# BEATLES PINBALL - UPDATED **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2018-10-26 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/10/26/beatles-pinball --- ## Analysis Stern Pinball and Ka-Pow Pinball officially unveiled The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball, a licensed game based on the band's 1960s era. The machine is a re-themed version of the 1980 Seawitch playfield, featuring eight Beatles songs, Ed Sullivan introduction, and custom callouts by Cousin Brucie. Production is strictly limited to 1,964 units across three tiers (100 Diamond, 250 Platinum, 1,614 Gold), with pricing deferred to distributors. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The Beatles pinball is based on the 1980 Seawitch playfield design by Mike Kubin, re-themed in collaboration with Ka-Pow Pinball — _Direct article statement comparing to Batman 66 precedent and specifying Seawitch as the original 1980 design_ - [HIGH] Total production limited to exactly 1,964 units (100 Diamond, 250 Platinum, 1,614 Gold) referencing The Beatles' 1964 world tour year — _Official Stern Pinball announcement with explicit production numbers_ - [HIGH] The game features eight Beatles songs: A Hard Day's Night, Can't Buy Me Love, Ticket to Ride, All My Loving, Help, Drive My Car, It Won't Be Long, and I Should Have Known Better — _Updated section of article with complete official song list from Stern announcement_ - [HIGH] The game includes Ed Sullivan introduction and custom callouts by Cousin Brucie, who introduced The Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1964 — _Official Stern Pinball statement confirming voice talent and historical context_ - [HIGH] Playfield features four flippers, eleven drop targets, eight stand-up targets, two opto-spinners, ball-catching magnet, and magnetic spinning record disc — _Official Stern Pinball specification list in announcement section_ ### Notable Quotes > "We are very proud of this Beatles pinball machine that was produced in collaboration with our good friend, Joe Kaminkow. We can't wait for players to experience Beatlemania when they play this game." > — **Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball**, October 29, 2018 announcement > _CEO endorsement of the collaborative design with Kaminkow and public enthusiasm for the release_ > "Only 1964 units will be produced in recognition of the year in which the world forever changed when Ed Sullivan introduced America to four young mop-topped musicians from Liverpool, England." > — **Stern Pinball official announcement**, October 29, 2018 > _Explains the symbolic connection between production limit and Beatles history_ > "Potential buyers are advised to contact their Stern Pinball distributor, suggesting it could be a contentious issue." > — **Pinball News analyst**, Article update > _Media observation that pricing transparency was deliberately withheld, indicating potential MSRP conflict_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer collaborating with Ka-Pow on The Beatles pinball; led by Gary Stern | | Ka-Pow Pinball | company | Collaboration partner with Stern on Beatles pinball; previously collaborated on Batman 66 | | Joe Kaminkow | person | Designer credited in collaboration on The Beatles pinball machine | | Gary Stern | person | Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, quoted on Beatles pinball announcement | | Mike Kubin | person | Original designer of 1980 Seawitch playfield upon which Beatles is based | | Cousin Brucie | person | Hall of Fame disk jockey providing custom callouts and voice for The Beatles pinball; historically introduced Beatles at Shea Stadium 1964 | | Ed Sullivan | person | Historical figure; introduction featured in Beatles pinball game referencing his 1964 TV show introduction of the band | | The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball | game | Official title of the newly announced Stern/Ka-Pow collaborative pinball machine; 1,964-unit limited production | | Seawitch | game | 1980 Stern Electronics pinball machine designed by Mike Kubin; playfield foundation for Beatles pinball re-theme | | Batman 66 | game | Earlier Stern/Ka-Pow collaboration establishing the precedent of re-versioning classic playfield designs for licensed IP | | Batman: The Dark Knight | game | 2008 George Gomez design that was re-themed as Batman 66 | | The Beatles | organization | Musical group that The Beatles pinball is licensed from; licensing brokered by Bravado Merchandising | | Bravado Merchandising | company | Beatles North American licensing agent who brokered the deal with Stern Pinball | | SPIKE electronics | product | Stern's hardware platform powering The Beatles pinball with HD graphics, animations, and 3-channel audio system | ### Topics - **Primary:** Game Design & Mechanics, Limited Edition Collectibles & Production Numbers, Theme Licensing & IP Deals - **Secondary:** Hardware & Technology (SPIKE system), Pricing & Availability Strategy, Manufacturer Collaboration (Stern/Ka-Pow) ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.82) — Announcement is celebratory with detailed technical specifications and historical context. Media coverage is approving. Only minor tension: pricing withheld from announcement, suggesting potential distributor/MSRP sensitivity. The retro-themed playfield and celebrity voice talent (Ed Sullivan, Cousin Brucie) are presented as compelling features. ### Signals - **[design_philosophy]** Stern/Ka-Pow strategy of re-versioning classic playfield designs (Seawitch 1980) with modern IP licensing to reduce development risk while leveraging nostalgia and collector appeal (confidence: medium) — Article notes precedent with Batman 66 (based on George Gomez's 2008 Dark Knight); Beatles uses 1980 Seawitch as foundation, suggesting systematic playfield reuse model - **[collector_signal]** Production capped at exactly 1,964 units split across three tiers (Diamond/Platinum/Gold) with Diamond edition mirrored backglass as premium collectible variant (confidence: high) — 100 Diamond (numbered, certified, mirrored backglass), 250 Platinum (numbered, certified), 1,614 Gold editions with symbolic 1964 year total - **[market_signal]** Beatles pinball positioned as premium collector tier product with non-standard coin door (large decal covering coil slots suggests 'not officially' coin-operable) (confidence: medium) — Article notes: 'The coin door also features a much larger decal, covering the area usually taken up by the coil slots, suggesting this game will not be able to be operated on coin-play' - **[community_signal]** Joe Kaminkow credited as design collaborator with Gary Stern endorsement, indicating high-profile designer involvement in Beatles project (confidence: medium) — CEO quote: 'produced in collaboration with our good friend, Joe Kaminkow' positions designer as key creative partner - **[market_signal]** Pricing deliberately withheld from announcement and deferred to distributors, suggesting potential MSRP conflict or premium pricing strategy (confidence: high) — Article explicitly notes: 'One thing obviously missing from the announcement is pricing. Potential buyers are advised to contact their Stern Pinball distributor, suggesting it could be a contentious issue.' - **[announcement]** Official announcement of The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball with full specifications, production limits, and feature list (confidence: high) — Formal October 29, 2018 Stern Pinball press release with complete game details, playfield specs, and three-tier production breakdown - **[technology_signal]** SPIKE hardware platform deployment with HD video display, 3-channel audio (3x more powerful than previous generation), and animated backglass (confidence: high) — Stern announcement emphasizes SPIKE electronics enabling 'high-definition graphics and innovative animations' with 'high-fidelity 3-channel audio system' - **[licensing_signal]** Beatles North American licensing deal brokered by Bravado Merchandising; limited production reflects scarcity value strategy tied to IP exclusivity (confidence: high) — Official announcement credits Bravado Merchandising as Beatles licensing agent; 1,964-unit hard cap creates collector scarcity narrative --- ## Transcript The long-awaited *The Beatles* pinball was finally unveiled by Stern Pinball and Ka-Pow Pinball in a video on YouTube. [![The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball backglass](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/002-beatles-1024x639.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/002-beatles.jpg) The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball backglass Officially called *The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball*, the game focuses on the band’s early years and continues the trend begun by the earlier Stern/Ka-Pow collaboration, *Batman 66,* of re-versioning an earlier playfield design.  In the case of Batman 66 it was George Gomez’s 2008 release *Batman: The Dark Knight* which was re-visited, but for *The Beatles* we go back to 1980 and the Stern Electronics model, *Seawitch*, designed by Mike Kubin. [![The playfield for The Beatles: BeatleMania Pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/003-beatles-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/003-beatles.jpg) The playfield for The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball Like *Seawitch*, *The Beatles* is a four-flippered single level game featuring three banks of drop targets, but it also adds a number of additional stand-up targets around the playfield and a second spinner to the left of the three pop bumpers. [![The centre bank of four drop targets](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/006-beatles-1024x520.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/006-beatles.jpg) The centre bank of four drop targets But the biggest addition is a spinning disc with a magnet in the centre, as seen in various Stern games since *Twister*. [![The spinning disc](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/007-beatles-1024x518.