I would like to encourage everyone here to try different machines from different designers, manufacturers, eras, and themes. Looking through the “let’s see pics of game rooms!” thread https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/lets-see-pic-of-games-rooms/page/337#post-6081380 I see a lot of gamerooms filled with the latest and greatest Sterns with whatever games have been hot in the past 3 years. If this is what you like, go for it! However, I would highly suggest reaching back in time a little and trying some other games as things open back up, or rotating a few through your collection if you have the means. I have had about 20 machines rotate through my basement, and have found a lot of things that surprise me over time. My favorite game of all time is still 1993s’ Star Trek, The Next Generation. I like it better than the JP Pro I had rotate through, my Rick and Morty, or the Twilight Zone sitting next to it. I have almost as much fun on my 1980 black Knight next to it. All in all, I would recommend those of you with the space (and budget) to mix it up to try games from different eras. My Black Knight is older than I am, and I was surprised to find that I enjoy it more than I enjoyed Jurassic Park Pro or the Hobbit.
I would encourage folks to try machines from different manufacturers if they can. Spooks play different than Sterns play different than Jersey Jacks in modern pins. Data East play very different from Williams pins.
I would also encourage you to try out machines of different eras. I personally break them out into electro mechanical, numeric display solid state, alpha-numeric, DMD, and LCD. I have found that I don’t care for E.Ms on location play (never owned one), but seem to prefer numeric solid state and alpha numeric, and DMD games.
I would also encourage you to try games from different designers, or from their earlier careers. If you like some of their newer games, you would like their older games as well. With the exception of Elwin, Meunier, and Danesi, the odds are your favorite designer has been making games since before you were born. Do you like Led Zepplin? Try Black Knight, Gettaway, Star Trek The Next Generation. Do you like TMNT but don’t have the budget? Try Last Action Hero, Tales from the Cyrpt, or DE Star Wars. Is Dialed in your favorite? Try Whirlwind, Earthshaker, or Monopoly. All these games were made by your favorite designer years back. Are Medieval Madness and Stranger Things your game? Try “The Shadow”.
Finally, modern deep games can be a lot of fun, but shallow games can be just as challenging. I have found that “just one more game” feel runs strong in some early Solid State games. Paragon and Flash Gordon are both brutally challenging and can be a lot of fun for quick games… and don’t even get me started on Paragon’s Art (It’s great).
All in all, Pinball is fun! I see folks with lineups of the latest and greatest and that’s fine, but don’t forget there are other great pins out there that I highly recommend you try. Happy pinball people!