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Stern Pinball Celebrates 40 Years: From Data East to Sega Pinball to Stern

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Happy 40th Anniversary, Stern Pinball! 🎉

While many people know the company today as Stern Pinball, this incredible milestone actually traces its roots back four decades. The journey began as Data East Pinball in 1986, became Sega Pinball in 1994, and finally evolved into Stern Pinball in 1999.

The names may have changed, but the company itself has remained remarkably consistent throughout the years – with Gary Stern at the helm from day one, helping guide pinball through some of its most challenging and exciting eras.

From classic Data East favourites to Sega’s innovative titles and the modern Stern machines that dominate today’s pinball landscape, it’s been an amazing 40-year ride.


source: Stern Pinball (YouTube)

Stern has announced that over the coming months they’ll be celebrating by revisiting the people, games, and moments that have defined their journey. If you’re a pinball fan, it’s going to be a fantastic trip down memory lane.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out Gary Stern’s reflections on the past 40 years in Stern’s anniversary video (above).

Congratulations to Gary Stern and the entire Stern Pinball team on reaching this incredible milestone. Here’s to the next 40 years of keeping the silver ball alive!

 

 

Go Fast or Go Home! Rumours Swirl Around Sonic The Hedgehog Pinball by JJP

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Go Fast or Go Home! Rumours Swirl Around Sonic The Hedgehog Pinball by JJP

Strong rumours, along with a few cheeky teaser morsels – are beginning to surface that Jersey Jack Pinball’s next machine could be something very special. Word on the street is that Steve Ritchie’s upcoming JJP design may be based on none other than SEGA’s legendary speedster… Sonic The Hedgehog!

Now, just take a second to imagine that.

The Sonic Pinball Machine That Never Was!

Sonic and pinball are practically made for each other. Both thrive on lightning-fast gameplay, split-second reactions, and heart-pumping action. Looping ramps? Check. Blazing ball speeds? Absolutely. Chaotic multi-ball madness? You bet your chilli dogs!

If these rumours turn out to be true, a Sonic-themed table could be an absolute dream pairing, a fusion of high-speed video game chaos with Steve Ritchie’s signature pinball design philosophy. For those unfamiliar, Ritchie is known for crafting some of the fastest, most adrenaline-fuelled tables in pinball history, making Sonic feel like a perfect thematic match.

Ryan McQuaid’s (aka:McSquid) homebrew Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball

Adding even more intrigue, Jersey Jack Pinball has been known to drop subtle hints and teasers leading up to major announcements. Whether it’s artwork, sound bites, or cryptic social media activity, the breadcrumbs are often there… if you know where to look.

For now, nothing has been officially confirmed – but that hasn’t stopped the speculation machine from going into overdrive.

We’ll be keeping our ears firmly to the ground and our eyes glued to JJP’s social channels for any confirmation (or denial!) of this supersonic rumour – we won’t have long to wait, as June is only around he corner!

In the meantime… Would you be excited to see Sonic The Hedgehog brought to life as a pinball machine?

Because honestly – if this thing is real… it’s going to need to be played fast.

Go fast, or go home 😉

The Master of Flow - Steve Ritchie
The Master of Flow – Steve Ritchie

image source: Jersey Jack Pinball

 

Roll Out! Stern’s Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Pinball Machine Is an ’80s Fan’s Dream Come True

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Stern Pinball has officially “rolled out” its latest cornerstone release, and it’s one that will hit Aussie retro gamers square in the nostalgia core – Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye. Announced on May 20, 2026, the new machine brings the iconic Autobot vs Decepticon war to life under glass, blending classic ‘80s vibes with Stern’s latest pinball tech.

Back to Cybertron (and the ’80s)

Unlike Stern’s earlier Transformers table (which leaned into the Michael Bay films), this new release proudly taps into the original 1984 animated series and The Transformers: The Movie. That means familiar story arcs, authentic video clips, and a heavy dose of Gen 1 flavour woven directly into gameplay.

