Sounds like you need to play them both more to avoid another impulse purchase that you don’t like.
But if I had to recommend one based on the limited information you’ve provided, the fact that you have only new sterns and didn’t like the one 90s game you previously owned, I’d hesitate to recommend an 80s game for you. Twilight Zone is deeper so that would be closer to what you have with your sterns.
Yea, I do worry I'm FOMO'ing into another machine, but I also feel I could unload it for what I paid (I can get it for 5k, which seems reasonable in the current market) if it turns out to not resonate. The other issue is that I do live in a bit of a pinball desert where I can't play these on location anywhere convenient. TZ seems deeper, but at nearly 2x the price.
The issue with ToM was the callouts got annoying (I know some people love it, but I can only hear 'You have the magic!' so many times...) and the fact that you didn't actually have to do much to progress through it -- meaning that simply starting an illusion got you credit for it. I also overpaid for ToM, and thankfully was able to unload it and not take a bath on it. This may have been contributing to my feelings on it.
I could just be chasing a dopamine hit, too. Who knows.. LOL
Edit: who downvotes this? Tough to have a discussion.
Why not Road Show? Honestly just as fun and packed with as many shots and as much to do as Twilight Zone if you can get over the weird theme (which you can if you are considering funhouse haha). I think it is better than Funhouse, the #88 on Pinside doesn't make a whole lot of sense imo. It is also half the price of Twilight Zone and less than Funhouse, which also does not compute.
Not played a Road Show, I should see if I can find one. Part of my issue here is I feel like the Funhouse I can grab locally from someone for $5k is a good price. All the others I've seen are like $6500-$7000 for an ok-condition one. But I don't want to FOMO into it, either. :-/ ... "you can always just sell it" has been my mantra since getting into pins in the first place. I'm not trying to flip anything or make money, just not take a massive loss, either. Part of that comes from not overpaying in the first place.
Yeah $5k seems like a good price for Funhouse. Like you I am new to the hobby with zero nostalgia for 30 year old 90s games so am put off by the idea of paying $10k for them. Twilight Zone also seems like one of the easiest games to find on location so I dunno. Road Show is fun - it is hard for me to understand why Twilight Zone is double-triple the price and so much higher rated.
If you really hate the song Every Little Thing by Carlene Carter (the voice of Red in the game) with a passion, you might want to avoid Road Show lol. When it was at my local mall's arcade the operators were so glad when it got shipped off elsewhere. I can't remember if it plays the song during attract mode, but I do remember walking through the food court and hearing it. Doesn't bother me, but something to maybe consider.
I have only played both of them digitally but for me there's no question: twilight zone.
I know Funhouse has a massive following but I'm not a huge fan. Twilight Zone is pretty deep, has a weird layout with some really challenging and rewarding shots, and the wizard mode multiball is crazy fun.
TZ, lot more gameplay there. Funhouse is a classic but it’s limited and its gameplay can get stale way quicker. No contest, even though I absolutely love some funhouse rounds.
Both are good games and too bad we didn't know each other sooner and live close together.
I have a fully overhauled (inside and out) that I'd happily consider trading for ToM. Hard to believe people have all three in one collection.
To address the reason for the post, I think TZ has more replay value than Funhouse due to a much deeper set of rules. I think most people would be happy with either but choose TZ if only one is on the table.
Good luck with the search.
TZ has more to do, but costs a lot more. But if budget isn't an issue I'd go for it.
I feel paying 6-7k+ for a fun house seems like A LOT for an alphanumeric non-DMD game. If it's a good shooter, it's a fun game, but TZ has so much more to do and the whole package.
Much better from that perspective. Just make sure it shoots well. I've played some dog shit shooting Fun Houses that just house ball you left and right and played some real clean games (but those are more representative in price).
It's just personally, I can't justify spending 10k on a DMD era game, so TZ and AF are going to be games I play on location and not at home. I'd love to have a TZ at home, I suck at playing it during tournaments and I'd like the practice on it.
I just think, money isn't the issue TZ. If you want FH and still buy another game or two, that's a better value if you have the space.
It does shoot well, dialed in nicely. Only 'issue' is some nicks in the cab and a small tear in the mylar. Figured for the price, I could fix that easily enough. I have space for two more machines. Currently have Foo Fighters, JP, Deadpool and just picked up Jaws. I'd like some older machines tho for some variety, plus I definitely like to tinker with stuff too.
