# BEATLES PINBALL - MORE DETAILS

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2018-11-07  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/11/07/beatles-pinball-2

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball has released detailed specifications and imagery for The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball, a Ka-Pow collaboration launching in three tiers (Gold/Platinum/Diamond) with distinct artwork packages and production limits. The game is based on the Seawitch playfield with custom modifications, features nine Beatles songs including a new addition of 'Taxman,' and will be distributed in fixed bundles of ten machines (7 Gold/2 Platinum/1 Diamond) at $70,000 per pack. First playable units debut at IAAPA Orlando.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Gold Edition is the lowest model with a maximum of 1,614 machines produced — _Direct specification from article detailing Gold model production cap_
- [HIGH] Playfields are identical across all three models (Gold/Platinum/Diamond), differentiated only by cosmetics, certificates, and real vs. printed backglass — _Explicit statement: 'Other than the cosmetic differences differentiating the three models, the certificates of collectability for the upper two and the real backglass on the Diamond, the playfields are understood to be identical on all three.'_
- [HIGH] Game is distributed to operators in fixed bundles of 10 units (7 Gold, 2 Platinum, 1 Diamond) for $70,000 total per pack, subject to negotiation — _Direct pricing and bundle structure disclosed in article_
- [HIGH] Playfield is based on the classic Seawitch design with custom additions (grab magnet, spinning magnet disc, new targets) — _Article states 'let's take a closer look at some of the new features added to the original Seawitch design' with detailed imagery_
- [HIGH] Game features nine Beatles songs total, including 'Taxman' as a general play track, with songs edited to match mode duration or loop cleanly — _Promotional flyer shows 'the addition of a ninth song – Taxman – which is used for general play when one of the other mode songs is not running'_
- [HIGH] The game defaults to free play mode but coin slots and coin mechs can be optionally specified — _Article addresses misconception: 'the software is set to free play by default' but 'Coin slots and coin mechs can be specified on any of the games in order to operate them'_
- [HIGH] Mike Kubin, the original Seawitch designer, is credited on the record player element — _Image caption: 'The flipper area showing Seawitch designer, Mike Kubin's name on the record player'_

### Notable Quotes

> "Other than the cosmetic differences differentiating the three models, the certificates of collectability for the upper two and the real backglass on the Diamond, the playfields are understood to be identical on all three."
> — **Pinball News**
> _Clarifies that gameplay experience is identical across tiers; differentiation is purely cosmetic/collectibility, which impacts perceived value proposition_

> "the software is set to free play by default"
> — **Pinball News**
> _Addresses apparent confusion from marketing images showing covered coin doors; clarifies operator flexibility_

> "Distributors are then free to set their own retail prices."
> — **Pinball News**
> _Indicates lack of fixed MSRP at retail level; creates variable pricing landscape for end customers_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball | game | Licensed Beatles-themed pinball machine by Stern Pinball in collaboration with Ka-Pow, released in three production tiers (Gold/Platinum/Diamond), based on Seawitch playfield with custom modifications |
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer of The Beatles pinball machine; headquartered in Chicago with factory production underway |
| Ka-Pow Pinball | company | Collaboration partner with Stern on The Beatles pinball license |
| Seawitch | game | Classic pinball game whose playfield design forms the mechanical foundation for The Beatles pinball; designed by Mike Kubin |
| Mike Kubin | person | Original Seawitch designer; credited on The Beatles pinball record player element |
| IAAPA Trade Show Orlando | event | Trade show where The Beatles pinball will make its first public playable debut with Stern Pinball booth |
| The Beatles | organization | Musical group whose IP is licensed for the pinball machine; production limited to 1,964 units as requested by The Beatles |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Product tiering and differentiation strategy, Licensing and IP collaboration (Stern/Ka-Pow/Beatles), Playfield design and mechanical modifications, Distribution model and pricing structure
- **Secondary:** Production specifications and capacity, Collectibility and certification

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — Article is factual and technical in tone, presenting detailed specifications without editorial commentary or enthusiasm/criticism. Tone is informational and clarifying (correcting misconceptions about coin operation, explaining pricing bundling).

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** Strategic use of classic Seawitch playfield as foundation with custom additions (magnets, new targets, song integration) while crediting original designer (confidence: high) — Multiple images showing new mechanical features; Mike Kubin's name featured on record player element as original Seawitch designer
- **[licensing_signal]** Beatles IP licensing allows up to 1,964 total unit production across all tiers (as requested by The Beatles estate), indicating significant IP control and negotiated production limits (confidence: high) — Gold Edition limited to 1,614 machines; article references request from The Beatles for 1,964 unit total
- **[market_signal]** Bundled distribution at $70,000 per 10-unit pack (7 Gold/2 Platinum/1 Diamond) with distributor discretion on retail pricing; no fixed MSRP disclosed (confidence: high) — Article states 'the game is being offered to distributors as a pack of ten machines... for a total price of $70,000 (subject to negotiation). Distributors are then free to set their own retail prices.'
- **[announcement]** Stern Pinball officially releases detailed specifications, imagery, and distribution details for The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball including tier structure, production numbers, and pricing (confidence: high) — Multiple product images, official specifications, and promotional flyer; game now in production at Stern factory; public debut at IAAPA Orlando
- **[product_strategy]** Three-tier model (Gold/Platinum/Diamond) differentiated by artwork design, backglass type (printed vs. real), numbering/certificates, but identical underlying playfield and gameplay (confidence: high) — Detailed comparison of cabinet artwork, lock bar finishes, plaques across models; explicit statement that playfields are identical
- **[technology_signal]** Nine Beatles songs integrated into gameplay with custom audio editing to match mode duration and loop timing; Taxman added as generic play track (confidence: high) — Promotional flyer mentions 'the addition of a ninth song – Taxman' and notes 'The songs used have been edited to match the duration of the modes or so that they loop cleanly'

