Godzilla is a Stern Pinball game released in September 2021, designed by Keith Elwin with artwork by Zombie Yeti and Jeremy Packer. Based on the Toho Godzilla franchise IP, it features a motorized collapsing building mechanic, magnetic Newton ball technology, and multiple gameplay modes including Kaiju Battle and Monster Zero. The game has become Stern's best-selling title ever with 27,000+ units sold and maintains the #1 ranking on Pinside Top 100, establishing itself as a modern classic that redefined industry launch momentum and secondary market value retention.
Godzilla's final wizard mode ends the game immediately upon completion
Godzilla is Stern's best-selling title with 27,000+ units sold and maintains #1 Pinside Top 100 ranking
Godzilla code was updated to allow changing multiball song with action button
Godzilla is one of the best-selling games in the last 40 years and is on track to beat The The Addams Family
Referenced as design inspiration for Bon Jovi's mechanical features; Stern's best-selling game
Pinball machine variant with color DMD; seen at Galloping Ghost Pinball
Stern Pinball best-selling title; Premium versions being re-manufactured; scheduled for October production alongside other titles
Stern Pinball landmark title; Kaneda cites as benchmark Stern has failed to match for four years
Stern Pinball game in The Armory's opening weekend pinball lineup
Stern Pinball machine; sold 15,000+ units; benchmark for commercial success
No linked glossary terms
Godzilla is Stern's best-selling game of all time but the artwork doesn't match classic Godzilla movie poster aesthetics
Godzilla represents a 'high watermark' of recent pinball design that subsequent games struggle to match
Wild Dog Arcade prefers Godzilla Pro version flow over Premium/LE due to lack of bridge mechanic
Godzilla is currently ranked #1 game of all time on IPDB
Godzilla will be remembered as a classic in 10 years
Godzilla initially faced confusion and skepticism about its color palette when revealed
Godzilla machines at both Scrapple Land and Barcade Fidei are experiencing tilting issues
The specific Godzilla machine at Eureka Heights plays significantly harder than other copies with bouncy flippers
Godzilla is the best-selling LCD Stern game of all time
Godzilla Premium at Pinball Republic has sustained 12,000 plays with only spinner and bumper pad issues
Tournament players prefer the middle Tier 2 battle option because it is safe despite lower points than riskier variants
The left ramp shot on Godzilla was not originally designed as a playable shot but became one when the magnetic core was modified at the last second
Godzilla is basically number one or number two on Pinside at all times
Oxygen Destroyer out lane ball save is earned as an ally that activates on ball three
Completing two kaiju battles automatically grants an extra ball
Godzilla is ranked #1 on Pinside
Godzilla is ranked number one on Pinside
Godzilla is currently the #1 ranked game on Pinside
Godzilla surprised the community as a strong game despite low initial expectations for the theme
Godzilla is considered by some to be the best pinball machine of all time
Godzilla came out unexpectedly and changed people's perception of the theme through excellent game design
Godzilla pinball machine is currently ranked #1 game of all time by modern pinball enthusiasts
One billion points on Godzilla is recognized within the community as an elite achievement level
Godzilla is widely available at arcades and location-based venues, but this abundance paradoxically reduces home player interest in demoing it
Godzilla is the number one ranked game on Pinside and has maintained that position since release
Godzilla is Isaiah's favorite pinball game played so far
Godzilla Premium Edition is one of the greatest games in the world
Godzilla 70th anniversary edition is planned (previously reported by Jason Knapp)
Godzilla has been ranked #1 on Pinside for three years running and maintains that position with 1,672 ratings
Godzilla has been the #1 ranked game on Pinside for over 3 years continuously since its 2021 release, based on 1,672 user ratings
Godzilla is currently ranked #1 on Pinside ratings, surpassing Medieval Madness
Godzilla has been the #1 earner at Electric Bat 'for almost every month ever since it came out'
Godzilla has been the top earner at Electric Bat Arcade since its release
Godzilla was released in 2021 by Stern Pinball and designed by Keith Elwin
Godzilla is a flow machine where if you don't establish early momentum the game ends quickly
Godzilla pinball was released in 2021 by Stern Pinball and designed by Keith Elwin
The slingshot on this Godzilla layout is positioned farther back than some other layouts, making post-passes extremely difficult
Godzilla pinball released in 2021 by Stern Pinball designed by Keith Elwin
Godzilla was designed by Keith Elwin
Godzilla was released in 2021 by Stern Pinball
MagnaGrab on Godzilla is a genuinely innovative mechanical feature that changes gameplay and mode strategy
Godzilla won Most Innovative Pinball Machine the previous year at the Pinball Awards
Godzilla was the Twippies Award winner for Game of the Year
Godzilla is a masterclass in player feedback with constant reward systems
Rick Nagel coded Godzilla and Keith Forman designed the rules
Marty played one game of Godzilla that lasted over an hour with a 3.3 billion score
Godzilla is superior to both Elvira's House of Horrors and Deadpool as a pinball game
Godzilla pinball maintains best-in-collection status with no foreseeable replacement
Godzilla will experience renewed sales interest if general pinball market begins declining around 2029
Godzilla Premium Edition is no longer running production this year
Godzilla recently received a code update that adds an Oxygen Destroyer ball save mechanic available on the third ball only
Godzilla (Elwin machine) gameplay emphasizes risk/reward strategy with mode stacking and multiball combinations
Godzilla premium production is ramping up after Rush production
Godzilla demonstrates superior 'magic under the glass' playfield design compared to Rush, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N' Roses
Godzilla is 'The King of all Pins' based on current market performance
Godzilla premium is the #1 earning pinball machine at Rock Fantasy arcade in March 2022
Godzilla won 68% in Best Toys and Gimmicks category, a dominant margin
Godzilla won 11 Twippy Awards at Texas Pinball Festival
Godzilla still has approximately six months of rule set work remaining post-release
The Godzilla design cycle required 6-7 months before programmer Rick joined the project
Godzilla was a strong Game of the Year contender and won multiple PIA crystals
The left ramp shot on Godzilla's building was not intended as a playable shot until a magnet cylinder sourcing change weeks before production accidentally made it possible
Godzilla is currently the #1 ranked game on Pinside's Top 100 list
Godzilla Premium Edition has 9-10 month delivery wait times.