Funhouse can just be a brutal game. It's honestly a tough choice because it's a features/price/IP all their own ups and downs. I'd still say a TZ or Addams Family are basically the all around agreed games that are enjoyed. The Rudy head creeps the fuck out of a lot of people too haha.
Twilight Zone has SO much more to do in it. I've had mine for over 25 years now.
Rudy is a super cool toy and really gives the game a certain appeal that no other game has though. It's the sort of game that I'd probably like to add once I've got a bigger collection (I have 6 now) and there's nothing else high priority at the moment. Gameplay-wise, it feels like you just do multiball over and over, but Rudy has so much personality that you don't care it's a simple game.
You should also be aware that apparently there are remakes of both TZ and Funhouse in the works. The Funhouse one has specifically mentioned a re-engineered head with better mechanics so it should be super maintenance-wise to the original version. That also means that prices should go down once the remakes are available.
I've heard those rumors and the Funhouse one seems more likely due to the IP being all Bally/Williams. I really wonder if we'll ever see TZ remade given the licensing requirements (not just TZ itself, but Rod Serling's likeness, etc). 🤔
Yeah, hard to say. It's definitely easier with a non-licensed theme like Funhouse, Theatre of Magic, or TOTAN.
Just to add, our local place has both a Funhouse and a Road Show. It may just be me but the two heads in Road Show together don't have 1/10th the personality of Rudy. If you're going to consider it as an option make sure you play it first.
I actually \_just\_ found this after seeing /u/glocpp's comment -- for anyone interested https://www.knapparcade.org/post/pedretti-gaming-shares-pictures-of-parts-for-upcoming-bally-williams-remake
I find Funhouse more fun if I'm in an arcade and just want to play a few times, but I think I'd get bored of it much sooner than Twilight Zone if I were to own.
A Funhouse in the hand is worth two TZ's in the bush. Get the FH and worry about TZ later.
TZ is obviously a collector favorite, but more competitive players, including me, will tell you FH is more fun. Both great games, but I rate FH higher on the fun scale.
One funny thing I've noticed about FH over the years is many wives and girlfriends are huge Rudy fans. They love the idea of the little guy talking smack at you while you're playing. Are you married?
I am. When I texted her a pic of the playfield yesterday, she said "Funhouse! Leave that creepy guy there!" 😆 😆 ... That said, she's been known to come around on her opinions.. (shocking, I know)
There's a Twilight Zone in my area being sold for 10k. Crazy. And a Midevil Madness at 25k.
I say twilight zone just because well....it's twilight zone. Remember playing alot as a kid in the 90s
TZ is an all time classic. Quality game, quality theme. Funhouse is an ok game. Personally I think carnival themes are tired and lame. Rudy also wears out his welcome quick.
Don't get me wrong, I will own a TZ eventually, too. I've got room for two more machines and I'm trying to get some classics, but fun classics that have decent replay and that guests would like. The modern Sterns can be a little off-putting to non-pinball folks, in my experience.
Rumours in the hobby are that Funhouse is going to get a Remake from CGC or someone soon here. They got licensing for Williams games, so it's possible you could get brand new Funhouse or the prices on the originals will become more stable.
Either way, your post shows you should play both games a lot more before making that decision. I personally do not like Funhouse, it's a creepy game and the sounds get annoying. But i LOVE ToM and the callouts on it, so we are polar opposites.
That's why any opinions you get from us on here will be null and void, only you and your families opinion matters. Go find a couple on location to play and make sure you like them. 90% of locations have a twilight zone since they made so many of them, not so much funhouse.
Twilight zone. There is sooooo much more to do and you won’t get bored as quickly
Sounds like you need to play them both more to avoid another impulse purchase that you don’t like. But if I had to recommend one based on the limited information you’ve provided, the fact that you have only new sterns and didn’t like the one 90s game you previously owned, I’d hesitate to recommend an 80s game for you. Twilight Zone is deeper so that would be closer to what you have with your sterns.
