Earlier today, Stern Pinball formally announced through a video and a news release on its website that it has developed and is now selling a Transformer pinball table, specifically titled Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. This table is themed around the 1986 animated film, Transformers: The Movie, although it also utilizes story elements from the 1984 television series. The project was developed with a mind for the movie’s fortieth anniversary this year.

As to be expected from Stern’s retro releases, this table makes extensive use of footage and music from the original property. Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron both make custom call-outs. Additionally, there is a new special mode centered around The Touch by Stan Bush, the song from the original film. Original music from The Knights of Unicron also features heavily into this table.

Of particular interest to pinball fans is a competitive mode allowing two players to directly play against each other, one as Optimus Prime, and one as Megatron, on the same table. Lead designer Elizabeth Gieske, who also developed the Jaws table, has also brought over some of the innovations from that well-received project, like in-game currency, console style gameplay, and distinctive alternate game modes. As is typical for Stern releases, Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye is available in three editions, Pro for $6,999, Premium for $9,699, and Limited for $12,999, with extra features scaling for the higher levels.

The post Stern Pinball releases new Transformers Pinball Table appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Creating a Worldwide Craze

Pokemon was originally conceived by a Japanese gaming journalist named Satoshi Tajiri, who, in his teens, created the independent gaming magazine, Game Freak. Though the magazine met its end in the early 1980s, Tajiri made several connections through his work, and by 1986, had started working on a game development team. Also known as Game Freak, the studio’s first official project was a puzzle game called Quinty, released in 1989, and soon after, Tajiri found inspiration in his childhood memories. Similar to how Shigeru Miyamoto was inspired to create The Legend of Zelda franchise, Tajiri looked back fondly on his youth, where he would explore the Japanese countryside while collecting bugs, and thought to rekindle that feeling of adventure through an RPG.

As early as 1989, the team at Game Freak began whipping up ideas for a game called Pocket Monsters, with a focus on collecting insect-like creatures, trading them via the link cable, and battling against other “trainers”. Though initially envisioned as a small, contained adventure, the project continuously expanded in scope, and Game Freak found its complexity far too overwhelming. By 1991, development on the game had mostly ceased, with only occasional tinkering from the team, until the summer of 1994. With plenty of fresh faces on the team, a more focused effort was put toward Pocket Monsters, and by late 1995, the game was fully finished.

Given the extensive development window, by the time Pocket Monsters was ready for release, the Game Boy was well past its prime. However, this ended up working in the long run, as millions of people already owned a Game Boy, and its low price made it affordable for all players. So, when Pocket Monsters was finally released on February 27, 1996, it was a notable success. Thanks to a partnership with the popular manga magazine, CoroCoro Comic, Game Freak found meaningful marketing despite their small presence, and by September 1996, the game had already sold over 1 million copies.

Pokemon Goes Multimedia

Multimedia adaptations were swift and prolific for the Pocket Monsters/Pokemon franchise, even before the game found its stride. Due to Game Freak’s relationship with CoroCoro Comic, a manga adaptation was the first out the door, which was written and illustrated by Masakazu Kubo. The first run lasted for 14 volumes, with publications from 1996 to 2003, before the manga’s storyline was shifted to align with current game sequels.

Outside of the manga, Pocket Monsters found even more footing with its trading card game, which was designed by a small team of developers who worked closely on the original Game Boy games. At the time, trading card games were mostly unseen in Japan, but, citing the success of 1993’s Magic: The Gathering trading card game in the United States, the team was inspired to give it a go. The very first Pokemon Trading Card Game set was released in October of 1996, and though mostly ignored by popular media, it was a huge success. Nowadays, it’s common to see original, mint condition cards sell at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is crazy to think about, considering the card game’s humble beginnings as a means of advertising a video game product.

