Shaker, shaker, and more shaker.

I like spinners (or just one is fine), pops that aren't contained, and drop targets. I don't really care for fluff features like the magnet trick that is on KISS premium/LE, but can appreciate what they bring to the complete package.

Two inch flipper bats is what I look for now.

I would like to see some of the ideas of early Bally SS games incorporated into modern games. Things like having inline drops hiding a ball lock and more physical ball locks in general(Fathom), outlane gates where you can save your ball (Centaur), having a captive ball hit inline drops (Centaur), dangerous pop bumpers in the lower lane guide area (Beast Lair on Paragon), return of zipper flippers (Medusa), spinner sounds that escalate the more you hit them (Flash Gordon), games that taunt and ridicule you (FG & Centaur), etc. It seems like after the mid 80's pinball design got a lot more conservative and most pins now feature fan based layouts. Would love to see some of these ideas from the past brought back!

A game like Centaur or Fathom with a modern rule-set, ramps, and a DMD would be rad!

How about one with some of everything? Don't think theres a pin to date with a bit of each known feature- spinners,bumpers, kickbacks, cannon/shooter, drops,magnets etc.
Always cool to see the new innovative stuff too.

Spinners, drop targets, under-PF tunnels, un-contained pops, callouts, physical ball locks, ramps (and more ramps!). I'm not a fan of kickbacks because the lanes are designed to be insta-drain if they are not active.

I would like to see more machines without a fan layout although I know why they are so popular.

Unlike some sensitive men here...

I like boobies, guns, cars, monsters & various types of ill shit

Fun to play.

LTG : )™

I love mini/separate playfields, whether it's half the game like BK2K or small and simple ones like WoZ. Shadow, TZ, AC/DC, Family Guy, give me a less fun, tiny version of pinball on your pinball game and I'm all over it.

Physical ball locks, I like to see what I have achieved , and what still needs to be done

Banks of drop targets, see above

Pop bumpers that I can flip flop into, I hat haveibg to flip a ball up a corridor, let it cone down a lane, bounce around in the pops, and exit down the same way each time

Exactly what I was going to say Lloyd. I don't care about the features of a specific game, I want it to be fun!

And that comes in all shapes and sizes. My collection is all over the map. I've got stubby flipper EM, slap you in the face modern games, complex rules, simple rules, new, old, whatever. But every one of them is fun to play for me. And when that wanes, out they go to be replaced with something else that is fun then.

A challenge!

Its all about the sounds and music for me especially during multiball/ jackpot. Just turn the volume to zero and see how dull and lifeless the machine becomes. I could rattle off a bunch of examples but I don't think I need to in this instance.

I also like computer controlled color changing LED's in the GI to give different modes different color schemes like AC/DC Prem/LE. It can change the entire look of the game in an instant.

And gotta have a ball save for the first 10 seconds at the beginning of each ball or at least the option of turning it on or off.

Chimes, Bells, Lots of Drop Targets, really, Lots of them.

original themes with awesome call outs!

I'd like 2 sets of rules, I believe JD has this where you can start a game that's pure Multiball or something.

Just think if there were two sets of rules, you could get more enjoyment out of a game. For example on XMLE there is options with stacking on or off. There could be more options, or even an optional entire new rule set.

Like if ST was like it is (normal rules) but there was a lightning rule version that plays more like IM where it's easier to complete, but maybe the modes un-light when you drain a ball so it can become more of a one ball short game. Maybe the whole object is to light one mode three deep with a super JP as a reward (that's it but the progress does not save between balls). In some way using the existing mode rules but changing the master code it might not be too difficult to tweak much like some options in the menu (on/off can make a game play differently).

The key is there is two sets of rules for one game. One can be a simple rule set not necessarily super deep but more intense quick game. If a game plays super long like SM or LotR maybe it's more of a 'hurry up' mode that is set just on 90 seconds per ball (ball drains at the end of 90 seconds) but is aimed for maximum points not necessarily looking for a long quest.

Great thread. Without going into detail, I like games that share most elements of early solid states, and not the elements of moderns. I'm a short ball time kind of guy. I prefer my games flat, fast, and full of risk.
-mof

Cool sound effects. Voices are a plus, if well done; if not they're a huge drawback. Background sound a plus; even though I love the very early SS machines, the addition of background sound was a huge step up.

Cool light show, including attract mode, of course. Does not necessarily have to include flashers.

Toys are completely unnecessary. One or two ramps at most, like Sorcerer or DE Simpsons. Two or three multiball a plus. Extra flippers doesn't hurt but isn't a must.

Must have a cool graphics package. To me this can save a slightly boring game; on the flip side, a crappy graphics package kills an otherwise decent game. I consider my pins like artwork that you can play with. Photo art = bleccch!

A pin with something unique about it is also a huge plus.

Most important, just gotta be fun to play, that's what it all boils down to.

Too many to list, but items like the following definitely adds to a game

Custom art
physical ball locks
shot variety
magnets
A game within the game. It can be done with entirely different playable levels like HH/BH or even like the EM types where you ladder a shot to upper flippers, an area accessible only by a certain shot.
And then something unique not found in any other game

Drop Targets and/or consecutive Drop Targets.

Gobble holes.

Ok, fine.