Godzilla won 13+ major award categories at the 2024 Pinball Industry Awards
Godzilla won the Best Game award with 98.08% of votes, with Zeppelin receiving 1.92%
Godzilla won best game with 98.08% of votes at the Pinball Industry Awards, with Zeppelin receiving 1.92%
Godzilla won all but two PIA categories at the 2022 awards ceremony
The Playfield Layout category had a 92% vote margin for Godzilla
Godzilla dominated the game awards
Godzilla game dominated the 2021 awards with wins in multiple categories
New code features include a 'carnage bonus' with times-two multiplier
Planet X is the wizard mode in Godzilla
Completing city objectives awards bonuses that scale based on performance
Godzilla is the clear Game of the Year for 2021 and will win most major awards
Godzilla is the best game released in 2021 and will win Game of the Year across major awards
Godzilla's thematic execution doesn't fully engage the player despite excellent mechanical execution
Godzilla's scoop is tougher to hit than Metallica's and Guardians of the Galaxy's scoops
Godzilla's code at v0.8 is better than most finished games
Godzilla's left ramp crossover path is unique and smooth compared to typical ramp design
Godzilla pinball has received strong positive community reception
Super Drain mode is exclusive to Premium Edition and Limited Edition hardware versions
Hulk Rampage mode value was increased from 1.0 to 1.25 million per shot in recent code iteration
Tier 2 (versus) Kaiju battles cannot be stacked with Tank Attack mode, unlike tier 1 battles
Godzilla is a fantastic game that shoots great with strong code foundation for future improvements
Godzilla gets more plays than Alien at Free Gold Watch arcade
Godzilla Pro is the most new machines you will find in any London location
Godzilla's lighting effects enhance the visual presentation during multiball modes
Destruction jackpot on Godzilla is worth 13 million points
Godzilla has 39 achievements available in the Insider Connected system
Godzilla pinball machine features 39 total achievements with XP progression system capped at 900 XP
Godzilla Pro version contains 39 achievements and 900 XP total to earn
Cities feature in Godzilla has end-of-ball bonuses associated with each city choice
Code updates are ongoing and the game is 'not even completely done yet'
Pro model lacks collapsing building mechanic, collapsing bridge, and Mecha Godzilla sculpt/magnet/spinner compared to Premium/LE
Heat Ray feature when activated hits every lit shot on the playfield automatically
The game uses actual Toho film scenes for monster encounters rather than custom animations
Bright art aesthetic was chosen to perform better in arcade operator environments
Godzilla's magnetic building mechanic has been overheating on location machines due to heavy use
Godzilla's premium and LE versions have a collapsing building feature with a magnet that grabs the ball for upper flipper shots
Godzilla's collapsing building mechanic and Mechagodzilla rotating ramp with magnetic capture represent innovations not previously seen in pinball
Godzilla Limited Edition sold out almost immediately upon announcement
Godzilla Premium's Mechagodzilla turntable and moving structure may change ball flow behavior compared to the Pro model
Godzilla Premium has a gap of approximately four inches between the ball guide and upper left flipper
Godzilla entered Tokyo Bay in game narrative progression
Stern Pinball game referenced as example of code and atmosphere 'pulling you in'
Keith Elwin-designed Stern game; final wizard mode ends the game; hosts and guests don't love the game despite recognizing quality
Stern pinball machine referenced as high-level competitive game; discussed as skill test in tournament formats
Referenced as an example of a modern game that could benefit from System 3 flippers due to difficulty.
Stern pinball game that Amy acquired as her second machine, three months after purchasing Addams Family. Reflects her early collector trajectory.
Recent Stern success; described as having earned 'street cred' that could boost Jaws sales and overall hobby momentum
Premium version scheduled for August 2025 production; referenced as prior anniversary game for comparison to Jaws 50th strategy
Stern Pinball, cited as gold standard for balancing casual and expert play, achieves approachability while supporting competitive depth
Referenced as comparison point for scoring-driven gameplay (vs. D&D's objective-driven system)
Referenced as Stern best-seller and modern classic; mentioned in comparison context about game popularity and design success
Modern Stern pinball game used as primary example for multiball strategy, featuring Mechagodzilla spinner add-a-ball and Anguirus power-up
Stern Pinball game; Don cites as game he played 1,700 times at home but eventually played less frequently
Stern pinball game; Connor compares it to Black Knight Sword of Rage; describes it as fantastic but less replayable
Stern Pinball game referenced for long multiball startup animation (20 seconds) that becomes tedious during extended tournament play
Stern machine from which the Jurassic Park Premium playfield bonus originated
Pinball machine in hosts' collection, preferred choice of visitor Chris despite multiple available options
Keith Elwin's Stern game cited as example of designer excellence in shot design and mode integration.
Stern's best-selling title (27,000+ units); maintains #1 Pinside Top 100 ranking; benchmark for universal appeal and complete game experience
Stern Pinball machine by Keith Elwin; benchmark for revolutionary mechanical design (collapsing building); 70th Anniversary B&W version rumored upcoming.
Stern Pinball title cited as example of a game that 'pulls you in' with storyline and moments; mentioned as fundamentally different from Sonic's approach
Mentioned in chat context; referenced as a comparable modern Stern title with difficulty settings
Pinball machine referenced multiple times in stream introduction; part of recent Stern releases
Popular modern pinball machine; referenced as canonical must-own title in collector communities
Subject of one of Bruce Sheldon's Pinball Frenzine issues
Stern game designed by Keith Elwin; code updated to allow players to change multiball song via action button
Stern game; still in active production; mentioned as ongoing title alongside Jaws maintaining Stern's rotating product line
Stern machine from first post-COVID Expo. Marks Ralph's entry point to hobby. Mechanically heavy (Mechagodzilla with magnet/chest ball hold, bridge, building). Deep code. Bridges old/new era expectations.
Stern pinball game used as comparison for universal community love; Sonic positioned to match or exceed this status
Game; tournament modifications include removing rubbers on outlanes to reduce play time
Stern game used as benchmark for quality and design; Kaneda suggests King Kong tried to be 'the next Godzilla' but failed aesthetically
Stern Pinball title; mentioned in discussion of Keith Elwin's design and difficulty 'Cull' setting
Modern Stern game by Keith Elwin; cited as example of fairly-designed longer-playing game.
Stern Pinball game receiving minor update for Expression Lighting Topper support
Sega pinball game; example of classic licensed IP being remade for modern machines
Stern Pinball machine; mentioned as example of downloadable content model ($500 topper + $500 code)
Stern game; referenced as benchmark for code quality and thematic integration; currently ranked #1-2 on Pinside top 100
Stern Pinball release; praised for theme integration, shot design, and value retention; LE models still holding strong in secondary market
Stern Pinball; Ron's obsession with acquiring; best-selling pinball ever per KB context
Stern Pinball title; praised for superior 'magic under the glass' playfield design
L1 release; mentioned as example of immersive/moment-driven experience versus gameplay-focused design.
