# Stern Pinball's Foo Fighters v0.98 - The Final Battle **Source:** IE Pinball **Type:** video **Published:** 2023-10-18 **Duration:** 38m 50s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqIcJG8PA-c --- ## Analysis IE Pinball streams extensive gameplay of Stern's Foo Fighters pinball v0.98, showcasing wizard mode progression, multiball mechanics, and code features. The player demonstrates advanced strategies for mode stacking, Overlord shot mechanics, and the final wizard mode sequence with story-based phases. Discussion touches on game design elements like ball save mechanics, spinner lane drain patterns, and the recent code update quality. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Foo Fighters v0.98 includes a wizard mode with multiple phases and a story-based finale that resets the game to 2x scoring — _IE Pinball demonstrated the complete wizard mode sequence on stream, including the final multiball phase with colored arrow shot selection and game reset mechanic_ - [HIGH] The Overlord shot mechanic requires multiple hits to progress through levels and unlock subsequent multiballs — _IE Pinball repeatedly discusses and attempts Overlord shots throughout gameplay, mentioning 'six more,' 'five,' and emphasizing the high number of hits required_ - [MEDIUM] Spinner lane shots tend to dribble down the middle and cause drains frequently — _IE Pinball specifically states: 'I feel like so many of my drains come off of just shots that dribble up the spinner lane and come down the middle'_ - [MEDIUM] Recent code updates to Foo Fighters may have changed shot mechanics or mode behavior since previous playthroughs — _IE Pinball expresses uncertainty: 'I feel like this changed too since I last played this on stream. be imagining it.'_ - [HIGH] The game features target lane multipliers that stack (2x, 4x) for subsequent shots after hitting lit targets — _IE Pinball explains: 'The next shot you hit after you hit one of those it'll be 2x if you hit another one then you have 2x on that so you have 4x so that's your multipliers'_ ### Notable Quotes > "I can declare this game dead." > — **IE Pinball**, ~0:15 > _Opening commentary on gameplay frustration after early drains; sets tone for streaming session_ > "Your pathetic fan is no match for my mighty magnetic beam." > — **Foo Fighters game (voice callout)**, ~1:20 > _Game dialogue/theme reference; illustrates Foo Fighters thematic magnetic save mechanic_ > "I'm amazed I still have an extra ball lit sitting there that hasn't auto-collected yet." > — **IE Pinball**, ~15:00 > _Commentary on game's auto-collect ball save feature behavior_ > "So every time you... The next shot you hit after you hit one of those it'll be 2x if you hit another one then you have 2x on top of that so you have 4x so that's your multipliers but it's only for a single shot." > — **IE Pinball**, ~25:30 > _Explains target lane multiplier mechanics to audience; demonstrates game knowledge_ > "The Overlord's the big thing, because you just have to shoot it so many damn times." > — **IE Pinball**, ~18:00 > _Emphasizes Overlord shot as demanding challenge requiring persistence and multiple hits_ > "I really like that Jurassic and Godzilla end that way." > — **IE Pinball**, ~55:00 > _Positive commentary on Foo Fighters' wizard mode finale structure compared to other recent Stern titles_ > "I think it's 2x scoring. I think I read that. So let's go Start over with this bad joke" > — **IE Pinball**, ~53:00 > _References wizard mode game restart mechanic with 2x scoring multiplier_ > "Nice updates to the game. Absolutely nice updates." > — **IE Pinball**, ~54:00 > _Positive reception to v0.98 code updates; suggests improvements since previous version_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | IE Pinball | person | Content creator/streamer playing Foo Fighters, discusses game mechanics and provides strategic commentary throughout gameplay | | Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer of Foo Fighters pinball machine being streamed | | Foo Fighters | game | Stern Pinball machine themed around the Foo Fighters band; IE Pinball is playing v0.98 code update and demonstrating wizard mode | | Rush | game | Mentioned as new code release; IE Pinball expresses interest in pulling/streaming it next week | | Jurassic | game | Referenced as comparison point for wizard mode ending mechanic that IE Pinball appreciates | | Godzilla | game | Referenced as comparison for wizard mode ending mechanic similar to Foo Fighters | | Star Trek | game | Mentioned in context of Stern game updates or releases not included in recent code updates | | Sonic the Hedgehog | game | Referenced multiple times as a pinball machine; mentioned in context of 'Sonic the Hedgehog Radio' mode or feature in Foo Fighters | | Pinball Expo | event | Major pinball community event; IE Pinball mentions wishing they were attending and hopes viewers enjoy it | | Sam Circuit Finals | event | Competitive pinball tournament; IE Pinball recommends viewers watch on Sam's YouTube channel | ### Topics - **Primary:** Wizard mode design and mechanics, Multiball modes and jackpot systems, Code updates and quality, Playfield mechanics and ball routing, Shot selection strategy and mode stacking - **Secondary:** Ball save mechanics and drain patterns, Comparison to other recent Stern releases - **Mentioned:** Streaming schedule and community engagement ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.72) — IE Pinball expresses frustration with specific drain patterns and mechanical challenges but overall demonstrates engagement and enjoyment. Positive commentary on code updates, wizard mode design, and game structure. Closing remarks express exhaustion but satisfaction with the gameplay session. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** IE Pinball actively streams gameplay with audience interaction (mentions of subs, bits, guest chat participants); part of broader Stern community content ecosystem (confidence: high) — Multiple references to chat participation, closing remarks thanking subs and bits, announcements of tournament watching and streaming schedule - **[competitive_signal]** Foo Fighters wizard mode progression strategy involves Overlord shot sequencing and mode stacking complexity; high skill floor for completing final modes (confidence: high) — Extensive discussion of Overlord hit requirements, mode qualification sequences, and strategic shot selection throughout gameplay demonstration - **[design_philosophy]** Foo Fighters v0.98 wizard mode features story-based narrative phases with game reset mechanic and 2x scoring multiplier on replay (confidence: high) — IE Pinball describes and completes wizard mode finale with story progression, character dialogue, and game restart with 2x scoring - **[product_strategy]** Recent code updates to v0.98 appear to have modified game mechanics or behaviors; IE Pinball uncertain whether changes are real or misremembered (confidence: low) — IE Pinball: 'I feel like this changed too since I last played this on stream. be imagining it.' - **[product_concern]** Spinner lane ball routing issues causing frequent middle drains; IE Pinball identifies this as a problematic playfield geometry/design element (confidence: medium) — IE Pinball: 'I feel like so many of my drains come off of just shots that dribble up the spinner lane and come down the middle' and repeated references to spinner lane drains during gameplay --- ## Transcript Don't double drain here, no. No, no, no, no, no. Okay. Um. I can declare this game dead. Alright. Go again. I mean, this is an optimal spinner, so that helped right there. That extends the ball center a bit, doesn't it? Alright, same thing. New York. Hey, New Orleans. Who's at the stage in the forest full of boxing? There it is. Magnetic abduction beam, anyone? Darn magnet. Your pathetic fan is no match for my mighty magnetic beam. I need to prep my Sonic Raider targets. Let's go. Oh, that works. Let's go. Alright, got the add-a-ball. I'm going to hit my ramp there. Waste of a ball save. There we go. Alright, I do not want to start area 51 right now. Alright. That is done. oh and hit that shot that's right something spots uh i forgot that something spots a uh shot at times right yeah this is gonna be unable to hit uh take that upper loop if i want it Oh, that was luck there. I did not intend to save that ball. Okay. Yep, there's the accidental jackpot collect, like I said. It's actually nice to super jackpot this multiball. Oh, try that. I think that gives me a FUBU part, right? Yeah. Alright. No mysteries right now, are there? Alright. So I can build up my next mode. Waste another ball save. Damn it. I could be building up my next overdrive. Engine upgraded. Oh, there's that. I used to be your biggest fan bye something in the middle of the plate wow seems like it was it's everywhere around here or it was alright gotta prep my next multiball and die That's more like it Give it, yeah Ball save Alright, and there's this Oh nice, there's the mystery extra ball Okay, good And hopefully that auto-collects at some point So I don't actually have to try to shoot it Okay Oh, I don't want the Multimole yet. I want a Vanmode, then the Multimole. AIQ Premium, it's a fantastic game. Uh, let's do it right now. Yeah, I miss my Avengers. I really do. Mom's got time. We're good. Thank you. Hey, my base. What do I need, right orbit? Yeah, for radio. Dammit! Or am I out? I'm out of radio, what am I saying? Alright, mode is ready to collect. And done, okay. Rock and roll. Alright, let this go down. I do not want that. I don't want the multiball. I'm not in the mode. Ah. Los Angeles. Seattle. There's the auto-collect. And there's gonna be another one sitting there. There we go, got the target. Okay. Come on, give me the ball. I wanna go in there. Yes, that's what I wanted. Okay. We're gonna finish up Seattle here. Battle here. It's on no buttons. I haven't been hitting my bombs. All right. Super jackpot's lit. I want to get up there and get that. Come on. I want to bomb left. I want to get my super. Come on. I said super was lit, but it's not letting me... All right. That's fine. Where am I in Seattle? I'm done with Seattle because I didn't finish it. All right. Well, just three shots and we light it. Give me a ball. I'm here, I'm a friend to the sky, and the sun's upon the night. Hey, PopMolly, how are you doing? Welcome! Welcome. Alright, let's finish Seattle. I didn't notice how many shots I had left on it. There it is. That's it. Catch up. Oh, I got no warnings there. I gave it a pretty good nudge, too. Alright, I am once again ignoring the Overlord. Alright, I'm going to play DC first since I did the other one first last time. I haven't made it to the final mode yet. That's what I'm trying to do. Again, I... what? Last one, I only needed Sonic Radio. The Overlord's the big thing, because you just have to shoot it so many damn times. So we can play all three Overlord multiballs, you know. I'm amazed I still have an extra ball lit sitting there that hasn't auto-collected yet. What am I doing? I'm playing this like Austin. I need to shoot the drop target. Alright. I was totally playing... Thinking I was playing Austin. That was ridiculous. Cooper Jackpot! 