Stern Pinball Reveals Pokemon Pinball

Kineticist·article·analyzed·Feb 16, 2026

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 (batch) · $0.013

TL;DR

Stern reveals Pokémon pinball with animatronic toys, targeting millennials; LE sells out pre-release.

Summary

Stern Pinball officially reveals Pokémon by Stern Pinball, a licensed machine based on the 1990s animated series targeting millennials and older Gen-Z collectors. The game features animatronic Pikachu and Poké Ball toys (Premium/LE only), custom voiceovers, integrated video clips, and Insider Connected integration for persistent Pokémon collection tracking across locations. The reveal followed months of community speculation, AI-generated fake leaks, and a real distributor deck leak from Betson; designer Jack Danger stepped back from full-time design in July 2025, with George Gomez finishing the game. The Limited Edition sold out before shipping, with pricing at $6,999 (Pro), $9,699 (Premium), and $12,999 (LE), limited to 750 units globally.

Key Claims

Pokémon has been ranked #1 on the Kineticist Hype Index for as long as they've been tracking it
high confidence · Kineticist article states 'Pokemon has been one of the most hyped themes on the Kineticist Hype Index for as long as we've been tracking it — currently ranked #1'
The game carried the internal codename 'PANTS' during development
high confidence · Kineticist article directly states 'The game carried the internal codename "PANTS" during development'
AI-generated fake leaks were a significant factor in the pre-reveal hype cycle, marking the first Stern release where this occurred
high confidence · Article states 'This was arguably the first Stern release where AI fakes were a genuine factor in the hype conversation, and it won't be the last'
A Betson distributor sales deck with the playfield layout and feature details leaked on February 11th
high confidence · Article: 'A distributor sales deck showing the playfield layout, watermarked with Betson's logo. On February 11th, additional pages from the same deck spread widely'
The Pokemon Company is deeply involved as a hands-on creative partner, providing all visual assets and custom sculpts
high confidence · Article states 'All visual assets come from The Pokemon Company. All sculpts are custom made for this machine. The Pokemon Company has been a hands-on creative partner throughout development'
This is the first Nintendo property on a pinball machine since Gottlieb's Super Mario Bros. in 1992 — a 34-year gap
high confidence · Article explicitly states 'This is the first Nintendo property on a pinball machine since Gottlieb's Super Mario Bros. in 1992 — a 34-year gap'
The Limited Edition sold out before the game shipped
high confidence · Article states 'The LE sold out before the game shipped' and later 'The LE sold out before the game shipped'
Jack Danger stepped back from full-time design in July 2025 due to personal reasons, not being forced off

Notable Quotes

“Being a designer at some point became a lot for me to handle with everything else I have going on in my life, and when I asked to step down, George fought for me to stay but understood I needed some time to handle life stuff.”
Jack Danger @ Post-reveal Facebook statement — Clarifies Jack Danger's decision to step down as full-time designer on Pokemon; resolves speculation about whether he was forced off the project
“I was never taken off of design, I needed a break.”
Jack Danger @ Post-reveal Facebook statement — Reiterates that stepping back was voluntary and about personal well-being, not a demotion
“Today we're proud to finally deliver the long-awaited Pokémon by Stern Pinball machine. This game is a true celebration of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the enduring adventure of Pokémon – brought to life in a whole new way through immersive pinball gameplay, thrilling battles and the timeless excitement of catching Pokémon.”
Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball @ Official announcement, February 12, 2026 — Official positioning of Pokemon as a nostalgia-driven centerpiece release emphasizing craftsmanship
“That level of investment from the licensor side is rare in pinball.”
Kineticist analysis @ Article body — Highlights the unprecedented depth of Pokemon Company involvement in the game's development
“Getting to work on it at Stern is a full-circle moment.”
Kineticist analysis @ Article body — References Jack Danger's long history of wanting to design a Pokemon game, dating back to his Deadflip streaming days

Entities

Stern PinballcompanyThe Pokémon CompanyorganizationJack Dangerperson George Gomezperson Seth Davisperson ColinpersonBetsoncompanyPokémon by Stern Pinball