Referenced as example of theme not being primary driver of success; shows Keith Elwin design excellence transcends theme desirability
Stern Pinball game; referenced by Dennis as recent game he played at home with 'gentle touch' nudging
Stern Pinball; shipping premiums November-December 2023; second Godzilla topper run Q1 2024
Stern Pinball 2021 release, cited by Zach as best-selling Stern title ever, counterexample to American Pinball's lost-license strategy
Stern Pinball Pro receiving March 2024 run; no additional 2024 production planned; previously supply-constrained for dealers
Stern title; accessories (toppers) in uncertain production status; dealer has no information on next run
Stern Spike 2 game; #1 on Pinside Top 100; 27,000+ units sold; Black and White 70th Anniversary variant debuted at Southern Fright Gaming Expo
Previous Stern game by Keith Elwin; set high expectations for Jaws as spiritual successor
Stern Pinball game referenced as example of complex, deep gameplay (Pro version)
Stern premium pinball game; Kevin Manning purchasing; exhibited at Pin Brew Fest
Joel's machine; used as example for aftermarket lighting installations
Stern game; Keith Elwin design; played at Expo; confirmed as existing title in Joel's collection
Referenced pinball game; comparison point for pop bumper placement and playfield design elements
Recent Stern Pinball success; anniversary year raises possibility of special edition remake but hosts skeptical due to colorful aesthetic
Stern machine that host previously owned and sold; highly acclaimed modern classic, #1 on Pinside Top 100
Stern Pinball designed by Keith Elwin; rumored for fall release before Rush title
Pinball machine discussed as being available in arcades; Premium version mentioned
Stern pinball machine; host mentions returning to it during Venom stream
Spooky Pinball release also featuring Blue Oyster Cult song
Stern pinball by Keith Elwin; #1 on Pinside Top 100; LE $13k price; discussed as value comparison to newer releases
2024 70th anniversary black and white version released; discussed as best game technically but not counted as '2024 release' due to being variant
Stern Pinball title; featured on Pinball Universe stand with Insider Connected leaderboard at 2023 DPO Expo
Modern pinball machine; used as example for setting competitive strategy objectives like starting Titanosaurus multiball
Stern title; Don first played at TPF; referenced as exemplary show experience
Referenced as top-ranked title; not directly discussed but context implies established comparison benchmark for modern game quality
Modern Stern Pinball machine used as cost reference point ($7,000-8,000+ price range); approximately six Godzillas equal the $58k basement quote
Stern pinball machine, potential cross-promotion with Kong pending licensing approval from Toho
Elwyn title; host questions its suitability as beginner game compared to Pokémon
Stern game; mechanical feature (Godzilla figurine) does nothing; mentioned as example of Stern underperforming on signature mechanics
Complex modern Stern game; Jason doesn't own/play but acknowledges others love it
Mentioned as a potential candidate for future Spike 3 upgrade if demand warrants rebuilding code
Stern Pinball game by Keith Elwin cited by Kaneda as example of past 'wow' moment in industry
Stern machine experiencing coil stop failures after 50 games; best-selling title ever for Stern
Modern machine referenced in basement collection discussion among superhero and character-themed games
Stern pinball machine (Pro tier) that is the primary subject of extensive modifications including bumpers, tubing, LED lighting, and custom figures
Stern Pinball game; one of Ko's bolted-down machines at Quarter Drop; Ko recently broke 2 billion points on it
Best-selling pinball machine; rumored Spike 3 edition coming; hosts express concern about oversaturation of same game variants
Stern game by Keith Elwin; cited as example of successful game that increased IP popularity; best-selling Stern title
Stern game; Don owns all three Lior toppers created for it; used as reference for Lior's craftsmanship quality
Stern game used for Pin Clash 2025 tournament; Escher noted as dominant player on this title
Referenced in licensing history discussion; rumor that Stern took Godzilla from Spooky (specifics unknown to hosts)
Stern game, elite player Zach McCarthy had 1+ hour match during Silver Ball tournament
Stern game with extensive mechs (skyscraper, Mechagodzilla turntable, breaking bridge), major commercial success
Recent Stern title with extensive mechs (moving skyscraper tower, Mechagodzilla turntable, magnet); possibly over budget; best or near-best-selling game in 40 years; benchmark for mechanical design expectations
Pinball machine at streamer's venue; performs better on location than King Kong despite arguably inferior playfield layout; theme resonates better with location players
Modern Stern Pinball machine; discussed during opening tangent about whether Godzilla's color in the machine matches the films (Showa era, where it should not be green, versus Millennium era, where it canonically is green)
Stern Pinball game title mentioned in promotional listing
Previously streamed (2 weeks before this episode); being removed from streaming rotation
Referenced as design comparison for biome-objective progression structure
Recent Stern release; referenced for mechanical toy complexity comparison (collapsing building, Mechagodzilla, spinner); more elaborate toy design than Transformers
Stern Pinball game; building collapse mech referenced as example of interactive, thematic mechanic that changes gameplay flow; used as comparison point for design excellence.
Recent Stern pinball machine; King Kong Pro compared to Godzilla in gameplay mechanics and commercial viability
Modern Stern Pinball game used in tournament; described as 'a great game' but plays 'really hard' and 'bouncy' on this particular machine.
Keith Elwin design; Kale's third-favorite Elwin game; highest-ranked on secondary market
Pinball machine used in tournament qualifying rounds, described by Jamie as difficult and frustrating
Stern Pinball machine, mentioned in content listing
Referenced Pro vs. Premium tier example; Pro version lacks ramp switches and rotation changes
Recent Stern Pinball release with static building; comparison point for playfield mechanics and upper flipper usage
Reference game used to compare mechanical complexity with Transformers; has a building mechanism
Stern game with lock shot; referenced as comparison for ease of lock shot mechanics on Transformers
Stern title mentioned as 'hanging around forever' in production strategy alongside Pokemon; potential permanent production line entry
Stern game referenced as best-selling title; noted as not featuring Godzilla doing mechanical action but still successful; ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100
Stern title mentioned as design reference for One Shall Fall's 'two fighters' mechanic similarity
Stern pinball game; example of evergreen catalog title with sustained secondary market demand
Elwin Games machine; heavily modded by Joel; being relocated to parents' house; gameplay focus of stream.
Referenced as example of successful Stern game where main mech (Godzilla) has minimal/no interaction with ball
Stern pinball machine; ranked among best layouts of all time by Orbeez; design by Keith Elwin.
Recent Stern Pinball success; Kaneda uses as comparison point—best-selling Stern game ever, maintains strong secondary market value. Contrasts with Transformers/Pokémon performance concerns.
Stern pinball game designed by Keith Elwin; subject of Spooky's public complaint about licensing; became critically acclaimed and ended controversy
Modern Stern Pinball title cited as example of superior new game design vs. remakes
Pinball machine Joel mentions needing a mod for, plans to transport to parents' house to make room for incoming Dune
Stern pinball game; approaching all-time sales record, possibly surpassing Addams Family's ~20,000 units; selling out regularly; strong distributor demand
Pinball game referenced as comparison for ball save mechanics; influences design philosophy
Mentioned as a pinball game title in fragment
Pinball machine owned by Joel; described as easier than Pokémon; popular at family arcades; has been in circulation long enough for established meta
Pinball machine picked up by Corey Cook and delivered to Chris Bowden; required leg shortening from 28.5 inches to 27 inches for basement stairs clearance
Stern pinball game; ranked #3 best of all time; currently most common game on location in 2026; on track to pass Addams Family in sales; features extensive ruleset and ball saves
Stern pinball machine; features magnetic Newton ball mechanic; patent filed by Keith Elwin's team April 21, 2026
Stern Pinball machine; referenced as benchmark for loaded content and enduring quality despite fading hype
Stern machine with collapsing building mechanic; mentioned as home machine
Stern's best-selling title ever with 27,000+ units sold; still in production (Pro/Premium runs in Q3-Q4 2025)
Stern Pinball release; massive commercial success; may be approaching Addams Family all-time sales; mentioned as comparison point for potential Pokémon success trajectory
Stern game featuring building collapse mechanic; previously owned by Don; speculation on golden limited edition variant
Game cited for excellent callouts that engage player immediately from start button
