Catch, Battle, and Complete Your Pokédex with New Pokémon Pinball
▼ Summary
– Stern Pinball has partnered with The Pokémon Company to create the first-ever arcade-ready Pokémon pinball machine, featuring high-tech elements like an animatronic Pikachu and phone-connected progress saving.
– The machine’s design is a close collaboration, heavily focused on the Kanto Region and Gen 1 Pokémon, with all artwork and details meticulously approved by The Pokémon Company.
– Gameplay involves catching Pokémon by filling a meter and hitting specific shots, which adds them to a Pokédex in a connected phone app, and battling with a starter team of four Pokémon.
– The machine will receive online updates to add more Pokémon and events, and it comes in three versions (Pro, Premium, Limited Edition) with varying features and price points.
– Despite its accessible and classic pinball layout, the game offers challenging gameplay that requires skill, blending the core mechanics of both pinball and the Pokémon franchise.
The world of pinball has officially entered the Pokémon universe with the first-ever arcade machine dedicated to the iconic franchise. Stern Pinball, in a close collaboration with The Pokémon Company, has developed a high-tech machine that goes far beyond simple nostalgia. This isn’t just a themed cabinet; it’s an interactive experience where players can catch Pokémon, engage in battles, and fill a digital Pokédex directly from the playfield, with progress saved via a smartphone app. Featuring an animatronic Pikachu, an HD screen showcasing anime footage, and deep gameplay integration, this machine represents a significant fusion of classic arcade action with modern gaming sensibilities. After getting hands-on time at Stern’s factory, it’s clear this ambitious project successfully captures the spirit of Pokémon in a thrilling new format.
The partnership between Stern and The Pokémon Company was integral to the machine’s authenticity. Lead Programmer Tanio Klyce emphasized the effort to blend essential pinball mechanics with the core Pokémon activities of battling and catching. The artwork focuses on the original 151 Kanto region Pokémon, with the Gen 1 starters, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, central to the battle system. The Pokémon Company maintained strict oversight on every visual detail, from line weights to color accuracy, ensuring the final product felt genuine. This meticulous attention to detail, according to veteran designer George Gomez, ultimately gave the project a strong sense of legitimacy.
Beyond the static art, the machine is packed with dynamic content. The backglass monitor plays clips from the anime’s extensive history, while the speakers pump out the classic theme song. Hitting specific ramps can trigger special modes, like a Pikachu versus Raichu multiball event accompanied by battle scenes from the show. The audio design includes Meowth’s familiar taunts and even custom voice lines recorded by Giovanni’s voice actor for certain in-game modes, which include facing Regional Rivals and Gym Leaders.
While the aesthetics celebrate Generation One, the gameplay encompasses much more. At launch, players can discover and catch 182 Pokémon from across all generations, with promises of more to be added via online updates. This is enabled through Stern’s Insider Connected system. By logging into the companion app via a QR code on the machine, players can track scores, unlock achievements, and, uniquely, build their Pokédex. Catching creatures is an engaging challenge. First, players hit targets to fill a “catch meter,” with pop bumpers acting as tall grass for rapid filling. Then, a random Pokémon from the current biome, like Forest or Mountain, appears. To capture it, you must first hit a flashing shot to log it, then shoot the interactive Pokéball toy to secure the catch, which also unlocks a Battle mode.
Battles utilize your starting team of four: Squirtle, Pikachu, Charmander, and Bulbasaur. Initiating a battle by shooting the right scoop deploys your first Pokémon, with specific shots on the playfield lighting up to represent different attacks. During a battle, you must hit these lit shots to damage your opponent; hesitation allows the adversary to strike back. The system cleverly translates turn-based strategy into real-time pinball action. In one encounter, ineffective grass attacks from Bulbasaur against a Scyther led to switching to Charmander by hitting a specific scoop, which then lit fire-based shots for a victorious assault. The mechanic is demanding but incredibly satisfying, making success feel like a true accomplishment.
The machine comes in three tiers. The Premium and Limited Edition models feature an animatronic Pikachu, an interactive Pokéball toy, and a magnet under the Meowth Balloon for chaotic ball movement. They also include metal ramps and a more complex whirlpool ramp. The Limited Edition, a run of 750 units, adds special lighting, colored cabinet armor, and unique artwork. The Pro version offers a more accessible entry point with non-interactive toys and no magnet, though it retains the core layout and the fun Meowth Balloon target. While the Pro lacks some premium materials, its gameplay essence remains intact.
The prospect of completing a Pokédex across various locations is uniquely compelling. The design, a collaboration between newer designer Jack Danger and legend George Gomez, feels both innovative and classic, with an approachable shot layout reminiscent of beloved tables like Monster Bash. Don’t let the colorful appearance fool you, the gameplay is challenging and deep, true to both the competitive nature of pinball and the mastery required in Pokémon. The machine is available for pre-order now, with the Pro model starting at $6,999, the Premium at $9,699, and the Limited Edition at $12,999.
(Source: IGN)