Even more so than the manga and the trading card game, the Pokemon anime has left its mark on pop culture, but surprisingly, it was mostly opposed at first. Though Masakazu Kubo saw huge potential in the franchise for an anime adaptation, Nintendo, Game Freak, and most of the developers saw the project as a risk. With an upcoming sequel in the works, they worried that the anime would fall out of step with the games, and saturating the market with Pokemon content would cause people to move onto the next fad. Despite these worries, Kubo’s convincing proved powerful, and the first season eventually premiered in April of 1997. From there, it caught on in a major way, becoming the highest-rated TV show in Tokyo, persisting for decades on its own. In fact, it’s likely that more people around the world recognize the protagonist Ash Ketchum and his companion, Pikachu, than those who recognize the original game.

Decades of Pokemon

From there, the tale of Pokemon is one etched in pop culture history. In 1998, the franchise made the jump to the United States, with a name change from Pocket Monsters to Pokemon, and was welcomed with millions more sales. The anime continued to climb the charts, the trading game bustled, and by 1999, Nintendo saw a 250% increase in profits, mostly attributed to the success of Pokemon. Though the global Pokemon craze slowed down in the mid-2000s, the franchise has still persisted, with dozens of mainline sequels and spin-offs, often becoming the best-selling games on their respective systems.

30 years is no anniversary to scoff at, and so, to celebrate, Nintendo has re-released Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen onto the Nintendo eShop. The trading card game continues to be popular, with anniversary events galore, and now, there’s even a Pokemon pinball machine. So, no matter what way you want to celebrate, we highly recommend spending a few hours catching your favorite Pokemon. With 30 years behind us, there’s a good chance Pokemon will continue for another couple of decades, with no sign of slowing down in the foreseeable future.

The post 30 Years of Pokémon appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Earlier today, Stern Pinball confirmed the existence of a Pokémon Pinball table and immediately made it available to order. While the Pokémon franchise is a broad one spanning decades, the Stern table is noteworthy for hearkening back to the 90s era of the franchise. All the Pokémon immediately visible in the trailer hail from the first generation of games which were released in 1996.

The visual and musical style of the table also appears to be directly influenced by the earliest iteration of the Pokémon cartoon. Visual clips on the interface appear to derive from the initial 90s era cartoon. Additionally, the Pokémon theme from the earliest days of the cartoon as sung by Jason Paige features prominently throughout the trailer.

The gameplay itself centers around catching Pokémon across four habitats. It was not immediately clear from the initial press release how many Pokémon will appear in the table. Pokémon has been used with a pinball concept before, with Pokémon Pinball from 1999 for the Game Boy Color and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire for the Game Boy Advance in 2003 both being beloved retro titles.

The Pro Edition of Stern’s Pokémon Pinball retails for $6,999. The Premium edition retails for $9,699. Finally, the Limited edition, of which only 750 machines will be produced, retails for $12,999. More details about the differences between editions can be found on Stern’s website here.

The post Stern Releases Pokemon Pinball Machine appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

CHICAGO – July 2, 2025 – “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…” Today, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jaws, legendary gaming and entertainment company, Stern Pinball, Inc. in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, are thrilled to announce a special update that will excite cinephiles, sharkheads and collectors alike. The celebration is marked with the debut of the new Jaws 50th Anniversary Premium Edition pinball machine, along with new content enhancements available across all connected Jaws-inspired machines.

To mark this golden anniversary, the Stern team has crafted an epic version of its popular Jaws pinball machine. The JAWS 50th Anniversary Premium Edition features a reimagined playfield with glitter-enhanced artwork and brass powder-coated wireform ramps. This collector’s item also boasts a distinctive 50th Anniversary hologram sticker along with a unique translite and cabinet decals. The pinball machine is outfitted with a bold “Blood Red” armor kit, including matching legs, hinges, front molding and side armor with standard premium shape.

“We’re honored to celebrate 50 years of Jaws with a new pinball experience that captures the heart and soul of the film,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “With the 50th Anniversary Premium Edition, we’ve added new cosmetic features that we know all pinball fans and Jaws enthusiasts will love just in time for the 4th of July!”

For Jaws fans looking for even more fun, Stern has created an updated code with new features, including Team Play and Co-op, where players can collaboratively play with friends, share progress and more. This update introduces new wizard modes including the “Wheel Award Final Wizard Mode” and the final “Smile you sonofa…. Wizard Mode.” You’re gonna need a bigger gameroom!

