Quoted from merccat:My opinion is that if an area of the playfield is dark its that way because the designer intended it to be.
Or it is dark because the accountants could save $1.25 on each machine if they took it away. Ever wonder why Pinball2000 or Modern Sterns have the on/off switch further back? It's not because it is better.
Mods are divisive though. Some are great, some are so-so and some are just plain stupid.
There are others that put the game in the state that it was actually intended to be, like the Dr. Who moving Dalek topper or Earthshaker sinking building.
I wish I could find that picture someone posted over ten years ago of their modded TZ. The one with troll dolls and old candy bar wrappers. I think it was the original "rage against the mod" post.