Yea I'm on the POTC side.

SM is ok, I just can't seem to get into it, I don't like the feeling the game gives off of not accomplishing anything.  I much prefer POTC to SM, I just have more fun playing it then SM.  

Since two have spoken up for POTC, I'll just add that if you decide to go with Pirates, play it alot before you get it. The game play -- talking rules here -- is good; however it is totally stop and go. That combined with the terrible music and sound effects really leave me flat. I enjoy playing the game literally once or twice when I visit ME, but that's enough for me.

I love the look of the game and the sinking ship...I really, really dig the sinking ship and the multiball where you can add balls by shooting the mix master, but I find the overall game just ok. I'm not constantly engaged by it. Compare POTC gameplay to SM or 24 where you have to be constantly on your toes and paying attention to get a decent score.

Duane

I'd love a Spider-man. BBH and IM are both decent playing pins (except for Starburst's loud, grindy buck) but there's something about SM I really like that I can't shake. Plus I grew up a fan of the comics. I think it would be a worthy replacement for my HS . ST:TNG would too.

Quoted from Vengeance

I don't like the feeling the game gives off of not accomplishing anything.

What does that mean?

after playing jonny_eh's spiderman for the first time, as well as tz, lotr and a few others, id have to say siderman is my favorite of the bunch. im thinking of selling off my collection to get one (very hard choice, will probably just save up for a year) i was always skeptical of the title at first, but with the latest software i find its a complete, addictive game.

Yes SM then LOTR and IM  these are still being built so getting a NIB is easy.  FG and TSPP are great games also.

Quoted from jonny_eh

What does that mean?

I've always said that SM is a game you can flail around on and not ever really understand what's going on and still rack up a good score.  

Green Goblin, Sandman and venom always seem to end up running and you're never really sure when they started, how far you are into them or even when they finish (with the exception of sandman because the shield comes back up).  Same thing with the modes, you get a quick intro and sometimes you don't even get that but there is very little fan fare and not much direction on what you are doing.  In the end you never really fell like your accomplishing anything, you don't get the huge fan fare that you get on say something like LOTR where just by the sound queues alone you can tell exactly where you are at any given time in a mode or multiball.  

If money was not an option, I would go for the SM and LOTR but in keeping with my "old school" pins, for that kind of money I would also consider TOTAN and TOM or SS.

I am though very curious to see how the new Avatar pin plays. It looks interesting and I hope to play it at the next SB auction.

Quoted from Vengeance

I've always said that SM is a game you can flail around on and not ever really understand what's going on and still rack up a good score.  

Green Goblin, Sandman and venom always seem to end up running and you're never really sure when they started, how far you are into them or even when they finish (with the exception of sandman because the shield comes back up).  Same thing with the modes, you get a quick intro and sometimes you don't even get that but there is very little fan fare and not much direction on what you are doing.  In the end you never really fell like your accomplishing anything, you don't get the huge fan fare that you get on say something like LOTR where just by the sound queues alone you can tell exactly where you are at any given time in a mode or multiball.  

bizzarely this is a statement that I would expect from me in reference to a game rather than you ... weird. But if you know the ruleset and what the goals are there is little to zero flailing hit the goblin x times depending on mode. Doc Oc 2 times for first mutliball 3 times for second (Bust the bank I think where the ball is captive) 5 for the third after three cycles bump the number by one. Sandman x number hits depending on the level. Venom I believe is 6,8,10 ramps and the last one is only the side ramp. All five mini modes have very specific targets - twin ramps for goblin. 100 Switch hits for Macho Man/Buzzsaw (or whatever he is called). I'd admit that a playfield counter of some sort would be amazing but the same can be said for most modern DMD in my opinion.

Quoted from SquidVicious

bizzarely this is a statement that I would expect from me in reference to a game rather than you ... weird. But if you know the ruleset and what the goals are there is little to zero flailing hit the goblin x times depending on mode. Doc Oc 2 times for first mutliball 3 times for second (Bust the bank I think where the ball is captive) 5 for the third after three cycles bump the number by one. Sandman x number hits depending on the level. Venom I believe is 6,8,10 ramps and the last one is only the side ramp. All five mini modes have very specific targets - twin ramps for goblin. 100 Switch hits for Macho Man/Buzzsaw (or whatever he is called). I'd admit that a playfield counter of some sort would be amazing but the same can be said for most modern DMD in my opinion.

I understand the rules and objectives of each of the items I mentioned.  It's not my understanding that's the problem it the lack of any real change in the game that makes the game feel to me like your not doing anything.  

Since SM is put on the same pedestal as LOTR or TSPP, I always use the comparison of LOTR.  In LOTR you KNOW at any given time what is going on.  The pace of the music quickens, or changes based on the mode, there are queues when you make shots and when you complete modes.  Personally I have yet to find a better feeling then when you get to the end of FOTR Multiball and get "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!!" it still gives me goosebumps every time!  That feeling of Epicness that LOTR gives you is completely lacking in SM.  There is no defining moment or big fan fare or just one Epic moment, it's all very boring and all very samey to the point you barely feel like your accomplishing anything at all.  

That what I feel is missing from SM, I'm not saying it not fun to play or that the rules aren't deep or that it isn't a good game.  I just feel, for lack of a better word, SM is lacking in Epicness.  

Quoted from Vengeance

I understand the rules and objectives of each of the items I mentioned.  It's not my understanding that's the problem it the lack of any real change in the game that makes the game feel to me like your not doing anything.  

Since SM is put on the same pedestal as LOTR or TSPP, I always use the comparison of LOTR.  In LOTR you KNOW at any given time what is going on.  The pace of the music quickens, or changes based on the mode, there are queues when you make shots and when you complete modes.  Personally I have yet to find a better feeling then when you get to the end of FOTR Multiball and get "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!!" it still gives me goosebumps every time!  That feeling of Epicness that LOTR gives you is completely lacking in SM.  There is no defining moment or big fan fare or just one Epic moment, it's all very boring and all very samey to the point you barely feel like your accomplishing anything at all.  

That what I feel is missing from SM, I'm not saying it not fun to play or that the rules aren't deep or that it isn't a good game.  I just feel, for lack of a better word, SM is lacking in Epicness.  

Okay that I can understand a bit .. although I would say the fanfare before battle royale is decent (and an accomplishment as it means you have done 2 levels of each of the four villains but not as epic as LOTR) ... I haven't played TSPP enough to see epic in it and I definitely don't know the rule set enough to know the voice calls (but I do know most of the voice calls in SM because I've played that a ton) ... what epic stuff happens in TSPP ?

Quoted from SquidVicious

Okay that I can understand a bit .. although I would say the fanfare before battle royale is decent (and an accomplishment as it means you have done 2 levels of each of the four villains but not as epic as LOTR) ... I haven't played TSPP enough to see epic in it and I definitely don't know the rule set enough to know the voice calls (but I do know most of the voice calls in SM because I've played that a ton) ... what epic stuff happens in TSPP ?

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.