I'll pick one of my "12 must have" elements in pinball.

Sweepable Drops.

I must be able to, with the perfect shot, knock the entire bank of 3 or 4 drop targets down with a perfect shot, or backhand shot. (See Nine Ball, Seawitch, Fathom, Space Shuttle, etc.)

-mof

I like hand-drawn art, magnets under the playfield that change the path of the ball, captive balls, spinners, drop targets, Player controlled ball diverters,, painted backglasses, upper flipper, (left or right).

Still relevant as we move into 2017, and probably forever in pinball design.
Stern for example finally has come to the conclusion that cheap artwork, makes a game look thrifty.

- More games with computer controlled drop target functionality with memory such as EBD and Fathom
- Timed drop targets such as BK and BK2K
- All manufacturers need to stay away from Photoshop artwork, it almost always poor quality, many times is not well integrated, and looks like heads are sticking out of playfield, know the importance of hand drawn artwork
- Moderated shot design so games actually can to smoothly move from one shot to another, this is game flow, and ramps are not necessarily a requirement to achieve this goal, only good layouts.
- Themes that are creative, not necessarily licensed, with a respectable ruleset, but are not required to be so deep that each game requires 3 hours to play a single game.

"The actual term fun is subjective in pinball or any amusement device, however game shot flow design is easily identified. Code improvement does not fix poor game designs."
- TBK

Now you're thinking.
-mof

Lots of habitrails and good music and sound effects. I would trade in a dmd for a alphanumeric display if I got awesome sound.

3 bank drop targets. 1 or 2 ramps. 3-5 physical locked balls. Good "theatrics" before the multiball. Big party after scoring the jackpot. Make it hard. Add a few modes and a gimmick, done. The early 90's were a good time for pinball. NO: photoshop, bash toys, air balls.

Good music.

Good artwork, like xxBKxx mentioned, screen caps from tv shows are just the suck.

Good lightshows for significant events (HS2 jackpot and super jackpot come to mind).

Video modes are optional but if there is one then amalgamate it into the game objectives (eg: freeing doctors in DW)

Skill shots that require actual skill (eg shoot for the trunk in TOM), not just advance lane until the light is under the ball drop.

Clear view of all playfield targets and toys, it sucks when features are hidden from view of the player.

I like conditional mini pf / games that are tucked away until activated, like in Doctor Who, Pinbot, Mousin' Around.

Multiball.

Fun ramps and wireforms - ones that playfully wiggle, zig zag, loop, etc. Ie, not just a straight up, over, straight back down.

Stationary targets behind drop targets – EBD, Medusa, EBC.
Ball lock/path behind drop targets – FG, Fathom.
Remote controled drop targets – EBD, Xenon.

Shots only accessible w upper flipper – Embryon, FBII.
Shots behind upper flipper – SM.

Hidden ball return lanes (from upper pf to flippers) like Spectrum, Black Belt.

Physical ball lock that allows for stealing locked balls in multiplayer games – Fathom, FBII, Xenon.
Even better: connected physical ball locks like in Vector.

Collect bonus shots.

Outlanes that allow you to nudge draining balls back into play

I want all Wizard modes to be fun, worth tons of points, and have something interesting to see if you manage to finish it.

Drops and third flipper

Metal ramps - MET
Great light show
Toy targets hidden under playfield - trolls in MM

3 flippers, drop targets, spinners, back-handable ramps, complete code at release plus updates every 2 months till fully polished, pop bumpers that actually create some randomness, 3 tier code at minimum (modes/storyline, multiballs, collecting diamonds/ghosts/walkers), more player controlable feaures (button controlled divertor, magnet, lock), both physical and virtual ball locks, clean shots that are fun to hit, full immersion of theme with good sound and light show.

Does not seem like too much to ask for

Finished deep code

Something that is fast, fun, and challenging

I would like to see an interactive hologram,return of subways and since we have LCD now would like to see a video mode of virtual pinball!

Cool subject , shows that we all want something different in some aspects, and same in others. Must be why we argue about games play-ability and acceptance when a new one comes out
In no particular order :

Drop Targets- multiple sets ,quick visual of what needed to complete set task
MUST HAVE Hand drawn art - no photos of anything ( GB & AS is my style)
Dark colored pf, purple , green, blue . especially purple ! ( Chrome ball on dark background,looks kick-ass too) No all yellow pf's please.
Ramps, easy ramps from lower flippers, and a more difficult upper flipper ( ES fault ramp) ( ST warp ramp) I like clear plastic ramps over metal ones. Better visually and lights from under.
Ramps that return to inlanes - love flow and like to see ball cross pf to opposite side
3 or 4 flippers, across pf shots only that flipper can hit ( TZ piano or camera shot),
Ramps, did I mention ramps?
JP

I love clean, simple playfield layouts like on many EM games. But, I also love deep, creative rulesets. I'd love to see a new game done in a 70's Gottlieb style that incorporates these elements (DMD, but less playfield clutter and deep rules) at a reasonable price.

-Doug

a Fast Scoring mode ..... I love when each switch hit awards the same points (my fav being Ironman's version). Give me exciting music, loud sound effects, lots to see on the DMD, ability to raise the value, etc. Fast scoring to me is a must.

I like mini-play fields too