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Stranger Things Premium

gameactive36 mentionsFirst seen Jan 9, 2020Last seen Dec 18, 2025

Profile

Stranger Things Premium is a premium pinball machine manufactured by Stern Pinball, designed by Brian Eddy and revealed at CES 2020. The game features Netflix's Stranger Things intellectual property with signature mechanics including a Demogorgon toy, flip-down ramp, projector technology, and magnet ball lock. Since its December 2024 release, the machine has experienced notable market volatility, with strong sales spikes following Netflix season releases but declining secondary market prices through 2025, reflecting typical premium game market cycles.

Aliases

Netflix Stranger Things (Premium)

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

  • achievementSales spike following Netflix season releasemediumfrom 2025-12-16
  • affiliationManufactured by Stern Pinballhigh
  • attributeCode version v0.81 as of January 2020highuntil 2020-01-23
  • attributeFeatures flip-down ramphigh
  • attributeFeatures magnet ball lockhigh
  • attributeFeatures projector technology integrationhigh
  • attributeFeatures Demogorgon toy mechanichigh

Claims (6)

  • factualhigh

    Stranger Things Premium is down 6%, with one selling as low as $6,000

    Source: LoserKid PinballThis Month's Pinball Market June 2025
  • factualhigh

    Animation code on Stranger Things Premium is incomplete and consists primarily of bare white ramp graphics with minimal visual effects

    Source: Carrie Hardy (via Deadflip stream analysis)Stranger Things Pinball Premium Edition Post Stream Thoughts
  • factualhigh

    The two primary differences between Premium and Pro versions are the projector and the telekinesis magnet at the rear

    Source: Carrie HardyStranger Things Pinball Premium Edition Post Stream Thoughts
  • factualhigh

    Projector visibility is fundamentally dependent on venue lighting environment and was an obvious concern from initial announcement

Recent Mentions (36)

  • Stern Pinball release; Kaneda expresses hope its quality will exceed recent Stern output; on the line (in production/delivery).

    Episode 889: "A Game We Want NOT Coming :("Dec 16, 2023
  • Referenced in comedic critique of sales performance; appears to be related to CES 2020 discussions

    Episode 3: CES 2020 Part 2Jan 10, 2020
  • Stern's latest release featuring projection mapping technology, streamed on Twitch, currently rated #1.11 on Pinside Top 100

    Ep 88 - One down, two to go!Jan 21, 2020
  • Stern Pinball title with projector feature and 11-ball telekinetic lock; displayed at CES; experiencing widespread clear coat dimpling; rumored stream coverage incoming

    Ep 87 - Weather, Traffic, and Food TrucksJan 14, 2020
  • Stern Pinball machine that was the subject of the fraud incident; valued at approximately $10,000

    The Pinball Show Ep 172 BONUS: Deal Of The WTF?! Dennis Laughs & Zach CriesMar 11, 2025
  • Upcoming Stern Pinball game, expected end of February

    S233: Total Nuclear Annihilation (TNA) Spooky

Contradictions

  • Existing: Ship date December 21, 2024 (mention 5)vsConflicting: Machine was already in arcade locations by December 2025 (mention 2) and had sufficient market history by June 2025 to show downward pricing trends (mention 3)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Machine revealed at CES in early 2020 (mention 4, 5)vsConflicting: Ship date December 21, 2024 indicates 4+ year gap between reveal and release, which is unusually long even for premium games
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • roleDesigned by Brian Eddyhigh
  • statusPremium model average price $8,500mediumuntil 2025-12-03
  • statusPremium model average price $8,000mediumfrom 2025-12-03
  • statusPremium model price range $6,000-$7,000mediumfrom 2025-06-04
  • statusUV kits discontinuedhigh
  • statusOriginally scheduled ship date December 21, 2024highuntil 2024-12-21
  • Source: Carrie HardyStranger Things Pinball Premium Edition Post Stream Thoughts
  • opinionmedium

    Code improvements could be implemented now through adjustments rather than waiting for future updates

    Source: Carrie Hardy (opinion)Stranger Things Pinball Premium Edition Post Stream Thoughts
  • opinionlow

    Stranger Things Premium game has weak sales

    Source: Macho Pinball Podcast hostEpisode 3: CES 2020 Part 2
  • Feb 3, 2020
  • Stern production variant initially scheduled for end of November, delayed with unconfirmed status, small run planned for January 2024

    The Pinball Show Ep 141: Pinball Turkey TrendsNov 21, 2023
  • Stern game praised for immersive experience, specifically the on-playfield screen and upside-down lighting kit. Mark describes it as the game that converted him from indifference to 30+ minutes of continuous play.