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## Transcript

More pictures of the Stern Pinball/Ka-Pow Pinball collaboration, The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball, have been released showing the different cabinet and backbox artwork and trim styles across the three models. There have been some changes since the initial unveiling. The Gold is the lowest model, having a maximum of 1,614 machines made. It features gold-effect metalwork and the cabinet artwork package originally shown on the Diamond edition. The Diamond now has an all-new set of artwork as you will see shortly. ![The left side of the Gold model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/025-beatles.jpg) The left side of the Gold model ![The right side of the Gold model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/041-beatles.jpg) The right side of the Gold model ![The lock bar finish and unnumbered bottom arch plaque on the Gold model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/031-beatles.jpg) The model The middle model is the Platinum Edition and it is here that we see the first of the new cabinet art designs. In this instance it is a variant of the layout used for the translite in the Gold Edition, while the translite gets its inspiration from the Gold’s cabinet design. ![The left side of the Platinum model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/027-beatles.jpg) The left side of the Platinum model ![The right side of the Platinum model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/026-beatles.jpg) The right side of the Platinum model ![The Platinum lock bar and numbered plaque](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/038-beatles.jpg) The Platinum lock bar and numbered plaque While the Platinum Edition’s cabinet artwork takes the block font from the Gold Edition for the band’s name and pushes it more into the background, showing the more traditional logotype on the drum kit, the Diamond Edition reverts entirely to the more established The Beatles typeface. ![The left side of the Diamond Edition model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/023-beatles.jpg) The left side of the Diamond Edition model ![The right side of the Diamond Edition model](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/043-beatles.jpg) The right side of the Diamond Edition model ![The lock bar and plaque on the Diamond Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/024-beatles.jpg) The lock bar and plaque on the Diamond Edition All cabinet photographs show a large decal covering the coin door, leading to the suggestion the game would not come with coin slots and couldn’t be operated. This is not the case. Coin slots and coin mechs can be specified on any of the games in order to operate them, but the software is set to free play by default. Other than the cosmetic differences differentiating the three models, the certificates of collectability for the upper two and the real backglass on the Diamond, the playfields are understood to be identical on all three. ![The Gold Edition playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/042-beatles.jpg) The Gold Edition playfield ![The Platinum Edition playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/040-beatles.jpg) The Platinum Edition playfield ![The Diamond Edition playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/028-beatles.jpg) The Diamond Edition playfield Talking of the playfield, let’s take a closer look at some of the new features added to the original Seawitch design. ![The grab magnet at the top of the orbit shot](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/037-beatles.jpg) The shot ![The pop bumpers area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/033-beatles.jpg) The pop bumpers area ![The spinning magnet disc](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/036-beatles.jpg) The spinning magnet disc ![The skill shot from the shooter lane](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/035-beatles.jpg) The skill shot from the shooter lane ![The mystery award standup target and the super jackpot target behind the drops](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/032-beatles.jpg) The drops ![The lower part of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/030-beatles.jpg) The lower part of the playfield ![The flipper area showing Seawitch designer, Mike Kubin's name on the record player](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/034-beatles.jpg) The flipper area showing Seawitch designer, Mike Kubin’s name on the record player We noted how, in the initial announcement, there was no pricing information for potential customers looking to buy the game. We understand the game is being offered to distributors as a pack of ten machines – 7 x Gold, 2 x Platinum + 1 x Diamond – for a total price of $70,000 (subject to negotiation). Distributors are then free to set their own retail prices. Details of what’s in the game are shown in a generic promotional flyer which is common to all three models. It also shows the addition of a ninth song – Taxman – which is used for general play when one of the other mode songs is not running. The songs used have been edited to match the duration of the modes or so that they loop cleanly. ![The flyer for The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/beatles/029-beatles.jpg) The flyer for The Beatles: Beatlemania Pinball The game is now in production at the Stern Pinball factory in Chicago. The first chance to play the game will be this coming weekend at the IAAPA trade show in Orlando, Florida, where Stern Pinball will have a stand featuring several The Beatles games alongside some of their other recent titles.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 9bf7cd81-243f-4d81-9125-68d90b7d4500*