Currently ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100; Stephanie ranked it #4, tournament-sensitive game that many players excel at
Stern Pinball title referenced in gameplay difficulty comparisons; noted as not 'way too easy'
Stern release; exemplar of successful balance between mechanical depth and excellent shot mechanics; represents design standard Kaneda advocates for
Keith Elwin design for Stern; Tony lists as one of his preferred Elwin games along with Jaws and Iron Maiden
Stern pinball machine recommended by Kale as safe first machine purchase; mature code, excellent playability
Stern pinball game by Keith Elwin; used as positive example of engaging, challenging game design that maintains player immersion
Stern title mentioned as one of the top-selling modern pinball games; Japanese IP
Stern Pinball machine; Premium and Pros models shipping in April 2026 according to update
Pinball game; referenced for mode-unlocking mechanic via ramp shots, similar to Turbo Time's driver's license system
Stern machine used in Barcade Fi-Di Monthly tournament, played by Leland Kuykendall in finals
Stern pinball landmark title with 20,000+ units sold, comparison point for Beetlejuice's market success
Stern title; cited by Kaneda as example of overproduction in market leading to secondary market price pressure on Premium models
Stern Pinball machine mentioned in context of hosts' early considerations before purchasing Jaws
Stern pinball by Keith Elwin; ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100; Joel acknowledges appeal despite preferring Jaws personally
Stern's best-selling game of all time; Kaneda questions artwork aesthetic match despite commercial success
Pinball machine at multiple NYC venues (Scrapple Land, Bar Great Harry, The Gutter LES) with volume calibration and physical leveling issues reported
Stern 2021 machine; exemplifies modern design with straightforward early game but deeper late-game rules progression
Referenced indirectly in comparison to modern design expectations and Stern's use of LCD screens
Stern pinball machine in arcade collection
Pinball machine on location at Hot Rods lobby; mentioned as part of game bank attracting casual players
Stern pinball game; mentioned as example of Keith Elwin design; has topper featuring 'spooky' heads
Modern pinball machine, popular among players
Stern's #1 best-selling game ever (27,000+ units); subject of Godzilla Gold Spike 3 remake rumor
Stern Pinball title appearing on Gonzo's top 50 list; Gonzo notes personal difficulty with scoop shot despite appreciating the game
Stern Pinball game released September 2021; subject of the mod installation
Recent Stern pinball machine ranked highly and compared to Kong; praised as better than Kong's layout
Pinball machine; mentioned as beloved by Foghorn Leghorn; generates recurring location play
Stern game by Keith Elwin; Joel considers top two favorites alongside Jaws
Referenced as exemplar of thematic playfield design; features building structure, ramps, Mecha-Godzilla jump ramp
Stern Pinball machine mentioned as part of Don's collection growth trajectory
Stern Pinball game; Don cites as example of 'good game'
Rumored black & white variant being discussed; primary focus of episode; positioning (Pro/Premium/LE) and Insider Connected updates uncertain
Spooky Pinball machine; Davey owns black and white color variant with Tokyo Neon mod package
Pinball title; Tokyo Neon mod series in progress; Conqueror Edition currently in production; middle-building mod completion expected late 2024
Stern Pinball machine from 2021; subject of Electric Playground's Conqueror topper upgrade in black and white variant
Stern title mentioned in anecdote about customer praising Electric Playground mods
Stern Pinball game with massive mod ecosystem; continues to receive new mods despite apparent market saturation; mods include Tokyo Neon sign, buildings, turrets
Recent pinball game featuring Pin Clash tournament; designed with deep rule set and carnage bonus challenge mechanics
Stern Pinball game; Colin's favorite machine; heavily modded by UK community (Davy's modes, Paul's mods); collector favorite
Elwin pinball machine; owned by Ted; featured in Tuesday Pinball tournament; emphasizes risk/reward and mode stacking mechanics
Pinball machine launching at Jack Bar on November 28th with tournament event
Modern pinball machine with five different multiballs qualified via ramp, taxi targets, orbit, and captive balls
Stern pinball game; 2022 Twippies Game of the Year winner; designed by Keith Irwin (rules) and Rick Nagel (code); acclaimed for player feedback and accessibility; subject of extended Marty review.
Elwin title; experiencing value collapse from $16,000 (COVID peak) to predicted $12,000 by year-end; audience migrating to Jaws; extended market lifecycle causing fatigue.
Stern Pinball recent release; frequently cited as example of intentional difficulty moderation. Features building shot as primary target, rewards missed shots, and punishes flipper errors. Subject of upcoming Pin Clash streaming event.
Stern pinball referenced for feature differences between Pro and Premium tiers enhancing gameplay
Recent pinball machine in Taylor's collection; Tommy has played and completed this game; completed recently enough that it's still being discussed
Pinball machine owned by Foghorn Leghorn; experienced streak registration failure and connectivity issues during episode timeline
Stern Pinball game; LE/Premium versions; Tim owns LE; Martin has access to LE at cost; 9-month to 1-year wait for Premium; pricing concerns discussed
Jersey Jack game; thematic companion to Godfather release phase; marks JJP's commitment to high-end collectible positioning
Elwin Velez design; Don owns and has played extensively; selling for ~$8,500 on secondary market to rotate collection
Licensed game; complex ruleset not designed with progressive save mechanics; host questions compatibility with Venom-style code approach
Recent Stern release; listed as experiencing $1,000+ secondary market depreciation; referenced as comparison for X-Men theme strength
Stern pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin; ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100; subject of two newly released toppers being critiqued
Best-selling Stern game; won Best Modern Game at Pinfest despite technical failure (node board failure) and inferior play vs competitors like Galactic Tank Force
Pinball game allowing formal player mode choice via screen; example of pure freedom design
Stern release; benchmark for successful launch; Metallica LE demand compared favorably (and exceeding) Godzilla demand
Keith Elwin Stern title released during COVID at lower price point; highest sales benchmark for modern Stern; Kaneda predicts Kong will not match Godzilla's commercial performance or design quality.
Stern release; Kaneda identifies this as Stern's last major volume hit, more recent than John Wick or Dungeons and Dragons
Recent pinball release used as comparison point for quality disparity when placed next to Harry Potter
Stern Pinball machine Doc wants at Reboot Arcade
Pinball game referenced as 'best game of all time' by host in comparison context
Stern game by Keith Elwin; Black and White version recently viewed by Shane at Southern Fried Gaming Expo; widely available LE (Shane considered it but chose Foo Fighters)
Pinball machine used as example of potential versus versus multiplayer competitive gameplay features
Recently played game; example of diverse modes undermined by timers; host mentions black and white variant speculation
Stern pinball machine; 1,000 LE units sold out in ~24 hours; designed by Keith Elwin; prototype accidentally displayed Rush artwork
Modern pinball machine; host owned twice; criticized as having excessive rule depth, 'paralyzed by choice'; used as polar opposite example to Star Trek's simpler rule design
Praised as one of the greatest games of all time by industry; Don rates Jaws slightly higher due to theme weighting in evaluation
Stern Pinball title; referenced as comparison point for layout complexity
Referenced as example of pinball with substantial toys and mechanical innovation (bridge, magnet, building)
Referenced as example of pinball machine with cluttered/overstimulating design; metaphor for 'modern pinball fatigue'
Recent flagship release used as benchmark for gameplay depth vs. Pokemon
Stern Pinball game; Kaneda cites as most recent game where buying new in box was necessary to not miss out; notes declining secondary market prices
Stern Pinball; black and white premium version shipped with quality issues (trans light inconsistencies); downgraded from planned LE
Licensed Stern game, Dory's favorite, high coil count, popular on location, top performer
Stern's #1 ranked game; 70th anniversary edition in development with black and white artwork; LE resale value concerns being raised
Game referenced in distributor inventory discussion; Kaneda alleges distributor sold held-back Godzilla LE at inflated ($19,000) price through obscured website listing
Recent Stern release; mentioned as current title collectors are playing; will be displaced by newer releases
Referenced as recent masterpiece with sky-high demand; example of strong current market performance contrasted with underperforming products
Stern game; Foo Fighters described as 'Godzilla Lite'; features bridge, building collapse, Mechagodzilla toy, magnet mechanisms; exemplifies mechanical 'wow factor'
Stern LE game; host references its strong secondary market performance as recent benchmark for LE success.
