King Kong: Myth of Terror Island is a pinball machine released by Stern Pinball in April 2025, designed by renowned pinball designer Keith Elwin. The game features an unlicensed King Kong theme based on public domain source material, incorporating extensive mechanical toys including a giant spider, biplane ramp, train car multiball, and gong bash target across a dual Terror Island/New York City setting. Since its release, the game has received critical acclaim for its rules and playfield layout, winning multiple 2025 awards and ranking 17th on Pinside's Top 100, though it faced some production quality inconsistencies and underperformed relative to initial hype.
King Kong received a major code update on February 4 (v0.93) with new Lost Temple Multiball mode and Transformers Limited Edition combo system
King Kong won Best Rules and Best Playfield Layout at 2025 TWIPYs
King Kong's unlicensed public domain status gave Keith Elwin 6-7 months to refine the playfield layout without licensor-mandated toy placement changes
King Kong Limited Edition failed to differentiate from Pro/Premium variants despite cosmetic upgrades, devaluing the premium tier
Stern Pinball game at code version 0.95, approaching 1.0
Stern title mentioned in newsletter highlights
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Stern Pinball game; won Best Rules (Lyman F. Sheats Jr. Award) and Best Playfield Layout at 2025 TWIPYs
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No linked glossary terms
King Kong: Myth of Terror Island Pro and Premium models have been added to the IFPA Stern Rewards Program
Kong multiball is qualified by sweeping drop targets twice then locking three balls up center ramp
Spider multiball is started by hitting the spider shot three times
Modes are started by hitting the gong three times (first two hits bounce back aggressively)
Currently only five modes available: Save an Across the Chasm, Pterodactyl Attack, Stegosaurus Encounter, Escape the Swamp, plus one unnamed
Game has four flippers: three full-size plus one mini flipper
Game will become a top seller for Stern as code matures due to shot design appeal
King Kong machines were actively being produced during the media event factory tour
King Kong: Myth of Terror Island is based on the 1933 public domain King Kong book, not a licensed movie
People who have played Kong think it might be a Godzilla killer
Kong's playfield design borrows elements from the unreleased Data East King Kong prototype
Kong's art uses 3D video game cartoon style rather than traditional pinball illustration
The Pro Edition does not include the spider toy or real gong; these are Premium-only features
The moving monkey toy reacts to player actions by punching glass and growling
King Kong is designed by Keith Elwin and features art from Jeremy Packers, Kevin O'Connor, and Greg Ferris.
King Kong is based on the 1933 public domain book, not a movie
People who have played King Kong think it might be a Godzilla killer
King Kong: Myth of Terror Island had its public debut at Pinball at the Zoo 2025
King Kong features a spider toy that comes down and holds the ball
The game has vibrant, cool-colored art with throwback aesthetics
King Kong has superior flow compared to most of Keith Elwin's other designs
Pro version of Kong lacks moving Kong model, train locks, custom biplane, spider mechanism, and gong
Kong code is solid with multiple modes including movie modes, building, climbing, multiball, river crossing, and Kong combos
Pro version still shoots really fun despite missing toys, making it a viable option for budget-conscious buyers
King Kong Pro includes a Stegosaurus encounter mode requiring strategic hitting
Game features T-Rex battle mode with lock-based mechanics
Insectipus multiball is a featured mode in King Kong
Game includes swamp escape mode
Kong letter collection is a progression mechanic
Kong features four flippers: two at bottom, one upper left, one in upper playfield area
Kong artwork was collaborative effort between Kevin O'Connor, Jeremy Packer, and Greg Ferris
Spider toy is exclusive to Premium and Limited Edition models; Pro version uses magnet instead
Kong likely features progress tracking similar to Dungeons & Dragons save-mode feature
Spider toy mechanical design is the weakest element of Kong's mechanical package
King Kong has a gong bash toy similar to the bell in AC/DC pinball
Retro Ralph will likely purchase the LE version of King Kong and prioritizes early access as a content creator
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Stern Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin, ranked #3 in Matt's top 3 for 2025, praised for flowing mechanics and satisfying shots
Stern Pinball Limited Edition machine; recently released with early code; focus of this video breakdown
Stern Pinball machine, Pro model gameplay footage
Keith Elwin-designed Stern Pinball game based on 1933 public domain King Kong story. Features animated 3D cartoon aesthetic, spider toy, gong mechanism, helical ramp, river diverter, moving monkey toy, and car-bashing mechanic. Available in Pro and Premium editions with tier-dependent features.
Stern Pinball's newly announced machine designed by Keith Elwin; features moving monkey, spider toy, and gong; available in Pro and Premium editions; based on 1933 public domain novel
Stern 2025 pinball machine; latest release being compared in Pro and Premium editions
2025 Stern Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin, unlicensed 1933 public domain King Kong theme with cell-shaded animation, gong mechanism (Premium), and animatronic Kong toy. Available in Pro and Premium editions.
Stern Pinball's 2025 cornerstone release; Keith Elwin design; four-flipper game with animatronic Kong, subway car ball lock, gong bash mechanic, and spider toy; released in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition trims
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New Stern Pinball game launching April 15, 2025; features complete art package by Jeremy Packer; officially announced one day after Packer's appointment
Official 2025 Stern Pinball release; second 'cornerstone' game of year; available Pro/Premium/LE
Stern pinball with accessories available; Pro and Premium models added to IFPA Stern Rewards Program
Stern release with behind-the-scenes production content; Pro/Premium models added to IFPA rewards
2025 Stern Pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin; newly released commercial title serving as subject of tutorial article
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Recent major pinball release contributing to hype wave mentioned in article opening
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Stern Pinball 2025 release; designed by Keith Elwin; public domain IP theme; early code stage during review
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Stern Pinball title with patent filed; summer 2025 release expected (June-July); Keith Elwin game following Godzilla/Jaws/Bond releases
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Keith Elwin's pinball game that was speculated to affect D&D announcement timing
Stern Pinball, designed by Keith Elwin, released April 2025 with mixed reception on art direction
Stern Pinball release; designed by Keith Elwin; publicly debuted at Pinball at the Zoo 2025; features spider toy mechanic and vibrant art; focused on maximum flow and speed
Stern pinball machine revealed April 15; based on original book, features servo-driven Kong toy, 3D animation
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Stern Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin that won Best Rules and Best Playfield Layout
New Stern Pinball release designed by Keith Elwin, released on day of podcast recording. Unlicensed game based on public domain King Kong novel. Features extensive mechanical toys, multiple multiballs, and 7+ gameplay modes.
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Stern Pinball game for which this topper is designed
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Stern Pinball game referenced as example of unlicensed title; used to illustrate that unlicensed doesn't mean unknown
Stern April 2025 release; allegedly uses public domain loophole for cost avoidance
Stern Keith Elwin design; Don owned and sold it; now receiving accessory package at Expo 2025 including $200+ gong shooter rod and $1,400 topper
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Official title clarification; Stern Pinball 2025 by Keith Elwin
New Stern pinball game being documented; features unlicensed Kong IP based on public domain source material
New pinball game from Stern Pinball based on King Kong theme
Pinball machine being demonstrated in Pro edition
New Stern Pinball release featuring four flippers, animated Kong character, Terror Island/New York City dual theme, custom toys including Gong Bash target, giant spider, biplane ramp, train car multiball
Stern Pinball's game for which these accessories are designed
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