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Spike

productactive22 mentionsFirst seen Apr 9, 2015Last seen Nov 7, 2025

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Spike is a scalable hardware platform and operating system developed by Stern Pinball for modern pinball machines, first introduced in WWE WrestleMania (2015). It represents an evolution in pinball control system technology, with Spike 2 marking a subsequent generation. The platform serves as the foundation for contemporary Stern pinball games and is used as a comparative benchmark for evaluating control system capabilities such as fault detection granularity.

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Facts

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Claims (2)

  • factualmedium

    The Spike system uses ARM-based Linux with distributed computing boards, and H.264 video streams are rendered as overlays rather than full processing

    Source: Grindworks (YouTube commenter)Yoku's Island Express
  • opinionhigh

    Spike hardware architecture with distributed daughter boards presents timing challenges for emulation

    Source: Jared MorganChalk up, Lion Man

Recent Mentions (22)

  • Modern Stern pinball hardware generation, supported by P-ROC with same board as WPC/White Star

    Episode 450 - Interview with Gerry Stellenberg 6-26-19Jun 27, 2019
  • Stern's successor hardware platform to SAM, arriving shortly after Walking Dead production

    Deep Dive: The Walking Dead PREVIEWApr 20, 2024
  • Dog mechanism in Junkyard playfield; broken and needs repair; host planning to fix after Pinball Expo

    Defeating Crazy Bob in JunkYard Pinball (Williams 1996)Oct 26, 2021
  • Stern Pinball's circuit board platform; Spike 1 games experiencing node board availability issues; Spike 3 mentioned as upcoming

    Operators Discuss Pinball on LocationNov 28, 2023
  • Stern's electronic pinball platform; praised for high-fidelity stereo audio system quality in Aerosmith

    SDTM: a pinball show Episode 15: Aerosmith Machine ReviewMay 1, 2017
  • Stern's hardware control system mentioned during playfield inspection segment regarding circuit control boards

    The Complete Guide To Unboxing & Setting Up A New Pinball Machine (SDTM & Flip N Out Pinball, 2021)

Contradictions

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Related Glossary Terms

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Oct 22, 2021
  • Stern's modern hardware platform featuring node boards and network-based code updates

    Tips and Tricks with Frank LindenmuthFeb 7, 2025
  • Stern Pinball's control system used in mass-produced Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons

    Whizbang Pinball to Make Second Title With SternApr 20, 2016
  • Stern's electronics hardware system powering Jurassic Park with HD graphics, animations, and 3-channel audio

    JURASSIC PARK OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTJul 26, 2019
  • Stern's electronics hardware system powering Elvira's House of Horrors; enables HD graphics and 3-channel audio

    ELVIRA’S HOUSE OF HORRORSSep 18, 2019
  • Stern's proprietary electronics hardware system used in Deadpool; enables HD graphics and 3-channel audio

    DEADPOOL REVEALEDAug 7, 2018
  • Stern Pinball's electronics hardware system used in Black Knight: Sword of Rage

    BLACK KNIGHT: SWORD OF RAGE REVEALEDMar 26, 2019
  • Stern pinball hardware architecture enabling advanced feature control (magnets, orchestration)

    Is Virtual Reality the Pinnacle of Pinball?Mar 14, 2016
  • Stern's modern pinball platform using distributed computing architecture with networked daughter boards via LAN cables

    Bit Rot and Bug FixesApr 1, 2017
  • Stern pinball control system using ARM-based Linux with distributed computing boards; Arcuda Cabinet Mode interfaces with Spike for real-time updates

    Yoku's Island ExpressJun 5, 2018
  • Stern control platform for which PinWoofer offers compatibility

    BDYETP 72: $2k Toppers, Lawlor Retires, Pinball as a Gateway + Guest Dan Dean from PinWooferNov 4, 2022
  • Current Stern pinball hardware platform running Linux kernel; discussed as lacking operator data features available in Pinball 2000 era machines.

    Episode 123: Jerry Power of Player One with special co-host Ryan C.Apr 22, 2018
  • Stern Pinball's new electronic control system platform designed to replace SAM with modular, distributed architecture

    Stern Pinball: Spike Electronics SystemJun 24, 2015
  • Pinball control board/platform; version discussed in relation to machine hardware

    Pre-War Pinball GameplaySep 16, 2025
  • Commercial pinball control system; referenced as comparative technology with less granular fault detection than Rolando's system

    Homebrew Showcase: Black Knight Pinball AI Tech Build by Rolando MartinNov 7, 2025
  • New Stern hardware and operating system; WWE WrestleMania is the first game to use it

    WWE Wrestlemania Pinball from Stern PinballApr 9, 2015
  • Stern's scalable hardware platform used in modern games; Spike 2 represents evolution of system

    Episode 96 – Gary SternJun 17, 2019