# ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2016-01-05  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/01/05/ultimate-spider-man

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball announced the Spider-Man Vault Edition pinball machine on January 4, 2016, featuring updated artwork, animation, and sound based on Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man comic series. The game retains the original gameplay while adding new toys, modes, music tracks, and durability improvements. Priced at $7,595 USD MSRP, it represents Stern's Vault Edition strategy of reimagining classic titles with modern production values.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Spider-Man Vault Edition retains the same gameplay as the original with an all-new look and feel — _Official Stern Pinball press release; core product description_
- [HIGH] The game features all-new art, animation, and sound packages based on the Ultimate Spider-Man comic series (2000-2009) — _Official product specifications; Marvel licensing partnership_
- [HIGH] Vault Edition pricing is $7,595 USD MSRP — _Official pricing statement in press release_
- [HIGH] The game includes multiple durability improvements based on research of the original game's field experience — _Detailed list of 11 specific durability enhancements provided in official release_
- [HIGH] Stern Pinball and Marvel Studios share a long, successful history of collaboration — _Gary Stern quote in official announcement_

### Notable Quotes

> "Spider-Man is one of Marvel's most popular characters worldwide. Our goal was to take one of our most popular games and make it even better."
> — **Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.**, January 4, 2016 announcement
> _Official rationale for Vault Edition strategy; establishes business logic for remaking classic titles_

> "Stern Pinball and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of collaboration. This is a great pinball interpretation of the adventures of Spider-Man."
> — **Gary Stern**, January 4, 2016 announcement
> _Reinforces manufacturer-IP partnership strength and commitment to Spider-Man franchise_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball, Inc. | company | Manufacturer announcing Spider-Man Vault Edition; headquartered outside Chicago, Illinois; described as world's oldest and largest pinball producer |
| Gary Stern | person | Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.; quoted in press release |
| Marvel Entertainment, LLC | company | IP licensor for Spider-Man; wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company |
| Spider-Man Vault Edition | game | Updated version of classic Spider-Man pinball based on Ultimate Spider-Man comic series; $7,595 MSRP |
| Ultimate Spider-Man | product | Marvel Comics series (2000-2009); modernized re-imagining of Spider-Man franchise; basis for Vault Edition theming |
| Marvel Studios | company | Entertainment division collaborating with Stern Pinball on Spider-Man licensing |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Vault Edition product strategy, Marvel IP licensing and collaboration, Product durability improvements and manufacturing refinements
- **Secondary:** Custom toys and playfield design updates, Pricing strategy for remastered classic titles

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Press release maintains professional promotional tone emphasizing improvements, durability enhancements, and partnership success. No criticism or controversy present. Framing positions Vault Edition as enhancement of beloved classic rather than pure cash grab.

### Signals

- **[licensing_signal]** Marvel Studios maintains active collaboration with Stern Pinball on Spider-Man franchise; willing to provide comic book artwork and character assets for product development (confidence: high) — Official announcement emphasizes shared love of characters and long successful history; all-new art package derived from Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man comics library
- **[product_strategy]** Vault Edition establishes premium remaster tier with custom toys, new animation, fresh music tracks, and comprehensive durability enhancements while maintaining core gameplay (confidence: high) — Detailed feature list includes all-new custom-molded toys, dot matrix animation, speech/sound effects, music tracks, and 11 mechanical improvements
- **[product_strategy]** Spider-Man Vault Edition implements 11 specific durability improvements addressing identified weaknesses in original machine based on field experience research (confidence: high) — Detailed list of steel plastic protectors, stainless steel components, improved ramp guards, and anti-wear assemblies in official product specifications
- **[business_signal]** Stern's Vault Edition strategy involves retheming and mechanically refining classic games rather than designing entirely new titles; positions Spider-Man as test case or exemplar of this approach (confidence: high) — Press release describes Spider-Man Vault Edition as 'update of the pinball classic' retaining 'same amazing gameplay' with 'all new look and feel'

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## Transcript

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| Stern Pinball Debuts Spider-Man Vault Edition Machine ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – January 04, 2016 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines, announced today the release of its Spider-Man Vault Edition pinball machine. Inspired by the Marvel Universe Comic series, Spider-Man Vault Edition is an update of the pinball classic. The game features all-new art, animation and sound packages based on the legendary Ultimate Spider-Man comic series. “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s most popular characters worldwide. Our goal was to take one of our most popular games and make it even better,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “Stern Pinball and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of collaboration. This is a great pinball interpretation of the adventures of Spider-Man”. Spider-Man Vault Edition features: The same amazing gameplay of the original, with an all new look and feel. All new art package, including: cabinet, backglass, decals, and playfield plastics are designed based on images from the actual Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man comics library. All new custom-molded toys specifically designed and decorated to capture the Ultimate Spider-Man art style (Doc Ock, Sandman, Venom and Green Goblin). All new animation and dot matrix video art designed around the Ultimate Spider-Man comic art. All new custom speech and sound effects for all characters. New mode event themes based on the Ultimate Spider-Man Universe. Webslinger themed laser-cut side armor in black powdercoat with contrasting color inserts Two new music tracks plus the original score. Numerous improvements to durability based on research of the original game’s field experience, including: – Steel plastic protectors at the Sandman and in the pop bumper area. – VUK opening playfield protectors at Dock Ock and the Sandman. – Stainless steel playfield protector beneath the webslinger in the pops. – All stainless steel webslinger ball guides. – Improved ramp guards. – Optimizations to the design of anti-ball trap plastics and ramp covers. – Improved wire form ramp mounting details. – Anti-wear Dock Ock playfield magnet assembly. – All LED playfield lighting. The Ultimate Spider-Man is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel’s long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint. Pricing and Availability: Vault Edition: $7,595 USA MSRP; sales tax not included Spider-Man Vault Edition is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world and additional details are available upon request. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern titles include Game of Thrones, KISS, WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. A broad range of players enjoy Stern’s games from professional pinball players that compete in high-stakes international competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com. About Marvel Entertainment, LLC Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com. © 2015 MARVEL All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.* |

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 3ed6d7fe-2fda-420e-aa1c-3105873b4312*