# Rumor: Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball is on the Line at JJP; Big Spooky Update; Holy Frijoles

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-05-08  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/rumor-sonic-the-hedgehog-pinball-is-on-the-line-at-jjp-big-spooky-update-holy-frijoles

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## Analysis

Knapp Arcade reports a rumor that Jersey Jack Pinball has paused facility tours due to Sonic the Hedgehog pinball moving to a second production line, signaling an accelerated timeline. Spooky Pinball provided extensive YouTube updates detailing current production priorities (Beetlejuice at ~100/month), completed mod shipments, upcoming Dead Bars accessories for multiple titles, LCD retrofit testing, and a secret original game in development. The article also covers local news segments on major pinball collections at Holy Frijoles bar in Baltimore and Next Level Pinball in Oregon, plus a new Pokémon code update from Stern.

### Key Claims

- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack Pinball has paused tours of its Elk Grove Village facility because Sonic the Hedgehog pinball is already on its second production line — _Knapp Arcade rumor; unconfirmed but specific facility and operational detail_
- [HIGH] Spooky Pinball is currently producing Beetlejuice at a target rate of roughly 100 games per month — _Bug (Spooky Pinball) YouTube stream, directly quoted in article_
- [HIGH] All 300+ shotgun handles for Evil Dead have shipped; Spooky lost money on this mod and likely won't produce another as complex — _Bug YouTube stream statement_
- [HIGH] All 398 Dead Bars for Evil Dead have shipped and are currently pulled from the website while Spooky sorts out future production — _Bug YouTube stream_
- [HIGH] Dead Bars for Looney Tunes and TCM are confirmed in development, converting white apron lights to RGB — _Bug YouTube stream; Ben completed code portion, Eric Priepke handling programming_
- [HIGH] Spooky is testing upgraded LCD screens from Beetlejuice as a retrofit option for compatibility with older Spooky games — _Bug YouTube stream_
- [HIGH] Spooky Luke and Bug are working on a secret original game they plan to complete and hold for a future rainy day release — _Bug YouTube stream_
- [MEDIUM] Three new pinball games are expected within several weeks by end of May 2026: Sonic (JJP), Transformers (Stern), and a Bally Williams remake (Pedretti) — _Knapp Arcade editorial statement based on rumors and industry intelligence_

### Notable Quotes

> "I heard an interesting rumor this afternoon that Jersey Jack Pinball has paused tours of its Elk Grove Village, Illinois facility because its next pinball machine is already on its second production line."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, May 8, 2026
> _Key rumor about JJP's Sonic the Hedgehog accelerated production timeline and facility operations_

> "Production is currently dedicated almost entirely to Beetlejuice, with a target of roughly 100 games per month (subject to fluctuation). They're now building in the upper 200s."
> — **Bug (Spooky Pinball)**, YouTube stream
> _Direct confirmation of Spooky's production capacity and Beetlejuice focus_

> "Bug joked he wishes he had a 13th month in the year just to catch up on non-Beetlejuice builds."
> — **Bug (Spooky Pinball)**, YouTube stream
> _Indicates production constraint and demand exceeding capacity for legacy Spooky titles_

> "Bug said they lost money on these and likely won't do another mod that complex."
> — **Bug (Spooky Pinball)**, YouTube stream
> _Reveals business decision on complex aftermarket mods; profitability constraints on premium accessories_

