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Walking Dead Remaster

gameactive27 mentionsFirst seen May 23, 2025Last seen Mar 28, 2026

Profile

Walking Dead Remaster is a 2025 Stern Pinball remake of the original Walking Dead pinball machine, built on the SPIKE 3 platform and designed by John Borg. The remaster was announced around Pinball Expo 2025 and released in late 2025, featuring updated code, new artwork, and integrated Insider Connected technology. However, the release has been marked by significant technical issues (CPU board freezes), controversial design choices (green color palette, letterboxing on LCD screen, incomplete animations), and poor market reception with underperforming LE sales and limited distributor orders.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • manufacturesStern Pinball Inc.Stern Pinball manufactured and released the Walking Dead Remaster in 2025medium
  • designedJohn BorgJohn Borg designed the Walking Dead Remastermedium
  • appears_inSpike 3Walking Dead Remaster runs on SPIKE 3 platformmedium
  • affiliated_withInsider ConnectedWalking Dead Remaster includes Insider Connected integrationmedium

Facts

  • attributeFeatures controversial letterboxing on screen implementationhighfrom 2025
  • attributeStern Pinball remaster/remake of original Walking Deadhighfrom 2025
  • attributeUses SPIKE 3 platformhighfrom 2025
  • attributeReleased in Premium only varianthighfrom 2025
  • attributeFeatures crossbow and strong magnetshighfrom 2025
  • attributeIncludes Insider Connected integrationhighfrom 2025

Claims (3)

  • factualhigh

    Walking Dead Remaster has improved skill shot mechanics with better star rollover detection

    Source: Dennis and TonyEpisode 268 - 2026 Texas Pinball Festival Recap
  • factualhigh

    Michael Rooker and Danai Gurira provided voice work for Walking Dead Remaster

    Source: Dennis confirming cast member involvementEpisode 258 - The Walking Orange & Blue
  • predictionlow

    Walking Dead remaster with expanded television assets could be announced at Pinball Expo alongside Star Wars

    Source: Retro RalphEpisode 40: Star Wars Teaser Trailer Disappointment - It's my cousins fault!!

Recent Mentions (27)

  • Stern Pinball remastered title available for play at Texas Pinball Festival 2026

    Texas Pinball Festival 2026 RecapMar 26, 2026
  • Stern remaster of classic Walking Dead machine; improved skill shot mechanics and art, but minimal upgrade incentive for existing owners.

    Episode 268 - 2026 Texas Pinball Festival RecapMar 28, 2026
  • Upcoming Stern remaster of Walking Dead; potentially coming after Star Wars; host most intrigued by this release

    89: Star Wars, TWD-R, Spike the 3rdAug 18, 2025
  • Stern Pinball 2025; major flop; questioned animation choices and lack of new code; Metallica sold more units

    The Pinball Show Ep 187 BONUS: MORE 2025 Game Sales Data & Industry Pattern AnalysisJan 14, 2026
  • Upcoming Stern Pinball remaster of classic Walking Dead; generates more excitement from Jason than Star Wars due to known quality baseline

    90: How Big is It?Sep 3, 2025
  • Confirmed Stern release for remainder of current year; part of remaster/update strategy

    Good News and Bad News...

Contradictions

  • Existing: Expected October release (Episode 14)vsConflicting: Released in late 2025, confirmed by multiple November-December episodes and tournament play in November
    Unresolved
  • Existing: John Borg designed the remaster (Episode 2)vsConflicting: Ray Day expected on code development (Episode 14), unclear if this is designer or code programmer role
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Released Premium only variant (Episode 111)vsConflicting: Episode 10 mentions planned removal of crossbow feature from premium variant, implying premium was being produced
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Walking Dead Remaster released in Premium only (Mention 12)vs

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

role
Designed by John Borg
high
from 2025
  • statusPlagued by CPU board issues causing freezeshighfrom 2025
  • statusMixed to negative community receptionhighfrom 2025
  • statusUnderperforming in LE sales with low distributor demandhighfrom 2025
  • statusTournament-level popularity despite poor casual receptionmediumfrom 2025
  • statusReleased in 2025highfrom 2025
  • Aug 8, 2025
  • Stern remaster confirmed at Pinberg by multiple sources; next in Stern remaster pipeline after current title

    Episode 254 – Blizzard of SlamAug 10, 2025
  • 2024 Stern release; colorized DMD, two new voice actors, same playfield; perceived as rushed compared to Metallica