Stern release; referenced for pop bumper placement comparison (Keith Elwin design choice replicated in Godfather)
Planned Stern Pinball remake; alternative to Metallica for July 2025
Used as hypothetical example in discussion of official accessories monetization strategy
Referenced as high benchmark for pinball design quality (9.5/10 rating in Don's scale); used as comparison point for Venom's design.
Prior Stern pinball release referenced as benchmark for excitement level; Foo Fighters described as matching/exceeding this excitement
Stern pinball machine with official topper; first allotment sold out per distributor confirmation; collector Don purchased one
Jersey Jack title; Kaneda references its difficult scoop shot as comparable to Harry Potter scoop difficulty
Referenced as example of pinball with dramatic physical playfield elements
Pinball game referenced as example of humor-forward design with strong thematic integration
Recent Stern Pinball title described as 'the greatest game Stern has ever made'; Spooky publicly disputed Stern's acquisition of this license.
Stern pinball game (Premium), Alex's number four gateway game
Stern Pinball 2024; Premium model outsold King Kong Premium in 2025; strong secondary-year sales sustaining high volume
Recent pinball release; Jessy Jay uninterested in it; called 'a bit dated'
Benchmark game for universal appeal and depth; cited as last true blockbuster with sustained community enthusiasm; sets standard all new releases measured against
Recent Stern release; mentioned for ramp quality and mode design (building destruction vs. ramp strategy)
Pinball game cited as example of long-term appeal and quality asset integration
Stern game by Keith Elwin; described as objectively top-3 all-time, used in competitive events (Pin Clash, Stern Shoopy), transcends new/enthusiast/competitive categories
Stern pinball owned by Retro Ralph; previously experienced node board failure; used in Stern Pinball Cup competitions
Elwin game mentioned as comparison point; Jeff critical, Martin calls layout inventive; noted as great competition game
Referenced as existing game in collector rotation; compared favorably to Foo Fighters in terms of unique shots and mechanics
Modern pinball game by Keith Elwin; featured at Edmonton's Yagpin with lightning flippers; Jeff Teolis initially disliked it but changed opinion after learning rule system; Marty Robbins has one on order
Pinball machine; speaker's stated favorite game that exists
Recent pinball release (manufacturer not specified); Retro Ralph mentions playing it at Electric Bat to illustrate theme-independent appeal
Stern machine in Retro Ralph's collection, favorite game of his wife Kim, features building mechanic and Blue Oyster Cult music
Pinball machine that Neil McRae owns; multiple units present at Pinfest; not brought by Scott to avoid competing with charity game
Stern game with Jeremy Packer art; hosts critique its poster-style approach; ranked below Venom in art discussion
Stern pinball referenced as example where Premium variant is preferred for full feature set
Stern Pinball game; toppers (The Plume) getting another run this year, but no specific timeline
Recent release; Jeff finds overstimulating compared to Rush; complex ruleset; strong sound design by Jerry; criticized for lack of 'light and shade'
Stern Pinball licensed game featuring head-to-head objective challenges; Pro and Premium versions with different lock mechanics
Stern Pinball machine featuring a collapsing building mechanic and Godzilla franchise theme
Stern pinball; still outsells Harry Potter by 'a good amount' despite Potter's exceptional velocity
Stern pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin; #1 on Dennis's Stern list; features Mechagodzilla magnet, multiple kaiju modes, building collapse mechanic
Stern Pinball Limited Edition machine being played; features Kaiju Battle mode, scoop shots, and destruction jackpot multipliers
Stern pinball game designed by Keith Elwin; Craig's favorite game; ranked at top of Pinside Top 100; Craig describes as greatest game ever made
Stern Pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin, ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100
Stern pinball machine mentioned as popular with newcomers to pinball
Previous Keith Elwin design featuring complex intersecting ball guides and transitions
Pinball machine; owned by George; traded from Man Adams; played by George's daughter at arcade; mentioned at music city multi-con
#4 best-selling title of 2024; older title (not 2024 release); includes 70th Anniversary edition bump; Stern Pinball
Pinball machine in Retro Ralph's collection; features comic book-style artwork similar to Venom; Kim scored 196 million; Retro Ralph considers it a staple he would never sell
Recent Stern pinball release ranked highly by IE Pinball in comparative assessment
Stern pinball machine; mentioned as option hosts considered during dealer visit; noted for having good code quality similar to Jaws
Stern pinball machine praised for comprehensive licensing of character likeness and imagery
Stern game; topper still delayed over 1 year past release
Stern Pinball game cited as current market benchmark, holding strong value and considered the number one game in the world by Kaneda
Recent Stern Pinball release designed by Keith Elwin, features skyscraper multiball and Papa Carpet-inspired mechanics, subject of price increase discussion
Pinball machine with multiple multiball modes (taxi, ramp, left orbit, captive ball, combo); appeared in tournament round 8
Recent release with both original color version and new black-and-white variant; designed by Zombie Yeti (artwork)
Stern game mentioned as suffering from flipper fade; owned by Scott Rundell; would benefit from new bushing upgrades
Recent Stern release; Don speculates it would benefit from Expression Lights and mirror blades
Referenced indirectly; mentioned as example of modern pinball success and collector interest.
Stern Pinball game referenced as comparison for gameplay depth; modes based on four monsters with varied rule structures vs Foo Fighters' city-based play
Stern pinball machine; receiving custom light-up Godzilla sculpt mod with LED effects; Don purchased for $225
Stern title; 2-3 year production run due to strong demand; competitive benchmark for game success
Stern Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin; King of Monsters boss rush mode (timed, 5 min, unlocked via topper); Don completed it this morning
Stern release owned by Don
Stern release with topper featuring King of Monsters mode; Don considers it the current 'goat' despite Foo Fighters competition
Stern pinball machine with $1,000 topper featuring fire-breathing mechanism and locked topper DLC mode
Recent Stern pinball title; mentioned as neck-and-neck game of the year contender with Foo Fighters
Pinball game mentioned as hypothetical choice versus Dead in single-game collection scenario
Stern pinball machine; topper retailed at $1,000; Don owns both Stern and Sparky metal toppers
Recent Stern release; in production; referenced as satisfying modern mechanism example; Don created joke zip-tie topper modification ($15 shipped)
Stern Pinball game; cited as superior competitive benchmark to Venom due to open-ended design
Pinball machine that won innovation the prior year; subject of PIN Clash tournament
Game in qualifying lineup with LE edition available
Pinball machine mentioned as competing with Jurassic Park for IE Pinball's top rating; described as 'neck and neck'
Stern pinball machine; host previously used insider kit from this game; production ramping up again
Modern Stern pinball machine (Pro and Premium models discussed) featured in tournament
Stern game; Don mentions having his eyes on it as a potential acquisition
Stern pinball machine theme/IP, currently in version 0.85 code
Physical Stern Pinball machine to be played by top-ranked player Escher Lefkoff in upcoming stream with beta code.