Signals

?
product_launch: Stern Pinball officially revealed Pokemon by Stern Pinball on February 12, 2026, available in Pro/Premium/LE with limited to 750 LE units globally
high · Official press release and Kineticist article with MSRP pricing: Pro $6,999, Premium $9,699, LE $12,999
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collector_signal: Pokemon LE sold out before the game shipped, indicating strong collector demand despite high $12,999 price point
high · Article states 'The LE sold out before the game shipped' (stated twice)
?
leak_detection: Pre-release cycle marked by AI-generated fabricated playfield images and cabinet renders, followed by real Betson distributor sales deck leak on February 11th with playfield layout and feature details; marked as first Stern release where AI fakes were significant factor
high · Article documents 'AI-generated fake leaks flooded social channels' and 'A distributor sales deck showing the playfield layout, watermarked with Betson's logo. On February 11th, additional pages from the same deck spread widely'
?
licensing_signal: The Pokemon Company acted as hands-on creative partner, providing all visual assets and custom sculpts; approval process delayed Stern's typical early January reveal to February 6th; full IP holder consortium behind license (not sublicense)
high · Article states Pokemon Company 'has been a hands-on creative partner throughout development — an unusual level of licensor involvement' and 'Pokemon slipped to February 6th, reportedly held up by licensor approvals'
?
personnel_signal: Jack Danger transitioned from full-time designer to Head of Community in July 2025; George Gomez stepped in to complete Pokemon design; Danger clarified the move was voluntary due to personal reasons, not forced

Topics

Pokemon IP licensing and creative partnership depthprimaryGenerational appeal and market segmentation (older vs. younger collectors)primaryJack Danger's career transition and role change at SternprimaryLimited Edition scarcity and pre-release sellout dynamicsprimaryPre-release leak cycles: AI-generated fakes vs. real distributor leaksprimaryAnimator/toy integration and mechanical differentiation across Pro/Premium/LE tiersprimaryInsider Connected persistent progression mechanics on locationsecondaryNintendo IP availability for pinball and broader franchise implicationssecondary

Sentiment

neutral(0)

