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Death Star

productactive49 mentionsFirst seen May 31, 2017Last seen Jan 28, 2026

Profile

Death Star is a prominent playfield toy and mechanical feature in Stern Pinball's Star Wars: Fall of the Empire (2025), serving as the primary multiball lock mechanism. The motorized fixture accepts three-ball locks before releasing them into multiball mode, functioning as a central gameplay mechanic praised as a 'wow factor' despite some design criticism. It has experienced manufacturing quality issues in early units, with bracket redesigns and ramp fixes distributed to owners. The feature is also referenced in legacy Star Wars pinball machines by Data East.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • manufacturesStern Pinball Inc.Death Star is a playfield toy manufactured by Stern Pinball as a core feature in Star Wars: Fall of the Empiremedium
  • appears_inStar Wars: Fall of the EmpireDeath Star is the primary multiball lock mechanism and central playfield toy in this Stern pinball gamemedium
  • designedJohn BorgJohn Borg is a designer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, which features the Death Star mechanicmedium
  • designedRay DayRay Day is a designer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, which features the Death Star mechanicmedium

Facts

  • affiliationCentral feature of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire by Stern Pinballhighfrom 2025-09
  • attributeAssociated with multiball mode featuring 14 jackpot shots with multiplier rewardshighfrom 2025-12-05
  • attributeMotorized lock mechanism with three-ball capacity for multiball modehighfrom 2025-09
  • attributeHomage to 1983 pinball game mechanichighfrom 2025-09
  • attributeCriticized for tight mechanical tolerance but praised as wow factor when it functionshighfrom 2025-09
  • attributePrimary playfield fixture/toy on Star Wars: Fall of the Empirehigh

Claims (4)

  • factualhigh

    Death Star multiball lock feature accepts and releases balls through motorized mechanism

    Source: Gameplay demonstrationStar Wars: FotE by Stern Pinball. Death Star blown up, check. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.
  • factualhigh

    The Death Star on Fall of the Empire is improved over the previous Death Star design, being smaller and not consuming 9-10 cross shots

    Source: Orbital AlbertPNP 638- Star Wars 5 Rad 1 Bad+ Glenn VS Kaneda: EXPLAINED!
  • factualhigh

    Death Star Battle requires 15 total jackpots to light super jackpot, with characters providing 2-3 jackpots each

    Source: Ray DayStar Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball Live Stream Premiere
  • opinionhigh

Recent Mentions (49)

  • Key mechanical toy/feature in Star Wars pinball; destruction of Death Star leads to victory multiball; described as 'difficult challenge'

    Stern Pinball: Making of Star WarsDec 4, 2017
  • Central playfield feature in Star Wars; serves as lock mechanism and multiball trigger; host struggles significantly with hitting this shot consistently

    Don't Panic Flip: Episode 4 - Taking Han to Endor/Hoth TownMar 9, 2018
  • Pinball toy/mechanism in Star Wars Pinball targeted by player

    Don't Panic Flip: BETA Episode 1 - Star Wars PinballFeb 28, 2018
  • Central toy/mode on Star Wars Premium; mechanical target that George repeatedly attempts to hit and destroy via multiball

    Don't Panic Flip Episode 10 - Star Wars: New FW Didn't Help Me Blow Up the DeathstarApr 11, 2018
  • Shot target on Star Wars Pinball; described as difficult to hit consistently

    Don't Panic Flip: Episode 2 - Game Night - Almost 1 Billion on Star WarsMar 3, 2018
  • Motorized playfield toy/lock mechanism central to Star Wars Premium gameplay; frequently targeted shot with noted difficulty

    Don't Panic Flip: Episode 1 - Star Wars Premium

Contradictions

No contradictions detected

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

from 2025-09
  • attributeOpens to accept three-ball locks for multiball mode activationhighfrom 2025-09
  • statusExperienced lock malfunction issues during gameplay in some unitsmediumfrom 2025-11-21
  • statusExperienced ball rejection issues in early manufacturing unitshighfrom 2025-12-09
  • statusRedesigned bracket part distributed as retrofit kit to address rejection issueshighfrom 2025-12-09
  • The Death Star ramp is extremely difficult to shoot from the right flipper