Stern pinball game by Elwin Blakely; successful title that Don initially wasn't excited about but enjoyed after playing; reference point for Jaws expectations
Stern title; subject of two topper releases—Stern's $1,000 official topper and Electric Playground's alternative in prototype phase; discussed extensively as disappointment case study
Recent Stern release; Don discusses new topper with King of Monsters mode; notes it as 'greatest pinball machine of our modern era'
Spooky Pinball game; used as comparison point for difficulty/depth vs. Ultraman CE
Jersey Jack pinball machine, recipient of upcoming premium topper by Electric Playground with integrated lighting and mechanical UFO
Stern 2021 release; consistently praised as standout game; innovative shot design; received code updates; designer Keith Elwin; high demand
Recent Stern release; featured at collector's location in Fayetteville; includes topper and King of Monsters wizard mode
Pinball machine played at Pintastic 22, cited by George as one of his favorites
Recent Stern Pinball release; framed as current most popular/smash hit game in the market
Stern title; 70th Anniversary version rumored for 2024, possibly October release to align with 1954 film premiere date
Modern Stern game mentioned as having deep rule set that newer players may expect from all games
Recent Stern pinball release; praised for risk/reward mechanics and meaningful wizard modes; used as positive design comparison to GNR
Stern Pinball game by Keith Elwin; cited as precedent for license success despite initial community backlash over Spooky licensing loss
Stern Pinball title shipping Godzilla Premium this week with additional small run planned for January 2024
Stern game; ranked #1 on Pinside; designed by Keith Elwin; features multiple innovative mechs (bridge, rotating Mechagodzilla, magna grab shot); available in Pro and Premium versions; code updates planned
Women's tournament finals game at ClePin; Deborah scored 16M; noted as playing rough/mean
Stern's major bestselling game; has major anniversary (70th or 50th) coming next year; potential target for anniversary edition strategy
Referenced for LE pricing comparison (LE 2500 vs Bond LE 1000 units)
2024 Stern release; massively outsold expectations; campy 80s theme; universal critical/commercial success; new topper recently revealed
Pinball machine in tournament modern bank
Previous Keith Elwin design for Stern, referenced as a comparison point for experience-driven gameplay. Mark notes it was 'friendlier' than previous Elwin designs while maintaining mechanical depth.
Stern game referenced in Pro vs. Premium debate; some players prefer Pro version because Premium's added mechs reduce shot consistency.
Stern Pinball game; hosts speculate about possible 70th anniversary edition in July 2024
Recent Stern release with $1,000 topper accessory; subject of extended discussion regarding pricing, marketing, community reception
Stern Pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin; described as one of best-selling Stern games with high secondary market demand
Stern Pinball game; cited as successful launch model with mature code on day one and strong community reception
Recent release played by Dennis Kriesel at home
Stern Pinball game; two Premium units being auctioned for University of Illinois charity, signed by football players
Stern Pinball title; Premiums speculated for November/December
Previous Stern Cornerstone by Keith Elwin; hosts discuss in context of comparing to Jaws design philosophy and Pro model feature retention
Stern pinball machine owned by Joel; upgraded with Pinwoofer CDU and full audio system; recently updated with new code
Stern Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin, discussed for tournament suitability and physical adjustments
Pinball reference; Keith Owen demonstrated long gameplay and competitive depth during reveal stream
Recent Stern release; features action button mechanics criticized for complexity; Zach used as example of feature requiring video tutorial understanding
Stern Premium shipping end of November; Toppers moved forward from Q1 to December 2023
Stern game featured in Stumbler Pinball's recent ramen building mod
Stern title; part of 6-8k unit combined backorder estimate for older titles
Recent Stern release with unique playfield design and Zombie Eddie art. Initially criticized for bright/oversaturated colors, but community consensus shifted to praising visual quality. Frequently compared to Venom as competing purchase option at same price point.
Stern Pinball title; Godzilla Premium run scheduled November-December to fill scheduling gap
Stern game that received code update V1.01; mentioned as hotter title than Mandalorian; Rush topper still not released despite both games receiving code updates
Keith Elwin-designed pinball; features building bash mechanic, diverter, bridge mech; Tom believed it would be among greatest games based on layout; highly praised by hosts
Stern pinball machine; received speaker light support; includes King of Monsters mode with accessible wizard mode
Stern Pinball machine mentioned by Joe Hills; he attempted to play it at Youth Terminal in Nashville but the location had not received their unit yet
Stern Pinball; major commercial success; designed by same person as Jaws; Kaneda references as recent blockbuster hit
Recent Stern release; played at Pinfest; subject of sentiment shift from Jessie J; discussed for intuitive rules and shot layout
Pinball machine owned by one host; mentioned on both their dream list and as a recently played/favorite game
Stern game with Jeremy Packer artwork; ranked in middle tier of his art packages by hosts due to postcard style aesthetic.
Premium model experiencing inventory depletion; next production run estimated Q3/Q4 2024
Stern modern pinball machine mentioned as option that could have been in In Disc finals; was initially being used at tournament before being swapped for Rush
Stern title designed by Keith Elwin; swept Twippy Awards at TPF; dominates Pinside Top 100; consistently praised as pinnacle design
Released ~2021; remains design benchmark and #1 on PinSide top 100; black-and-white edition announced for $9,700 with September accessory availability; host argues it will sustain sales as evergreen entry point
Competitor kaiju-themed pinball machine mentioned as comparison; George plans to set up next to Ultraman CE
Stern Pinball machine being streamed; George owns LE version; Anvil acquiring LE version this weekend
Pinball machine; Electric Bat Arcade kept both pro and premium versions; described as their biggest revenue earner; locations: pro in Flagstaff, premium in Tempe.
Stern Pinball machine being modified with aftermarket components
Stern title; used as playfield design and code quality comparison point; host sold LE for $9,000
Pinball machine mentioned as 'gorgeous' and 'phenomenal looking' by chat/streamer
Pinball machine at Outer Orbit featured in tournament broadcast
Stern Pinball machine; reference point for pricing ($10,500) and asset-heavy design; exceeded fan expectations
Stern pinball machine LE model being streamed; features kaiju battle modes, state-change reroute tower, city selection code
Pinball machine referenced positively by players; mentioned as game to play after tournament
Stern machine owned by George Fisher; received new code update adding Oxygen Destroyer ball save mechanic
Stern Pinball machine; subject of gameplay and wizard mode analysis
Stern pinball machine; PRO and LE variants discussed; played at CAX; experienced freeze/Insider Connected bug; features floating upper flipper; recently shipped or shipping soon
Stern Pinball title, extensively discussed regarding mechanical design concerns (upper left flipper, Premium vs Pro differences)
Stern pinball machine being played on Don't Panic Flip; features kaiju modes, multiball mechanics, bridge and tank objectives
Stern's 2024 flagship title; now available in Black & White Premium variant alongside original colored version
Recent Stern Pinball release with building mechanism; referenced as mechanical benchmark
Stern pinball machine with Godzilla license; features building destruction mechanism, Mechagodzilla animatronics, and film-inspired theming
Jersey Jack pinball machine; performing at double rate of other location machines after 2.5 weeks
Stern pinball game; discussed negatively by Bruce Nightingale as inferior to upcoming Marvel titles
Recent Stern release with building bash toy/ball lock mechanism and multiple interactive elements
Stern Pinball pinball machine title; subject of launch party event
Stern pinball game that Tommy and Ron both enjoyed; mentioned alongside Alien for rule structure comparison
Stern game Tommy actively plays; referenced for rules complexity
Stern pinball machine (Pro/Premium/LE tiers), designed by Keith Elwin, art by Zombie Yeti; classic kaiju theme with old movie clips; features MagnaGrab mechanism, seven kaiju battles (Gigan, Titanosaurus, Eberra, Megalon, and three others), Monster Rampage mode, city battles; ships with backorders to late 2022
Stern Pinball game; example of licensed IP; discussed for secondary market pricing and topper accessories
Stern Pinball machine with Godzilla theme, celebrating 70th anniversary of the franchise
Pinball game referenced for successful mechanics; Kaneda uses it as benchmark for expected Jaws success with complete assets
Historical reference point for building/emergence mechanism design (horizontal mechanism concept referenced for D&D dragon comparison)
Pinball machine referenced as having major mechanical toy (T-Rex that eats ball) as design comparison point
Recent Stern release; described as one of the best pinball machines of all time; still holds secondary market value for flipping
Critically acclaimed Stern machine; often ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100; held strong secondary market value at $15k-$16k; re-release planned as Black & White Premium edition
Stern game priced at $10,500; cited as example of previous pricing tier before jump to $13,000+
Stern game; last universally beloved hit in pinball; benchmark against which all recent games are compared unfavorably
Stern release used as quality/mechanical innovation baseline; cited by Kaneda as example of a game that justifies high pricing through design depth and wow factor.
