I find that Data East and early Sega games are pretty solid, but later Sega games have a different “feel.” I’m not sure how to explain it, but Segas from around ‘97 on seem a bit flimsy to me (so do the earliest Sterns, for that matter) and the gameplay is more shallow.

LOVE my Baywatch and I highly recommend it. Lots of great shots, multiple objectives, great theme integration and a unique play field layout. The only downside is that the complicated tangle of ramps and wire forms make it a bear to shop out.

I wouldn’t characterize it as “clunky,” but rather as a “lighter” feel, like the mechanisms are made of cheaper, thinner materials. It feels more like a toy to me, without the satisfying weight of a B/W flipper.

And, again, this doesn’t apply to Data East or early Segas - it’s really just Goldeneye through Godzilla.