Best long code games

[effkay]

I’m sure this must have been discussed somewhere, but I couldn’t find it at a quick search.

I’m wondering what people’s opinions are on the best long playing games with long code that takes ages to get to the wizard and final modes. Not though a relentless grind, but with fun objectives on the way to completion. I’ve only played Lord Of The Rings once or twice, but I hear this is king of the long games.

As most of these are likely to be modern, bonus points for older, long play fun code but cheap(er) and cheerful!

 

[Taxiturn]

The Simpsons Pinball Party has one of the most unobtainable wizard modes of all, and is a bit older, so that probably fits the bill for you

 

[JT.]

I had a LOTR and the games did last ages (in a good way). One of my favourite games

 

[windoesnot]

Of recent releases, Bond takes bloody ages to get to the end!

 

[Chaggers]

Most modern games have deep code now
Wonder how long DND would take without save progress
And doing on one shot mode

 

[Kaufmanised]

Any Elwin game... Especially if your aiming for the Super Wizard Modes

Kind of wish there was a Super Wizard Mode on BM66 - Complete Villans Escape then all 3 TV Wizard Modes in one game

 

[SteadyP]

I’m sure this must have been discussed somewhere, but I couldn’t find it at a quick search.

I’m wondering what people’s opinions are on the best long playing games with long code that takes ages to get to the wizard and final modes. Not though a relentless grind, but with fun objectives on the way to completion. I’ve only played Lord Of The Rings once or twice, but I hear this is king of the long games.

As most of these are likely to be modern, bonus points for older, long play fun code but cheap(er) and cheerful!

best long playing games with long code that takes ages to get to the wizard and final modes. Not though a relentless grind,

I think some of Keith Johnson’s ( Kiefer ) Stern games have an element of wood choppiness to get to the wizard modes Simpsons apparently is rock to achieve, WPT the invitational wizard mode is pretty repetitive to qualify and unobtainable for 99% unless you’re playing with the glass off; LOTR I believe he perfected his code- much better logic and progression makes sense to get to Valinor. I’m yet to play a game from him since on a JJP where I know what I’m doing- GF in particular too multiball heavy and loads of stuff just seems to happen. I’m a bit biased as I now own a SM, really like the simplicity of code on this- don’t know if I’ll ever get to the hero Wizard mode but mini wizard is always obtainable if you have a good game- plus there’s a bit of strategy to placing your multipliers in the right place for big points. Really hope Harry Potter is an intuitive rule set from Kiefer as this will switch casuals off if it’s like his GNR code where you need to read an A2 poster to get it

 

[Spandangler]

Taxi…….
Whaaaat. I’m thick so it’s really complex for me.

 

[Andydn]

Iron Maiden, Stranger Things & Bond for me

 

[AlanJ]

Stern Star Trek. I’ve had it 8 years and never got anywhere near finishing it

 

[Jib]

Code isn’t complete but Jaws has a lot to do you can have an hour long game completing everything in it at the moment. There’s several mini wizard modes and satisfying moments outside of those with capturing the sharks, getting the end of mode fin shot and managing to use the machete for a massive collect. Options in the menu too to just play some (all? I’d need to check) of the mini wizard modes or the unique revenge mode.

GZ you can play for 90 minutes if you do everything.

I haven’t owned Bond but it’s also got loads to do.

JP although not as long playing as Jaws, GZ and Bond has fantastic code and imo possibly the best wizard mode ever in Escape Nublar. Then there’s the super wizard mode to aim for if you find yourself getting to EN fairly frequently.

I use to look for the deepest games too, thinking they had the most amount of things to do so I won’t get bored. But GZ became boring to me because it took so long to do everything. Having an hour long game but failing to complete everything started to feel really unsatisfying. There’s something to be said for shorter games with less rules. It really gives them an addictive one more game feel.

I’ve recently realised though no game is going to interest me forever no matter the code. If I had the choice of 10 machines I could never change or 2 machines I could rotate frequently, I’d pick the 2 machine rotating collection. I enjoy figuring out the code, layout and best way to play a new game more than playing a game I’ve had for a while even if I think the older game is actually better.

 

[effkay]

The Simpsons Pinball Party has one of the most unobtainable wizard modes of all, and is a bit older, so that probably fits the bill for you

Yeah I’d love one of these at some point. Who doesn’t like the simpsons and it always comes up as a cool game

 

[effkay]

Any Elwin game... Especially if your aiming for the Super Wizard Modes

Kind of wish there was a Super Wizard Mode on BM66 - Complete Villans Escape then all 3 TV Wizard Modes in one game

100% on BM66 - one extra mega wizard mode would be awesome, although I can’t see me ever doing all three mini wizard modes in one game

 

[effkay]

Code isn’t complete but Jaws has a lot to do you can have an hour long game completing everything in it at the moment. There’s several mini wizard modes and satisfying moments outside of those with capturing the sharks, getting the end of mode fin shot and managing to use the machete for a massive collect. Options in the menu too to just play some (all? I’d need to check) of the mini wizard modes or the unique revenge mode.

