Quoted from ZMeny:This game has more ways to play than afm/mm combined. I think it's a top 5 bw. Many don't get it or like it though so I understand your feelings on it. For me it's a masterpiece. Thanks for the feedback and discussion.
Agreed on your Shadow review. To me it's the best game of the 90s. I owned my original game for over 6 years and sold it and it is one of the only games I truly missed and had to find another. I won't sell this one! I think it's a better game than MM and AFM as the layout and gameplay is more unique. The theme is really the only weak spot on the game like you mentioned. The rules and ways to attack the game are also well balanced and getting Shadow and Kahn Super jackpots is really difficult compared to SJ in AFM or MM. That third flipper just adds another element to Shadow that those other games lack. And as for Final Battle, I have only completed the mode once despite getting there many times.
On another topic, did you sell your AS? I thought you really liked that one! Does it hold up ok in a home collection?