Whirlwind

Twister

Early 80s Bally games.
I have an EK Solid State and EM that I just love.
And I have an original Fathom and new Fathom that I’m so lucky to have.
The rules are so simple and just the best to play with your friends for dollars because of the short ball times. This is key.

Theme, art, sounds and immersion...most of which I'm finding only in my custom games and 80s and 90s pins.

When I end a ball and think "My heart is pounding, I've been holding my breath, what even just happened?" because it was so exhilarating.

If you are talking about pinball "since 1987 (35 years ago)", I'd go with "pinball moments". A pinball moment for me is something neat that happens on the playfield that draws your attention to something whether or not the ball is actually moving. The big ones that come to mind for me are:

Adams' Family "It's Show Time"! The light show that happens when you get multiball or the thing lock.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (2). Borg Multiball Start with the ship launching he ball back at you and Warp 9.
Data East Jurassic Park: The T-Rex Eating the Ball
Avengers Infinity Quest: Hulk Spinner
Sega Goldeneye: Satellite Jump shot Ramp and catc
Lord of the Rings Two Towers Multiball: To War!!!
Godzilla Buidling Destruction Multiball Start"
Fish Tales Monster Fish Shot

There are a few, but the best games all have one

Edit to add:

I have gotten more "pinball hair blowing back" moments since I started playing in leagues and tournaments. When getting knocked out for the evening is on the line the ball seems to count more. I can always come back next week and try again for $6. You don't even have to be any good to have fun.

The music in Total Nuclear Annihilation.

The thing I enjoy most about this hobby is exploring ALL vintages of pins and
how they evolved over the years. Also finding derelict machine, most would not
touch, and restoring them although haven't done much of that lately.

My faves which are the ultimate combination of game play, artwork and
(evolving) technology are the Gottlieb series 1 & 80 pins like Black Hole,
Spiderman, Mars:GOW, Sinbad and others.

Taking out Smaug in Hobbit is pretty epic. It's a lot of work. Flippers go dead...and you watch Smaug's death scene from the movie. Great lights and the shaker is going crazy... All the balls drain / then relaunch for victory laps.

All of the above. These all factor into the vibe the game gives you - and it's obviously a subjective (personal) thing. EM's are comparatively simple, but have a charm of their own. Solid states are typically fast and challenging. DMDs and newer games are usually deep in code and audio/visual effects. My favorite games are fun to shoot and have a theme and artwork that I appreciate as well.

Opinions can be great, but you'll soon be overwhelmed with recommendations. What really matters is how much YOU enjoy playing a particular game and the only real way to know that is to play them. Play enough of them and you'll find some hidden jewels that don't make the "Top 100" or "Best this or that" lists, but truly appeal to you.

BK 2000 with the sound cranked up.

I don't have any hair to get blown back...so I guess nothing.

This is indeed awesome. Reminds me of TheKorn's tricked out BK2K from Expo '05. That thing was insanely loud. You could hear it *everywhere* in the Wyndham.

X2