    Episode 90 – We See AllJan 5, 2026
  • Stern Pinball remake on Spike 3; LE 500 units at $12,999, Premium at $9,699; features orange/blue art, improved mechanics, cast voice work

    Episode 258 - The Walking Orange & BlueNov 9, 2025
  • Expected Stern release; Kaneda predicts it will not match Metallica Remaster cultural impact; may or may not launch full Spike 3

    Kaneda's Pinball Podcast SMS Oct 25Oct 26, 2025
  • 2025 Stern Spike 3 remake underperforming in LE sales; distributors not receiving units due to poor demand

    Pinball Roundtable Part - 11 with Retro Ralph and Cale Hernandez - Episode 77Nov 15, 2025
  • Stern Pinball machine released 2025; plagued by CPU board issues causing freezes; improved gameplay vs original; controversial screen implementation with letterboxing; animations appear incomplete; community criticism of art direction partially addressed in-person

    Announcing the Pinball Roundtable Awards - with Retro Ralph and Cale Hernandez - Episode 78Dec 7, 2025
  • Rumored Stern Spike 3 remaster; Ray Day expected on code; anticipated October release; original Walking Dead criticized for tight shot requirements and dated gameplay

    King Kong vs Jaws!May 23, 2025
  • Successfully revived underperforming original through tournament-level code updates by Lyman Sheets, cited as model for rescuing poorly-received titles

    Jaws 50th Pinball: Awesome Edition or Stupid Idea?Jul 3, 2025
  • Stern remaster released in Premium only; mixed community reception; Alan prefers original Pro version

    Episode 111 - The State of Modern OperatingFeb 9, 2026
  • 2025 remaster release; considered a potential blunder but dismissed as not a cornerstone release

    Episode 262 - Welcome to 2026!Jan 4, 2026
  • Upcoming game announced as releasing Tuesday; will include Insider Connected integration; planned to remove crossbow feature from premium variant

    Concord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 1/4 on The Walking Dead by Stern. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • Stern Pinball remaster expected to debut on factory tour at Expo; rumored ~90% likely

    Chicago Pinball Expo 2025 Preview & Pre-Con Hype: New Releases & Hot Rumors!Oct 12, 2025
  • Stern Pinball remaster; criticized for green color palette deviation; features crossbow and strong magnets

    TALKIN PINBALL BABY!!! 1/30/26....WHAT UPPPPPPPPPPPPJan 30, 2026
  • Spooky Pinball title in development; anticipated announcement before Halloween per multiple sources; generating significant FOMO/demand signals

    DPP #214 "Gimmie Ghostbusters!"Oct 26, 2025
  • Expected to be revealed at Pinball Expo alongside Star Wars; Ralph predicts limited production run (5-6 units) similar to X-Men Remaster last year

    Episode 41: Star Wars Pinball Delayed?! The Truth About Licensing & Expo Hype!Sep 7, 2025
  • Anticipated Stern release expected at Expo; potential new television/series assets on LCD; potential to partner with Star Wars announcement

    Episode 40: Star Wars Teaser Trailer Disappointment - It's my cousins fault!!Aug 28, 2025
  • Upcoming potential game where new cabinet or expression light features may debut; George Gomez wouldn't confirm release details

    Episode 42: Inside Stern’s New Star Wars Pinball + SPIKE 3 Secrets!Sep 14, 2025
  • Stern Pinball remake released with minimal community reception despite tournament popularity

    Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 85 - New Games and Books and Lumberjack Awesomeness!Nov 13, 2025
  • Expected Stern announcement around Expo; designed by John Borg; rumored via Corey Grimm; hosts prefer to Star Wars Fall of the Empire

    #015 - Our Top 5 Games for New PlayersSep 25, 2025
  • Stern project; launched before all licensed assets approved; insufficient asset transparency for customers; questioned strategic timing

    Episode 1163: "Is Scalping Ruining Pinball?"Nov 21, 2025
  • Stern rumored remaster; Kaneda skeptical it will deliver value at higher price point

    Episode 1147: "The Eve of Expo"Oct 13, 2025
  • Conflicting: Mention 10 states 'planned to remove crossbow feature from premium variant,' implying multiple variants exist
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Designed by John Borg (Mention 2)vsConflicting: Mention 14 mentions 'Ray Day expected on code' suggesting Ray Day as primary code developer, but no contradiction to Borg as designer
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Game released 2025 (Mentions 12, 16)vsConflicting: Mention 0 dated 2025-11-21 references it as ongoing 'Stern project' with approval issues, suggesting pre-release status at that date
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026