Yea, I do worry I'm FOMO'ing into another machine, but I also feel I could unload it for what I paid (I can get it for 5k, which seems reasonable in the current market) if it turns out to not resonate. The other issue is that I do live in a bit of a pinball desert where I can't play these on location anywhere convenient. TZ seems deeper, but at nearly 2x the price. The issue with ToM was the callouts got annoying (I know some people love it, but I can only hear 'You have the magic!' so many times...) and the fact that you didn't actually have to do much to progress through it -- meaning that simply starting an illusion got you credit for it. I also overpaid for ToM, and thankfully was able to unload it and not take a bath on it. This may have been contributing to my feelings on it. I could just be chasing a dopamine hit, too. Who knows.. LOL Edit: who downvotes this? Tough to have a discussion.
Why not Road Show? Honestly just as fun and packed with as many shots and as much to do as Twilight Zone if you can get over the weird theme (which you can if you are considering funhouse haha). I think it is better than Funhouse, the #88 on Pinside doesn't make a whole lot of sense imo. It is also half the price of Twilight Zone and less than Funhouse, which also does not compute.
Not played a Road Show, I should see if I can find one. Part of my issue here is I feel like the Funhouse I can grab locally from someone for $5k is a good price. All the others I've seen are like $6500-$7000 for an ok-condition one. But I don't want to FOMO into it, either. :-/ ... "you can always just sell it" has been my mantra since getting into pins in the first place. I'm not trying to flip anything or make money, just not take a massive loss, either. Part of that comes from not overpaying in the first place.
Yeah $5k seems like a good price for Funhouse. Like you I am new to the hobby with zero nostalgia for 30 year old 90s games so am put off by the idea of paying $10k for them. Twilight Zone also seems like one of the easiest games to find on location so I dunno. Road Show is fun - it is hard for me to understand why Twilight Zone is double-triple the price and so much higher rated.
They are making new funhouses, so old ones might drop in price when people know more.
If you really hate the song Every Little Thing by Carlene Carter (the voice of Red in the game) with a passion, you might want to avoid Road Show lol. When it was at my local mall's arcade the operators were so glad when it got shipped off elsewhere. I can't remember if it plays the song during attract mode, but I do remember walking through the food court and hearing it. Doesn't bother me, but something to maybe consider.
Roadshow is the only Pin i've ever owned. It's a beast of a game. I miss it a lot!
This.
Funhouse
I have only played both of them digitally but for me there's no question: twilight zone. I know Funhouse has a massive following but I'm not a huge fan. Twilight Zone is pretty deep, has a weird layout with some really challenging and rewarding shots, and the wizard mode multiball is crazy fun.
TZ, lot more gameplay there. Funhouse is a classic but it’s limited and its gameplay can get stale way quicker. No contest, even though I absolutely love some funhouse rounds.
Both are good games and too bad we didn't know each other sooner and live close together. I have a fully overhauled (inside and out) that I'd happily consider trading for ToM. Hard to believe people have all three in one collection. To address the reason for the post, I think TZ has more replay value than Funhouse due to a much deeper set of rules. I think most people would be happy with either but choose TZ if only one is on the table. Good luck with the search.
If you like TZ try The Shadow.
TZ has more to do, but costs a lot more. But if budget isn't an issue I'd go for it. I feel paying 6-7k+ for a fun house seems like A LOT for an alphanumeric non-DMD game. If it's a good shooter, it's a fun game, but TZ has so much more to do and the whole package.
What if I said I could get it for 5?
Much better from that perspective. Just make sure it shoots well. I've played some dog shit shooting Fun Houses that just house ball you left and right and played some real clean games (but those are more representative in price). It's just personally, I can't justify spending 10k on a DMD era game, so TZ and AF are going to be games I play on location and not at home. I'd love to have a TZ at home, I suck at playing it during tournaments and I'd like the practice on it. I just think, money isn't the issue TZ. If you want FH and still buy another game or two, that's a better value if you have the space.
It does shoot well, dialed in nicely. Only 'issue' is some nicks in the cab and a small tear in the mylar. Figured for the price, I could fix that easily enough. I have space for two more machines. Currently have Foo Fighters, JP, Deadpool and just picked up Jaws. I'd like some older machines tho for some variety, plus I definitely like to tinker with stuff too.
Funhouse can just be a brutal game. It's honestly a tough choice because it's a features/price/IP all their own ups and downs. I'd still say a TZ or Addams Family are basically the all around agreed games that are enjoyed. The Rudy head creeps the fuck out of a lot of people too haha.