> "Bug said that he would generally like to keep Spooky's production levels at right around where they're at."
> — **Bug (Spooky Pinball)**, YouTube stream
> _Strategic production philosophy; Spooky prioritizing sustainable scale over unlimited growth_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) | company | Rumored to have Sonic the Hedgehog pinball on second production line; paused facility tours in Elk Grove Village, Illinois |
| Spooky Pinball | company | Provided major production updates via YouTube stream; focused on Beetlejuice production (~100/month), shipping mod accessories, developing retrofit upgrades and new accessories |
| Stern Pinball | company | Developing Transformers pinball by Elliott Eisman; released Pokémon code update .82 |
| Pedretti Gaming | company | Developing Bally Williams remake expected by end of May 2026 |
| Steve Ritchie | person | Designer of Sonic the Hedgehog pinball at Jersey Jack Pinball |
| Elliott Eisman | person | Designer of Transformers pinball at Stern Pinball |
| Bug | person | Spooky Pinball representative/co-founder; provided YouTube stream updates on production, mods, and future projects |
| Spooky Luke | person | Spooky Pinball co-designer; collaborating with Bug on secret original pinball game in development |
| Eric Priepke | person | Handling programming for Dead Bars accessories for Looney Tunes and TCM |
| Knapp Arcade | media | Pinball news outlet reporting rumors, industry intelligence, and game updates; authored this article |
| Holy Frijoles | venue | Pinball bar in Baltimore, Maryland; featured in local news segment |
| Next Level Pinball | venue | Massive pinball arcade in Hillsboro, Oregon; houses 238 pinball machines and 265 arcade games; featured in local news coverage |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | game | Upcoming JJP pinball machine; rumored to be accelerating to production on second line |
| Transformers | game | Upcoming Stern Pinball game by Elliott Eisman; expected by end of May 2026 |
| Beetlejuice | game | Spooky Pinball current production focus; targeting ~100 units per month; new LCD screens being tested for retrofit |
| Evil Dead | game | Spooky Pinball title; all shotgun handles (300+) and Dead Bars (398) shipped; no future complex mods planned |
| Looney Tunes | game | Spooky Pinball title; Dead Bars upgrade in development; continuing to sell through stock |
| The Crow: Movie (TCM) | game | Spooky Pinball title; Dead Bars upgrade in development; selling through stock |
| Scooby-Doo | game | Spooky Pinball title; selling through stock as fast as Spooky can build |
| Pokémon | game | Stern Pinball game; code update .82 recently released and streamed |
| Rob | person | Colleague of Knapp Arcade who toured Holy Frijoles pinball collection in Baltimore |

### Signals

- **[rumor_hype]** Rumor that JJP has moved Sonic the Hedgehog to a second production line, signaling accelerated timeline; facility tours paused suggesting active, intensive manufacturing (confidence: medium) — Knapp Arcade reports unverified afternoon rumor about paused facility tours and second production line
- **[machine_intel]** Three major new games expected within weeks by end of May 2026: Sonic (JJP), Transformers (Stern), and Bally Williams remake (Pedretti) (confidence: medium) — Knapp Arcade editorial synthesis of rumors and expected releases
- **[product_launch]** Spooky Beetlejuice now building in upper 200s units with ~100/month target; production almost entirely dedicated to this title (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream direct statement on production numbers and allocation
- **[product_concern]** Spooky lost money on Evil Dead shotgun handle mods (300+ units shipped); deemed too complex for future iterations (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream explicit statement about financial loss and future mod strategy
- **[product_strategy]** Spooky expanding Dead Bars RGB apron lighting upgrade to Looney Tunes and TCM; Ben and Eric Priepke completing code and programming (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream confirmation of development status and personnel assignments
- **[technology_signal]** Spooky testing upgraded LCD screens from Beetlejuice for backwards compatibility retrofit across older Spooky game library (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream statement on testing and compatibility efforts
- **[product_launch]** Spooky Luke and Bug developing unreleased original pinball game; planned for future rainy-day release after completion (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream disclosure of long-term project in slow development
- **[business_signal]** Spooky facing production demand exceeding capacity; Bug joked needing 13th month to catch up on non-Beetlejuice titles like Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, TCM (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream commentary on backlog and production stress
- **[business_signal]** Bug expressed preference to maintain current Spooky production levels rather than pursuing unlimited growth (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream direct statement on production philosophy
- **[code_update]** Stern Pokémon pinball code update .82 released and streamed by manufacturer (confidence: high) — Stern Pinball YouTube stream of code update gameplay posted May 8, 2026
- **[venue_signal]** Major pinball collections receiving local TV news coverage: Holy Frijoles (Baltimore) and Next Level Pinball (Oregon, 238 machines + 265 arcade games) (confidence: high) — Local news segments on WJZ (Baltimore) and Aging Untold (Oregon) featured in article
- **[product_strategy]** Spooky pulled Dead Bars for Evil Dead from website pending future production decisions; all 398 units shipped (confidence: high) — Bug YouTube stream statement on inventory management and website status