Recent pinball release mentioned as example of game without widespread community complaints
Stern Pinball game ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100; upcoming black-and-white edition revealed for Comic-Con late July; 70th anniversary edition
Keith Elwin design; ranked by Kaneda as Elwin's best game alongside Iron Maiden
Recent Stern Pinball game; referenced as baseline for 'greatest hit' comparisons
Stern game with quality control issues: bubbling decals around bolts, black & white display defect (appearing yellowish/sepia); Kaneda cites this as evidence of manufacturing indifference given premium pricing
Stern Pinball recent hit title; cited as most popular game in gaming industry since its release; host credits Keith Elwin for elevating the theme
Recent Stern release; cited as biggest recent hit but not classified as juggernaut IP; smaller than Batman, Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy
Stern Pinball machine owned by hosts; Insider Connect reader hardware durability concerns; difficult glass installation; King Gidorah toy still wet after 1.5 years
Premium version priced at $9,700; black-and-white special edition displayed at Southern Fried Gaming Expo; Kaneda criticizes incomplete code showcase and lack of visual pop
Recent Stern Pinball game; mechanical building feature compared unfavorably to Sentinel mechanism in X-Men
Keith Elwin-designed game; referenced as example of exceptional design quality transcending theme appeal
Pinball machine at Jack Bar with malfunction preventing access to major modes; play-on ruling example
Stern pinball; Eric owns pro version; Tim owns limited edition version (sold after 800 plays); frequently compared favorably to other games
Stern pinball machine; George's top-ranked game from Pintastic; features moving building playfield elements and movie-themed display
Stern game that launched at Pinball Expo; owned by Retro Ralph; catalyzed his understanding of game code
Pre-COVID game; used as baseline for more lavish content vs. post-COVID titles
Stern Pinball game; comparison point for King Kong regarding mechanism impressiveness and film licensing (Godzilla licensed extensively, Kong did not)
Comparative reference for cohesive dual-narrative design; player role clarity cited as superior to King Kong
Ranked as #1 game of all time by Kaneda; Spooky Pinball's Evil Dead compared as 'Spooky Godzilla' in terms of loaded design and theme integration
Stern Pinball machine; designed by Zombie Yeti; noted as missed opportunity for distinctive vintage poster aesthetic
Pinball game cited as benchmark for mechanical packed content
Stern pinball game; referenced as having better asset integration than Harry Potter
Stern licensed game. Referenced as outselling Jaws; market comparison point.
Stern pinball machine Sterling's first new-in-box purchase from Old Town Pinball; still owns Pro model
Stern pinball machine used as comparison point for side armor, topper construction, and speaker light options
Stern Pinball game ranked second by Don in his recent releases list
Referenced for auger screw mechanism comparison with sentinel feature
Stern pinball machine designed by Jaws designer, referenced for dual ramps over playfield feature absent in Venom
Stern pinball game; IP popularity driven by game success; arcade cost 2 Euros per play in Amsterdam
Stern pinball game referenced as popular with older collectors; cited as example of good asset utilization despite presumed lack of appeal to younger demographics
Stern LE; listed at $15,000-$15,800 secondary market; Kaneda predicts decline when Jaws releases; community will shift interest away
Referenced as example of modern pinball with memorable multiball moment; reportedly a 'bolt-to-the-floor' machine
Referenced as last game (~2 years prior to August 2023) to feature impressive mechanical innovation; baseline for mechanical wow factor
Recent Stern title; referenced as benchmark for sales success (~6,000 units); Jaws expected to underperform relative to Godzilla
Stern game; criticized for premium/elite versions being 30% more expensive with 30% less content
Recently released Stern Pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin featuring multi-level building diverter, bridge mechanism, magna grab, and Showa-era Godzilla theme
Stern Pinball by Keith Elwin; used as comparison point for theme acceptability and secondary market pricing; Kaneda predicts Jaws will outsell it
Stern pinball machine; compared unfavorably to Jaws on mechanical depth; Kaneda lists it at $10,500 on secondary market
Recent Stern Elwin design; used as performance benchmark for Jaws; praised for dramatic moments and mechanical wow factor
Stern game praised by Chris for having substantial physical content on playfield; T-Rex mech mentioned as exciting mechanical feature
Referenced as example of excellent code/personality design; played by Kaneda before Halloween for comparison
Upcoming Stern pinball machine with Toho licensing; known for 2.5 years since signed from Spooky; Josh pre-ordered Premium, Scott also ordered
Referenced as one of the few recent games with no compromises and full thematic integration; comparison point for Toy Story.
Stern pinball title; described as superior to Venom and Rush; Elite edition pricing at $19,000 in Flip N Out inventory
Stern Pinball's prior premium release used as benchmark for mechanical innovation, theme appeal, and replayability. Community divided on whether Jaws can match or exceed Godzilla's cultural status.