Pricing and Availability: 

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                                         

Jaws 50th Anniversary Premium Edition:                                                   $US 9,699

Jaws 50th Anniversary Premium Edition, along with existing Jaws Limited Edition games, Premium Edition games, Pro Edition games, and accessories, are available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world, found here or on the official Stern Store here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

About Jaws     

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, Jaws set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry 50 years ago on June 20, 1975. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, five decades later, Universal Pictures’ Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

About Universal Products & Experiences

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, as well as engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and third-party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s lines of business include Consumer Products and Games, along with Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. More information is available at universalproductsexperiences.com.

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected™ is Stern Pinball’s community network that allows players and owners to engage with pinball games in rapidly expanding ways. The platform unites pinball players around the world and enhances fun through a variety of useful online features. Insider Connected is included with every new Stern product and available as an addon for existing games.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the intuitive Insider Connected™ mobile app on iOS and Android. By tapping a device on any enabled machine, players can track and resume game progress wherever they play, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the pinball community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. In addition to offering benefits to players, Insider Connected allows Stern to serve its game owners worldwide by upgrading games, offering new features and quests and extending the longevity of machines for years to come.

About Stern Pinball, Inc. 

Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games, and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include King Kong: Myth of Terror Island, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, Metallica Remastered, The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games, from professional pinball players competing in high-stakes global competitions to novice players discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

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All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

The post Stern Pinball Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws with New Pinball Machine Launch at San Diego Comic-Con appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

The Uncanny X-Men Pinball Accessories:

Rally the heroes of the past to save the future and your The Uncanny X-Men pinball experience with these newly available upgrades that will level up your game!

Star Wars: Fall of the Empire:

Are you a Jedi yet? Check out a bunch of gameplay streams of the new code and get up to speed on the official rules in this rulesheet for Star Wars: Fall of the Empire! https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Star-Wars-Fall-of-the-Empire-Rulesheet-v5.pdf

The Making of King Kong: Myth of Terror Island Pinball:

See the 8^th wonder of the world come to life behind the scenes in the making of King Kong: Myth of Terror Island pinball!

Metallica Remastered Sweepstakes:

Congratulations to Derek from New Jersey on being the winner of Stern Pinball’s Metallica Remastered Sweepstakes!

While not everyone can be Derek, we appreciate your participation and with Metallica Remastered pinball, everybody wins. To extend the fun, through December 31st if you buy a Metallica Remastered Premium pinball machine and reference the code MET2025 with your authorized Stern reseller (you can also provide the code in your Contact for Availability form submission), you will receive an exclusive highly collectible Metallica Remastered foil poster set while supplies last!

https://shop.sternpinball.com/products/metallica-poster-set

Insider Connected:

Beat their scores.

We know you have it in you.

➡️ https://sternpinball.com/beat_that_score/

New All-Access Perks Are LIVE!

Sign up for All-Access today to compete with your friends and look good doing it with:

IC Home Leaderboards: Compete with your friends by making a leaderboard for your home pinball machine.

Shipping Savings: Get FREE shipping (Continental US) or discounted shipping for Alaska, Hawaii and international on the Stern Pinball Shop. Gear up for less!

Go For Gold: You’ll now appear in Gold on the game and on leaderboards, showing the world you’re an All-Access elite.

Be a PRO at Home: Access tech alerts and machine stats in your new Gameroom PRO.

Need the Details? Check the FAQ!

For all the rules, restrictions on the free/discounted shipping, timing on the next factory tours (starting in 2026), and other important info, head straight to our updated FAQ page:

https://stpb.co/ICHelp

Stay connected and play in ongoing community events! Featuring monthly quests and leaderboards, there’s no shortage of what you’ll be able to achieve including Beat That Score!

Gameroom of the Month:

Congrats to Travis Robertson for winning Gameroom of the Month! Do you have a special home gameroom you want to share with the world? Submit your incredible gameroom directly to Insider@sternpinball.com for your chance to be featured as our next winner!

