I love Midway Mania. It’s one of the few screen-based rides that really pulls you into an experience that cannot be achieved with physical sets. The games themselves are fun, very replayable and full of charm. The 3D, the physical effects, the vehicle motion between games, and the music all combine to create a wonderful experience that my entire family enjoys. There’s a reason this ride remains so popular.
I agree, however, that the little cannons and their pull-strings can be an issue. They succeed as a tactile link between you and the virtual world and are part of what makes it all come together, but... yeah, ouch. Push buttons wouldn’t achieve the same effect, and I really can’t think of a good replacement. I think it’s just going to remain a quirk of the concept that will always, understandably, be a deal-breaker to some.
Buzz? It’s okay.