Stars is a great shooter and the new rules are supposedly really well done, and Checkpoint is the game I usually recommend when people want a good playing "modern" game that isn't a bank buster, but the art and '70s vibe (and double spinners) on Silverball Mania puts it over the top for me. It's like Zap Comix: The Pinball. If you don't love '70s art, though, maybe go with one of the other two.