Transformers is a pinball game by Stern Pinball based on the Hasbro-licensed Transformers franchise, featuring Autobots vs Decepticons gameplay. An original game was released around 2011 with multiball mechanics and documentary coverage. A new G1 cartoon-themed version is rumored as an upcoming Stern cornerstone release for 2026, designed by Elliott Eisman, positioned as a major IP alternative to Pokémon in Stern's release pipeline.
Transformers will launch in approximately four months with G1 Transformer cartoon clips and strong nostalgic appeal.
Transformers is coming as a Stern machine with Elliot Eisman as designer
Transformers pinball is rumored for March 2026 release window
On Transformers at SPL, multiball strategy was ineffective due to mechanical issues with lock and shot registration
Upcoming Stern pinball game; reveal scheduled for May 2026 with June release; Kaneda expresses concern about Patly as artist
Referenced pinball machine used in comparison of shot backhandability
Stern Pinball machine in development; releasing in May; Pat Lee artwork with anime-manga style Transformers
Rumored potential Stern Cornerstone title for May/June 2026 release; Ken expresses hope rumors are accurate based on nostalgic IP appeal
Upcoming Stern pinball machine mentioned as part of 2025 release slate
Upcoming Stern pinball with Pat Lee artwork, split LE variants, transforming Optimus Prime toy
Expert: Resolved by evidence. 3 sources corroborate.
[Triage: George Gomez designed the original 2011 Transformers pinball game, while Keith Elwin or Elliot Eisman are associated with a newer 2026 version, representing a progression of designer responsibility across different game iterations.]
No linked glossary terms
Transformers LE pinball rates 22-23 on a suck scale while Pro rates 16-17
Speculated upcoming Stern Cornerstone release; Don hopes for this title
Stern game expected June/July release; mentioned as next major IP release
Stern Pinball game; expected July 2025 same month as JJP's Sonic the Hedgehog; competitive market signal
Referenced as design comparison for Pokémon's crossover ramp mechanic
Stern pinball played at SPL with problematic Megatron lock and Optimus Prime shot registration
2011 Stern Pinball game licensed from the Transformers franchise; Dan recently acquired Transformers Pro (rare variant) from Darren Vaught.
Pinball machine; Dan installed Pin to DMD color display upgrade in this game
Stern title in development; rumored to have innovative mechanism (possibly transforming Autobot base)
Modern pinball machine featured in Main finals with Decepticons/Autobots mode selection
Already made as pinball machine by Stern; hosts suggest potential 80s animated re-theme version
Upcoming release in ~4 months with G1 cartoon clips; positioned as strong emotional IP competitor
2011 game by George Gomez; commercial failure; playfield layout nearly identical to Pokemon; noted as 15 years old (full circle moment)
Stern pinball; Ken owns copy with cabinet decal wrinkling issue from factory; example of 2011-2012 era defect
Game Spencer owns, praised for having interactive character launch moments (fighting Optimus Prime) despite lacking major mechanical toys.