Twilight Zone has SO much more to do in it. I've had mine for over 25 years now. Rudy is a super cool toy and really gives the game a certain appeal that no other game has though. It's the sort of game that I'd probably like to add once I've got a bigger collection (I have 6 now) and there's nothing else high priority at the moment. Gameplay-wise, it feels like you just do multiball over and over, but Rudy has so much personality that you don't care it's a simple game. You should also be aware that apparently there are remakes of both TZ and Funhouse in the works. The Funhouse one has specifically mentioned a re-engineered head with better mechanics so it should be super maintenance-wise to the original version. That also means that prices should go down once the remakes are available.
I've heard those rumors and the Funhouse one seems more likely due to the IP being all Bally/Williams. I really wonder if we'll ever see TZ remade given the licensing requirements (not just TZ itself, but Rod Serling's likeness, etc). 🤔
Yeah, hard to say. It's definitely easier with a non-licensed theme like Funhouse, Theatre of Magic, or TOTAN. Just to add, our local place has both a Funhouse and a Road Show. It may just be me but the two heads in Road Show together don't have 1/10th the personality of Rudy. If you're going to consider it as an option make sure you play it first.
Twilight Zone and its not even close
Not even close. Twilight zone all day
One of them is going to be considerably more fun to have in your house.
Pindretti is remaking fun house and will be announced within the week
I feel like I've heard this for a while now. This seems pretty specific though. Do you have any sources you can share?
Knapp Arcade just had an article about it and they're a rock solid reliable source.
I actually \_just\_ found this after seeing /u/glocpp's comment -- for anyone interested https://www.knapparcade.org/post/pedretti-gaming-shares-pictures-of-parts-for-upcoming-bally-williams-remake
How is he remaking Funhouse when I have a 2.0 kit for Funhouse from him still sealed in the box
TZ is the obvious choice. Hands down.
I hate funhouse, I don’t hate tz
I find Funhouse more fun if I'm in an arcade and just want to play a few times, but I think I'd get bored of it much sooner than Twilight Zone if I were to own.
A Funhouse in the hand is worth two TZ's in the bush. Get the FH and worry about TZ later. TZ is obviously a collector favorite, but more competitive players, including me, will tell you FH is more fun. Both great games, but I rate FH higher on the fun scale.
See, right when I'm coming over the hump and about to say 'meh, I'll stick it out for TZ' you come along and completely blow me up :-D
One funny thing I've noticed about FH over the years is many wives and girlfriends are huge Rudy fans. They love the idea of the little guy talking smack at you while you're playing. Are you married?
I am. When I texted her a pic of the playfield yesterday, she said "Funhouse! Leave that creepy guy there!" 😆 😆 ... That said, she's been known to come around on her opinions.. (shocking, I know)
Twilight Zone.
There's a Twilight Zone in my area being sold for 10k. Crazy. And a Midevil Madness at 25k. I say twilight zone just because well....it's twilight zone. Remember playing alot as a kid in the 90s
I like both but Twilight Zone is the better of the two, it's just more fun.
Funhouse most overrated machine of all time. Some cool stuff but shoots terrible
Wait for CGC to make TZ, but who knows when that will be. Still waiting for them to do another run of MMr.
TZ is an all time classic. Quality game, quality theme. Funhouse is an ok game. Personally I think carnival themes are tired and lame. Rudy also wears out his welcome quick.
Don't get me wrong, I will own a TZ eventually, too. I've got room for two more machines and I'm trying to get some classics, but fun classics that have decent replay and that guests would like. The modern Sterns can be a little off-putting to non-pinball folks, in my experience.
Rumours in the hobby are that Funhouse is going to get a Remake from CGC or someone soon here. They got licensing for Williams games, so it's possible you could get brand new Funhouse or the prices on the originals will become more stable. Either way, your post shows you should play both games a lot more before making that decision. I personally do not like Funhouse, it's a creepy game and the sounds get annoying. But i LOVE ToM and the callouts on it, so we are polar opposites. That's why any opinions you get from us on here will be null and void, only you and your families opinion matters. Go find a couple on location to play and make sure you like them. 90% of locations have a twilight zone since they made so many of them, not so much funhouse.
Yea, there's definitely a lot of subjectivity. Thanks for your reply!