Quoted from Vengeance

Battle Royale, accomplishment yes, feeling of epciness no.

As for TSPP

Spring Field mystery Spot?
Alien Invasion?
The sheer mind boggling number of things you can stack together
The genius behind the 30 second clock
the funny one liners
The great theme integration
How everything comes together and works perfectly

I wouldn't say it's as Epic as LOTR but there is definitely a better feeling of accomplishment with everything you do in TSPP then there is with SM.

That makes more sense .. so to paraphrase ... it is a game with the deepest ruleset ever, that does an great job of integrating the theme into the game (which is a big plus if you are a fan of the show .... unfortunately for me I'm at best meh about of show). I can fully understand the draw to the game and I'd like to get one at some point to get into the deepth of it but as luke warm fan of the show it isn't as epic to me but  I can see where you are coming from.

Quoted from SquidVicious

That makes more sense .. so to paraphrase ... it is a game with the deepest ruleset ever, that does an great job of integrating the theme into the game (which is a big plus if you are a fan of the show .... unfortunately for me I'm at best meh about of show). I can fully understand the draw to the game and I'd like to get one at some point to get into the deepth of it but as luke warm fan of the show it isn't as epic to me but  I can see where you are coming from.

Even if your not a fan of the show Alien Invasion and Springfield mystery spot are two of the most unique and fun mini-wizard modes I've played in all of pinball.  Nothing is as funny as the first time you hit SMS and the flippers switch on you.  Also the uniqueness of having to try and lock 5 balls to complete Alien Invasion is challenging and fun at the same time.  

I didn't even mention Super Dupper Mega Extreme Wizard Mode as I've never achieved it so I have no idea just how awesome it is   

Just a note I'm not a fan of the simpsons, I stopped liking it about 10 seasons or more ago but humor like "Worst Ball EVER" is just universal

Quoted from Vengeance

Even if your not a fan of the show Alien Invasion and Springfield mystery spot are two of the most unique and fun mini-wizard modes I've played in all of pinball.  Nothing is as funny as the first time you hit SMS and the flippers switch on you.  Also the uniqueness of having to try and lock 5 balls to complete Alien Invasion is challenging and fun at the same time.  

I didn't even mention Super Dupper Mega Extreme Wizard Mode as I've never achieved it so I have no idea just how awesome it is   

Just a note I'm not a fan of the simpsons, I stopped liking it about 10 seasons or more ago but humor like "Worst Ball EVER" is just universal

point taken and I remember the reverse flipper mode (great idea !) and I do need to get more time on the game.

So, I gather that Adam is suggesting there's a sameness or blending of the modes so not a whole lot stands out. This makes sense as, when playing LOTR, you know when you're doing a mode. I will admit to a certain amount of chimping around with SM as I haven't had hours of playtime on it and don't completely understand the rule set. No modes distinctly stick out in my mind ... but the experience still resonates with me and, obviously, with others for some reason. I want one.

It sounds like a software issue. It would be really neat if this 'issue' could be addresses/improved upon sometime in the future. What would you suggest, Adam, to improve the experience? Would it require stopping the ball flow to better recognize the DMD?

Quoted from OTTOgd

It sounds like a software issue. It would be really neat if this 'issue' could be addresses/improved upon sometime in the future. What would you suggest, Adam, to improve the experience? Would it require stopping the ball flow to better recognize the DMD?

I wouldn't call it an issue, it's more a personal preference.  It's also not about the DMD it's just a feeling.  

Again I'll use LOTR.  When you have a mode running in LOTR, it starts off with a nice intro that you can either skip or watch.  Then the mode starts and it starts with your lit shots and a sound track.  As you progress through the mode making shots the tempo of the music is amped up to give you a sense without even having to look at the display to let you know you getting close to finishing the mode.  Then every mode when completed has as finishing voice clip, song and a total given at the end, and if completed the "a gift from the elves" sound clip letting you know you've now got that queued up and ready as well.  

Spiderman you get a quick 2 second clip from the movie at the start of the mode maybe a slight change in music and a generic noise made when you make a shot.  Nothing letting you know how your progressing through the mode or when you've completed it.  Also when you completed a mode you get to take one shot and double the value of it, but there isn't anything to let you know that's ready other then the flashing lights which can but just as easy to miss because you going to be making shots anyway.  Add in a multiball and there is barely anything to let you know when you've completed something especially when it comes to green goblin or venom so it all starts to blend together.  In LOTR even if you have a mode running during multiball the multiball music takes over for the mode, but the final seconds on the mode are still counted down in voice queues, you still given the audio queue that the mode has ended and that you've been given a gift of the elves.  

I like the feeling of accomplishment when you do something, I prefer being able to keep track of everything from audio queues in combination with inserts on the PF and I find that severely lacking on SM to the point that I need to cradle the ball at time so I can stop what I'm doing and figure out what is running, what I've completed and what I need to start next.  I never really have that problem on any other game they seem  to differentiate between the different aspects of the game that it's easy to keep track of everything.  

Get the Batman TDK. Latest software has it tuned up nicely. I went from hating TDK at the first Canadian pinball championship (and I had no trouble qualifying on it btw, just didnt like it), to really liking it the next year, to loving the latest software version. Awesome and overlooked pin.

Stan

So there's not enough contrast in the voice calls and music, I guess? Cackling Goblin laughter, swishing sand, clicking metal and Venom-ish Venom sounds during the modes that can be layered for stacking and more climactic endings.

Someone contact Lyman/Ritchie to let him know how their awesome game could be improved. Seriously. Why not? Maybe he could make an update. Maybe by the time it happens I will be ready to get one.

Is it worth $240 to add the shaker to SM?  Seems that might add to some of the epicness of the modes?  As long as the shaking is done at key moments in the game, I guess.  Since I am looking at buying NIB perhaps the shaker add on would be a good enhancement?

Quoted from OTTOgd

Someone contact Lyman/Ritchie to let him know how their awesome game could be improved.

I doubt they really care at this point.

Quoted from Sparky

I doubt they really care at this point.

Lyman cares, he's the only reason that the software that has been finished on some of the older titles that has been finished.  Although I think at this point they are done with the title and like I said these are my personal preferences and the reasons why I prefer other games over SM.  But I'm definitely the minority as most people love the game as is.  

Quoted from sinpin

Is it worth $240 to add the shaker to SM?  Seems that might add to some of the epicness of the modes?  As long as the shaking is done at key moments in the game, I guess.  Since I am looking at buying NIB perhaps the shaker add on would be a good enhancement?

I'm personally not a fan of shaker motors, they make sense in some games like Earthshaker and Roadshow but there isn't a modern Stern where I think it could use a shaker motor and the current trend to just add a shaker motor to everything seems silly to me.  

In SM all the modes play a unique voice clip if you finish it (e.g. when you win Save MJ you here JJJ say "Hey isn't that the girl my son is supposed to marry?"). Also, it lites shots for 3x not 2x (2x is when the mode is lit).

But ya, I see your point. Doesn't bother me one bit though. Considering how fast SM plays it makes sense that it's easy to lose track of what's going on at any given time. You can have all 4 villains going (including Doc Ock multiball), plus a mode, plus black suit multiball. Now that's stacking!!

Sure, SM isn't as epic as LOTR, but it's more care-free and "fun" (in terms of attitude). Different styles, both valid. Although the Super Jackpot sounds for Dock Ock (especially Bank Bust) and the Super Jackpot sound for Black Suit Multiball (Church bells) are pretty cool, but ya, it's no Gandalph. You just can't beat the LOTR movies for awesome quotes.