've played both a ton. They're worlds apart and it is going to come down to preference. Gameplay quality alone, however, POTC gets the edge from me personally. SS is ezpz and kinda shallow/monotonous in comparison.

Both machines handle their themes well, so I guess it comes down to which you prefer more: Pirates or comedy/horror? Elvira or Johnny Depp? Stern or B/W?
 
You'll not be sorry. POTC is a great game, underrated in my opinion. I've had both and like both games. I had to sell one, which ended up being POTC. I just can't part with Elvira. It may not be the deepest game in town but the humor and overall package is classic. Look for POTC to keep climbing in value. (IMO)

- Don


Thanks for the advice, guys. I found a mint HUO POTC with several mods, brass hardware, tournament button, LEDs, etc. I just walked the plank and sunk a deposit to the depths of Davey Jones Locker.

Yo ho ho and shit.

I still want a Scared Stiff, so that'll probably come next. TSPP also interests me, but I need to play one that isn't beat to hell. The one at the local arcade is virtually unplayable.
 
You'll not be sorry. POTC is a great game, underrated in my opinion. I've had both and like both games. I had to sell one, which ended up being POTC. I just can't part with Elvira. It may not be the deepest game in town but the humor and overall package is classic. Look for POTC to keep climbing in value. (IMO)

- Don

Thanks! I'm really pumped, and am looking forward to having it in my collection. I love the theme, so I'm confident it'll hold my interest. I just ordered an Aztec gold plunger for it.
 
Thanks for the advice, guys. I found a mint HUO POTC with several mods, brass hardware, tournament button, LEDs, etc. I just walked the plank and sunk a deposit to the depths of Davey Jones Locker.

Yo ho ho and shit.

I still want a Scared Stiff, so that'll probably come next. TSPP also interests me, but I need to play one that isn't beat to hell. The one at the local arcade is virtually unplayable.

Honestly, there is NO comparison between Scares Stiff and TSPP. I actually traded my Scared Stiff for a TSPP straight up. No looking back. The voice calls in Scared stiff get REALLY OLD - REALLY FAST. Plus TSPP has like a MILLION modes. You did good by avoiding it, I would continue to avoid it.

I'd also like to say that SS is a beautiful game. It's just not an awesome players game.

-Al-
 
Back
Top Bottom