Referenced as example of machine with split armor (two-color)
Pinball machine; previously placed new in-box at movie theater; encountered by Burrell in heavily deteriorated condition after 2+ years of operator neglect
Stern release; Pro version rated 16-17 on suck scale; LE version rated 22-23 on suck scale; poor rule set design criticized
80s IP (specifically G1 animated series, not Michael Bay movies) proposed as ideal pinball theme
Pinball machine at Golf n Stuff known for kicking two balls into shooter lane simultaneously, creating TD challenges during tournaments
Upcoming pinball title; Kaneda predicts will 'crush' in 2026
Pinball and home game versions produced by Stern; designed by George Gomez; available in consumer and Premium/LB models
Upcoming Stern title; in development for two years; described as 'crazy loaded'; art direction by Zombie Eddie; LE differentiation questioned
2011 Stern Pinball game; discussed for trim levels with powder coat split option
Stern pinball machine from 2015; non-working example visible at Pinball Hall of Fame; noted as an early attempt by Stern at smaller home-market pinball machines
Upcoming release mentioned by Ozzy; positioned as next anticipated game after Pokemon
Rumored Stern Pinball machine by Brian Eddy; unclear if movie or G1 cartoon version
Referenced as comparable game structure with dual-side gameplay (play as Autobots or Decepticons)
Potential Stern pinball game; listed on debunked rumor list; status uncertain
Stern pinball machine criticized for clunky design and ball routing issues; Tony's least favorite Stern machine
Upcoming Stern Pinball game; Kaneda predicts dual LE editions (Autobot/Decepticon or Optimus/Megatron); expects strong demand; Zombie Yeti rumored as artist
Rumored upcoming pinball machine; speculation about whether new film-based version or animated variant
George Gomez design featuring QR codes; historical precedent for Stern's QR code strategy
Pinball game; playfields visible at Churchill factory
Stern LE machine used in Winner Takes It All tournament
Stern game with Lonnie Rapp code criticized for repetitive gameplay (shoot same shot 15 times); example of his copy-paste design philosophy
Rumored Stern game; Don pitches G1 cartoon/comic version as ideal design approach
Rumored Stern release March 2026 window; low confirmation confidence; uncertain if movie/comic-based or G1 focused
Game sold by Stephen Keeler recently to make room for new acquisitions
Secondary rumor for Stern Q1 2026 cornerstone; Zach less confident in this vs Pokemon
Upcoming Stern Pinball; Kaneda expresses concern about artist Elliot Eisman's age/familiarity with 1980s Transformers IP
Rumored Stern game following Pokémon; license details uncertain (G1 cartoon vs. movie versions)
Stern Pinball forthcoming title by Elliot Eisman; Kaneda predicts this will signal Stern's recovery in game design quality
Upcoming Stern title expected within 4 months; Kaneda refers to it as 'the coolest pin of the year' and describes it as stronger theme arriving soon after Pokémon.
Referenced as prior Stern Pinball title where George Gomez demonstrated collaborative design approach with team members
Pinball game with mode start mechanics; mentioned as game Bug dislikes and criticizes
Game Werdrick hopes Stern will remake; also his major collecting hobby (1000+ figures)
Stern Pinball game based on Transformers franchise; criticized by Ryan Kuiper; he expresses preference for Generation 1 remake using original art and voice actors
Upcoming Stern Pinball title (cartoon version) confirmed as next release option (along with Pokemon) by George Gomez
Upcoming Stern Pinball G1-themed release; Kaneda predicts LE will sell out due to Pokemon FOMO spillover
Referenced for comparison of wizard mode display text implementation
Stern Pinball game (PRO version) located at TGI Fridays in Niagara Falls, Ontario Embassy Suites
Anticipated upcoming Stern title mentioned as next release; referenced for potential 40th anniversary theme tie-in
Gen 1 Transformers rumored as potential Stern release for 2026
Source playfield design that Pokémon reuses for core ramp/orbit/scoop layout; benchmark for 'buttery' shot flow
Referenced via potential Easter egg or thematic connection in Cybernaut ('More than meets the eye' Autobot/Decepticon reference)
Upcoming Stern title; confirmed as one of next two releases after Pokemon
Rumored next Stern Pinball cornerstone release; G1 cartoon version potentially designed by Elliott Eisman
Alternative potential next Stern Cornerstone; cartoon version rumored to have cool mechs and good layout; may have been pushed back for Pokémon
Rumored second Stern 2026 release based on cartoon; designed by Elliot Eisman with code by Elisabeth Geiske
