# Big Stern Pinball Code Update Rolls Out Final Wizard Modes for Godzilla and Rush Pinball Machines

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-09-20  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/big-stern-pinball-code-update-rolls-out-final-wizard-modes-for-godzilla-and-rush-pinball-machines

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball released a major code update across all 17 Insider Connected machines, primarily addressing a game reset issue. The update adds long-awaited final wizard modes to Godzilla and RUSH—Kong of the Monsters and 2112 respectively—along with new Insider Connected achievements. Both wizard modes feature complex multi-phase gameplay with specific shot sequences and progression mechanics.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Stern Pinball released code updates for all 17 Insider Connected pinball machines — _Article author reporting on official Stern code release_
- [HIGH] The primary change was a fix to the Insider Connected system addressing a game reset issue — _Article author's direct observation of code notes_
- [HIGH] Godzilla's final wizard mode is called 'Kong of the Monsters' and is qualified by playing Planet X, Monster Zero, and Terror of Mechagodzilla — _Stern's official Read Me files quoted in article_
- [HIGH] RUSH's wizard mode is called '2112' and requires achieving 2112 time machine years plus playing both Cygnus wizard modes — _Stern's official Read Me files quoted in article_
- [HIGH] The 2112 wizard mode in RUSH features 6 balls in play with unlimited ball save time and a 3-minute Overture phase — _Stern's official Read Me files quoted in article_
- [HIGH] Godzilla of the Monsters mode is a two-part wizard mode with single-ball Part 1 and 4-ball multiball Part 2 — _Stern's official Read Me files quoted in article_
- [HIGH] Godzilla and RUSH received new Insider Connected achievements — _Article author's reporting_

### Notable Quotes

> "The much anticipated Wizard Modes were added to the company's newest (until this Thursday) games Godzilla and RUSH."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**
> _Indicates these wizard modes were long-awaited community features, and hints at another new game announcement coming Thursday_

> "6 Balls in play with unlimited ball save time."
> — **Stern Pinball (Read Me file)**
> _Describes exceptional ball-save mechanic in RUSH's 2112 wizard mode, allowing extended play_

> "Defeat all monsters in 60 seconds +5 seconds for each city controlled. (60-80)"
> — **Stern Pinball (Read Me file)**
> _Shows time-attack structure of Godzilla's Kong of the Monsters Part 1, with scaling difficulty based on city control_

> "Shooting all 22 shots will light the Scoop for Bounty Collect x number of balls in play"
> — **Stern Pinball (Read Me file)**
> _Highlights complexity of Godzilla's Part 2 with 22 distinct shot progressions leading to final bounty collection_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Released code update for 17 Insider Connected machines adding wizard modes to Godzilla and RUSH |
| Godzilla | game | Stern pinball machine that received the Kong of the Monsters final wizard mode in code update |
| RUSH | game | Stern pinball machine that received the 2112 final wizard mode in code update |
| Insider Connected | product | Stern's connected system covering 17 pinball machines; received system-wide fix for game reset issue |
| King of the Monsters | product | Final wizard mode for Godzilla pinball machine requiring completion of Planet X, Monster Zero, and Terror of Mechagodzilla modes |
| 2112 | product | Final wizard mode for RUSH pinball machine based on Rush album; features 6-ball multiball with complex progression through album movements |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Source of article analysis; arcade/pinball content creator reporting on Stern code updates |

### Signals

- **[code_update]** Stern released final wizard modes for Godzilla and RUSH following significant community anticipation (confidence: high) — Official Stern code update dropping Kong of the Monsters and 2112 wizard modes with detailed rule specifications
- **[product_concern]** Game reset issue affecting some Insider Connected machines was addressed in system-wide update (confidence: high) — Primary code change noted as fix to Insider Connected system across all 17 machines
- **[gameplay_signal]** Both new wizard modes feature intricate multi-phase designs with high shot count requirements and extended play mechanics (confidence: high) — Kong of the Monsters includes 22-shot progression; 2112 features 6-ball multiball with unlimited ball save and movement-based jackpot locks
- **[community_signal]** Final wizard modes for Godzilla and RUSH were described as 'much anticipated' by community, suggesting significant pent-up demand for endgame content (confidence: high) — Article explicitly states wizard modes were 'much anticipated'
- **[announcement]** Article hints at another new Stern game announcement coming on Thursday (confidence: medium) — Author mentions these are Stern's 'newest (until this Thursday) games' implying imminent announcement
- **[product_strategy]** Stern is using phased code releases to add endgame content post-launch, extending lifecycle of recently released machines (confidence: high) — Wizard modes added via code update months after game releases; accompanied by Insider Connected achievements

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## Transcript

Earlier today Stern Pinball dropped code updates for all 17 of its Insider Connected pinball machines. The main change in code for most of the games was an update to its Insider Connected system that fixes the game reset issue that some individuals were experiencing. None of the other games that I personally own really had much in the way of new code, however the much anticipated Wizard Modes were added to the company's newest (until this Thursday) games Godzilla and RUSH. The new 2012 and Kong of the Monsters Wizard Modes are described below in excerpts from Stern's Read Me files:

RUSH

" - Added 2112 Wizard Mode

- Lit from achieving 2112 time machine years in addition to playing

both Cygnus wizard modes.

- Starts at the Time Machine.

- 3 Minute I. Overture phase to build jackpots.

- 6 Balls in play with unlimited ball save time.

- Each movement's jackpot locks in every 30 seconds.

- After 3 minutes, the player plays through the movements until time runs

out, they lose all balls in play, or they beat the Grand Finale.

- Start in II. The Temple of Syrinx and play through VII. Grand Finale.

- Each phase shows the number of shots needed for an add-a-ball and the

number of shots needed to beat the movement.

- An additional add-a-ball is awarded for completing a movement.

- All shots must be completed before the music in a movement ends.

- The mode ends if a player drains all balls in play."

Godzilla

- added this final wizard mode that is qualified by playing Planet X, Monster Zero, and Terror of Mechagodzilla.

- Part 1 - single ball - Mothra outlane spotted, Rodan will not carryover into mode

- All Tier 1 monster battle shots are stacked.

- Defeat all monsters in 60 seconds +5 seconds for each city controlled. (60-80)

- Bounty value increases by value of each shot.

- Each defeated monster adds time and bounty X.

- Draining or running out of time starts Part 2.

- Part 2 - 4 ball multiball - Mothra outlane and Anguirus Add-A-Ball spotted.

- Shoot Under Flipper to light: 3 inserts (Advance Rampage, Tank, Arrow)

- Shoot Left Ramp to light: 3 inserts (Advance Train, Tank, Arrow)

- Shoot Building to light: 5 inserts (Damage Meter Low, Damage Meter

Mid, Damage Meter High, Light Destruction Jackpot, Arrow)

- Shoot Center Spinner to light: 7 inserts (Tesla Strike, Tank, Arrow, 1, 2, 3, Heat Ray)

- Shoot Right Ramp to light: 2 inserts (Tank, Arrow)

- Shoot Big Loop to light: 2 inserts (Destruction Jackpot, Arrow)

- Shooting all 22 shots will light the Scoop for Bounty Collect x number of

balls in play

- Draining down to single ball is allowed

- Anguirus will be automatically summoned if not used within 20 seconds of

reaching single ball play

In addition to the Wizard Modes, both games received a bunch of new Insider Connected achievements for players to shoot for.

https://sternpinball.com/support/game-code

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: 1f384f81-f090-4969-bd11-0f3b00bef956*