I've owned the Majority of the Classic Sterns and still own 12 keepers. 16 if you count multiples.
I've had 2 HUO Iron Maidens and 2 very nice Catacombs as well as 2 equally nice Dragonfists as well as 2 similar condition Lightnings.
I sold all of them within a few years of owning them as the gameplay was not for me.
I will say that Lightning was the best for gameplay out of the bunch.

Oh yeah, forgot about those. Had 2 of those too.
Very pretty game and liked the Star Trek Enterprise looking area top middle.
But sold those as well shortly after restoring them up.
I would rate it more fun than Viper and Iron Maiden and Dragonfist and Catacomb though.
I'd still go Lightning for the win out of these "B" MPU 200 titles.

I call Dragonfist the poor man's Star Gazer.

Too much delay of game syndrome with the later Stern Classics.

Correction. I never said Lightning was the best Classic Stern. Just the best of that couple I mentioned.

The Best in order are:
Quicksilver
Star Gazer
Nineball
Seawitch
Stars
F2K
Big Game
Meteor
Ali

My opinion on those 2 has changed over the years. I liked Cheetah better than Big Game years ago.
Then I restored up a nice Cheetah for myself complete with NOS clearcoated playfield with prototype roms and while I loved it for a time,
Big Game holds up better and is the better game. Sold both of my Cheetahs a few years back but still have the Big Game and is a keeper.

I'd like Catacomb a lot more with a simple rule change:

The bagatelle is too much of a delay of game feature. Would be great if it only applies after ball 3 has drained so it would be a last ditch effort for points or even tie in an extra ball if you filled out the toast during it.

Bigger house? Amen to that!