Gotta Read Fast

This Week in Pinball·article·analyzed·Jun 26, 2026

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.020

TL;DR

Jersey Jack launches Sonic; Slash joins HoF; Transformers rolls out; AC/DC hints at pin remaster.

Summary

This Week in Pinball covers Jersey Jack's official launch of Sonic the Hedgehog after months of anticipation, featuring guitarist Slash's contribution to the soundtrack and his U.K. Pinball Hall of Fame induction. The newsletter also highlights Stern's Transformers: More than Meets the Eye rollout, community venue closures, and AC/DC tour promotion hinting at a potential pinball machine remaster.

Key Claims

Jersey Jack officially launched Sonic the Hedgehog on Tuesday after months of teasers and prior confirmation.
high confidence · This Week in Pinball news section, stated as official launch event
Sonic launch was fairly smooth with only one small slip-up in the rollout process.
medium confidence · This Week in Pinball editorial observation about launch quality
Slash contributed guitar solo work to two songs on the Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack.
high confidence · This Week in Pinball news item about Slash's involvement
Slash was inducted into the U.K. Pinball Hall of Fame, with induction coverage by hall chairman Gary Flower.
high confidence · This Week in Pinball news section with reference to Kineticist publication
Stern's Transformers: More than Meets the Eye has surprisingly deep code for an early-release game.
high confidence · This Week in Pinball, citing launch coverage and tutorial guide
AC/DC's Power Up tour pop-up shops (18 North American stops, July 10-September 29) are offering a pinball machine as a sweepstakes prize.
high confidence · This Week in Pinball Links of the Week section
Rumors of an AC/DC pinball remaster are circulating, and the tour promotion may indicate a refreshed package is planned.
medium confidence · This Week in Pinball editorial speculation about AC/DC remaster timing
The 1up arcade bar in Denver closed its original LoDo location on June 22 after 15 years, but other locations remain open.
high confidence · This Week in Pinball Links of the Week section

Notable Quotes

“After months of teasers, a leaked playfield, and a prior title confirmation, Jersey Jack officially launched Sonic the Hedgehog on Tuesday.”
This Week in Pinball — Marks the official confirmation and launch of Sonic the Hedgehog by Jersey Jack, a major community event after prolonged speculation.
“Their best material also came a little late: the 'Complete First Look,' out Thursday, was their more typical launch content, with a full walkthrough of the game, interviews with the production team, and more.”
This Week in Pinball — Critique of Jersey Jack's launch timing and content strategy; suggests they released their best media later than ideal.
“Slash returns for another Jersey Jack release, this time contributing guitar solo work to two of the songs on the Sonic soundtrack.”
This Week in Pinball — Confirms Slash's continued collaboration with Jersey Jack, extending his pinball involvement beyond previous titles.
“Sounds like he might have some fresh ideas for a new game kicking around!”
This Week in Pinball — Speculative hint that Slash may be involved in a future Jersey Jack pinball project, suggesting ongoing creative partnership.
“For an early-release game, the code is surprisingly deep, which tracks with everything we heard coming out of its launch.”
This Week in Pinball — Positive assessment of Stern's Transformers code quality, noting it exceeds expectations for an early-stage release.

Entities

Jersey Jack Pinballcompany Sonic the Hedgehoggame SlashpersonGary FlowerpersonStern PinballcompanyTransformers: More than Meets the EyegameNoah CrablepersonEd GiardinapersonBuddy Wynkoopperson

Signals

?
product_launch: Jersey Jack officially launched Sonic the Hedgehog after months of teasers, leaks, and prior confirmation; described as a relatively smooth rollout with only minor issues.
high · Official launch on Tuesday with full coverage of editions, pricing, photos, and media across multiple outlets.
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design_innovation: Slash contributed guitar solo work to two tracks on Sonic the Hedgehog's soundtrack, continuing his partnership with Jersey Jack.
high · Direct statement of Slash's involvement in soundtrack production for Sonic.
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personnel_signal: Guitarist Slash inducted into U.K. Pinball Hall of Fame, with formal induction ceremony and media coverage; suggests deepening cultural integration of pinball with mainstream entertainment figures.
high · Formal induction with written coverage by hall chairman Gary Flower and video interview; published on Kineticist.
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gameplay_signal: Stern's Transformers: More than Meets the Eye has unusually deep code for an early-stage release, exceeding expectations for launch-window gameplay complexity.
high · Noted in launch coverage as 'surprisingly deep, which tracks with everything we heard coming out of its launch' and warranting a tutorial guide.
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rumor_hype: AC/DC pinball remaster rumors circulating; timing of Power Up tour pop-up shops giving away pinball machine as sweepstakes prize suggests a refreshed package may be planned to coincide with tour branding.
medium · Editorial note: 'While this is an interesting note, it comes as rumors of an AC/DC remaster float about. Makes more sense for AC/DC to give away a refreshed package fitting the new tour branding versus the older model.'