1.1 Oh, never mind. That was an awful DC. Alright, I really have to hit those targets. I gotta light my next Overlord. Trying to hit them on the edges to hopefully not go down the middle. How many more? Two more. Did I survive? I survived. Okay. Does my overdrive post work? It works. Light was on. You know, if it... Maybe it was ball save? If I'm in... Thanks. If I'm in Ball Save, it's not going to activate. But yeah, it absolutely... There you go. There you go. It works. And I want to relight it. Which it did. Alright, back in Sonic Radio. I'm going to try and play this Overlord four more. God, so many hits. No. Ah. Alright. One extra down. Alright. Didn't validate. Woo! Alright. I got my bomb. I want the bombs. So I have less shots In the mud Come on Give me a ball I got one I should have been hitting the overlord What am I doing? The overlord is dangerous right now I don't need the Targets Alright Oh I didn't I didn't I thought about it I thought about Nudging it for a death save The automatic ones like that Are fantastic Alright New York New York I'm going to try and start the multiple ball before playing. One more. Okay, good. Perfect. Perfect. All right. Monkey wrench. That makes two multiple balls. Now I must recalibrate my magnet! You got the extra ball! And that's how you jackpot! How's that shark taste? Ha. Alright, maybe I can get a ball locked in the Overlord. Did I get my anaball already? I must have. Damn it. Alright, that's alright. I should for points in that anyways. Maybe that's safer. Turn this off the mode. I should be hitting overlord. What are we doing? I need a lot of hits to do it. I gotta shoot that spinner when it's lit, right? If I didn't have that many targets in. Ah, dammit. Alright, the targets are ready. That one's trouble. Yeah. Dammit. Alright. Targets are ready. That one's trouble. Yeah. I feel like so many of my drains come off of just shots that dribble up the spinner lane and come down the middle. What do the targets inlanes do? They multiply. So every time you... The next shot you hit after you hit one of those it'll be 2x if you hit another one then you have 2x on top of that so you have 4x so that's your multipliers but it's only for a single shot and it is time way to go what is that thing one more set of times what is that thing I have foobot I believe. That's gonna drain, that's alright. Take foobot. Again, I should do that during the animation. Fun animation. This ship is electric. Alright. So shoot a shot, delight it, then shoot the overlord, slash that shot. I think that's going to be it. Yeah. I may have an animal at the Sonic car. Yes. I feel like this changed too since I last played this on stream. be imagining it. Not the shot I was looking for. Sorry. Gonna get my flipper down in time This is one of the mini modes yeah Who bought Mulfi Alright. Capture ready. Good, good, good. No, it's not ready. I just have to shoot it in a month. Sorry. So many hits. Alright, now the locks. Good luck getting past the parking lot. Time to sing my song. I really like to get the overdrive lit right now, but... That skill set is probably the hardest of all of them. Oh? So if the targets are down, I can just wail on that and then... Oh, darn it. That's all it is, I'm sure. That was too many slings. Alright. Alright. So I need... Oh no, there's that dribble that's draining a lot. How many hits do I need on the Overlord for the next multiple? Not getting it. Alright. Let's see. Six more. Five. Okay. Thank you, Ball Save. I guess I can third mode here. I'll do L.A. because I feel okay on the ramps most of the time. Famous last words. Alright, I really want to use the ball save during this time. Hit the Overlord. I wonder if I wasted my bombs there. There's so many of them. All set to go on. Where'd they all come from? So many helmet heads. All right. And now, since I'm close to the... I'll do Chicago now. Now the Overlord. I mean, one more. Okay. All right. Away we go. Jackpot! Jackpot! Righteous! And we face the lightning that you keep on there all the way. All right, I really want to kind of focus in on finishing Chicago here. So, shoot the blue shots. I am out of ball stable rate. I didn't even pitch into that. Jeez. There will be an out of ball at Sonic Radio. There it is. Jackpot! Alright, that should be the... out of volume, son. That one should come back. They're gonna be easy here. Missing the ramp now, though. How much time do I have? I have no time. I have no buttons. Ah. Alright. I