IMHO, MET isn't a good non-pinball friends/family pin, and OP mentioned that as one of his criteria. Unless, you want to argue that you can flail around and hit a bunch of things, great, but then really any Stern game comes into the mix.
Even in league I was telling some more casual players (who I've been in league with for at least 2-3 years now) the basic rules to CIU and the whole collecting the 4 items, and how lit inserts also count towards that item, even if you're not hitting that specific shot (i.e. lit cross inserts vs. the actual cross targets). They've been playing MET for years and never picked up on that. It's also not the best game if there are kids playing.
Meanwhile, I agree with InfiniteLives above. ST has a perfect balance of beginner fun (shoot lit shots, maybe hit the ship a few times and stumble into Vengeance), but a lot of strategy for an experienced player.
We put ST Pro as a standalone in my parents' basement, and every family gathering we have 3-4 player games going all day, kids and adults. I just opt not to play as my ball times start to get groans from the people who want to play, so I just play when I visit the rents' on my own.
Greenwood, FL