Stern Army Updates:

The Stern Army continues to grow with troops spreading the gospel of pinball across the globe. Stern Army locations receive first priority shipment of new Stern games for hosting official Launch Parties in addition to supporting events with prizes, giveaways, promotional materials, and tools for hosting recurring tournaments and leagues. Engage and expand your local pinball community and to join the Stern Army, please reach out to SternArmy@sternpinball.com

Location of the Month:

Congrats to Rocksteady Pizza Parlour of Warsaw, Indiana for winning Location of the Month! Do you have a special location you want to share with the world?  Submit your pictures directly to Insider@sternpinball.com for your chance to be featured as our next winner!

Stern Pro Circuit:

Congrats to all competitors at this year’s Free Play Florida Stern Pro Circuit tournament. In the end, Nick Mueller secured his first circuit victory! For full details on the Stern Pro Circuit and to keep up with the current standings and schedule, please visit – https://sternpinball.com/stern-pro-circuit/

Upcoming Stern Pro Circuit Events:

Stern Pro Circuit 2025 Schedule:

Only a few events remain on the 2025 season of the Stern Pro Circuit!

Kerry King:

Slayer guitarist Kerry King dives into his decades-long admiration of pinball and how his technical skills as a musician helped him excel across Stern machines!

Stern Rewards Program:

In partnership with the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA), the Stern Rewards Program annually provides IFPA players who qualify the chance to purchase a new Stern Pinball machine at a special IFPA price plus the opportunity for additional Stern merchandise discounts. Detailed rules for the Stern Rewards Program, including an updated list of qualifiers and updated list of rewards available can be found HERE.

The IFPA is excited to announce that Stern has added King Kong: Myth of Terror Island Pro and Premium to the rewards program!

Gary Cam:

What happens when you give Gary the keys to the cameras? Watch and find out!

Status of Code:

We are continuously working to update and improve software for our machines. There are always code updates and bug fixes in various stages of development; we will release them upon update completion. If you would like to join our mailing list for code updates, please send an e-mail to Code.Updates@sternpinball.com. If you do encounter any bugs please feel free to provide information to bug.report@sternpinball.com. Get Connected and play! https://insider.sternpinball.com/

Code updates and read me files are available at https://sternpinball.com/support/game-code/

Merch and Accessories:

Check out our Stern Shop for all accessories, collectibles, clothing and more!

Stern Pinball accessories are also available to purchase from your local authorized dealer – https://sternpinball.com/find-a-dealer/

Ask Jack Anything:

You’ve got questions? Jack has answers! Ask Jack Anything* is a place to communicate more personably with us at Stern Pinball. Think of it as a digital suggestion box. Don’t be afraid to reach out about anything. It’s as anonymous as you want it to be! ⚡

https://sternpinball.com/askjack/

Random Tutorials, Interviews and more:

Check out a slew of fun content, tutorials, and interviews including a special one with Gary and Jack over in the Netherlands!

The post STERN OF THE UNION ADDRESS – DECEMBER 2025 appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

The Walking Dead Remastered:

There’s a Horde coming with a technologically advanced version of one of the most beloved pinball games of all time… The Walking Dead Remastered! Stay tuned to see the game in action for the first time soon and the opportunity to get your hands on it before it hits locations worldwide… just don’t get bit!

Star Wars: Fall of the Empire:

Are you a Jedi yet? Check out a bunch of streams of gameplay on the new code and get up to speed on the official rules in this rulesheet for Star Wars: Fall of the Empire! https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Star-Wars-Fall-of-the-Empire-Rulesheet-v4.pdf

Pinball Expo 2025:

We had a BLAST connecting with the pinhead community at this year’s Pinball Expo. Check out the fun we had along the way!

King Kong: Myth of Terror Island Pinball Accessories:

Go bananas and make your King Kong pinball machine the 8^th wonder of the world!

Elvira Vault Spotlight:

The taunting is over and the playing begins before Stern Pinball’s Elvira’s House of Horrors goes into the vault. Join our crew in the haunted mansion as they wade through ghouls, ghosts, monsters & so much more. As part of the Stern Vault Program, Elvira’s House of Horrors has been removed from active production and will remain in the vault for a minimum of two years without any guarantee of returning. These games are almost completely sold out, so contact for availability before it’s too late!

