# New Jersey Jack Pinball Rumor: Sonic the Hedgehog is Next, but the Music Pin After Might Not Be What We Think...; Big Update for John Wick; Rare Prototype Game

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-05-28  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/new-jersey-jack-pinball-rumor-sonic-the-hedgehog-is-next-but-the-music-pin-after-might-not-be-what-we-think-big-update-for-john-wick-rare-prototype-game

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## Analysis

Knapp Arcade reports that Jersey Jack Pinball's Sonic the Hedgehog release is confirmed for next, but rumors suggest the music pin after Sonic may be Michael Jackson rather than Van Halen. A significant John Wick code update (v1.01.0) adds major wizard modes. Zombie Yeti shared prototype artwork from a KISS pinball machine that was being designed at John Popadiuk failed Zidware company.

### Key Claims

- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack Pinball next game after Sonic will be a music pin, with rumors suggesting it could be Michael Jackson instead of Van Halen — _Knapp Arcade (Knapp Arcade) states personal knowledge of JJP having Van Halen license, but acknowledges new rumors about Michael Jackson as speculative_
- [HIGH] Sonic the Hedgehog is essentially confirmed as Jersey Jack Pinball next release — _Knapp Arcade describes it as 'pretty much accepted as fact'_
- [HIGH] John Wick v1.01.0 code update includes Red Circle Reckoning, The Duel (Part II), and Special Assignment wizard modes — _Knapp Arcade reports direct observation of update details_
- [HIGH] Zombie Yeti created artwork for a KISS prototype pinball machine at Zidware nearly a decade ago — _Zombie Yeti shared the artwork and story on Facebook; Knapp Arcade cites this as historical documentation_
- [MEDIUM] A handheld MegaTouch variant called the Firefly Game System existed as a limited prototype and never went into mass production — _Knapp Arcade discovered the device on Facebook Marketplace and notes limited production_

### Notable Quotes

> "It's pretty much accepted as fact that Jersey Jack's next pinball machine is going to be based on Sonic the Hedgehog, the game not the movies."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Confirms Sonic as next JJP release with high confidence_

> "I also personally know for a fact that the game after Sonic is a music pin and that Jersey Jack does have the license to make a game based upon the band Van Halen...BUT there's a new rumor out there."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Claims insider knowledge of Van Halen license while introducing competing Michael Jackson rumor_

> "The new rumor says that the game after Sonic, will be a Mark Seiden-designed pin based on the music of...the legendary music star Michael Jackson."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Introduces Michael Jackson pinball as alternative to Van Halen_

> "I still strongly believe that JJP Van Halen is coming at some point. If not next then down the line."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Expresses personal conviction about Van Halen pinball despite competing rumor_

> "Even though Code Version 1.0 was already released for the game earlier, this new update - Version 1.01.0 seems much more like the real 1.0 to me."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Commentary on John Wick's development suggesting v1.0 was incomplete_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Knapp Arcade | person | Founder/operator of Knapp Arcade media platform; covers pinball industry news and rumors |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Premium pinball manufacturer; has Sonic the Hedgehog and reportedly Van Halen licenses |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; released John Wick pinball with recent code update v1.01.0 |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | game | Upcoming Jersey Jack Pinball game based on SEGA franchise; confirmed as next JJP release |
| Michael Jackson | person | Music legend; subject of rumored future Jersey Jack Pinball game by Mark Seiden |
| Van Halen | organization | Rock band; Jersey Jack Pinball reportedly holds license for band-themed pinball game |
| Mark Seiden | person | Jersey Jack Pinball game designer; rumored designer of potential Michael Jackson pinball game |
| John Wick | game | Stern Pinball machine that received major code update v1.01.0 with new wizard modes |
| Zombie Yeti | person | Renowned pinball artist and Stern Pinball Studio Art Director; created artwork for KISS prototype at Zidware |
| John Popadiuk | person | Founder of failed pinball company Zidware; was developing prototype KISS pinball machine |
| Zidware | company | Failed pinball company founded by John Popadiuk; was designing KISS prototype machine on camera |
| KISS | game | Prototype pinball machine designed at Zidware with artwork by Zombie Yeti; also Stern Pinball game from 2015 |
| MegaTouch | product | Touchscreen bar game series; Firefly Game System was handheld prototype variant that never reached mass production |