Players step into the role of the Autobots, teaming up with Optimus Prime to stop Megatron from harvesting Earth’s energy, conquering Cybertron, and ultimately dominating the universe – classic Saturday morning stakes, now played out through silverball action.


source: Stern Pinball via YouTube

More Than Meets the Eye… Literally

True to its name, this machine is packed with mechanical wizardry. Stern is pushing boundaries here with standout toys and features that elevate the experience beyond a standard licensed table:

  • Animatronic Megatron complete with a rotating fusion cannon that can fire balls back at the player
  • Soundwave cassette deck ball lock that captures and launches balls into play
  • Optimus Prime bash toy standing ready for battle on the playfield

Add to that Energon Cube power-ups, Dinobot team-ups, Tech Spec card collecting, and mission-based gameplay, and you’ve got a table that feels like a playable episode of the cartoon.

Soundtrack of a Generation

Stern hasn’t skimped on audio nostalgia either. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie, the game features the iconic power ballad “The Touch” by Stan Bush, alongside original music and custom callouts from legendary voice actors Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron, Soundwave).

Yep — this one is basically engineered to trigger goosebumps.

Cutting-Edge Pinball Tech

Under the hood, More Than Meets the Eye runs on Stern’s SPIKE 3 system, delivering enhanced visuals, audio, and rule depth. The game also integrates the company’s Insider Connected platform, introducing a new Cyber Coin wallet system that lets players unlock extra modes and challenges.

There’s even talk of a unique simultaneous two-player mode, where competitors can go head-to-head in real time – a rare twist that could shake up competitive pinball sessions.

Three Models, One Epic Battle

As expected, Stern is offering the full range of trims:

  • Pro Edition – AUD $11,950 (ETA August 2026)
  • Premium Edition – AUD $15,500 (ETA September 2026)
  • Limited Edition (LE) – limited run of 750 units – AUD $$20,500 (ETA September 2026)

Each version scales up in toys, visual flair, and gameplay complexity – with the Premium and LE packing in the headline features like the animatronic Megatron.

Limited Edition

The Verdict: A Cornerstone Worth Rolling Out For

With Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Stern has delivered a love letter to fans who grew up in the golden age of cartoons, toys, and arcade grit. It’s loud, flashy, packed with fan service, and – importantly, pushes mechanical innovation forward in a way that keeps modern pinball exciting.

For Aussie collectors and location hunters, this could be one of the standout releases of 2026. Whether you’re chasing high scores, reliving childhood battles, or just keen to hear Optimus Prime bark orders while you flip, this machine looks primed to deliver.

Autobots… flip out!

image source: Stern Pinball, Inc.

 

Yippee Ki‑Yay! The Ultimate Die Hard Pinball Machine Is Real

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Yippee Ki‑Yay, Pinball Fans!

Hold onto your flippers—because yes, there is a real-life Die Hard pinball machine… and it’s as epic as you’re imagining. The catch? It’s a one-off masterpiece crafted by Virginian pinball wizard Jason Good.

Seriously, can you believe no major pinball manufacturer ever made a Die Hard machine? With all the action, explosions, and John McClane one-liners, this franchise was practically made for pinball!

What started as a Visual Pinball X digital project has now become a fully playable, physical Die Hard Trilogy pinball machine – and the results are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Jason and his team have nailed it with incredible artwork, gameplay, and cinematic flair.

Honestly, someone alert the big pinball companies: grab Jason and his team, get the license, and make this official! Until then, we’ll just have to live vicariously through this one-off gem. Yippee Ki‑Yay indeed!

image source: Facebook (Jason Good)

 

Stern Pinball Revives the Undead: The Walking Dead Remastered Rises Again!

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The Walking Dead Lives Again – Stern’s New Remaster Bites Back! 🧟‍♂️

Ah, timing is everything! Just a few days after Halloween, Stern Pinball has dropped a monster announcement – their second remastered pinball machine, and this one’s a true undead legend. That’s right, the 2014 masterpiece The Walking Dead has been resurrected for a new generation of players!

Back when it first shambled onto the scene, The Walking Dead was a breakout hit – John Borg’s chaotic, fast-flowing design and Lyman Sheats Jr.’s brilliant, tension-filled code made it one of Stern’s most atmospheric and addictive titles ever. It captured the grim, relentless fight for survival perfectly, blending strategy, horror, and adrenaline in a way few machines could match.