Insider Connected:

New All-Access Perks Are LIVE!

Sign up for All-Access today to compete with your friends and look good doing it with:

IC Home Leaderboards — Compete with your friends by making a leaderboard for your home pinball machine.

Shipping Savings — Get FREE shipping (Continental US) or discounted shipping for Alaska, Hawaii and international on the Stern Pinball Shop. Gear up for less!

Go For Gold — You’ll now appear in Gold on the game and on leaderboards, showing the world you’re an All-Access elite.

Be a PRO at Home — Access tech alerts and machine stats in your new Gameroom PRO.

Need the Details? Check the FAQ!

For all the rules, restrictions on the free/discounted shipping, timing on the next factory tours (starting in 2026), and other important info, head straight to our updated FAQ page:

https://stpb.co/ICHelp

Stay connected and play in ongoing community events! Featuring monthly quests and leaderboards, there’s no shortage of what you’ll be able to achieve!

Beat That Score:

Be the Challenge, Play the Challenge! https://sternpinball.com/beat_that_score/

Gameroom of the Month:

Congrats to Verena Zorn for winning Gameroom of the Month! Do you have a special home gameroom you want to share with the world? Submit your incredible gameroom directly to Insider@sternpinball.com for your chance to be featured as our next winner!

Stern Army Updates:

The Stern Army continues to grow with troops spreading the gospel of pinball across the globe. Stern Army locations receive first priority shipment of new Stern games for hosting official Launch Parties in addition to supporting events with prizes, giveaways, promotional materials, and tools for hosting recurring tournaments and leagues. Engage and expand your local pinball community and to join the Stern Army, please reach out to SternArmy@sternpinball.com

https://youtu.be/7vVr8LvKIWM?si=we1i2gQujuXuvtSr

Location of the Month:

Congrats to Intersect Brewing of Fort Collins, Colorado for winning Location of the Month! Do you have a special location you want to share with the world?  Submit your pictures directly to Insider@sternpinball.com for your chance to be featured as our next winner!

Stern Pro Circuit:

Congrats to all competitors at this year’s Pinball Expo Flip Out Stern Pro Circuit tournament. In the end, all the way from Sweden no less, Arvid Flygare outlasted the competition for his first circuit victory! For full details on the Stern Pro Circuit and to keep up with the current standings and schedule, please visit – https://sternpinball.com/stern-pro-circuit/

Upcoming Stern Pro Circuit Events:

Stern Pro Circuit 2025 Schedule:

Only a few events remain on the 2025 season of the Stern Pro Circuit!

Stern Pro Circuit Championship:

The best of the best duked it out at the 2025 Stern Pro Circuit Championship, presented by Mountain Dew in conjunction with the International Flipper Pinball Association & Enterrium! Who ended up with crown? Catch a replay of the competitive event of the year!

Stern Rewards Program:

In partnership with the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA), the Stern Rewards Program annually provides IFPA players who qualify the chance to purchase a new Stern Pinball machine at a special IFPA price plus the opportunity for additional Stern merchandise discounts. Detailed rules for the Stern Rewards Program, including an updated list of qualifiers and updated list of rewards available can be found HERE.

The IFPA is excited to announce that Stern has added King Kong: Myth of Terror Island Pro and Premium to the rewards program!

Status of Code:

We are continuously working to update and improve software for our machines. There are always code updates and bug fixes in various stages of development; we will release them upon update completion. If you would like to join our mailing list for code updates, please send an e-mail to Code.Updates@sternpinball.com. If you do encounter any bugs please feel free to provide information to bug.report@sternpinball.com. Get Connected and play! https://insider.sternpinball.com/

Code updates and read me files are available at https://sternpinball.com/support/game-code/

Merch and Accessories:

Check out our Stern Shop for all accessories, collectibles, clothing and more!

