Pokemon Pinball is a Stern Pinball flagship pinball machine released in February 2026, built on the Spike 3 platform and designed by George Gomez and Jack Danger. The game features 180+ collectible Pokemon characters with a family-friendly, accessibility-focused layout while maintaining mechanical depth. Available in three tiers (Pro, Premium, LE), the Limited Edition run of 750 units sold out immediately with unprecedented secondary market demand ($20K-$30K+), making it one of Stern's most successful releases.
Pokemon LE started at $18,000-$19,000 and will hold around $14,000-$15,000 in secondary market
Pokemon Pinball code is stuck at version 0.81 with minimal new content since launch months ago
Pokemon Launch Party at Jack Bar drew exactly 47 players on April 12
Pokemon Premium machine was installed at Jack Bar on March 29th, replacing an earlier Pokemon Pro model
Stern release; strong sales and positive operator feedback; hundreds of units in production; code update approval dependent on Pokémon Company (Japan) process; planned evolution for years; simpler, more approachable code than Transformers; features nice-looking Pikachu toy
Stern Pinball game being celebrated with launch party tournament; featured as primary game for finals bracket
Stern release with delayed Pokedex code feature; licensing conflict with Niantic/Pokemon Company requiring feature rename
Recent Stern release; LE buyers received machines ~30 days before Transformers announcement; Kaneda paid $14,250 total and feels unsatisfied; used as comparison point for feature completeness and gameplay depth (Meowth battle arena cited as superior)
Recent Stern release; currently in production; used as comparison point for Transformers sales potential; LE units selling out and commanding secondary market premiums
No linked glossary terms
Pokemon Pinball has an outer left orbit alignment issue causing ball drains, identified in Pro units
Pokemon LE secondary market prices have dropped from $20,000 asks to $17,000-$18,000 unsold listings within two weeks of the stream.
LE buyers will receive games approximately 1.5 years before code is fully completed.
Pokemon success depends entirely on code depth capturing evolution, training, and battle mechanics from the franchise.
Pokemon's gameplay will not excite players accustomed to recent flagships like Godzilla, Foo Fighters, Jurassic Park, and Avengers.
Pokemon pinball features a magnet under the Meowth battle area that pulses and interacts with the ball without fully grabbing it
Pokemon is a combo-friendly game with smooth shot flow that doesn't feel like a brick fest
Don will receive his Pokemon LE delivery within the next two weeks
Pokemon LE machines are currently selling for $20,000 on secondary market with multiple confirmed transactions
Pokemon Pinball LE has generated unprecedented demand with zero units available for sale anywhere in the world despite 750 units sold
Pokemon will appreciate to $25,000-$30,000 in the medium-to-long term due to 750-unit scarcity and $228B IP valuation
Pokemon Pinball's simple layout (comparable to 1990s design) is driving approachability and crossover appeal vs. complex Keith Elwin games
Pokemon Pinball uses original 151 Pokemon aligning with 30th anniversary celebration
Pokemon Pinball will be profitable for location operators due to theme recognition and family appeal
Pokemon Pinball's theme execution is superior to The Walking Dead's color palette approach
Pokemon Pinball will receive a Costco home edition release
Pro model removes Arena magnet, Pikachu animatronic movement, Pokeball movement, and Whirlpool bowl compared to Premium/LE
Custom Master Ball shooter is exclusive to Pokemon Pinball launch, marking rare use of special shooter handles at initial release
Pokemon Pinball Limited Edition units are already sold out
Multiple animations in Pokemon Pinball are marked 'pending licenser approval', indicating Pokemon Company control over content
Snorlax toy appears inconsistently in gameplay footage - visible in some shots, absent in others
Snorlax toy is underutilized and should have been implemented as central bash mechanic rather than flat side toy
Pokemon Pinball playfield uses recycled/standard layouts from Star Wars, Wheel of Fortune, and Junkyard without significant innovation
The angled standup targets are intentionally curved to direct balls toward outlanes and increase quarters-per-play
Pokemon Pinball was co-designed by Jack Danger and George Gomez
Pokemon Pinball will have 750 Limited Edition units
Stern game launched recently; 32 Limited Editions currently for sale on Pinside indicating scalp failure and buyer disappointment
Recent Stern release with 32 Limited Edition units currently for sale on secondary market; experiencing significant price depreciation
Stern game revealed 4 months prior, still lacking substantial code updates; referenced as primary case study for delays
Game present during stream (behind Kaneda); generating strong location revenue per entrant Pinball Hans; visible throughout broadcast
Stern Pinball machine based on Pokemon IP; subject of critique for slow code development; LE priced at $18-19k
Stern Pinball machine released 2024; LE limited to 750 units; based on Pokemon IP; features capturing mechanics, character modes, Charizard wizard mode
Stern Pinball release in 2026; described as only significant release through April; used as benchmark for slow year
Stern pinball machine with Launch Party at Jack Bar on April 12 drawing 47 players, multiple Pro/Premium/LE variants deployed
Recent Stern release (Pro and Premium versions) driving significant new player acquisition at Electric Bat; simple ruleset appeals to casual players
Stern Pinball machine; Spike 3 platform; designed by George Gomez and Jack Danger; Limited Edition unit #50 analyzed; $14,000+ all-in cost for Kaneda; family-accessible design; minimal mechanical toys but strong aesthetic/audio-visual presentation
Stern machine being launched with Launch Party event on April 12th, replaced Pokemon Pro with Pokemon Premium at Jack Bar
Referenced as another Stern title; mentioned in context of game design collaboration with Andrew (likely Andrew Heighway).