    Source: Jack DangerStar Wars Data East | Aug 31st, 2017
    Mar 1, 2018
  • Central playfield toy/mechanism in Star Wars machine; primary target host focuses on throughout gameplay

    Don't Panic Flip: Episode 5 - Friday NightMar 10, 2018
  • Motorized toy/lock mechanism in Data East Star Wars, central to multiball mode, difficult to shoot

    Star Wars Data East | Aug 31st, 2017Sep 5, 2017
  • Playfield toy/feature in Star Wars; mechanical explosion effect; serves as primary objective in multiple modes

    Star Wars Premium Gameplay Aug 4th, 2017Aug 5, 2017
  • Multiball lock mechanism and mode objective in Star Wars pinball; associated with certain character paths

    NEW STAR WARS #PINBALL from STERN HQ! 07/05/17Jul 6, 2017
  • Pinball machine referenced in gameplay ('Just shoot the Death Star')

    DEC-JAN Top Twitch Clips For Dead Flip!Jan 22, 2019
  • Rising door toy mechanism on the Star Wars playfield that required complete disassembly, cleaning, relubrication, and target replacement

    The Star Wars Overhaul: FinaleMay 23, 2023
  • Toy mechanic on Star Wars games; Hardy criticizes the Comic Art Pin version as mechanically simplistic ('sphere with a dent')

    A Reskinned Honest Star Wars Comic Pin TrailerNov 20, 2020
  • Lock mechanism toy on Star Wars pinball; breaks open to release balls for multiball

    STAR WARS REVEALEDMay 31, 2017
  • Prominent toy/mechanical feature on Star Wars: The Pin playfield.

    Star Wars: The Pin by Stern Pinball - Unboxing, Setup, & GameplaySep 3, 2019
  • Planetary mode in Star Wars Pinball; features a tight, difficult orbit shot; valuable but risky target

    Star Wars Pinball Tutorial (Stern 2017 v0.85)Jul 24, 2017
  • Playfield toy on Fall of the Empire; serves as multiball lock mechanism; described as tight shot

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire – Exclusive & Extended Review of Stern Pinball’s New Machine!Sep 13, 2025
  • Bash toy/mechanical feature in Star Wars: Fall of the Empire that serves as multiball lock mechanism

    Star Wars: Fall Of The Empire Pinball Tutorial (Flip N Out Pinball, 2025)Nov 23, 2025
  • Motorized toy/mechanical feature on Star Wars that accepts three-ball locks to activate multiball

    Episode 42: Inside Stern’s New Star Wars Pinball + SPIKE 3 Secrets!Sep 14, 2025
  • Motorized lock mechanism toy on Star Wars: Fall of the Empire; improved over previous Death Star design with smaller footprint

    PNP 638- Star Wars 5 Rad 1 Bad+ Glenn VS Kaneda: EXPLAINED!Sep 12, 2025
  • Central playfield toy/lock mechanism in Fall of the Empire; motorized fixture experiencing ball rejection issues on lock attempts

    Star Wars Fall Of The Empire Pinball, I Played It – Let’s Talk About ItSep 12, 2025
  • Playfield toy requiring shield lowering, part of Death Star Multiball mode

    Star Wars Fall of the Empire Pinball Presented by Stern PinballSep 12, 2025
  • Central playfield toy/lock mechanism in Star Wars; mentioned as being hit accidentally by players; functions as multiball lock mechanism

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire StreamSep 24, 2025
  • Playfield toy and multiball lock mechanism in Fall of the Empire; requires 15 jackpots to light super jackpot

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball Live Stream PremiereSep 12, 2025
  • Multiball lock mechanism; adjusted in 0.87 to allow multiple plays with repeated jackpot opportunities

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Code Update 0.87 GameplayNov 20, 2025
  • Iconic pinball toy in Fall of the Empire; ball-locking device holding up to 3 balls; based on actual Disney prop with damage added; fires all balls during multiball

    The Making of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire PinballDec 29, 2025
  • Central multiball lock mechanism and major playfield toy in Star Wars machine