Stern Pinball accessories are also available to purchase from your local authorized dealer – https://sternpinball.com/find-a-dealer/

Ask Jack Anything:

You’ve got questions? Jack has answers! Ask Jack Anything* is a place to communicate more personably with us at Stern Pinball. Think of it as a digital suggestion box. Don’t be afraid to reach out about anything. It’s as anonymous as you want it to be! ⚡

https://sternpinball.com/askjack/

Random Tutorials, Interviews and more:

Check out a slew of fun content, tutorials, and interviews including a special one with Business Insider!

The post STERN OF THE UNION ADDRESS – NOVEMBER 2025 appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

CHICAGO, IL – November 4, 2025 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the largest designer and manufacturer of pinball games in the world, in partnership with AMC Networks revealed and released The Walking Dead Remastered – a technologically advanced version of one of the most beloved pinball games of all time featuring one of the most well-known franchises in the world, AMC’s The Walking Dead. This property has captivated global audiences since its television premiere in 2010. The hit TV series, spin-off shows, video games, merchandise, and more have reshaped the modern landscape of horror storytelling. Powered by Stern’s new SPIKE 3 technology platform, Stern Pinball is excited to bring to life The Walking Dead Remastered to the current generation of pinball players, taking them on an epic journey through legendary moments from the series as they fight to survive the apocalypse. The Walking Dead Remastered pinball game is available now in Premium and Limited Edition (LE) models, along with a full line of accessories available soon.

In Stern Pinball’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball game, players will battle walkers and survive key scenes from The Walking Dead in an immersive physical pinball experience like none other.  The development team, led by John Borg, the designer of the original game, have created a modern version of the original masterpiece.  The playfield features enhanced versions of the “Cell Block C” Prison building, bicycle girl ramp, and an interactive Well Walker toy.  The fan-favorite crossbow device that shoots a pinball has been re-engineered and updated for increased precision and flexibility in gameplay.  The game also features new RGB lighting and illuminated zombie heads on the slingshots.

Extra care and attention to detail have gone into every facet of The Walking Dead Remastered, honoring the original masterpiece by John Borg and Lyman F. Sheats, Jr. The game includes an updated version of the revolutionary ruleset that introduced a new mode structure and risk-reward elements that have stood the test of time. Through the iconic Prison, Well Walker, and Blood Bath multiballs and the depth of each Dead Feature mode (Barn, CDC, Riot, Tunnel, and Arena), players are immersed in a pinball battle that can ultimately leave a “Last Man Standing”… that is, if you’re able to survive the Horde and escape Terminus along your adventure.

In The Walking Dead Remastered, players will be introduced to newly developed visuals that blend high-quality video elements with a vibrant painterly art style, both on the cabinet and on the display. Extraordinary care has been taken to ensure the new visuals mirror scenes from the classic game, while also going beyond with additional updates. Software enhancements will introduce additional game rules, including new custom audio call-outs from actors Michael Rooker (Merle) and Danai Gurira (Michonne). Players will also experience Stern’s Insider Connected (IC) system that provides advanced connectivity features, enabling real-time engagement and a more connected experience for all.

The Walking Dead Remastered features Stern’s next-generation SPIKE 3 technology platform, which includes a larger 18.5” full HD display with true color depth, along with a more powerful processor, and a new high fidelity immersive audio system. Players will get to experience completely overhauled 3D-rendered graphics and custom animations that pay homage to the dot matrix display from the original  pinball machine. SPIKE 3 electronics also feature more efficient power handling, improved Wi-Fi support, and wireless headphone capabilities.  This release will also feature an updated cabinet lighting customization system designed to allow for internal and external expression lighting on all versions of the game.

Limited to 500 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes the updated Expression Lighting System™ and Speaker Expression Lighting System with The Walking Dead-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, exclusive custom The Walking Dead Remastered pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.

“The Walking Dead is one of the most memorable and influential pinball games in our time, and we’re proud of the entire Stern team for elevating this iconic game onto our new platform,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “We’re always looking to create new immersive and thrilling gameplay experiences in pinball, and there’s no better way to do that than by bringing The Walking Dead back from the dead and to an entirely new generation of zombie lovers and pinball players.”

