Realistically, you are looking at getting a stern pro or a 90s bally/williams.

It will really depend on what you are into. JP, DP, IM, ST, TWD, and MET are the forerunners for Stern. I think JP is the winner of the bunch, but it would be difficult to find if it is truly a "hard cap" budget of 4500.

Most of the bally/williams games are either above your budget or fall just outside your ideal of getting something in the top 35. The shadow, funhouse, fish tales, the getaway, judge dread, BSD, or whirlwind are all options.

I will be very direct with you...I think the game you are REALLY seeking is The Shadow. It is one of the best values out there, and has been for a longggg time. It is a top 10 pin that's hurt by a somewhat cheesy movie and alec Baldwin's mug on the translite (which most people change out to an alternate anyway). If the theme was the matrix, Harry potter, the goonies, jaws, or something of the like...there's no way it's not in the top 10.

The only other option I might suggest is to split your budget and opt to get 2 pins for each half of that $4500 cap. This brings up a lot more choices, but it may actually be better in the long run.

Very cool pin. Priced low considering its position in the top 100. People either love or hate the video aspect, though. It easily is one of the most innovative pins of all time.

I hate that you can't fold down the head. The "bonnet" is a pain to remove, and dangerous to boot. I hope I never have to move one again. It weighs a ton. The smaller playfield is annoying to some, but it never bothered me.

If looking for one, make note if it is the original crt, replaced crt, or a led/lcd screen. Re-capping is a concern as well, and I would give great preference to one with LEDs...as this is a game that really POPS with them (of course, you can always put them in later, if you like)

You may consider looking for a project as a second pin, or at least a lower priced game (1k or less) to learn how to fix them and get some variance in your home. You can always fix them up and/or trade to get something else while keeping your "top tier" game.

True! Lol!!

I feel like I give sage advice...they say thank you for the advice...then buy something double the price! Lololololol

Oh, well. At least they are flipping

I have the pinball disease too, so I can't judge