Stern game experiencing hardware issue with outer left orbit misalignment causing ball drains; issue identified in Pro units before LE production
Rumored unannounced pinball machine; predicted to be major juggernaut with licensing potential
Stern's 30th anniversary Pokemon IP game; Spike 3 platform; three tiers (Pro $6,999 / Premium $9,699 / LE $12,999); central focus of episode
Stern's latest release; Pro/Premium/LE versions; features expression lights, magnet under Meowth area, toilet bowl on left ramp, high combo potential; Genghis receiving LE within 2 weeks; Don excited about music and gameplay flow
Stern title designed by Jack Danger (now stepped back); others finishing; possibly bumped in 2026 schedule.
Stern Pinball's newly announced flagship title featuring 180+ Pokemon characters; available in Pro/Premium/LE tiers with custom Master Ball shooter
Stern Pinball game announced one week prior, generating unprecedented secondary market demand and speculation; LE trading at $20-25K; 750 total units planned
Rumored Stern title; historically associated with Jack Danger; recent speculation suggests Keith Elwin or Elwin/Danger team-up design; one of Jack's stated top theme choices
Newly announced Stern Pinball game featuring Pokemon IP; designed by Jack Danger and George Gomez; subject of detailed playfield analysis
Official Stern Pinball machine announced in February 2026, built on Spike 3 platform, designed by George Gomez and Jack Danger with code by Tanya Kleiss
Unannounced Stern title; teaser dropped Day 1 of show; 750 LE units expected; subject of secondary market FOMO speculation; AI renders suggest simple layout
Stern Pinball title announced/teased during episode; LE production estimated 750 units (~500-550 US); media day Tuesday, NDA media Wednesday (per episode timeline); subject of extensive hype analysis; potential crossover appeal to Pokemon card collectors
Unreleased Stern game, minimal teaser trailer released, scheduled for Stern Media Day reveal
Rumored next Stern cornerstone game; would appeal to evergreen Pokemon fanbase spanning multiple generations; previously had Game Boy version with rumble pack; considered intellectually interesting from market perspective
Upcoming title (manufacturer not specified in podcast); reveal delayed multiple times; significant interest from Travis's wife Monica, impacting household purchasing decisions.
Speculated Cornerstone release for Stern with rumored Costco variant; Cale predicts January 2025 announcement based on historical pattern
Stern Pinball's February 2026 flagship release; 750-unit LE sold out by Monday following Friday announcement; secondary market pricing $20K-$30K+
Stern Pinball's newly revealed game designed by Jack Danger and George Gomez, featuring 151 original Pokemon, approachable two-flipper layout, 30th anniversary branding; Pro $7k, Premium $9.7k, LE $13k (750 units, sold out)
Stern Pinball's officially announced Pokemon-themed game; subject of episode analysis; Pro/Premium/LE tiers
Upcoming Stern release; Jack Danger no longer designer; rumored for ~30th anniversary launch (February 2025); Costco distribution rumored; high-stakes IP with massive cultural moment
Upcoming Stern game; Pro version ships first before LE; licensing-driven design requires sculpted toys to avoid stripped-down appearance
Stern's upcoming 2026 release; announced at Pinball at the Beach event; designed by Gomez/Danger; expected to have strong location appeal; potential Insider Connected regional collection feature discussed
Upcoming Stern game Q1 2026 (February) designed by Jack Danger; Kaneda has exclusive information about Stern's plans
Stern cornerstone release arriving in ~2.5 weeks; expensive license rumored to have limited character roster; questioned for crossover appeal
Rumor discussed; exclusive Patreon content claims inside information about theme licensing
Licensing actively being negotiated by manufacturers; described as strong IP licensing possibility with details being finalized
Rumored next Stern game after Star Wars; will feature Spike 3 cabinet changes; commonly speculated by community
Stern Pinball's new release featuring Pokemon IP; designed for accessibility with depth; includes Pikachu, Meowth, Squirtle mechanics
Stern Pinball machine based on Pokemon IP; subject of media day event; LE 750 units sold out immediately; features 182 collectable Pokemon in first code release; designed for accessibility to younger/new players
Stern Pinball's 2026 flagship release; 750 LE units produced, completely sold out with unprecedented secondary market demand at $20K-$30K+
Upcoming Stern cornerstone title; speculated Jack Danger as designer; referenced as highest-grossing media franchise
Stern's new cornerstone title announced February 12, 2026; built on Spike 3; LE sold out before shipping
Stern's latest flagship release in three tiers (Pro/Premium/LE); features 180 Pokemon in Insider Connected at launch; designed to be accessible while maintaining depth
Stern's latest flagship title featuring 182+ Pokemon characters, custom region design, and beginner-friendly mechanics; co-designed by George Gomez and Jack Danger
Stern Pinball's newest flagship release; Spike 3 platform; family-friendly layout with Junkyard similarities; three-tier Pro/Premium/LE variants
Upcoming Stern title; timing aligns with Pokemon 30th anniversary and McDonald's promotion
Upcoming Stern release; one of two confirmed options (Pokemon or Transformers) per George Gomez; announcement expected at CES
Anticipated release January 30th with rumored Pikachu and Charizard versions; community waiting for release; expected to underperform Transformers
New pinball machine from Stern Pinball with three editions (Pro, Premium, LE); features Generation 1 Pokemon theme with multi-region Pokemon representation
Upcoming pinball game with Pokemon theme featuring team building, collecting, and potential multiplayer mechanics
Stern release expected January 6, 2026; described as underwhelming; Costco pre-order of 3,000 units; designed by Jack Danger with George Gomez finishing
Jack Danger design; may be delayed due to licensing issues
Upcoming Stern release (one week from episode date); predicted to sell well due to IP but lack mechanical innovation
Stern Pinball release; anime-themed with 180 collectible Pokemon; three models (Pro/Premium/LE); dual-signed by George Gomez and Jack Danger; launching ~code 0.80