I just bought my first pinball last month. It has been a great success. I bought a Stern POTC. Why, because my entire family liked it. I enjoy it, my wife liked it the most of any, and my 9yr old daughters love it.

I figure starting with a machine that the entire family enjoys really will help set the tone for future endeavors in the pinball hobby.

So find what makes all of you happy (including yourself) and go for it. Having the most popular machine does nothing if you don't actually like it.

Congratulations on the new pin. Awesome you found one that both you and the family will enjoy. I agree with you about DI, I played it, and it just did not do as much for me as it does for others. But that is why different pinball machines exist. I also agree on the MM. I finally got some quality time on an original MM at CP Pinball, and I must say that it is a lot of fun, and would still be fun for the rest of my family as well.