Now, more than a decade later, The Walking Dead Remastered brings the apocalypse back to life – bigger, bloodier, and more technologically advanced than ever before. Powered by Stern’s new SPIKE 3 system, this modern reanimation features a gorgeous 18.5” full-HD display, immersive high-fidelity audio, wireless headphone support, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, and a new lighting system that lets players bathe in all that zombie-fighting glow.


source: Stern Pinball

The playfield? It’s a loving update to Borg’s original design, complete with enhanced versions of the fan-favourite “Cell Block C” Prison building, the gruesome Well Walker toy, the infamous Bicycle Girl ramp, and that glorious crossbow that fires pinballs across the playfield – now re-engineered for even smoother, more precise mayhem. Players can expect dynamic new RGB lighting, illuminated zombie heads on the slingshots, and a remastered rule set that builds on Lyman Sheats Jr.’s legendary original coding, keeping the “risk vs reward” gameplay alive and kicking.

The visuals have been fully overhauled, blending painterly new art and high-quality video elements that tie into iconic moments from AMC’s hit series. Even better, The Walking Dead Remastered includes fresh custom audio callouts from the show’s stars Michael Rooker (Merle) and Danai Gurira (Michonne), adding even more atmosphere to the carnage.

Of course, Stern’s Insider Connected platform is built right in — letting players track achievements, join global leaderboards, and participate in exclusive challenges. Survive the Prison, fight through the CDC, wade through the Blood Bath, and see if you can outlast the Horde to become the Last Man Standing!


source: Stern Pinball

Collectors will want to hunt down the Limited Edition – capped at just 500 units worldwide. The LE packs in Stern’s Expression Lighting System and matching Speaker Lighting System with Walking Dead-themed effects, a stunning mirrored backglass, exclusive armour and decals, designer-autographed bottom arch, shaker motor, anti-reflection glass, and even a signed certificate of authenticity. It’s the ultimate prize for any fan of the series, or anyone who knows a true zombie classic when they see one.

The Walking Dead Remastered is available now in Premium and Limited Edition models, with accessories on the way. It’s a fitting tribute to both the franchise and the late Lyman Sheats Jr., whose work continues to define modern pinball excellence.

So grab your crossbow, load up on pinballs, and prepare to fight the dead — and fear the living. Stern’s The Walking Dead Remastered proves that even in pinball, some legends refuse to stay buried.

We may have to upgrade our beloved 2014 TWD Pro machine 😉

Playing with Life and Death: Meghan Boody’s Pinball Exhibit at MONA

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A Different Kind of Museum

Our recent visit to Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) was a sensory overload in the best way possible. If you’ve ever been, you’ll know that MONA isn’t your average gallery – it’s part subterranean labyrinth, part art experiment, part philosophical provocation.

Conceived by Tasmanian mathematician and art collector David Walsh, MONA invites visitors to wrestle with ideas rather than just admire objects. Ancient Egyptian relics share space with installations that talk about sex, death, technology and everything in between.

Descending into its sandstone halls feels like entering a creative underworld – one that challenges, surprises, and rewards curiosity.

But amid the weird, the wonderful and the downright puzzling, one installation struck a chord with us – a haunting, pinball-shaped meditation on control, mortality, and the human psyche:
New York artist Meghan Boody’s Deluxe Suicide Service.

Descending into the earth!

When Pinball Becomes Philosophy

At first glance, Deluxe Suicide Service might make you do a double-take – it looks like a pinball machine, but something’s off. Instead of flashy lights and pop bumpers, the backglass features haunting photographic collages and medical apparatus. Cables, electrodes, and vintage imagery replace the familiar joy of the arcade.

According to Boody, she discovered the machine “in a pinball graveyard” and felt compelled to rebuild it into something entirely new – part sculpture, part narrative device.

“It is unclear whether the electrodes and X-ray cables fastened onto the image of the prone girl are sucking the life out of her or restoring her vital fluids”,
Boody explained in her interview with MONA.

That ambiguity is the heart of the piece. Is it a game? A medical ritual? A metaphor for the choices we make? Boody’s work refuses to offer an easy answer.

A Game You Don’t Win, You Understand

Pinball has always been about control versus chaos. You nudge, flip, and fight against gravity, knowing the ball will eventually drain. Boody takes that familiar rhythm and turns it into a meditation on life itself – the game of self-discovery, the illusion of control, the inevitability of surrender.

The machine’s photographic surface blends self-portraits, found images, and oceanic motifs, creating a visual swirl that feels at once personal and mythic. There’s nostalgia, yes – that satisfying pinball form, but also a psychological depth that lingers long after you’ve walked away.

Boody has said,

“If you don’t know who you are, if you don’t know about your dark compulsions, therein lies the road to insanity.”