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## Transcript

News Rumor: Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball is on the Line at JJP; Big Spooky Update; Holy Frijoles k knapparcade May 8, 2026 The pinball world is likely to heat up as we approach the end of the May. Over the next several weeks we will likely end up getting a whopping three new games. I heard an interesting rumor this afternoon that Jersey Jack Pinball has paused tours of its Elk Grove Village, Illinois facility because its next pinball machine is already on its second production line. That may mean we'll see Steve Ritchie's Sonic the Hedgehog pin sooner than I had expected. Right behind that will likely be Stern Pinball's Transformers by Elliott Eisman and a new Bally Williams remake from Pedretti Gaming. Yesterday's YouTube stream from Bug at Spooky Pinball contained all sorts of awesome updates on the company. Here are my notes: \- Production is currently dedicated almost entirely to Beetlejuice, with a target of roughly 100 games per month (subject to fluctuation). They're now building in the upper 200s. Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, and TCM are still selling through stock as fast as Spooky can build them, and Bug joked he wishes he had a 13th month in the year just to catch up on non-Beetlejuice builds. \- Shotgun handles for Evil Dead — all 300+ shipped. Bug said they lost money on these and likely won't do another mod that complex. \- Dead Bars for Evil Dead — all 398 shipped. Currently pulled from the website while they sort out future production. !Advertisement Ad 1 of 2 \- Dead Bars for Looney Tunes & TCM — confirmed in development. These will convert the white apron lights to RGB. Ben has finished his portion of the code; Eric Priepke is handling programming. \- New LCD screens — the upgraded display in Beetlejuice is being tested for compatibility with older Spooky games as a retrofit option. \- A large quantity of Dead Ring speaker ring for undercab lighting is arriving from China soon, with testing planned across multiple games beyond just Evil Dead and Beetlejuice. \- Spooky Luke and Bug have been slowly working on an original game that he and Luke plan to fully complete and sit on for a rainy day. \- Bug said that he would generally like to keep Spooky's production levels at right around where they're at. Whew, that's a lot of info. Kudos Bug. New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement. Contact knapparcade@gmail.com today Some Spooky Updates Between Shows! - YouTube Tap to unmute 1x Some Spooky Updates Between Shows! Bug's Scream N' Stream Bug's Scream N' Stream Next up is a local news segment on the amazing collection of pinball machines at the Holy Frijoles bar in Baltimore, Maryland. They were kind enough to give my friend Rob and I a tour of the place on an arcade road trip several years ago. It's a must-visit if you're in the Baltimore area. Where’s Marty: Checking out a collection of pinball machines in Baltimore - YouTube Tap to unmute 1x WJZ WJZ We also got another local news piece on Next Level Pinball's massive arcade in Oregon earlier this week: Oregon museum houses one of the world’s largest pinball collections Hillsboro facility features 238 pinball machines and 265 arcade games with flat-rate admission Oregon Museum Houses One Of the World’s Largest Pinball Collections - YouTube Tap to unmute 1x Aging Untold Aging Untold Last up, Stern Pinball streamed the latest code update for its Pokémon pinball machine: Pokémon by Stern Pinball .82 Gameplay - YouTube Tap to unmute 1x Pokémon by Stern Pinball .82 Gameplay Stern Pinball Stern Pinball Posted 25 minutes ago k About knapparcade Site administrator Comments (0) Please sign in to join the conversation. No comments yet Be the first to share your thoughts on this post! Related Articles Rumor: Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball is on the Line at JJP; Big Spooky Update; Holy Frijoles 25 minutes ago The Big Bang Bar Remake Rumors Were True...Sort Of about 6 hours ago New Stern Pinball Pokémon Code is Here 2 days ago Subscribe to Updates Get the latest pinball news, blog posts, and event announcements delivered to your inbox Subscribe !Advertisement Ad 1 of 2 New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement.

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: 7abc0a4d-5e09-4644-9de4-38464b3669a2*