Rumored upcoming Stern Pinball cornerstone game; possibly designed by Elliot Eismin; competing with Pokemon for January 2026 release
Speculated Stern title; author confirmed it is not the next cornerstone game
Alternative Stern Pinball 2026 cornerstone game candidate; possibly cartoon version
Rumored Stern 2026 cornerstone designed by Elliot Eisman; Generation 1 or movie version TBD
Stern game confirmed in development; Sterling called it; expected to be announced/released; George Gomez previously designed Transformers historically; positioning as alternative major IP to Pokemon for Stern 2026 lineup
Upcoming Stern release with viral teaser trailer (actually 14-year-old George Gomez footage); scheduled for CES reveal next week
Stern Q3 2026 release; G1 themed; designed by Elliot Eisman; originally expected at CES but delayed
Alternative rumored next Stern cornerstone; G1 generation has Gen X nostalgia appeal; Michael Bay films considered culturally irrelevant; previous Stern Transformers exists
Mentioned as possibly Spike 1 era game; used for reference on era distinctions
Potential next Stern Pinball release; mentioned as alternative option to Pokemon per George Gomez statement
Rumored upcoming Stern game; hosts note no official confirmation
Rumored upcoming Stern title; Brian hopes for G1 cartoon version; concerned about Elliot Eisman design vs preference for Keith Elwin
George Gomez's previous design; possible alternative to Pokémon as next Stern release per Gomez confirmation
Upcoming Stern release; alternative to Pokemon per George Gomez confirmation; announcement expected at CES
Rumored upcoming Stern release by Elliot Eisman, expected after Walking Dead Remastered
Speculated as next Stern release in 4-month rotation after Pokemon
Stern Pinball upcoming release; designed by Elliot Eisman; expected January/February 2026
New pinball machine being released and showcased at Pinball Expo 2011
Stern Pinball game in development, subject of documentary
Upcoming Stern Pinball title; Kaneda predicts it will demonstrate Stern's capability
Forum speculation for potential next Stern release; positioned as superior to Pokémon for target demographic (G1 Transformers from 1980s); criticized for potential weak execution without franchise passion
Upcoming Stern release; Kaneda expresses high expectations regarding Matrix of Leadership topper and 'You Got the Touch' integration
Potential upcoming Stern game by Elliott Eisman; Kaneda expresses concern about theme execution (TV show vs G1 movie)
Rumored upcoming Stern cornerstone release at CES with Spike 3 platform; Kaneda predicts mediocrity based on John Wick and Star Wars patterns
Stern upcoming title; Kaneda predicts it will reclaim community excitement
Upcoming Stern game. According to Kaneda's inside sources, has 'the wow' factor and more excitement than Pokemon.
Licensed pinball game by Stern featuring Autobots vs Decepticons theme with multiball mechanics
Upcoming pinball title predicted by Kaneda to be 'amazing'
Stern game rumored for Dec 2025/Jan 2026; Kaneda skeptical of performance
Licensed theme for upcoming Stern pinball game
Hypothetical Keith Elwin design option; Kaneda's poll asks community preference between this, Fallout, and Superman 78
Stern game with reportedly strong code and interesting mechanics; described as 'the only really cool thing happening right now' at Stern
Licensed IP from Hasbro; 80s cartoon franchise with recent movies; rich character universe and fan base.
Potential upcoming Stern title; mentioned as alternative to Pokemon in next release; George Gomez previously designed Transformers
Stern Pinball's licensed pinball game based on Transformers franchise; subject of this documentary
Stern game mentioned in context of LE/Pro balance problems; premium featured 'terrible right toy' (bouncing mechanism)
Hasbro intellectual property licensed for The Pin theme
Upcoming Stern title; mentioned as part of confident pipeline for 2026
Stern game following Pokemon; designed by Elliot Eisman; Kaneda expresses high expectations regarding Stan Bush music and voice work
Hasbro intellectual property serving as the theme for The Pin
Expected to outperform Pokemon in quality based on insider reports
Upcoming Stern release potentially launching before Pokemon; designed by Elliot Eisman (exclusive information per Kaneda)
Alternative speculation for Stern's January 6th cornerstone game reveal
Forthcoming Stern game; Stern has poor track record with major IP adaptations (per Kaneda)
Upcoming Stern game; implied to be superior to Pokemon per community feedback; anticipated launch next week; potential SLE variants (Autobots/Decepticons) mentioned
Pinball game from Stern Pinball, licensed property featuring Autobots vs Decepticons theme