While the original Fireball certainly has more charm and deserves its fame, I think the 1985 version is a better player. The scoring rules are much more fun and interesting, AMAZING digital sounds throughout, and frankly the regular 3 inch flippers make for a more enjoyable game across 3 balls. The game is just more playable and more fun and keeps all of the best elements of the original - the art, the skill shot, the multiball, the amazing spinner disc and kickback. And, it adds a great bonus element to the game, which really gives the player a reason to whack at the captive ball.
It does lack the zipper flippers but I consider those more of a novelty than a play asset.