Transcript

web_scrape · $0.000

Like what you're reading? Get pinball news, analysis, and deep dives delivered to your inbox. Get pinball news, analysis, and deep dives delivered to your inbox. Colin is the chief pixel pusher at Kineticist. He's a lifetime gamer who became enamored with pinball after taking in a family copy of the 1979 classic Joker Poker (the EM version). Since then he's bought, sold and repaired many machines, competed in all kinds of tournaments, and contributes to This Week in Pinball, the New Robert Englunds Pinball League, and Pin-Masters of New Robert Englunds. Previously, Colin spent over a decade working in marketing for agencies and tech startups. He also started and ran a music blog, happy hour website, and wrote a regular craft beer review column for Central Track in Dallas. Once aspired to be an artsy film director. Pokemon has been one of the most hyped themes on the Kineticist Hype Index for as long as we've been tracking it — currently ranked #1, in our updated methodology that we're testing. The community knew this was coming for months, and broader rumors stretched back over a year. The game carried the internal codename "PANTS" during development. The pre-reveal cycle was messy in ways that feel new. AI-generated fake leaks flooded social channels: fabricated playfield images, cabinet renders, speculative designs. Some were convincing enough to generate real discussion before being debunked. This was arguably the first Stern release where AI fakes were a genuine factor in the hype conversation, and it won't be the last. Then, after the teaser dropped, real leaks surfaced. A distributor sales deck showing the playfield layout, watermarked with Betson's logo. On February 11th, additional pages from the same deck spread widely — feature details, edition trim differences — scooping chunks of the official reveal. That the material came from Betson, one of Stern's largest distribution partners, made it all the more unusual. The watermarks were presumably there to deter leaking; instead, they just identified the source. Stern's tease also arrived later than expected. The company's cornerstone reveals have typically landed in early January; Pokemon slipped to February 6th, reportedly held up by licensor approvals. The Pokemon Company is famously protective of its brand, and the approval process for a licensed product this complex was more involved than Stern's usual timeline allows. Before Jack Danger was a designer at Stern, back in his Deadflip streaming days, he designed a Pokemon pinball cabinet art as a mockup. Old photos still circulate. Getting to work on it at Stern is a full-circle moment. The backstory has been playing out in public for months. Pokemon was originally Jack's cornerstone project. Then, in July 2025, he transitioned to Head of Community, stepping back from full-time game design. Jack addressed it directly on Facebook after the reveal: "Being a designer at some point became a lot for me to handle with everything else I have going on in my life, and when I asked to step down, George fought for me to stay but understood I needed some time to handle life stuff." He was clear that it was his decision. "I was never taken off of design, I needed a break." At the time of the role change, we speculated the result might be "some sort of team-up with Elwin stepping in to mostly finish the work that Danger started." We got the team-up part right — it's George Gomez, not Keith Elwin, who stepped in to carry it forward. If this is Jack's last cornerstone, it rounds out a three-title run — Uncanny X-Men, Foo Fighters, Pokemon — landing one of your dream themes as your final at-bat is the kind of ending you'd script if you could. Pokemon is the highest-grossing media franchise in history. Bigger than Star Wars, bigger than Marvel, bigger than anything else that's ever been on a pinball playfield. The crossover potential is enormous — Pokemon fans who've never considered buying a pinball machine are suddenly paying attention. It's also a departure for Stern. Their cornerstone releases have mostly skewed toward Gen X and older — Metallica, Star Wars, Led Zeppelin — with occasional dips into millennial territory like Stranger Things, X-Men, and Foo Fighters. Pokemon skews younger, and the generational divide is already showing up in community discussions. Older collectors dismiss it — "it's a kids' theme," "millennials don't have the money" — while younger fans are excited in a way the pinball world doesn't always see. The skepticism says more about the demographic gap in pinball's existing collector base (or at least those who congregate on pinball forums) than it does about the viability of the theme. Stern's licensed titles tend to draw coverage from adjacent media — metal blogs for Metallica, music outlets for Led Zeppelin. Pokemon has reached further into the gaming community than usual, pulling attention from outlets that don't typically cover pinball. That also means new eyeballs hitting Stern's pricing page for the first time, and $7,000–$13,000 for a pinball machine is going to be a shock for anyone not accustomed to what NIB pinball costs. Whether that sticker shock dampens the crossover demand or just filters it is worth watching. The demand side is already strong regardless. The LE sold out before the game shipped, and distributors are reporting heavy interest across all models. Operators and collectors will be competing with a potentially large wave of first-time buyers. This is the first Nintendo property on a pinball machine since Gottlieb's Super Mario Bros. in 1992 — a 34-year gap. If Pokemon performs well, it could crack open the broader Nintendo universe for pinball. Multiple Nintendo properties rank highly on the Kineticist Hype Index, and the community demand is clear. A successful Pokemon gives Stern a proof of concept: Nintendo IP sells pinball machines, the audience exists, and the licensing relationship works. Whether that leads to Zelda, Mario, or something else is speculation, but getting a foot in the Nintendo door matters more than any single title. The copyright notice tells the story: "©2026 Pokemon. ©1995–2026 Nintendo / Creatures Inc. / GAME FREAK inc." The full IP holder consortium is behind the license — not a sublicense, not a limited deal. Their involvement goes deep. Every visual asset comes from The Pokemon Company. All sculpts are custom made for this machine. The Pokemon Company has been a hands-on creative partner throughout development — an unusual level of licensor involvement that speaks to how seriously Nintendo is treating this project. It extends beyond the game, too. The Pokemon Company is supposedly taking the game on tour, and the tease landed as part of the franchise's 30th anniversary push, meaning Stern's cornerstone release is woven into one of the biggest franchise marketing campaigns of the year. That level of investment from the licensor side is rare in pinball. This may be the first anime-based pinball machine ever produced. Japanese IPs have appeared in pinball before (Godzilla most obviously), but a game built specifically around an anime series is new territory. Basing it on the 1990s animated series is a pointed decision. It targets the nostalgia sweet spot: millennials and older Gen-Z who grew up with the original 151, Ash Ketchum, and the Indigo League, the demographic most likely to have disposable income for a $6,999 machine (minimum). The LE sold out before the game shipped. The game is expected to ship at code .80, pending licensor approval. Stern is prioritizing on-location Pro models first, with production starting late February through early March. Limited Edition builds follow shortly after, with Premium models scheduled to begin production later in March. Pro vs. Premium/LE — the key upgrades: The Pro-to-Premium jump is significant. Animatronic Pikachu, animatronic Poke Ball lock, Squirtle Whirlpool, Psyduck subway, arena magnet — all Premium/LE exclusives. That's a lot of mechanical differentiation for $2,700. LE-only extras (beyond Premium): All models include: *Expression Lighting System and Speaker Expression Lighting System available as accessories (sold separately) for Pro and Premium.