Transcript

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This Week in Pinball, we're turning on speed mode: a faster read after a few heavier issues, as we soak in Sonic release week. Song of the Week This week's pick should really be something from the Danny Go catalog, based on my recent listening habits, but I don't think there's much overlap here with aficionados of toddler music. So in honor of Sonic week, I dug through my saves for something fast and fun. Portland's Buddy Wynkoop put out a great punk track, "Nouveau Riche," about a month ago, and parts of the video were filmed at Quarterworld Arcade in Portland (there may even be some pinball sounds mixed into the end), so it's doubly relevant. Plus, it's well under three minutes long. Fast, high energy. Something to stomp around the house to before heading out for pinball adventures this weekend. Pinball News of the Week JJP's Sonic the Hedgehog Is Here After months of teasers, a leaked playfield, and a prior title confirmation, Jersey Jack officially launched Sonic the Hedgehog on Tuesday. We have all the details in our launch article: editions and pricing, photos, launch media, key storylines, and more. One note on the rollout: as launches go, this one was fairly smooth (though we did catch one small slip-up). Their best material also came a little late: the "Complete First Look," out Thursday, was their more typical launch content, with a full walkthrough of the game, interviews with the production team, and more. Personally, it’s always hard to tell from launch media alone, but so far I like what I see, and I’m looking forward to trying it for myself as soon as I can! Pinball Machine Management for Operators and Collectors Pinventory keeps everything about your machines in one place. Operators track collections, revenue, and audits across their locations, including public QR codes that link to online issue reporting with no app needed. Collectors catalog their whole lineup with full maintenance history, parts, and manuals on hand. Every machine, repair, and number lives in one place instead of scattered notes and spreadsheets. Your data stays private and secure, visible only to you and the people you invite. Built by Ed Giardina, creator of the IFPA Companion App. Free to use. Slash on Guitar (and in the HoF) Speaking of Sonic: Slash returns for another Jersey Jack release, this time contributing guitar solo work to two of the songs on the Sonic soundtrack. Relatedly, we teased his U.K. Pinball Hall of Fame induction last week, and the full piece is now up on Kineticist. Hall chairman Gary Flower, who presented the award, wrote it up for us, and it includes a quick video interview with Slash from the induction. Sounds like he might have some fresh ideas for a new game kicking around! How to Actually Play Transformers Stern's latest, Transformers: More than Meets the Eye, is rolling out to locations everywhere, and our own Noah Crable already has a tutorial up. For an early-release game, the code is surprisingly deep, which tracks with everything we heard coming out of its launch. So if you're headed out to play it for the first (or second) time this weekend, be sure to pull up our guide to play your best. Links of the Week Colorado's first arcade bar closes its original location — The 1up, Colorado's first arcade bar, shut its original LoDo location June 22 after 15 years. The chain still runs several other locations, though, and this fall it opens its biggest yet: 13,000 sq ft in Lakewood's Belmar, taking over the old Lucky Strike. AC/DC's Power Up tour is giving away a pinball machine — The band's pop-up shops (one per city, July 10 through September 29 across 18 North American stops) are dangling a full AC/DC pin as a sweepstakes prize. While this is an interesting note, it comes as rumors of an AC/DC remaster float about. Makes more sense for AC/DC to give away a refreshed package fitting the new tour branding versus the older model. Food for thought. Poll of the Week Are you in or out on Sonic the Hedgehog? Last Week’s Poll Results “While it’s a good one to choose as a remake and I hope it sells well, it’s not for me. Games of that era lack the depth that I come to look for in a game. Not that I’m a good enough player to see all that a game has to offer, but I love it when a game surprises me and I don’t see TOTAN doing that.” -Selected “Out” “I owned the original TOTAN and sold it after eight years. It became boring.” -Selected “Out” “Would never buy anything from this manufacturer and far too expensive, especially for a B-level title.” -Selected “Out” “Original and remake are both beautiful pins! Unfortunately it’s a shallow game for players. I owned the original but lost interest very quickly.” -Selected “Out” “New electrics and new art give TOTAN a new life.” -Selected “In” “Despite it's a amazing machine, I think for the universe of pinball is more powerful get more new machines born in 21 century. Why not create one?” -Selected “Out” “It was a pretty but mediocre game when it was new and original. The remake will be the same.” -Selected “Out” “I would like to play it, but there’s no way I would buy it.” -Selected “Out” “There's so much pink and purple, it looks like the inside of Tinkerbell's vagina. I'll never understand the fascination with colored/rainbow GI.” -Selected “Out” “Already own an original! Still enjoy and get periodic inquiries asking if I want to sell or trade - not yet!” -Selected “Out” We have regularly updated Song of the Week playlists on Spotify and YouTube. Weekly Feedback Your feedback helps us improve our work. All notes are appreciated! How was this week's newsletter?