Looking for the next great pinball to further confuse and frustrate my wife.
Thinking of either Junk Yard, CFTBL, or SS?
Have a TFTC that is in great shape if interested in trade?

Any of these to offer that need a little work?

From what I've heard, JY gets old very quickly..  Personally I thought it was fun.  Creech I like the theme but find the game very simple.  SS is the only one I haven't played yet..  Good luck on your quest!

I doubt you'll find any of them at a reasonable price though..


Mike

I know hate is a strong word, but JY I just could not stand. Sold it quickly and at a loss and yes it gets old quickly. SS and CFTBL are going to be expensive, I have both and enjoy both, but this are simple. TFTC is much more affordable. Gook luck on your search, they are not easy finds.

If you're looking for  a "great" pinball, keep looking. Junkyard is beyond boring. It gets very, very old quickly. In the span of 6 months, I know of one that was flipped three times. I think that gives you an idea of the staying power of that game. SS is far too easy. As Phil would say, "Hit the trunk"...except in this case he is right. Hit the trunk x times to start multiball, while in multiball send the balls in different directions to work towards the wizard mode, along the way you will the junk many times for jackbots...yawn. Great looking game, but ughhhh....

Now CFTBL is a different beast. Either people love it or hate it. I had one, tried to love it, but it's just not for me. A friend has one and when I go over, I play one or two games and move on. I find the game play too simple...plays alot like a Sys. 11 or early SS really.... The points are in multiball, so you always want to get MB started. So now every game becomes the same and MB is only 2 ball.

I would consider other games, but that's me....

If you have the budget for a SS, then you have the budget for a really nice game.

Duane

Personnaly, i really liked my CFTBL. Sold it because i needed the funds to pay for my TZ. Since STTNG and GnR are both keepers, CFTBL had to go, i would take one back eventually.

It is a hard game, even if rules are simple, its just HARD. It is like BSD, games doesnt last long and finding the creature isnt that easy. 2 balls yes... but i cant think of a harder multiball game, try to keep them both in play for more than 30 seconds without holding one with your left flipper... to each their own, but Creech and BSD are still up on my appreciation list.

CFTBL isn't that hard. Sure it's not easy, but in a small collection you/he will master the shots. BSD, on the hand, is hard. Hard, but not fun. Again, the only thing it has going for it is multiball. There is nothing else to the game. I like my games to have more objectives than start MB, go for Jacbpots, repeat -- oh in the case of BSD get Rats and Bats (so cheesy the only two modes it has are the same!) first ball so you get a wicked bonus for each ball.

Games like TZ, ST:TNG, LOTR, SPP, CV, etc. have rules that keep me coming back for more.

If you want a fast, fun and cheap game with short ball times, go for NF or JM. Both great, fast games with a nice selection of modes and they they are still pretty cheap. I think Necro has a JM available still. For $1,700 it's alot of game. The wizard mode is just awesome.

Duane

Good point, anyone wants to trade me a NF ?

Sure even trade for your GnR

I'll even deliver...

Thanks for your two cents on the games.
The Junkyard is actually for a friend of mine who owns a junk yard! He doesn't collect pins but he is always asking about this game.
Will pass on your comments about it to him, but if you have a reasonable one, let me know.

The SS and CFTBL are to try and fulfill the monster theme which the wife likes. (I like the theme as well).
I've got the means for more than one, so will also try to go for one of the top pins that everyone suggests.
STTNG, IJ, AF, TZ, MM, TOTAN, TOM, CV

Is there a concensus that these are the top 8?

You will never have a concensus that those or any other eight pins are the Top 8, but those are all great pins. Often it comes down to personal taste on which pins are best for you.

If it's monster theme your going for you should add MB to your list. It has them all.