Her reimagined pinball table becomes a literal machine for self-reflection, a device that asks: are you playing, or being played?

Our Take as Retro Gamers

As lifelong arcade and pinball fans, we were instantly drawn to the flippers, the lights, the mechanics – all the comforting signs of home. But Boody’s twist pulled us somewhere deeper.

It reminded us that gaming, especially physical gaming, has always been about interaction, emotion, and consequence. In Deluxe Suicide Service, those ideas are magnified, distorted, and transformed into art.

It’s as if Boody took the DNA of pinball – skill, luck, gravity, frustration, and used it to talk about being human.

🕹️ Why This Matters to the Ausretrogamer Crowd

For the Ausretrogamer community, Deluxe Suicide Service sits at the perfect intersection of mechanical nostalgia and conceptual innovation. It proves that a pinball machine – that glorious relic of the arcade age, can transcend entertainment and become something profound.

It’s a reminder that behind every cabinet, there’s a story about control, risk, and reward. Boody just happens to tell that story through a lens of mortality and transformation.

So if you love games that make you think as much as they make you play, this one’s worth the pilgrimage.

You’ve been warned!

A Note on Safety and Interpretation

Let’s address the elephant in the room – the title. Deluxe Suicide Service sounds confronting, and it is, but it’s important to know that the artwork does not glorify or promote self-harm. Instead, it explores what it means to face dark thoughts safely through art and metaphor.

MONA’s curation is designed to guide visitors through difficult themes gently, and there’s always space to pause, breathe, and move at your own pace.

If any part of this topic feels distressing, please reach out for support.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Final Thoughts

Our visit to MONA reaffirmed something we’ve always believed at Ausretrogamer: the worlds of art and gaming aren’t separate – they’re deeply connected. Both explore systems, feedback, control, and consequence.

Meghan Boody’s Deluxe Suicide Service just happens to do that with one of the most iconic machines ever built.

So next time you’re in Hobart, take the ferry, head underground, and see this curious creation for yourself. It might just flip your understanding of what a pinball machine – or even a game can be.

The MONA ferry (MR-II) – the perfect prelude to descending into the depths of art and imagination.

Pinball 2000 Reborn: A Stunning Revenge From Mars Pinball Conversion By COOLTOY

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COOLTOY’s Pinball 2000 Transplant Triumph

What happens when retro sci-fi meets modern pinball craftsmanship? You get a one-of-a-kind Revenge From Mars machine that’s turning heads and flipping expectations, literally.

Content creator and pinball enthusiast COOLTOY has pulled off a jaw-dropping transplant: taking the iconic Pinball 2000 system from its original cabinet and giving it a sleek new home in a modern-style pinball cabinet. The result? A machine that feels like a time-traveling hybrid – equal parts 1999 innovation and 2025 flair.

🚀 A Quick Blast from the Past

Originally released in 1999 by Williams Electronics Games under the Bally label, Revenge From Mars was the first machine to use the Pinball 2000 system. Designed by George Gomez, it fused traditional pinball mechanics with interactive video overlays projected onto the playfield – a revolutionary concept at the time. It was also the spiritual sequel to the beloved Attack From Mars, and followed by Star Wars Episode I.

But while the gameplay was ahead of its time, the cabinet design was very much of its era. That’s where COOLTOY stepped in.

🔧 The Transplant Operation

COOLTOY’s project involved transplanting the guts of Revenge From Mars into a traditional-style cabinet sourced from the talented folks at Barrels of Fun Pinball. This wasn’t just a shell swap, it was a full-on reimagining.

🎥 See It in Action

COOLTOY walks us through the entire build in his YouTube video, showcasing the cabinet, artwork, and gameplay in glorious detail. Check it out below:


source: COOLTOY

🕹️ Why It Matters

This project is more than just a cool mod, it’s a celebration of pinball history and creativity. It shows how retro tech can be preserved, enhanced, and reimagined for new generations of players. For fans of Revenge From Mars, it’s a fresh way to experience a classic. For modders and collectors, it’s inspiration to think outside the cabinet.

 

Thrill of the Chase: Hunting Down the Alien Ellen Ripley Edition Pinball Machine

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In space, no one can hear you… PLAY PINBALL!

Every pinball collector knows that some machines don’t just turn up—you have to hunt them down, stalk them like prey, and pounce the moment the opportunity arises. For me, that white whale came in the form of the Pinball Brothers Alien Ellen Ripley Edition.

