And if you set up the rules properly is top1:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/the-shadow-luppin-rules

The Shadow always on top in "most missing" machines surveys.

Its not at all easier. I set some settings actually harder, other settings LONGER (in time), not easier. Its actually more difficult to finish all modes ( and reach final battle), when the ball has to stay in play for so much longer. The game simply opens up, and becomes more deep in a strategic way. And most importantly, it becomes very much skill based, instead of relying in lucky shots or to be simply played in a difensive manner avoiding to try to finish modes. TS in this way is the pin more similar to a real sport, actually: very difficult, but the more skills you have the better the score, in a pretty consistent way. Anyway, all is explained in detail in the Luppin Rules thread.

TS is really an amazing game, but you need to be a good player to appreciate how good it is.

Of course, not a native speaker, but I understood the joke

Just wanted to add that TS is really great, but it's not so popular/highly ranked because to fully appreciate it you need to be an excellent player. So, many people look down at TS beacuse of the unpopular movie in first place, and then because after 10 tens games they think is crap. I actually thought the same after 10 games, and even after 50! But after few hundred games it kicks asses, and after 1000 games (long term) it becomes better than the top rated (MM, TZ to name a few).