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Code Update 0.88 GameplayDec 18, 2025
  • Multiball mode with drop target progression; stacks with other modes; referenced as traditional game finale

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire V 0.85 StreamOct 1, 2025
  • Lock mechanism and multiball mode in Star Wars FOTE

    Stern Pinball Star Wars Fall Of The Empire Pro GameplaySep 12, 2025
  • Referenced as ball lock mechanism/feature in Star Wars game

    Stern Pinball Star Wars Fall Of The Empire Premium GameplaySep 12, 2025
  • Secondary multiball mode in Star Wars: Fall of the Empire with 3-ball lock mechanism at Death Star ramp

    May the Force Be With You: Learn to Play Star Wars: Fall of the EmpireOct 10, 2025
  • Playfield toy on Star Wars that opens to accept three-ball locks for multiball mode

    FIRST LOOK: Stern’s New Star Wars Pinball - Fall of the Empire!Sep 13, 2025
  • Mode/feature within Star Wars Pro being discussed and demonstrated

    Star Wars Pro (Stern 2025)Dec 6, 2025
  • Playfield feature/mechanism on Star Wars pinball that experienced lock malfunction during gameplay

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire by Stern. Try harder, play better. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Nov 21, 2025
  • Primary ramp/shot target in Star Wars machine for multiball scoring

    Concord Champ '25: Qualifying Round 7 on Star Wars by Data East. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • Multiball mode feature in Star Wars game

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire by Stern. New code, what? Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Oct 31, 2025
  • Game feature/mode within Star Wars: Fall of the Empire; also referenced as UI design element

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire by Stern. It's the bricks for me. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Oct 18, 2025
  • Major game mode/multiball feature in Star Wars: FotE

    Star Wars: FotE by Stern Pinball. Death Star blown up, check. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Oct 12, 2025
  • Central mechanical feature/lock mechanic in Star Wars FotE allowing multiball activation

    Star Wars: FotE by Stern Pinball. At 375M and climbing. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Oct 8, 2025
  • Primary mode/feature in Star Wars FotE gameplay

    Star Wars: FotE by Stern Pinball. Let's see if it rejects me. Streamed from Raccoon City Pinball.Oct 8, 2025
  • Motorized multiball feature with motorized target requiring three-ball lock before release

    Stern Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball Designers Borg & Rayday Reveal Game Rules & Features!Sep 28, 2025
  • Major playfield fixture/lock target on Fall of the Empire; criticized for being too tight but praised as a wow mechanic when it collapses

    Star Wars - Fall Of The Empire - Love it or Hate itJan 28, 2026
  • Primary toy mechanic on Star Wars; motorized lock with all three balls; homage to 1983 game; community feedback suggests desire for larger size

    Inside “Star Wars: Fall of the Empire” w/ John Borg & Ray Day — Full InterviewSep 16, 2025
  • Stern pinball game; ramp fix released to owners

    Stern Pinball’s George Gomez Addresses Criticism of New Pinball Cabinets; Godzilla Poised to Become the Best-Selling Pin of All-Time; Next Stern Title?Dec 10, 2025
  • Multiball mode in Star Wars featuring 14 jackpot shots with multiplier rewards and explosion sequence finale

    Star Wars and Walking Dead | Stern Pinball's Latest CreationsDec 5, 2025
  • Star Wars pinball feature; hosts discussed backhanding shot from left flipper as challenging mechanic; easier from right side.

    Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 82 - Expo Prep And An International Man Of Mystery!Sep 25, 2025
  • Recent pinball release experiencing manufacturing rejects issue, addressed by Don in podcast format

    PNP 645- Ryan Sets The Record Str8 On David Fix+ Karl D HIRED@BOF For Winchester Mystery House PinballOct 13, 2025
  • Challenging shot mechanic in Star Wars pinball; multiball mode associated with game progression

    Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 81 - Star Wars media day is HERE!Sep 14, 2025
  • Recent Stern Star Wars-themed release; early units had ball rejection issues with bracket; redesigned part now being distributed as kit

    Ask Jack Anything: Episode 3Dec 9, 2025