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/007-beatles.jpg) The spinning disc Whereas *Seawitch* has a star rollover at the top of the orbit shot, *The Beatles* adds a second magnet to grab the ball and drop it into the pops.  A flasher insert has also been placed between the three pop bumpers. [![The upper part of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/004-beatles-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/004-beatles.jpg) The upper part of the playfield [![The top magnet](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/005-beatles-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/005-beatles.jpg) The top magnet [![The right-side spinner on the orbit lane](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/012-beatles-1024x520.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/012-beatles.jpg) The right-side spinner on the orbit lane Down at the bottom of the playfield there have been fewer changes.  The number and arrangement of inserts have been redesigned to match the game’s new features, while a one-way gate has been added to the shooter lane to prevent the ball returning to the plunger and to create a fairly simple-looking skill shot. [![The bottom half of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/008-beatles-1024x520.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/008-beatles.jpg) The bottom half of the playfield [![The insert arrangement at the bottom of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/010-beatles-1024x520.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/010-beatles.jpg) The insert arrangement at the bottom of the playfield [![The game keeps the original 1x-2x-4x bonus multiplier system](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/009-beatles-1024x519.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/009-beatles.jpg) The game keeps the original 1x-2x-4x bonus multiplier system [![The right side of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/013-beatles-1024x520.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/013-beatles.jpg) The right side of the playfield While a full list of the tracks included in the game hasn’t been released, five of them are shown just above the flippers – *All My Loving*, *Drive My Car*, *I Should Have Known Better*, *Ticket To Ride* and *It Won’t Be Long*.  Collecting all five songs starts a multiball mode. [![Five song with their associated features](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/011-beatles-1024x520.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/011-beatles.jpg) Five song with their associated features As with *Batman 66* there are three models of *The Beatles*, and like the first Stern/Ka-Pow collaboration, despite the simplistic playfield design we can expect some top-end collector-level prices when they are announced*.* There will be 100 Diamond Edition games, 250 Platinum Editions and a maximum of 1,614 Gold Editions.  That gives a total of 1,964 – the year of The Beatles’ first world tour and the release of the movie and album *A Hard Days Night*. [![The bottom arch plaque for the Diamond Edition games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/014-beatles-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/014-beatles.jpg) The bottom arch plaque for the Diamond Edition games We’ll have more details of Stern Pinball and Ka-Pow Pinball’s new *The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball* as soon as they are announced right here at Pinball News.  In the meantime, here’s the promotional video on YouTube. VIDEO **UPDATE** Stern Pinball have formally announced their new The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball and provided a few more details along with three pictures of the Diamond Edition model. There will be eight The Beatles songs featured in the game: *A Hard Day’s Night*, *Can’t Buy Me Love*, *Ticket to Ride*, *All My Loving*, *Help*, *Drive My Car*, *It Won’t Be Long* and *I Should Have Known Better*. Although The Beatles are a British band, the game gives a definite American twist to the theme by featuring the introduction by Ed Sullivan seen in the promotional video above, along with custom speech and call-outs by US disk jockey Cousin Brucie, who introduced the band when they performed at Shea Stadium in New York as part of their 1964 world tour. One thing obviously missing from the announcement is pricing.  Potential buyers are advised to contact their Stern Pinball distributor, suggesting it could be a contentious issue.  We’ll update this report when actual dealer prices are available. The new pictures are of the top-end Diamond Edition, showing the backglass, cabinet artwork and the playfield.  The cabinet introduces a new typeface for the band’s name on the cabinet and coin door.  The coin door also features a much larger decal, covering the area usually taken up by the coil slots, suggesting this game will not be able to be operated on coin-play (or at least, not officially!). [![The Diamond Edition backglass](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/020-beatles-1024x661.