Stern release; praised as example of excellent day-one code quality by Keith Elwin; continuous improvement through updates; benchmark for quality
Keith Elwin design; Kaneda cites as benchmark for game quality/completeness; basis for Jaws comparison
Keith Elwin design at Stern; Kaneda's gold standard for soul, theme integration, and game design excellence; ranked #1 overall
American Pinball title; subject of topper pricing criticism ($1,000 for ~$50 in materials); Kaneda generally positive about game despite overpriced accessories
Keith Elwin-designed Stern game; released September 2021, referenced as evidence of his design capability
Recent Stern release; Josh Roop has one on order; mentioned in context of live code updates (crashing issues)
Stern Pinball game in production; cited in timeline relative to Rush machine rumors
Stern Pinball machine with Premium Edition model; Josh is expecting delivery before TPF trip
Stern pinball game by Keith Elwin; held as benchmark for excellence and value retention; Jaws reportedly comparable or superior in quality; planning 70th anniversary edition per Kaneda
Stern game; last title by Stern with significant mechanical innovation per Kaneda
Stern Pinball game praised for superior mechanical design (magnet mechanism) compared to James Bond; Premium versions shipping; stronger shot design than James Bond
Referenced as superior to Jaws in toy design, mechanics, and physical play experience; benchmark for what strong modern pinball design looks like
Stern game (2021); first LE to reach 1,000 units; priced at $10.5K; marked turning point for LE production volume increase
Game that made Kaneda smile; used as positive aesthetic/appeal comparison to Godfather
Historical reference; $10,500 price point; praised for substantive mechanical content; wire form ramps superior to Galactic Tank Force
Licensed pinball game; LE version was easy to acquire at $10,500; secondary market now $16,000-$18,000
Stern pinball machine; established as the new quality benchmark; priced at $10,500; Kaneda argues all modern games should be measured against it
Stern Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin; ranked #1 in community all-time rankings; exemplar of quality design that Kaneda uses as contrast to James Bond
Spooky Pinball title that held value well; used as benchmark comparison showing superiority in shooting mechanics and code quality versus Halloween
Stern title with 1,000 LE units; prices predicted to decline due to supply volume; secondary market analysis included
Only 2021 pinball game Kaneda considers worthwhile; won multiple awards; designed by Keith Elwin
Stern pinball game; won all major Twippies categories including Best Theme
Licensed IP pinball game; LE version holds value at $10,500 or higher; predicted to dominate 2025 Twippies Awards; used as example of FOMO-driven collector investment
Referenced for modding potential; Tom owns fourth Stumblor Pinball mod building; hosts noted game benefits heavily from 3D sculpts
Pinball machine that Chris Craft is modding; hosts discuss installing King Ghidorah 3D-printed toy and kaiju lighting mods
Stern Pinball game; used as comparison point for shot design and rule philosophy
Referenced as example of flow-based gameplay compared to Metallica's collectathon mechanics
Keith Elwin-designed Stern game, ranked #4 in Jason's personal Keith Elwin ranking
Stern Keith Elwin design; previously celebrated but Jason reports declining enthusiasm over time despite deep code and breadth
Stern pinball game used as comparison point for Jaws; discussed regarding mechanical toy integration and gameplay flow preferences
Keith Elwin design; host criticizes shot feel and flipper power as weak; notes exception of super jackpot shot
Stern Pinball machine in Don's collection with aftermarket topper option
Stern Pinball game by Keith Elwin; most-discussed pinball game in community; some people hate it despite fanbase defensiveness
Stern Pinball title; used as primary comparison point for value and mechanical depth; Kaneda positions as superior to Toy Story despite $6,000 lower price
Stern game; priced at $10,500; identified as anomaly game with value retention; cited as example of rare worthwhile premium-priced release
Stern Pinball title; Kaneda uses as example of genuinely great game that appeals to both owners and casual players
Stern Pinball's best-selling game (27,000+ units); Kaneda compares TNA's $9,000 price unfavorably to Godzilla Premium Edition, questioning value proposition
Stern Pinball Limited Edition; widely regarded as one of greatest games ever; LE available new for $16,500-$16,900
Stern Pinball title; mentioned as potential competition with King Kong
Stern Pinball game used as example of licensed game meeting community expectations
Referenced as example of standout mechanical achievement (building collapse) Kaneda doesn't expect Spooky to match with Scooby-Doo
Stern Pinball game used in Kaneda's comparative framework; praised for innovative mechanical implementation (collapsing building, Mechagodzilla)
Stern title; predicted by Kaneda to receive 70th anniversary vault remake; previously reported by Jason Knapp
Referenced as example game when discussing reviewer bias and financial skin-in-game
Pinball machine referenced in tournament play context
70th Anniversary Edition confirmed for Comic-Con; potential reveal end of July during Gaming Pinball Expo
Stern's best-selling machine; referenced as potential Kong competitor
Featured in a Patreon banner giveaway announced for the next day
Stern Pinball game referenced in context of Barnard playing at Los Angeles arcade
Stern Pinball machine released 2021; designed by Keith Elwin; features bilingual English/Japanese call-outs; Thompson's sound design work; currently his favorite game
Stern Pinball game; referenced as comparison for rule depth and complexity; has multiple high-end mods available from Stumbler; Josh's modded example of premium aesthetic upgrades
Stern Pinball machine receiving Tokyo Neon LED mod by Stumbler
Stern Premium Edition in Don's collection, modded extensively. Has topper with zip-tie (subject of jokingly titled 'Neo Atomic Edition zip tie upgrade mod'). Community creating mods like atomic breath lighting effects.
Stern game by Keith Elwin, used as comparison point for playfield density and asset distribution vs. Venom
Stern Pinball game; Packer discussed inclusion of Mothra character and Keith Elwin's video clip curation work
Stern's best-selling title; missing topper accessory; Kaneda questions accessory division delays
Stern Pinball game cited as example of successful recent release
Pinball machine available at Golden Ticket movie theater location, referenced for volume control usage during multiball
Referenced as past masterpiece example Kaneda wants replicated; represents high bar for quality and innovation
Stern game used as pricing reference point for Rush Pro/Premium editions
Referenced as example of newer game at lower price ($10.5k) with superior gameplay vs older expensive titles; Elite editions selling at $13.5-14k secondary market
Pinball machine; noted for appeal to adult casual players at TISC venue
Stern title positioned as best-selling Stern machine; used as baseline for comparison to King Kong pricing and value proposition
Stern pinball game with 9-10 month wait times cited as example of backlog severity
Described as good example of 'world under glass' thematic execution
Stern Premium Edition available around $10K; described as obvious choice but rejected by Kaneda for contrarian reasons
2021 Stern release by Keith Elwin; benchmark for game excitement and universal appeal Kaneda feels 2022 has not matched
Stern Pinball game; referenced in context of customer backlogs and order fulfillment delays
Stern Pinball game referenced as example of better LED color progression design compared to Harry Potter
Modern Stern pinball game referenced in context of group match play logistics and game duration variability
Stern Pinball Pro Edition game featured at The Reboot Social
Stern title; best-selling pinball machine referenced; highest-scoring game in Roop's collection; Narwhal topper variant discussed
Referenced comparatively for city-themed playfield layout concept; author uses as metaphor for biome design
Stern Pinball game. Cited example of quality control failure (ribbed/wavy playfield sent to customer). Used to critique Stern's manufacturing QC process.
Recent Stern release referenced for foiled artwork package aesthetic standard that Star Wars departs from
Modern pinball game at Wedgehead featuring custom lightning flippers (3/16 Williams flipper size)
Referenced as a popular pinball machine in community discussion; contrast for newer game appeal
Stern's best-selling title; cited as production priority potentially due to simpler board configuration; accessories being developed
Referenced as prior Stern release with state-change mechanics (building collapse affecting ball paths); compared favorably to Venom's innovation; described as 'C-theme' in quality tier
Stern Pinball machine; currently ranked #1 on Pinside Top 100, displacing Medieval Madness; subject of multiple award-winning mods by Davey including Tokyo Neon
Referenced as ideal practice machine for drop catch training due to its widespread availability; specifically recommends shooting right scoop and using left flipper for practice
Stern Pinball game; Kaneda made $5,000 flipping it; cited as more enjoyable to play than Cactus Canyon; example of strong secondary market value on successful title
Stern Pinball machine; referenced as company's best-selling title; compared unfavorably to Beeteljuice in playfield quality
Pinball machine in George's collection, described by Asher as 'a great example' of good tournament game design with replayability
Modern pinball machine by Stern; host using as reference for high-earning potential vs. classic games like Dolly Parton
Referenced as game host doesn't enjoy much but acknowledges merit