Maybe way out in left field, but I love Data East Machines...
Sure, as some point out, they may have shallower rule sets, but I will tell you that they get A LOT more love among my non-pinhead friends; actually, I am not even a pin head. Most of my games I have no idea about the rules - I play to have fun. I find many DE games straight to the point of what you are trying to accomplish and I think this appeals to "normal" people (people not playing for money, judging or touting other manufacturers machines). Was the sound quality good? No. Yes it was in stereo but it was 25 years ago. There are upgrade kits you can buy to rectify these issues. Yes. I admit, the reuse of sampling does get super annoying (see JP and LAH), but I don't think these were intended to be beside each other in a home-use setting. Some of the movie samples taken were great! "Welcome, to Jurassic Park" - gets me every time. They were able to use many of the original actors voices in their games (not like POTC). As for the clunkiness everyone talks about; I would attribute that to improperly dialled in games. SAYING that, what i do notice is that the DE machines Playfields seem to be closer to the glass?? I find that this makes for a much louder game and evident noise from constant flipping (definitely louder in my restaurant).
The artwork was campy, fun. Exactly what I wanted out of moment of playing pinball, cheesy fun. Again, these were not intended to hang in the Louvre, just made for an entertaining visual. Like others have said, at least they were hand-drawn.
I am glad and proud to have owned a variety of machines. I am thankful that DE remains somewhat easily affordable to most people. We need these games in our hobby as spending 6-10K on New Sterns or restored BW games eliminates many who would like to become immersed in the world of pinball.
A wise man once said "It's pinball baby".....well spoken.