First word, "Fireball", better than 99% of all DMD games.
Go find one, and play it.
I think you will find this "grand daddy" of pinball machines to have more features than most subpar later model machines.
Fireball sample machine #1015.
http://marcustrevino.com/pinball/FIREBALL/FIREBALL.html
Good luck with the spinner, it drives some people insane.
If a person actually knows how to play pinball, they will figure out how to avoid this "trap".
Second word, "Knockout" still better than most DMD games.
Makes Stern's WWE look like it has its pants arounds its ankles getting spanked the whole time.
Try to find one, and play it (this one is a bit trickier to locate).
There is one on Ebay right now for $10k.
It is as rare as a Chinese panda, but not that rare in cost (It should be $3500-4000 in superb+ condition).
Most have turned to dust, as they were popular during their lifetime.
ebay.com link: itm
Third word, "Cheaper", you can buy 6-8 quality EMs for the cost of one late model pinball machine.
(Whoa Nellie does not count as it is an overpriced turd and a "hybrid" not an actual EM pinball machine).
Fourth word, "Reliable", once properly serviced, as there is nothing "hidden" in terms of electronics.
However, EMs must be PLAYED REGULARLY, to maintain proper operation.
As you are an electrical engineer and find these machines difficult to repair, I am a little confused here?
Did I miss something?
Granted the word "mechanical" implies physical understanding of assemblies and components, but every pinball machine is like this in terms of design.
Fifth and sixth words, "Not Slow".
Put a 2x4 underneath the rear legs and jack the game in the air with the rear casters.
Lower the front casters to the floor.
If the game only uses one ball, add a TZ ceramic powerball for even more speed.
Very few EMs used magnets for any type gameplay, I would have to look up the few that did (later games).
Adjust the tilt bob or disconnect it.
Problem solved, 10-15 second individual balls.
"Challenge time."
Seventh word, "Art", all games have original hand drawn artwork, not Photoshop digitized garbage.
The amount of quality artwork in new pinball machines is getting more scarce for cost reasons, license reasons, and just plain laziness.
Metallica was superb and original.
SMVE was excellent, but recycled from existing comic book artwork, WTF Stern...
Eighth word, "Furniture", they make awesome coffee tables.
You can even design then to work as cocktail games, score reels modified and mounted.
Ninth and tenth words, "Animated Backglasses", all the best pinball machines that use them are EMs.
This includes pitch and bat games as they fall into the "quasi" EM pinball category.
Eleventh word, "Challenge", a good EM takes years to master not understand how to play.
There is a HUGE difference in meaning of both these statements.
Completely different playstyle and fundamental skills need to be highly polished, if you want to keep the ball in play.
This is enough for me, if they are not interesting or too complicated for you then stick with what you know.
Someday you may change your mind.
My estimates are around 10 years or so.
Most importantly find one that works correctly, clean, and regularly serviced, not some beat up pile of junk.
Bottom line is not everyone that likes them are "old farts" sitting in corners.
