Here's another good site for pin ratings:    http://www.pinballreviews.com/

Treasurecove's ratings are heavily RGP influenced but is the most up to date.  Allen takes a yearly poll on RGP.

Overall, I agree with Monkeybug, we all have different tastes in Pinball.  You may not want to blindly rely on these lists but they may be a good indicator in certain circumstances (for instance when a game is consistently in the top 10 over the years and between lists).

Quoted from MrMikeman

I think you mean the lamp!  Stupid scoring flaw with the bonus carrying over from ball to ball..

Mike

No, it is shoot the Genie and 'spin' the lamp....

I wouldn't go as far as saying holding the bonus is a "flaw".

Spinning the lamp is a fun shot, if you hit it on a sweet spot it really spins quite well and powers up to the lightning bonus which is a cool visual and audio experience.

In tournament I really like to work the bonus multipliers and the lamp.

Quoted from Tuborg

I just bought a TZ - I've maybe played 10 games on TZ - but still am not attracted to it - albeit I could never hear the audio

Listen to this video and you will get a new appreciation for the TZ(pin) music.

Advanced Warning there is slight nudity in the vid (3 seconds topless) in case your at work, kids are near, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86_FhNvjCSI

For the record, I counted 4 seconds of nudity!  

Quoted from websherpa

LOTR seems repetitive to me, perhaps it's a theme thing.  TOTAN is a good one.

I think you mixed that statment up it should be:

TOTAN seems repetitive to me, perhaps it's a theme thing.  LOTR is a good one.

I can't stand TOTAN, terrible game, beat the lamp, beat the X's worth almost as much as getting the wizard mode and is much easier.  Don't like the theme, don't like the sounds, don't like anything about it.  Well I guess that's not true, I do think the shooting star is kinda cool, until it goes to catch a ball for you and accidently air balls it and drains, then I hate it with the rest of the game.  

Quoted from Vengeance

I can't stand TOTAN, terrible game,

Ha ha. That's a little harsh.

Love this game. Theme is exotic and so is the game. One of my fav's.

Quoted from Vengeance

I think you mixed that statment up it should be:

TOTAN seems repetitive to me, perhaps it's a theme thing.  LOTR is a good one.  

You see, you proved my point, it's a theme thing (I like the theme, music, etc.).  As far as game play goes, you'd know far more about it than I, but even though I like LOTR theme, I just find it a tad "bare" and cheap feeling (but then I like lots of ramps, hoopla and beefy mechanics).  I likely haven't played enough to properly quantify "repetitive", except that I didn't like LOTR after 4 or so games, but TOTAN is likely a machine I would purchase if I had the chance.

I am finding, however, over time, as you play machines, their character, challenge and value to you changes.  My single biggest complaint is linearity.  I didn't like video games for the same reason, I'm not into mastering one screen (or sequence) in order to move on to the next.  I like random jackpots that level the playing field (which I suspect is why seasoned tournament players usually don't like randomness).  The best games seem to be the ones that let you follow your own path and style of play, while giving neophytes a "fighting" chance at getting a high score.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Ha ha. That's a little harsh.

That's why opinion's are like a$$holes, everyones got one  

Let me put it this way, if TOTAN was sitting next to a Dirty Harry, I'd play Dirty Harry over TOTAN.  The game play isn't as terrible as say Cue Ball Wizard or Lethal Weapon but it's not good

Nothing drives me more insane then randomness when playing in a tournament.  I never get as pissed off about losing as I do when I lose to a random award.  That is why when TOPL is at my place everything is set for tournament mode, takes the randomness out.  Althought I have not yet been able to figure how to turn off cousin it's hide out on my TAF yet.  

I equate LOTR to allot like TZ, not in the game play or layout aspect but in the way that if you don't know what you are doing you really can't accomplish anything, it is not a newbie friendly game.  But repatitive is not a word I would ever use to describe it.  3 main multiballs, 6 modes, 6 gifts of the elves, 3 mini-wizard modes, 1 main wizard mode and umpteen combinations to achive any of those things.  Repetitive not a word that should be used with LOTR  

Next time you are at Nicks for TOPL or if you come to playoffs with Dan, just ask me to explain LOTR to you and I'll show you how it all works

Quoted from websherpa

You see, you proved my point, it's a theme thing (I like the theme, music, etc.).  As far as game play goes, you'd know far more about it than I, but even though I like LOTR theme, I just find it a tad "bare" and cheap feeling (but then I like lots of ramps, hoopla and beefy mechanics).  I likely haven't played enough to properly quantify "repetitive", except that I didn't like LOTR after 4 or so games, but TOTAN is likely a machine I would purchase if I had the chance.

I am finding, however, over time, as you play machines, their character, challenge and value to you changes.  My single biggest complaint is linearity.  I didn't like video games for the same reason, I'm not into mastering one screen (or sequence) in order to move on to the next.  I like random jackpots that level the playing field (which I suspect is why seasoned tournament players usually don't like randomness).  The best games seem to be the ones that let you follow your own path and style of play, while giving neophytes a "fighting" chance at getting a high score.

Quoted from Vengeance

Nothing drives me more insane then randomness when playing in a tournament.

This I figured.  

Quoted Text

3 main multiballs, 6 modes, 6 gifts of the elves, 3 mini-wizard modes, 1 main wizard mode and umpteen combinations to achive any of those things.  Repetitive not a word that should be used with LOTR

My evaluation was based on the number of types of shots to make (that my limited experience could discern).  I'm a gimmick fanatic, and one big silver hole doesn't do it for me.  

Quoted Text

Next time you are at Nicks for TOPL or if you come to playoffs with Dan, just ask me to explain LOTR to you and I'll show you how it all works

I'm hopefully planning to be at the playoffs, sorry I had to miss the last meetings, but I will take you up on your kind offer...  

Quoted from websherpa

My evaluation was based on the number of types of shots to make (that my limited experience could discern).  I'm a gimmick fanatic, and one big silver hole doesn't do it for me.  

I can see how LOTR doesn't hold your attention in the gimmick arena. Once you appreciate the game play then you will see it's true nature. Like Adam said, it's alot like TZ in that you have to know the rules to appreciate the game. It's not a one trick pony. If all you do is hit the ring then you will be disappointed. There is ALOT more to it than simply hitting the right.

If all you want to do is hit one or two things over and over for fantastic points then stick with ToM or ToTAN:

ToM - hit the trunk, start MB, hit the trunk for jackbot, lather rinse and repeat. Granted there are modes and they are fun to play, but there is one simple strategy to a decent score.

ToTAN - hit the Genie or hit the lamp. Either will result in a decent score.

The same could be said of CV which I really enjoy and own. If you focus on just hitting the ring master then you will get a decent score assuming you don't drain. What puts this game is a different league than ToTAN and ToM though is the added ability and challenge to stack MB modes. That really makes the game.

Duane