# Stern to Make Whoa Nellie!

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2014-10-16  
**Beat:** Pinball

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

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball announced a partnership with Whizbang Pinball to manufacture and distribute Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons, a hybrid electro-mechanical pinball game designed by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres. The game combines classic 1970s-style playfield design with modern technology (solid-state control, digital soundtrack, mechanical score reels) and retro pin-up and fruit crate label artwork. Production was scheduled for spring 2015 with distribution through Stern's network.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] First new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years — _Dennis Nordman quote in official press release, stated as defining feature of Whoa Nellie! design philosophy_
- [HIGH] Game production scheduled for spring 2015 — _Announced in official press release and repeated in distribution contact info_
- [HIGH] Whizbang Pinball founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman — _Stated in official company bio section_
- [HIGH] Game features real bells, mechanical score reels, solid state control system, and digital soundtrack — _Listed in official feature set and press release body_

### Notable Quotes

> "We wanted to create a game that everyone can enjoy, so we started with a more accessible layout from a classic era of pinball. This is the first new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years."
> — **Dennis Nordman, co-founder Whizbang Pinball**, N/A
> _Defines the core design philosophy and market positioning of Whoa Nellie! as a unique retro-hybrid category_

> "Stylistically, this is a mash-up of fruit crate labels, classic pinball and retro pin-up art."
> — **Greg Freres, co-founder Whizbang Pinball**, N/A
> _Articulates the distinctive visual/artistic direction of the game_

> "This game is an entertaining unique blend of vibrant art, classic pinball, and modern technology that's sure to stand out in any collection. If you want something different in your line-up, this is it!"
> — **Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO Stern Pinball**, N/A
> _Leadership endorsement positioning game as market differentiator_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons | game | Hybrid electro-mechanical pinball game designed by Nordman/Freres, manufactured by Stern, scheduled for spring 2015 release |
| Stern Pinball | company | World's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games; manufacturing partner for Whoa Nellie! |
| Whizbang Pinball LLC | company | Boutique pinball design studio founded 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman; design partner on Whoa Nellie! |
| Dennis Nordman | person | Famed pinball industry design veteran; co-founder of Whizbang Pinball; designer of Whoa Nellie! playfield |
| Greg Freres | person | Co-founder of Whizbang Pinball; artist/designer of Whoa Nellie! hand-drawn graphics |
| Gary Stern | person | Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball; endorsing Whoa Nellie! partnership |
| Continental Cafe | game | Classic pinball machine that Whoa Nellie! is based on |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Game announcement / new product launch, Manufacturer partnership and business deal, Retro/hybrid design philosophy (electro-mechanical + solid state)
- **Secondary:** Artistic/thematic design (pin-up, fruit crate labels, vintage aesthetics), Distribution and sales channels

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Announcement is celebratory and enthusiastic with strong leadership endorsement. Press release emphasizes innovation and differentiation. No negative criticism or concerns expressed.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Stern Pinball strategic partnership with boutique designer studio (Whizbang) indicating market shift toward collaborative/licensed design models for differentiated products (confidence: high) — Formal partnership announcement; game manufactured by Stern, distributed through Stern network, designed by independent Whizbang studio
- **[design_philosophy]** Intentional hybrid approach combining classic electro-mechanical aesthetics with modern solid-state control and digital elements; positioned as first new electro-mechanical style game in 35+ years (confidence: high) — Nordman quote: 'This is the first new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years' and detailed feature list highlighting blend of old/new technologies
- **[market_signal]** Game targeting broad audience accessibility ('accessible layout,' 'rewards players of all skill levels') rather than competitive depth focus (confidence: medium) — Nordman: 'We wanted to create a game that everyone can enjoy' and 'classically-styled playfield tuned for a balance of randomness and skilled shooting'
- **[announcement]** Official announcement of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons as a new Stern/Whizbang partnership product with spring 2015 production target (confidence: high) — Full press release with official statements from Dennis Nordman, Greg Freres, and Gary Stern
- **[product_strategy]** Whoa Nellie! explicitly positioned as unique market entry through retro aesthetic, mechanical features (real bells, score reels), and vintage pin-up/fruit crate art style (confidence: high) — Multiple quotes emphasizing 'unique blend,' 'stand out in any collection,' and detailed feature descriptions

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## Transcript

Date: 16th October, 2014

After lengthy negotiations, Stern Pinball today announced they have reached agreement with Whizbang Pinball to make the game Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons

Created by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres and based on the Continental Cafe machine, Whoa Nellie Big Juicy Melons game will be built in spring 2015 and sold by Stern's distribution network.

Here's Stern's press release:

Whoa Nellie! Stern and Whizbang Pinball Bring Melon Season

Early This Year!

World’s Leading Maker of Arcade-Quality Pinball Games Announces New Partnership to Bring Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons Pinball Machine to The Market

Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, announced today its new partnership with Whizbang Pinball LLC to build and distribute Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons pinball in the spring of 2015.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons pinball takes players on a journey through the Mellon Family farm renowned for abundant produce. Players shoot for and 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 that rewards players of all skill levels.

“We wanted to create a game that everyone can enjoy, so we started with a more accessible layout from a classic era of pinball,” said Dennis Nordman, co-founder of Whizbang Pinball and famed pinball industry design veteran. “This is the first new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years.”

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons pinball delivers the most tactile pinball experience since the advent of electronic pinball with real bells, mechanical score reels, a solid state control system, and a digital soundtrack. 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.

“Stylistically, this is a mash-up of fruit crate labels, classic pinball and retro pin-up art,” said Greg Freres, co-founder of Whizbang Pinball. “We’re very excited to be working with the professional team at Stern Pinball on this project.”

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsTM offers many unique features including:

Original throwback-style playfield designed by Dennis Nordman

Original hand-drawn graphics by Greg Freres featuring fresh fruit, a cool truck and the robust Mellon family

A unique, durable, weathered fruit crate cabinet design

Illuminated mechanical score reels

Retro-style bumper caps and flipper bats

Dual-action bullseye melon targets

Two old-time pinball bells and a real cow bell

The return of “The Knocker”

Crushed beer cans included for the perfect playfield angle

“This game is an entertaining unique blend of vibrant art, classic pinball, and modern technology that’s sure to stand out in any collection” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball. “If you want something different in your line-up, this is it!”

Pricing and Availability: Pricing will be announced later this year.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsTM pinball games will be produced by Stern Pinball in the spring of 2015. For more information and to reserve your game, please contact any authorized Stern distributor or dealer, or send an email to: info@sternpinball.com

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsTM merchandise and accessories will be available at the Stern Shop in the spring of 2015.

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’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern titles include The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern’s games. For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: f6274139-9659-48f0-846c-0fc78ffa9887*