    The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 62 Shark Eats Ball (It's Inconceivable)Mar 1, 2024
  • Stern unreleased title; not yet on production line; potentially delayed to January; possible parts availability issues

    Episode 875: "Stern Places Ads For Stern Inside Stern"Nov 16, 2023
  • Recent Stern release by Brian Edney with code involvement from Lonnie; criticized for unoriginal rules and lock mechanism issues; praised for projector integration but criticized for lack of mechanical novelty

    Episode 139 – Still HereJan 22, 2020
  • Stern Pinball machine; recently received code update that community feedback suggests is ineffective or poor quality

    It is what it is.Aug 5, 2020
  • Stern pinball game for which Jack Danger teased new footage; limited edition version referenced

    Episode 5: INDISC 2020 & COMPETIVE PINBALLJan 14, 2020
  • Purchased in 2021 when considered rare/unobtainium, came with topper and shooter rod accessories

    88: Games Worth OwningAug 5, 2025
  • Stern Pinball's Stranger Things machine being demonstrated, focusing on Premium Edition features including projector, TK lock, and shaker motor

    STRANGER THINGS PREMIUM PINBALL GAMEPLAY PROJECTOR REVEAL!Jan 17, 2020
  • Recently revealed Stern Pinball premium-tier game featuring projector technology and telekinesis magnet; subject of Deadflip stream; LE units reportedly still available on market

    Stranger Things Pinball Premium Edition Post Stream ThoughtsJan 17, 2020
  • Stern pinball game; Hardy frequently criticized this game, particularly its layout and playfield design; cited as having poor early code

    I'm Trending on Pinside...Apr 16, 2021
  • Stern Pinball machine; #2 earning game at Electric Bat Arcade (80% of Godzilla earnings) in August 2023

    Coming Soon - Stern Pinball Jurassic Park Quest; The Pinball Arcade Going Away?; Top Earning GamesSep 25, 2023
  • Stern game with poor initial reception but strong location earnings at Electric Bat Arcade

    RUMOR: Texas Chainsaw Massacre Pinball Coming from Spooky - Pinball Party PodcastAug 31, 2023
  • Existing Stern pinball game; George mentioned potential future re-production

    Details on Stern Pinball’s Two 2023 Cornerstone GamesDec 23, 2022
  • Stern Pinball licensed game; features projector technology projecting onto spinners and backbox screen; UV reactive playfield; has appreciated from $9,000 new to $13,500-$14,500 on secondary market; Don regrets not purchasing at original price

    DPP E3 "News, rumors, events, and STORY TIME!"Jan 7, 2023
  • Stern pinball likely final 2023 production run after Guardians of the Galaxy

    DPP #86 "The Fix is in! Spooky reveal soon? Make a pinball machine!"Dec 6, 2023
  • Stern prior release; rumored 2023 rerun; February 19 Millie Bobby Brown birthday post teased re-release possibility; secondary market machines ~$11k-$14k in New England

    DPP #92 "2023 year in review!"Jan 1, 2024
  • Additional Stranger Things production run anticipated within 6 months; referenced as competing release within Jaws Premium timeline.

    DPP #93 "The one where we talk about Jaws"Jan 3, 2024
  • Stern Pinball release; majority units shipped before year-end 2023; January runs expected; toppers shipping

    The Pinball Show Ep 143: The Best Pinball Of 2023 & The Death Of Pinball Award ShowsDec 19, 2023
  • Stern title with January accessory run and scheduled Premium production between now and end of month

    The Pinball Show Ep 145: Shark No Eat BallJan 16, 2024
  • Stern title in production queue; production timeline discussed in relation to Jaws rollout

    The Pinball Show Ep 144: The Big Jaws EpisodeJan 6, 2024
  • Premium tier of Stranger Things featuring projector technology animating playfield targets; displayed in upstairs conference room away from show floor noise; demonstrated more successful Demogorgon toy shots than Pro model

    Pinball Industry News: January 2020 Re-capJan 30, 2020
  • Stern game confirmed shipping in final two weeks of 2023; accessories delayed to January 2024

    The Pinball Show Ep 142: WIN A Topper, Playfield, Armor, & More - HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY + 2023 Full Industry AnalysisDec 5, 2023
  • Stern pinball game recently acquired by Don; improved significantly through code updates and now highly playable

    Don Garrison from Don’s Pinball Podcast - Episode 8Dec 20, 2023
  • Sales spike following Netflix season release; UV kits discontinued despite demand increase

    The Pinball Show Ep 186: The Best Pinball Of 2025, Holiday Giveaways, & Other Pindustry NewsDec 16, 2025
  • Stern Pinball machine revealed via DeadFlip stream; designed by Brian Eddy; ship date December 21, 2024; currently at v0.81 code; features projector integration and demogorgon mechanic

    Ep 26: Podcasts Ride Off Into the Sunset with Martin RobbinsJan 23, 2020
  • Recently revealed Stern Pinball machine at CES in poorly lit environment; features Demogorgon toy, flip-down ramp, projector technology, magnet ball lock, fan layout playfield; received mixed early assessments across theme (8-9), playfield (7), toys (5.5-8.5), art (5-8), sound (8.5-9)

    Ep 25: Feeling Macho, Might Make a Podcast with Lauren GrayJan 9, 2020
  • Down 6%, $6k-$7k range; unexpected downward trend noted by host

    This Month's Pinball Market June 2025Jun 4, 2025
  • Pinball machine available at new Northampton arcade location; personally desired by host Matt for family appeal

    How To Arcade With Amy McDonough of Tilted OrbitDec 18, 2025
  • Stern Premium down 6% from $8,500 to $8,000 average; one unit at $6,200

    This Month's Pinball Market | December 2025Dec 3, 2025
  • Stern game mentioned during factory tour

    Stern Factory Tour with Jonny FairplayDec 7, 2023