I have Machine Mikro MkII and have to say it is joy to use once you get your templates set up in Midi Mode. It would be a wonderful thing if NI included basic templates for several vsti like AD2, SESSION, BFD, etc., but if they do, I am yet to find them. There is a template for Battery which works nicely. 2 things I hadnt clued in to when I first went about setting up AD2 template: different AD2 kits are mapped somewhat differently so one map will not cover all your kits, and, 16 pads allows you to program 16 separate drum articulations, not necessarily 16 drums. IOW, there are multiple articulations for, for instance, snare and individual cymbals. You can't turn a snare hit into a rimshot depending on how you strike the pad. You need to use 2 different pads. That said, the 16 pads provide enough options for me and they are nicely playable once you get the hang of it.
As you probably know, Maschine is really its own recording environment. I think of it as multi track supersequencer / beat and groove producer and even that oversimplifies. There is a serious learning curve to it but it is fun to fool around in the environment. Using it in midi mode doesnt even scratch the surface of its capabilities, but truthfully, that is how I use it most frequently.