To me it is primarily about gameplay, so I don't mind what era (although I have naturally gravitated to SS and DMD) as long as the gameplay is there. To me the graphics and even sound are secondary, but worthwhile if they add to it. Pinball is both fun and engaging because of the challenge to keep the ball alive, and then the challenge to do something useful with the ball while it is alive. Having nothing useful to do or very limited options makes for a more boring game. Games like EBD and Mousin' Around! are even more challenging because you can lose the ball almost straight away, and that's it.
My guess is that my kids will enjoy the pins more as they get good enough to keep the ball alive a bit longer. Then they will know the feeling of that 'one good ball' that gets them to the free game score or even a high score.
