# Is Stern Working on Pokémon Pinball?

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-09-02  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/is-stern-working-on-pok-mon-pinball

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## Analysis

Knapp Arcade reports on Pinside chatter about a potential Pokémon Pinball machine in development at Stern. The post notes Jack Danger has discussed trying to convince Stern to make one, and contextualizes the licensing viability by referencing Nintendo's past pinball licensing and three historical digital Pokémon pinball games. The author explicitly states no personal knowledge of confirmation and solicits community input.

### Key Claims

- [LOW] Someone on Pinside claims a Pokémon pin is coming from Stern — _Anonymous Pinside poster; no verification provided_
- [MEDIUM] Jack Danger has said on streams he's trying to convince Stern to make a Pokémon Pinball — _Referenced as second-hand report from Pinside discussion; Jack Danger's actual stream statements not quoted_
- [HIGH] Nintendo has licensed its IP for pinball in the past — _Historical fact; author provides context but doesn't detail specific examples_
- [HIGH] Three digital Pokémon Pinball games have been released (Game Boy Color 1999, handheld 2001, Wii U 2003) — _Author cites specific years and platforms; factual gaming history_

### Notable Quotes

> "There has been a lot of chatter on Pinside this week about Stern makimg a Pokémon pinball machine."
> — **Knapp Arcade (blog author)**
> _Opening claim establishing the rumor as community chatter source_

> "Jack Danger has said on streams that he's trying to convince Stern to make one"
> — **Knapp Arcade (reporting on Pinside discussion)**
> _Key credible designer potentially advocating for the project; indicates internal discussions at Stern_

> "I have no personal knowledge that a Pokemon Pinball machine is coming."
> — **Knapp Arcade (blog author)**
> _Explicit disclaimer of confirmation; establishes rumor-level sourcing_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Rumored manufacturer of potential Pokémon Pinball machine |
| Jack Danger | person | Pinball designer who allegedly discussed convincing Stern to produce Pokémon Pinball on streams |
| Nintendo | company | IP owner; history of licensing pinball and digital Pokémon pinball games |
| Pokémon | product | Video game/media franchise; subject of rumored pinball machine |
| Pinside | organization | Pinball community forum where chatter about Pokémon Pinball originated |
| Knapp Arcade | person | Blog author; pinball enthusiast with no direct confirmation of project |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Pokémon Pinball Machine Rumors, Nintendo IP Licensing for Pinball
- **Secondary:** Jack Danger Design Advocacy, Pinball Theme Licensing History

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — Author maintains balanced, speculative tone; no confirmation; open solicitation for community input; cautious framing without dismissing viability

### Signals

- **[licensing_signal]** Nintendo's historical willingness to license Pokémon for pinball formats evidenced by three past digital games and prior pinball licensing (confidence: high) — Documented history of Game Boy Color Pokémon Pinball (1999), handheld game (2001), Wii U version (2003); author notes Nintendo has licensed pinball IP in past
- **[personnel_signal]** Jack Danger actively discussing/advocating for Pokémon Pinball concept with Stern on public streams (confidence: medium) — Pinside report that 'Jack Danger has said on streams that he's trying to convince Stern to make one'
- **[rumor_hype]** Pokémon Pinball machine allegedly in discussion or development at Stern based on Pinside community chatter (confidence: low) — Anonymous Pinside poster claim combined with second-hand report of Jack Danger streaming comments; author explicitly disavows personal knowledge

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## Transcript

Here’s a quick Saturday morning post before taking my son to get his Back to School haircut and of course the start of College Football Saturday!

There has been a lot of chatter on Pinside this week about Stern makimg a Pokémon pinball machine. Someone there claims that a Pokémon pin is coming and others chimed in that Jack Danger has said on streams that he’s trying to convince Stern to make one.

The Pokémon license is Nintendo adjacent and while Nintendo hasn’t licensed its IP for use in pinball lately, it has done so in the past AND perhaps more importantly there’s a history of digital Pokémon pinball games. Specifically, there’s been three of them…a 1999 Pokemon Pinball for the Game Boy Color in 1999, an actual Pokémon Pinball handheld game in 2001 and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire for the Wii U (I actually have one of those consoles) in 2003.

I have no personal knowledge that a Pokemon Pinball machine is coming. I was never into the theme personally, but my boys played a bunch of Pokémon Go when they were little. I totally see how the theme could work for a pin. What do you all think? Is Pokémon a good theme for a pinball machine? Even better , have you heard any rumors that one is coming? Let’s talk!

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 16aaaed8-6167-4c3e-8dde-449671428cd9*