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/020-beatles.jpg) The Diamond Edition backglass [![Cabinet artwork on the Diamond Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/021-beatles-598x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/021-beatles.jpg) Cabinet artwork on the Diamond Edition [![The whole playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/022-beatles-581x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/022-beatles.jpg) The whole playfield We can also read the instruction card to get some details of the gameplay.  It says: | | | | --- | --- | | DROP TARGETS: – Increase Bonus – Complete ALL Targets in a Bank to increase Bonus Multiplier when “X” is LIT. – Complete ALL 3 Sets of Drop Targets to light EXTRA BALL.DROP 1-9-6-4 in order for Bonus Points! Spell F-A-B F-O-U-R to qualify a Song.  Shoot the Top Loop to Start Song: • All My Loving: 2-Ball Multiball! • Drive My Car: Shoot the Left and Right Loop Shots. • I Should Have Known Better: Shoot Drop Targets. | • Ticket To Ride: Shoot the Spinners! • It Won’t Be Long: Pop Bumpers Score Extra Points. • A Hard Days Night: Finish ALL 5 Songs for a 4-Ball Multiball!John, Paul, George and Ringo Targets increase the Right Spinner value. | | | | Here’s how Stern Pinball introduced their new title: | | | --- | | **The Beatles and Stern Pinball Announce the First and Only Beatles Pinball Machine Ever Made!** *Only 100 Diamond Edition Games Only 250 Platinum Edition Games Only 1614 Gold Edition Games Only 1964 Games in Total* **ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – October 29, 2018** – Stern Pinball, Inc., a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball, in collaboration with Ka-Pow Pinball, proudly announced today the availability of the one- of-a-kind Beatles pinball machine. Only 1964 units will be produced in recognition of the year in which the world forever changed when Ed Sullivan introduced America to four young mop-topped musicians from Liverpool, Robert Englunds. The deal was brokered by Bravado Merchandising, the Beatles North American licensing agent. The game is available in three models named for the recording industry’s sales award levels. The Diamond Edition, the highest level and most difficult to attain, is limited to only 100 units. The Platinum Edition is limited to only 250 units. The Gold Edition is limited to 1614 units. The Beatles pinball machine will immerse players in 1960’s Beatlemania and feature eight timeless hit songs from that era: A Hard Day’s Night Can’t Buy Me Love Ticket to Ride All My Loving Help Drive My Car It Won’t Be Long I Should Have Known Better The game also features iconic introductions by Ed Sullivan along with custom speech and callouts by Hall of Fame disk jockey, Cousin Brucie. Cousin Brucie introduced The Beatles at New York’s Shea Stadium in 1964. The retro-themed playfield features four flippers, eleven drop targets, eight stand-up targets, multiple skill shots, two opto-spinners, a ball-catching magnet and a magnetic spinning record disc in the center of the playfield. Players, friends and family will enjoy full screen animations as well as simulated reel scoring on the game’s high definition video screen. All models feature unique art packages and custom powder-coated armor. The 100 Diamond Editions are numbered, certified collectible and include a mirrored backglass. The 250 Platinum Editions are numbered and certified collectible. Complementing the immersive Beatlemania theme and exciting gameplay experience, Stern Pinball’s powerful SPIKETM electronics hardware system enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations on the high-definition video display. SPIKETM reduces system complexity and energy usage resulting in enhanced reliability and simplified servicing. The state-of-the-art electronic system also powers a high-fidelity 3- channel audio system that is three times more powerful than audio systems of previous generations. “We are very proud of this Beatles pinball machine that was produced in collaboration with our good friend, Joe Kaminkow,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “We can’t wait for players to experience Beatlemania when they play this game.” **Pricing and Availability:** Please contact your local Stern Pinball distributor or dealer for availability and pricing. To find an authorized Stern Pinball distributor or dealer in your area, please visit: www.sternpinball.com/buy About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball. Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe. Recent Stern Pinball titles include Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who 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. *###* *All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.* | | | _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 7caf6ad0-9000-4c55-8500-c783e0d2b6a0*