Quoted from Luppin:Which are your favorite player machines with long lastability?
I am a good player and hate easy machines, I get bored immediately. Some machines are punishing and in my opinion those are also often the ones who last long in a home collection.
Basically think in the opposite direction than great machines for casual players and location. Think instead about machines for good players who want to own the machines for very long time, playing at home, alone, not trying to impress any friend.
In the end please also specify how much you like the theme of the chosen machines: just because I believe we all are very influenced by the theme (nothing bad about it), so it will help me to understand your choices.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not. My longest tenured game at over 10 years and there is no end in sight. For a more recent game for me, JJP POTC. Not going anywhere anytime soon. Both have deep challenging rulesets with tons of shot variety that keep me interested every time. I happen to like both themes as well, which doesn't hurt. I wouldn't let a bad theme get in the way of a good game though. Iron Maiden did nothing for me as a theme, but the game was so good I still bought one and the music has grown on me.