gotta play that mode again. There's... Shoot ball back into... We're gonna... Oh, I hadn't gotten that. Nice. Okay. Alright. I just want to make sure I don't double drain or triple drain. Wild airball. Wild airball. Okay. Alright. Gotta play my modes Not bad Alright, that'll light it Be a nice feed Okay Chicago and LA Doesn't really matter which one I gotta finish both of them Alright One more to go That was simply impressive. Then have to play Austin after it. Don't, don't, don't train me there. All right, finish the cock. Where are you going, Paul? I wish it... I wish it wouldn't drain that way. It's such a weird... Oh, come on. Don't mess it up here. All right. Alright. Three white arrows. Play Austin. Drain. Ball two. Okay. Cutting it close. I don't know if you have to qualify the final mode either or not. Because this is a freebie. Austin will be. So the key here is just don't, like I said in the last one, don't triple drain everything. I also don't want to nudge that much because I want to have dangerous for that final mode. Seems like a one way gate up at the top It's just the geometry up there It won't allow the ball to go through See this It's gotta go to the right here And then when you make that first loop, it'll opt in and it doesn't actually press it. It did that time. Pile Bounce should be lit right away at the... The Overlord well I know right now Left Ramp or Overlord I say what you are John All right. Cool. A team, man. Now I will have what is rightfully mine. I didn't know what the next shot would be. Just made an assumption there, thinking, oh, maybe it's the Overlord. Nope, again. Three of each. Oh, hurry ups. Okay. Alright, phase one, I assume. You would have bricked the drain. Dramatic escape. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Oh, come on. How do I look? No! No! Not my precious mind control machine! I do kind of wish I had a ball save on that left out lane. No! Or buttons would work on this. I'm going to shoot that, hopefully for a soft feed. I don't know how long this ball save is going to last for. Silly fools! Now I'll wear you like a cheap suit! Oh, come on! I've got a button, so I will actually shoot the right orbit if I can. Looks like I have enough of them. Okay, all right. Now I should use the button because I don't trust myself with that shot. No. No. Free the foos. The cannon buttons, yeah. This is a cool movie. Jack. Hello? Now I will have what is rightfully mine. I will never surrender, what if I say I'm not like you? What if I say I'm not just another one? I'll take all of the treasure, what if I say I will never surrender? Oh, he's still gone. Come on, give me a bomb. Alright. Now it's the multiball phase, I remember. Now I will have what is rightfully mine. It's my turn now. Blue arrow is the addable. All right. All right, mother truckers. Orange arrow. what's the orange I don't think I want to find I don't want to cradle enough to find out doing I hit it I hit it if I don't I don't motors also huge points overlords overlord overlord see if Lincoln red not gonna hit it though and hit everything but it purple something over there okay don't know what the purple is and green is gonna finish it off I assume no yes that's fun I like the story too you know the art is well done the power of friendship thank you guest star why are we rewinding oh it's gonna go back to the beginning of the game with the man huge score for that mode or just in general compared to everything else alright yeah so when I played the challenge mode it didn't rewind I don't think it just ended right it's cool So now what? Just play through the game again, right? Although I'm out of extra balls. I'm out of a lot of, you know. I'm at the end of my game. Let's be honest. This game is going to end in no time. Although the Overlord's on back to level one, huh? Okay. It's going to end right here. No, it's not. Yeah, you can earn everything. Yeah, it resets the game. I think it's 2x scoring. I think I read that. So let's go Start over with this bad joke Yeah That's more like it Cool You're a fan of games that end with a final Yeah yeah You know it depends on the game I really like that Jurassic and Godzilla end Time to see your name in lights. It fits. It fits. That was fun. It was a lot of fun. They didn't add St. Louis to the next round. Oh, cool. Yeah. Nice updates to the game. Absolutely nice updates. 179 for the button. When did I hit that? It must have been... Wow. That's a massive button press. alright I'm exhausted I'm going to call it quits there there's no stream tomorrow watch the Stern Pro Circuit Finals I believe they're on Stern's YouTube channel hope you enjoyed this thanks for tuning in thanks for the subs and the bits appreciate it as always so hopefully next week I'm back on my regular schedule of Wednesday nights around 6ish to 7ish I'll try and pull Rush in here since that's got new code and I really am ready to sell both of them even though they're both great games everything can't stay anyways have a good rest of your week if you're going to Expo, enjoy Expo I'm jealous, wish I was there otherwise take care, see you next time goodbye Thank you. _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 9d44f39d-82f5-4927-ba4f-9c772691bc05*