### Signals

- **[machine_intel]** Sonic the Hedgehog confirmed as Jersey Jack Pinball's next release after current production slate (confidence: high) — Jason Knapp states 'It's pretty much accepted as fact' that Sonic is next JJP release
- **[rumor_hype]** Competing rumors about third JJP music pin: Van Halen (reportedly licensed) vs. Michael Jackson (new speculation) (confidence: medium) — Knapp claims personal knowledge of Van Halen license but acknowledges new Michael Jackson rumor; expresses uncertainty but maintains belief in Van Halen eventually releasing
- **[code_update]** John Wick receives v1.01.0 update with significant content including Red Circle Reckoning, The Duel (Part II), and Special Assignment wizard modes (confidence: high) — Jason Knapp reports direct observation of update; characterizes v1.01.0 as 'much more like the real 1.0' suggesting v1.0 was incomplete
- **[historical_signal]** Artwork and prototype documentation surfaced for KISS pinball machine that was being designed at Zidware nearly a decade ago (confidence: high) — Zombie Yeti shared Facebook post showing prototype artwork; Knapp notes desire for video footage of design process
- **[design_philosophy]** Zombie Yeti's potential involvement in hypothetical Stern KISS remaster discussed as positive scenario for artwork quality (confidence: low) — Knapp speculates whether Zombie Yeti would be hired for future KISS remaster artwork
- **[product_strategy]** Jersey Jack Pinball appears to be pursuing music-based IP licensing strategy with multiple bands in pipeline (confidence: medium) — Reports of both Van Halen and Michael Jackson licenses (or license discussions) in planning stages
- **[venue_signal]** Historical arcade footage from NYC's Broadway Arcade (1990) surfaced showing MegaTouch-era gameplay (confidence: high) — Jason Knapp shared video footage from Pinball Degenerates Facebook group showing 1990 NYC arcade operation
- **[manufacturing_signal]** Firefly Game System (handheld MegaTouch variant) existed as limited prototype with no mass production (confidence: medium) — Knapp discovered device on Facebook Marketplace and notes 'only a limited number of these were built as prototypes'

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## Transcript

News New Jersey Jack Pinball Rumor: Sonic the Hedgehog is Next, but the Music Pin After Might Not Be What We Think...; Big Update for John Wick; Rare Prototype Game k knapparcade May 28, 2026 Let's start things off today with a quick rumor. It's pretty much accepted as fact that Jersey Jack's next pinball machine is going to be based on SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog, the game not the movies. I also personally know for a fact that the game after Sonic is a music pin and that Jersey Jack does have the license to make a game based upon the band Van Halen...BUT there's a new rumor out there. The new rumor says that the game after Sonic, will be a Mark Seiden-designed pin based on the music of...the legendary music star Michael Jackson. There's been whispers on and off for years that JJP is considering making a Michael Jackson game, but nothing has ever come of it. Is it actually happening now? I'm not sure. We'll see. I still strongly believe that JJP Van Halen is coming at some point. If not next then down the line. Next up, we have a big code update for Stern Pinball's John Wick. Even though Code Version 1.0 was already released for the game earlier, this new update - Version 1.01.0 seems much more like the real 1.0 to me. It contains the "Red Circle Reckoning, The Duel (Part II), and Special Assignment Wizard Modes." Glad to see this game getting attention. I always enjoy playing it when I come across one. !Advertisement Ad 1 of 3 There's a lot more slides for the update, but I'm not sharing a dozen of them here lol. Earlier this week the renowned pinball artist and Stern Pinball's Studio Art Director, Zombie Yeti shared a picture of a project that he worked on nearly a decade ago on Facebook. It was a picture of cool-looking artwork that he did for a prototype KISS pinball machine that was being designed in front of cameras at John Popadiuk's failed pinball company Zidware. I hope the footage of that comes out some day. I'd watch it lol. Not only is that story cool in itself, but this leads me to wonder that if we do get a remastered version of Stern Pinball's 2015 game based on the band if Zombie Yeti would do the art for it? I bet that he'd so an amazing job. Hopping over to the arcade side of things. I've been a huge fan of touchscreen bar games for years, MegaTouch, JVL, Touch Master, etc... I've pretty much owned them all at some point. I currently own countertop a MegaTouch and a JVL Retro and I built my own updated MegaTouch using a touchscreen monitor and a cool software update that takes the 2014 version of the game and adds back in all of the levels that have been removed over the years aka the "Lost Levels" (Link to the software for that: https://ebay.us/m/SLkRJ3 ). Yesterday on Facebook Marketplace I came across a type of MegaTouch that I have never seen before, a handheld version! It's called the Firefly Game System. How cool is that? I had no idea that this existed. Apparently only a limited number of these were built as prototypes and it never went into mass production. I kind of want one, but the last thing I need is yet another MegaTouch lol. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1370682574520939/?rdid=0PZ7Sk1iyLkwtORz&share\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1PpaffEYwb# New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement. Contact knapparcade@gmail.com today Last up, I have a cool video that I came across on the Pinball Degenerates Facebook group. It's footage of NYC's famous Broadway Arcade in action from 1990. Really cool to see. How does that lady play Centipede with nails that long? lol Inside an Arcade in New York City in 1990 - YouTube Tap to unmute Vampire Robot Vampire Robot Posted 24 minutes ago k About knapparcade Site administrator Comments (1) Please sign in to join the conversation. C Chewiec 6 minutes ago MJ is an instabuy for me! Hope it’s true! 0 Related Articles New Jersey Jack Pinball Rumor: Sonic the Hedgehog is Next, but the Music Pin After Might Not Be What We Think...; Big Update for John Wick; Rare Prototype Game 24 minutes ago Spooky Pinball Update; Which Stern Pinball Game is the Hardest?; Is Another Star Trek Pin Coming? 2 days ago Is Grateful Dead Pinball in the Works? First Official Stern Transformers Gameplay Stream 6 days ago Subscribe to Updates Get the latest pinball news, blog posts, and event announcements delivered to your inbox Subscribe !Advertisement Ad 2 of 2 New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement.

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: 1597b81c-4cf2-4d55-910e-1d88609e7613*