Quoted from pinmister:It does not seem like it is that important and really does not take anything away from the game.
When I looked the first cad of the playfield it was clear that was going to be a tough shot, which is why the rules use is sparingly. It is used to increase the playfield multiplier (but you have to also hit the ramp right after it), since I felt that was appropriate since that is a more advanced player kind of thing. One mode uses it (and is quite lucrative if you can hit it), one jail escape uses it and one secret mission, so 3 out of 25 modes/escapes/films/missions). So there is a clear benefit to being able to hit it, but not like it is a critical shot to enjoy the game. In some ways the hardest part is then hitting the ramp right after it to increase the multiplier, since it can come through that loop awfully fast.