Newbies = tables tables tables tables.

Any of your choices are good aside from Ghostbusters. Literally the worst game ever made if all time in the history of all games in the universe.

Consider some 90's classics. The games are the 90's are far superior to any of the current NIB titles. Lots more interesting geometry, better toys and features, better engineering, better code, better quality, better everything.

Any time brotha!

As for your plug n play comment - keep in mind NIB doesn't mean 100%. You might actually be better off with a used game from a knowledgeable collector who has fixed the game themselves and dialed it in for optimal play. NIB games often need lots of work out of the box....and even if they don't - it's pinball, something will break. So, whether you buy new or used, it's a good idea to get a sense of how things work and how to fix things once you become a pinball owner.

If you're gonna go NIB, I feel like you're better off with a JJP or CGC game as their QC is much tighter.

For the record I used to be a huge Stern supporter and still own 7 Stern games...while Stern always had some QC issues, they've taken a serious turn for the worse in many ways - playfield quality, built quality, incomplete/buggy code. That's why I recommend your other choices vs. GB. AFM and MM are baked in the cake classics. You know what you're getting and know their gameplay held up for 20 years. Hobbit is divisive - but I love it. It's the best overall package of the "modern" games....it's a lengthy quest game tho - some don't like that. Still needs a few bugs and things ironed out in the code. WOZ is divisive, too - but it's another solid deep quest type of game.

A game is more than it's physical design. AFM may look simple, but it's the combination of speed, smooth flow, rules and choreography, and humor that tie it all together. For a pin to be great, the design and rules must become one and work together. A cool design can be ruined by crap rules. A blah design can be made great with excellent rules.

Or, there's GB - horrible design made even worse with repetitive rules that do not work at all on such a cheap drain-monster game.

If I can save one newb from suffering, it's all worth it.

Put me on ignore if you don't like it. I'll
never stop until the sycophants come to their senses. NEVER!!!!!

Also, never forget: A child predator made GB. Want to shame someone regarding GB? I'm the wrong target.

*Cornholio voice* ARE YOU THREATENING ME!?!?

You're acting like I insulted your family or something. I don't like *a* game and you pull the whole "wait till we meet in person, tough guy!" act lol

I'm absolutely "normal" and boring. Tons of people here know me in person and can vouch. Listen to my interview on K's podcast if you're interested. Ep #108.

Come into my office young man, and let me spin you a yarn....

Nah, I gave the game too many chances. I never want to touch one again. I've played like 20 Pros and 5 or 6 Prem/LEs...including one that was "dialed in" and I was told I would now enjoy it. Nah. No amount of tweaks fixes makes it fun. It will forever have horrible geometry, useless toys, cheap drains, linear mode ladders, lack of personality and overall lack of understanding of what makes the theme cool.

Playfield protectors suck. A new game in home use has no need for one.