“The Walking Dead pinball was best-in-class when it debuted ten years ago, and its enduring appeal is a testament both to the game, and the strength of the franchise,” said Clayton Neuman, Head of Games & Franchise at AMC. “This remaster exceeds the original in every conceivable way, and we can’t wait for the next generation of The Walking Dead and pinball fans alike to get their hands on it.”

The Walking Dead Remastered is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide. Find out more and contact us for availability in your location on the game information page here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Pricing and Availability:  

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                                               

Premium Edition:                                                  $US   9,699

Limited Edition:                                                     $US  12,999

The Walking Dead Remastered pinball games feature Stern’s best-in-class commercial quality reliability backed by a pinball best-in-class one-year warranty.

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected™ is Stern Pinball’s community network that allows players and owners to engage with pinball games in rapidly expanding ways. The platform unites pinball players around the world and enhances fun through a variety of useful online features. Insider Connected is included with every new Stern product and is available as an add-on for existing games.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the intuitive Insider Connected™ mobile app on iOS and Android. By tapping a device on any enabled machine, players can track and resume game progress wherever they play, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the pinball community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. In addition to offering benefits to players, Insider Connected allows Stern to serve its game owners worldwide by upgrading games, offering new features and quests, and extending the longevity of machines for years to come.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, King Kong: Myth of Terror Island, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye, Metallica Remastered, The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games, from professional pinball players competing in high-stakes global competitions to novice players discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

About AMC Networks

AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is home to many of the greatest stories and characters in TV and film and is the premier destination for passionate and engaged fan communities around the world. The Company creates and curates celebrated series and films across distinct brands and makes them available to audiences everywhere. Its portfolio includes targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and HIDIVE; cable networks AMC, BBC AMERICA (which includes U.S. distribution and sales responsibilities for BBC News), IFC, SundanceTV and We TV; and film distribution labels IFC Films and RLJE Films. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its in-house studio, production and distribution operation behind acclaimed and fan-favorite original franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and the Anne Rice Immortal Universe; and AMC Networks International, its international programming business.

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All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

The post Fight the Dead, Fear the Living in The Walking Dead Remastered, Stern Pinball’s Newest Pinball Machine appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

For whatever reason, my family didn’t get a Game Boy until 1995. We had a three-hour round-trip car ride planned to visit a family friend for Thanksgiving. Although my sister Natali and I could read in the car without getting carsick, that would only entertain us for so long. Mom decided to surprise us with a Game Boy to share on the trip, along with an eclectic selection….

Read the rest of this article on page 30 by clicking here!

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The post How I love the GameBoy – by Mat Bradley-Tschirgi appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Starting today on June 20th, Stern Pinball has started accepting entries for a sweepstakes, with the winner eligible to win a DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye Pro model pinball machine. The Tyrant’s Eye was released in January of this year to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Dungeons and Dragons tabletop role-playing game. The sweepstakes is limited to users of Stern’s Inside Connected app, which is intended to be used in conjunction with Stern Pinball machines.

The sweepstakes is only available to residents of the fifty states in the United States of America, as well as the District of Columbia. Employees of Wizards of the Coast, which owns Dungeons and Dragons, are prohibited from participating, as are employees of Stern Pinball itself. Entries into the sweepstakes are confirmed automatically just as long as the entrant logs in to the app. An additional entry into the sweepstakes can also be earned by going to this web address, and filling out the form that appears to logged in users.

The retail value of the grand prize machine is $7,499. No other prizes aside from the grand prize will be awarded. The sweepstakes will end on September 28th, with the winner notified on October 3rd.

The post Stern Pinball Announces Sweepstakes for DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye Pro Model Pinball Machine appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Give your Metallica game the fuel to ‘Seek and Destroy’ with Stern Pinball upgrades

CHICAGO, IL – November 19, 2024 –Stern Pinball, Inc., announces a full line of Metallica Remastered pinball machine accessories compatible with the recently announced Remastered Limited Edition and Premium Edition pinball machines.

