I have owned both, TOM some time back and recently I purchased a TOTAN and still have it – its going no-where.
I only sold TOM when I did to get some funds for another project – otherwise I would still own it too.
Like ALL games there are good and bad points for both.
TOTAN seems to have a little more to do throughout the game and has a
VERY cool 2 stage Wizard Mode at the end - I am yet to beat it.
It has 7 objectives to achieve before reaching the end mode, 5 of the 7 objectives are ‘fairly’ easy , 2 are quite difficult. The Lamp can often be seen as 'getting in the way' but once you understand the game you realise its a massive part of racking up BIG points on this game , if it wasnt there , the shots to the Genie would be too easy anyway. With a couple of different multi-ball modes and other things to do along the way it keeps you busy and it also has good lighting, sound and animations.
Compared - TOM is renowned for having a bit of a ‘lame’ end mode.
However it is a FAST and flowing game with maybe the best light show I have ever seen.
There are many similarities between the 2 games - ie TOM = hit the Trunk, TOTAN = hit the Genie.
The long loop shots are similar around the back and also the TOM basement shot is the same location as TOTAN’s Bazaar.
The Fireball crosswire on TOTAN is also similar to the Spirit Ring on TOM.
Personally I prefer TOTAN but they are both bloody good games.
It’s a cliché but I am going to say that you wont be disappointed with either game.
