# Whizbang & Stern's Whoa Nellie! Now Available

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2015-02-19  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/whoanellie.html

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball announced the commercial availability of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons, a collaboration with Whizbang Pinball LLC featuring a retro electromechanical design modernized with current electronics. Created by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres, the game blends 1950s pin-up art and fruit crate aesthetics with modern technology at a $6,499 MSRP. The machine represents a unique positioned product combining classical playfield design with digital sound and lighting systems.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons is based on the Continental Cafe playfield but features new electronics system for lamps, solenoids, score reels, sounds, and playfield lighting — _Official product description in announcement_
- [HIGH] Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres first unveiled the game as 'Project X' prototype in 2009 — _Historical timeline provided in article with dated photos_
- [HIGH] The $6,499 MSRP is approximately $1,000 above the price of a current Stern Pro model game — _Explicit pricing statement in article dated February 2015_
- [HIGH] The game features illuminated mechanical score reels and retro-style bumper caps and flipper bats — _Official feature list in Stern announcement_
- [HIGH] Whizbang Pinball was founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman as a design studio — _Official company biography provided in announcement_

### Notable Quotes

> "I love the combination of designing a retro-style playfield powered by today's latest technology"
> — **Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball co-founder**, March 19, 2015 announcement
> _Designer's philosophy on blending classic and modern approaches_

> "Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ offers an entertaining classic pinball experience. We're excited to work with Whizbang Pinball to provide players and operators with a unique pinball game and a fun playing experience."
> — **Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball**, March 19, 2015 announcement
> _Official endorsement of the collaboration and product positioning_

> "This unique blend of classic and modern technologies creates a new breed of pinball machine that presents pinball as an art form while maintaining the reliability and serviceability of modern commercial pinball machines."
> — **Stern Pinball official announcement**, March 19, 2015
> _Key positioning statement on the game's market differentiation_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer and distributor of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons; largest pinball producer |
| Whizbang Pinball LLC | company | Design studio co-founded by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres; created the original game design |
| Dennis Nordman | person | Legendary pinball designer; co-founder of Whizbang Pinball; designer of original Whoa Nellie! playfield |
| Greg Freres | person | Co-founder of Whizbang Pinball; original artist and designer; created hand-drawn graphics |
| Gary Stern | person | Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball; authorized commercial manufacturing of Whoa Nellie! |
| Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons | game | Retro-modern pinball machine combining 1950s electromechanical design with modern electronics; $6,499 MSRP |
| Continental Cafe | game | Original vintage playfield upon which Whoa Nellie! is based |
| Roy Parker | person | Historical pinball artist whose style influenced Whoa Nellie! artwork design |
| George Molentin | person | Historical pinball artist whose style influenced Whoa Nellie! artwork design |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Retro-modern game design philosophy, Boutique pinball manufacturing collaboration
- **Secondary:** Pricing and positioning in market, Game art and aesthetic design, Electronics modernization of vintage designs

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.82) — Announcement is celebratory and positive throughout. No critical commentary present. Product positioned as innovative and desirable. Designer quotes express enthusiasm and vision.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** Whoa Nellie! represents a deliberate strategy to blend retro electromechanical design aesthetics with modern electronics, positioning pinball as an art form while maintaining commercial reliability (confidence: high) — Dennis Nordman quote and official positioning statement emphasizing 'classic and modern technologies' and 'pinball as an art form'
- **[market_signal]** Whoa Nellie! at $6,499 is priced approximately $1,000 premium to standard Stern Pro models, positioning it as a boutique premium product (confidence: high) — Explicit statement: 'pitching it around $1,000 above the price of a current Stern Pro model game'
- **[announcement]** Stern Pinball officially announces availability of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons collaboration with Whizbang Pinball LLC (confidence: high) — Formal announcement dated March 19, 2015 with official retail pricing and distribution details
- **[product_strategy]** Game includes supplemental powder-coated legs for transportation ease and optional fruit crate cabinet base, demonstrating attention to operational flexibility (confidence: high) — Product feature list includes 'supplemental set of powder-coated legs for ease of operation and transportation' and dual mounting options

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## Transcript

Date: 19th February 2015

Following their announcement in October last year that they would be manufacturing the Whizbang Pinball game, Stern Pinball today confirmed that Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons is now available for purchase.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons

The game is the creation of Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres who teamed up to bring modern technology and high quality printing techniques to an old-school electromechanical game design. It is based on the Continental Cafe playfield, but has a new electronics system to control the lamps and solenoids, drive the score reels, generate in-game sounds, and provide playfield lighting.

Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres with their game

The recommended retail price of the Stern-made Whoa Nellie! game is $6,499, pitching it around $1,000 above the price of a current Stern Pro model game and crushing any hopes it would be more affordable than a regular Stern game.

The game will be supplied with two mounting options - the fruit crate base seen here, and a set of four powder-coated pinball legs for a more traditional look.

Both young and old at the same time

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons was first unveiled as 'Project X' back in 2009 when it was still at the prototype stage. Dennis said he'd always been a fan of fruit crate label designs and Greg thought if they could combine that look with the Roy Parker/George Molentin style of pin-up artwork, they could produce something distinctive and attractive.

Dennis and Greg with their prototype game in 2009

The initial sketch of the backglass

Whizbang Pinball's backglass design

The Stern models has a number of differences, including a full-size coin door, the removal of the ball lift mechanism, the addition of backbox side art panels, the Stern logo on the backglass, and a change in the wording at the top left from "Packed & stacked by Whizbang Pinball Co., Chicago, Illinois" to "Packed & stacked somewhere near Chicago, Illinois.

The new backglass

The new game's playfield

(click to enlarge)

Whoa Nellie! on powder-coated metal legs

Here's how Stern announced the game's availability:

MELROSE PARK, Ill., March 19, 2015 - Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, and Whizbang Pinball LLC officially announced the availability of their Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ pinball machine.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ pinball takes players on a journey through the Mellon Family farm renowned for abundant produce.  Players score points on the farm operated by the lovely Melony Mellon and her twin sisters while avoiding the wrath of their over-protective shotgun-wielding father.  The colorful easy-to-learn game features a fun classically styled pinball playfield tuned for a balance of randomness and skilled shooting challenges.  The game rewards players of all skill levels.

"Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ offers an entertaining classic pinball experience," said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball.  "We're excited to work with Whizbang Pinball to provide players and operators with a unique pinball game and a fun playing experience."

"I love the combination of designing a retro-style playfield powered by today's latest technology," said Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball co-founder.

This unique blend of classic and modern technologies creates a new breed of pinball machine that presents pinball as an art form while maintaining the reliability and serviceability of modern commercial pinball machines.  The playfield, backglass, and cabinet art and styling, central to the game's unique visual quality, feature detailed original characters and fresh hand-drawn artwork that blend elements of mid-century pin-up art and classic pinball themes.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ offers many unique features including:

Original retro-style playfield designed by Dennis Nordman
Original retro-style hand-drawn graphics by Greg Freres featuring fresh fruit, a cool truck and the ever popular Mellon family
A unique, durable, weathered fruit crate cabinet design
A supplemental set of powder-coated legs for ease of operation and transportation
A standard coin-door for location play
Illuminated mechanical score reels
Retro-style bumper caps and flipper bats
Dual-action bullseye melon targets
A retro mechanical Knocker
Space for crushed beer cans to set the perfect playfield angle (players can choose their own brand or use Whoa Nellie! branded cans)

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP") for the United States: US$6,499

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ merchandise and accessories are now available through the Stern Shop: http://costore.com/sternpinball/welcome.asp and select authorized distributors and dealers around the world.

About Whizbang Pinball LLC

Founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball LLC is a design studio that presents boutique pinball as a new art form by integrating its extensive pinball industry experience with its artistic vision for a unique combination of art and technology.

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 Pinball's highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories.  Recent Stern Pinball titles include WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Ford Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, and Spiderman. 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.

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_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 827519ff-8e9c-4732-808a-145a1088a74e*