The “…And Justice for All” Metallica Topper accessory will accentuate your gaming experience. Featuring RGB lighting, watch each letter in Metallica light up as it keeps progress of your Lady Justice mode progression as well as special lamp flashers highlighting your Grave Marker, Electric Chair, Coffin, and Snake multiball status as you build your progress to the Blackened Wizard mode from each main multiball. Through the power of Insider Connected, players will be able to unlock “And Justice for All” song straight from the start of gameplay in addition to rocking out to a special new “And Justice for All” Multiball.

Seek and destroy right from the plunge, jump into action with the Illuminated Metallica Logo Shooter Knob. Featuring RGB lighting, this accessory will kickstart your pinball quest.

Ride the lightning and protect your game with the official Metallica Sword Side Armor.  This exciting side armor adds further dimension to your Metallica Remastered gaming experience.

For the Premium Edition, make your rock concert in a box experience explode with the Expression Lighting System™ accessory.  With 96 intelligent RGB LEDs, the Expression Lighting System enables full color spectrum control.  Positioned in pockets cut into the cabinet sides to provide color themed full playfield illumination, this integrated playfield lighting system is synchronized to custom light shows specifically designed for every song and dynamically responsive to game events. In addition you can make your speakers pop with the official Speaker Lighting System accessory. With intelligent RGB LED lighting, your speakers will light up and flash as you rock out, fully integrated and dynamically responsive to game events.

“We can’t wait for players to give their game fuel with these officially licensed pinball accessories,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.  “Bring the rock concert home with Metallica Remastered!”

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 

“…And Justice for All” Metallica Topper                                $US    999.99

Illuminated Metallica Logo Shooter Knob                              $US    224.99

Metallica Sword Side Armor                                                       $US    399.99

Cabinet Expression Lighting System^TM                                  $US    599.99

Speaker Expression Lighting System                                     $US    199.99

MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.     

Metallica Remastered pinball machines and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world, which can be found here or on the official Stern Store here.

About Metallica Remastered Pinball    

Metallica Remastered is updated with a full-color LCD display featuring all-new animations and live concert video footage. Stern’s modern Spike 2 electronics will power the gameplay experience.  Fans will enjoy expanded gameplay and improved presentation with 22 songs (8 more than the original) and expanded gameplay rules. Cabinet improvements include an Expression Lighting system and 2 all-new art packages by Metallica artist Rhys Cooper.  Players will experience the same great flow from the original Metallica playfield layout with geometry and mechanical improvements, new versions of gameplay toys, updated mechanical devices, and new UV lighting effects.  To learn more about Metallica Remastered, please visit https://sternpinball.com/game/metallica-remastered

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected™ is Stern Pinball’s community network that allows players and owners to engage with pinball games in rapidly expanding ways. The platform unites pinball players worldwide and enhances fun through connected features such as achievements, leaderboards, and quests. Every new Stern Pinball product includes Insider Connected, and it is also available as an add-on for existing games.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the intuitive Insider Connected™ mobile app on iOS and Android. By tapping a device on any enabled machine, players can track and resume game progress wherever they play, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the pinball community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. In addition to offering benefits to players, Insider Connected allows Stern to serve its game owners worldwide by upgrading games, offering new features and quests, and extending machines’ longevity for years to come.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games, and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include Metallica Remastered, The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond 007, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

About Metallica 

Formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich and including guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, Metallica has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, selling nearly 125 million albums worldwide and generating more than 17 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on all seven continents—more than 1.3 million of whom belong to the band’s fiercely loyal and consistently growing Fifth Member fan club. Metallica’s catalog of multi-platinum studio albums includes Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All, Metallica (commonly referred to as The Black Album), Load, Reload, St. Anger, Death Magnetic, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, and most recently the Grammy-winning 72 Seasons, released April 14, 2023 on the band’s own Blackened Recordings label. Metallica’s awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, a 2009 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Sweden’s Polar Music Prize. In 2017, Metallica established the All Within My Hands Foundation to give back to communities that have supported the band. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have raised nearly $15 million – providing $8.2 million in grants to career and technical education programs, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, and more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts.

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All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

The post Stern Pinball Launches Full Line of Metallica Remastered Pinball Accessories appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.