This wasn’t just any Alien. This was the beautifully reimagined version celebrating Sigourney Weaver’s legendary role, wrapped in an ominously gorgeous cabinet that looks ready to burst open and unleash a xenomorph. The moment I saw it announced, I knew: I have to have it.

The hunt was on.

After years (yes, years!) of scrolling through listings, firing off hopeful messages, and hearing the usual collector heartbreak phrases—“already sold” or “sorry, mate, they’re not making them anymore”—I finally spotted a lead: Mr Pinball Australia. They didn’t just have one… they had the one.

Of course Mr. Pinball Australia had one on the showroom floor for us to check out!

Here’s where the story took a turn from “transaction” to “pinball pilgrimage.” Mr Pinball himself didn’t just ship it. Oh no. He personally loaded it, drove it out, delivered it to my door, and set it up in my games room like some sort of silverball Santa Claus. We’re talking bolts tightened, tilt levelled, software updated—by the time he left, the machine was purring (well… growling) and ready for battle against the xenomorph threat.

The first plunge was everything I’d hoped for—dark, atmospheric lighting; that eerie, tension-building soundtrack; the thunk of the ball ejecting into a playfield full of cinematic callouts and teeth-baring toys. It’s the kind of machine that’s as much an experience as it is a game. And for a lifelong Alien fan, it’s perfection.

Preparing its final resting place

Hunting it down was half the fun. Playing it? That’s the payoff.

Have you chased down a grail machine? Did it take months of detective work and collector whisper networks? Let’s hear your pinball trophy stories.

Hello MU-TH-UR!

Get away from her, you b1tch!

Mr. Pinball Australia threw in the original machine’s backglass!

The RGB lighting on the Alien Ripley Edition is something else

Argh, my eyes!!!!

Australian Pinball Expo Set for July 2026!

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🎉 Australia Are You Ready For Some Silverball Action 🎉

If you love pinball as much as we do, then get ready—Australia’s silverball scene is about to get even bigger!

Introducing the inaugural Australian Pinball Expo (A.P.E), set to take place from Thursday, 2nd July to Sunday, 5th July 2026 in Adelaide, South Australia.

Organised by the passionate crew behind the Australian Pinball Museum, A.P.E. aims to bring together flipper fanatics from across the country to celebrate the sights, sounds, and history of pinball—from classic electromechanicals to modern marvels.

Whether you’re a seasoned player, a collector, or just looking to soak up the nostalgia, the Australian Pinball Expo promises to be an unmissable event packed with games, guests, and good times.

The all important details (that we know so far):

  • 🎰What: Australian Pinball Expo
  • 📆 When: July 2–5, 2026
  • 📍 Location: Morphettville Racecourse Function Centre, 79 Morphett Road, Morphettville, SA
  • 🎟️ Tickets: TBC

We’re already counting down the days and planning our trip—are you? Adelaide will be the place to be for Aussie pinheads next winter!

Stay tuned for more updates as details emerge—we’ll be covering all the highlights right here on Ausretrogamer!

PS: For those wanting to get involved with this huge pinball event, go and complete the expression of interest form.

source: Morphetville

image: All silverballs lead to Adelaide!

“If It Bleeds, We Can Play It!” – Predator Pinball Is Coming

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“If it bleeds, we can play it!” – Predator Pinball Incoming! 🛸💥

June 12 is no ordinary day, folks – it marks 38 years since Arnie first tangled with the galaxy’s deadliest hunter in Predator! And what better way to celebrate than with the possible reveal (on this day) of a brand new Predator pinball machine from our extraterrestrial-obsessed pals at Pinball Brothers?

🎯 We’re calling it now – June 12 could be the day this beast lands! So clear your calendars, polish those flippers, and prep your coins!

According to Pinball Brothers, this isn’t your average pin –

“A brutal wide-body game forged in the heart of a cinematic legend. Built to hunt, The Predator Pinball will throw you into a world of hurt.“

👾 Brutal? Wide-body? World of hurt? YES PLEASE.

If this turns out to be true (which it will be!), we’re looking at a must-play machine that’ll bring 80s action, sci-fi mayhem, and brutal pinball chaos together in one gorgeous cabinet.

Stay frosty, retro gamers – this hunt might begin sooner than you think! 🕹️🔥

 


source: Pinball Brothers

source: supplied