GZ you can play for 90 minutes if you do everything.

I haven’t owned Bond but it’s also got loads to do.

JP although not as long playing as Jaws, GZ and Bond has fantastic code and imo possibly the best wizard mode ever in Escape Nublar. Then there’s the super wizard mode to aim for if you find yourself getting to EN fairly frequently.

I use to look for the deepest games too, thinking they had the most amount of things to do so I won’t get bored. But GZ became boring to me because it took so long to do everything. Having an hour long game but failing to complete everything started to feel really unsatisfying. There’s something to be said for shorter games with less rules. It really gives them an addictive one more game feel.

I’ve recently realised though no game is going to interest me forever no matter the code. If I had the choice of 10 machines I could never change or 2 machines I could rotate frequently, I’d pick the 2 machine rotating collection. I enjoy figuring out the code, layout and best way to play a new game more than playing a game I’ve had for a while even if I think the older game is actually better.

Bond prem is definitely on the list for one day… I play it at PBR and it feels like it would be great at home, a little easier and the sound up, extra balls on etc.

Also, I hear you on the long games when you’re good at them being unsatisfying if you fail to get right through.

I’m a 2 game lineup due to space, maybe 3 at a stretch. The problem is that the two games are keepers

Time for a garden room (rolls up sleeves then realises I’d rather pay down my mortgage)

 

[lukewells]

Hobbit!

31 modes
5 playfield objective sets to qualify an Arkenstone multiball mode
3 Arkenstone multiball modes with 5 levels of objectives each

Then you have all the frenzy modes (Feast frenzy, beast frenzy etc)

 

[Fubar]

Just some thoughts based on my experience - why are you looking for such a deep game in the first place?

When I first got into pinball my first game was LOTR, because I thought I needed that code depth to stay interested.

Now after having owned almost 20 games I have found that it can be a bit of slog - for example GZ prem with all its fluff and long ball times was tiresome, and I didn't want to press start again after a long game. The gameplay is also quite linear (on all Elwin games btw) - choosing between just 2 modes (gigan or ebirah?!) gets repetitive i.e. lack of breadth.

The game that's stayed here the longest is in fact TNA, because it's pure pinball and just doesn't get old. "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

If I want story mode I'll go and play assassin's creed, or watch netflix...

 

[Wayne J]

To answer the OPs original question and evaluate the older games first, as almost all modern Stern or JJPs have immense code which the average or even good player will never get near to completeing.

First point. People mention about games being repetitive or 'wood choppy'. Put simply it depends how good you are. Take the main MB on any of LotR, WPT, TSPP to qualify for the wizard mode you need to hit a certain target or score. If you can do that on your first MB great. However if you can't the 2nd MB is harder to achieve, then the 3rd harder still etc. etc. so it becomes repetitive trying to restart the same MB over and over, because YOU didn't hit the target on the first go.
The same can be said for modes which need completing, rather than just starting. Once you've failed a particular mode, you've then got to play all of the other modes to start the cycle again and then attempt to complete it again.

From the games I've owned, and not including LCD screen games.
I've reached the wizard mode on games where it's considered difficult to get to on - AcDc, TSPP, LotR, SM, Family Guy, Avatar, BBH, BtDK. (There must be others, but these are off the top of my head)

Of those ranked by the most enjoyable to play long term where AcDc, Av, TSPP, SM, LotR, BtDK, FG, .......BBH

From games I've owned where I haven't reached wizard mode are WPT, PotC (Stern) , XM.
Came close on PotC a couple of times of completing 4 winds but not Gauntlet (or the other way round), likewise XM, but not got close on WPT, despite it being the game I've played and owned for the longest time over the years. Mainly due to the difficulty in relighting successive MBs as mentioned at top of post.

If you're looking for an older game with lots of depth and code - without doubt AcDc would be my number 1 choice. Avatar would be 2nd (But you do need to be a very good player to even consider the possibility of wizard mode). The others pick your favourite theme, they're much of a muchness, except BBH which is awful and long winded for no other reason than to make it longwinded. The day after I completed Open Season it was up for sale.

 

[effkay]

Thanks! The detail on this is cool. I’m not necessarily looking to buy a new game right now, but I’m interested in people’s views on long players and which to look out for. It’s nice to start a thread on here for general discussion.

With BM66 & PF as my collection, I have one mid long and one fast play. I also have TNA, but it’s about to leave the collection as really I’ve only space and spare cash for 2 premium titles. Agree that TNA is a pretty perfect game by the way and no doubt it will be missed.

I also play a lot of short, older games at PBR and with just with a couple of machines at home, I don’t want a pair of no ramp retro games.

One day I’d really like something like LOTR or TSPP for extra long sessions working towards the ultimate complete goal, and I think this thread cements those as the key titles other than modern Stern.