* On Premium and LE models, the Pikachu toy is fully animatronic — it reacts to playfield action with movement and custom recorded speech. Pro models get a static Pikachu with the same custom speech but no movement. The animatronic version is the centerpiece of the game. On location, it's the thing that'll make people stop and watch. An interactive Meowth Balloon descends to the playfield arena during battle sequences — Team Rocket's signature Meowth as a physical target to bash. On Premium and LE models, an interactive electromagnet adds chaos to the battle arena during these encounters. Playfield shots map to Pokemon characters: a Bulbasaur outer left orbit feeding the back ramp, a Squirtle left ramp (with Whirlpool spinning bowl on Premium/LE), a Pikachu right ramp encircling the Pikachu toy that feeds into Pikachu multiball, and a Charmander optical spinning target entering the Tall Grass pop bumper area where players discover Pokemon. Every shot carries the character's identity rather than generic labeling. An animated Magikarp topper is rumored to be in the works. Custom voiceovers for Pikachu and Giovanni capture the spirit of the original series. The game integrates video clips from the animated series, includes the iconic "Pokemon Theme (Gotta Catch 'Em All)" song, and plays custom animations on the 18.5" full HD display. Authentic performances, not soundalikes. Through Stern's Insider Connected platform, Pokemon caught during gameplay persist across machines and locations. Play at one spot, catch a Squirtle; play at another, catch a Charmander — your collection follows you. It maps perfectly to the franchise's core loop and gives the game real legs on location The core gameplay loop maps directly to the source material: Catch, Train, Battle. The structure mirrors the show's progression closely: explore, collect, power up, fight. Pokemon fans should feel immediately at home, and the physical toys keep it grounded as a pinball experience. Stern Pinball Challenges Trainers to Catch Pokémon and Battle Their Way to the Top CHICAGO, IL – February 12, 2026 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the largest manufacturer of pinball games in the world, in collaboration with The Pokémon Company International, revealed and released a new pinball machine – Pokémon by Stern Pinball. Since Pokémon debuted in Japan in 1996, Trainers around the world have embarked on countless journeys across the iconic entertainment franchise – all in pursuit of becoming a top Pokémon Trainer. Powered by Stern’s SPIKE 3 technology, this dynamic machine brings the thrill of catching, battling rivals and training Pokémon in the silverball arena for the very first time. Stern invites players to step up to the playfield and test their skills as Pokémon Trainers, battling rivals and facing off against the menacing Team Rocket in intense encounters. Pokémon by Stern Pinball is available now in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models. In Pokémon by Stern Pinball, Trainers embark on an unforgettable journey across four distinct habitats, discovering, catching, and bonding with many of their favorite Pokémon. Players will shoot the illuminated, mechanically animated Poké Ball to catch Pokémon, build their ultimate team, and complete their Pokémon Collection. The playfield also features beautifully crafted Pokémon-themed ramps, spinners, and targets. Watch as the animatronic Pikachu reacts to your gameplay, cheering you on every step of the way! Trainers can battle their way through rival trainers and compete in the arena through dynamic, custom battle sequences. Danger lurks as Team Rocket and their infamous boss, Giovanni, plot trouble. The interactive Meowth Balloon toy swoops down onto the battle arena to challenge the Trainer. Premium and Limited Edition games include an interactive electromagnet that adds chaos to the battle arena. Every element of Pokémon by Stern Pinball has been meticulously crafted with attention to detail, honoring the rich legacy of the beloved franchise. The machine integrates video clips from the original Pokémon animated series, immersing players in the world that started it all. Bringing the experience to life even further, custom voiceovers for Pikachu and the notorious Team Rocket leader, Giovanni, captures the spirit and humor that fans know and love. To complete the nostalgic journey, the game proudly includes the iconic “Pokémon Theme” song, a true celebration of the timeless Pokémon adventure. Utilizing Stern Pinball’s award-winning Insider Connected, Pokémon by Stern Pinball elevates the experience by connecting Trainers and their adventures across machines and locations. When Trainers play Pokémon by Stern Pinball signed in with their Stern Insider Connected Account, the Pokémon they CATCH will be added to their Insider Connected Pokémon Collection, which can be viewed in the Insider Connected app. Trainers looking for an elevated experience will be able to enjoy the highly collectible Limited Edition model, limited to 750 games globally, which includes the updated Expression Lighting System™ and Speaker Expression Lighting System with Pokémon-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, a custom LE Pokémon pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration. “Today we’re proud to finally deliver the long-awaited Pokémon by Stern Pinball machine,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “This game is a true celebration of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the enduring adventure of Pokémon – brought to life in a whole new way through immersive pinball gameplay, thrilling battles and the timeless excitement of catching Pokémon.” Pokémon by Stern Pinball is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world. Find out more and contact us for availability in your location on the game information page here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Pricing and Availability: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”) and Recommended Retail Price (“RRP”): *MSRP (US) and RRP (Europe) are for sales to end-users before any applicable VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, Tariffs, or other taxes and are subject to change. Pro Edition: $US 6,999 (RRP – €6,699.00; £5,799.00) Premium Edition: $US 9,699 (RRP – €8,749.00; £7,599.00) Limited Edition: $US 12,999 (RRP – €11,999.00; £10,499.00) Pokémon by Stern Pinball games feature Stern’s best-in-class commercial quality reliability backed by a pinball best-in-class one-year warranty. About Insider Connected Insider Connected™ is Stern Pinball’s community network that allows players and owners to engage with pinball games in rapidly expanding ways. The platform unites pinball players worldwide and enhances the fun through a variety of useful online features. Insider Connected is included with every new Stern product and is available as an add-on for existing games. Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the intuitive Insider Connected™ mobile app on iOS and Android. By tapping a device on any enabled machine, players can track and resume game progress wherever they play, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the pinball community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. In addition to offering benefits to players, Insider Connected allows Stern to serve its game owners worldwide by upgrading games, offering new features and quests, and extending the longevity of machines for years to come. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games and experiences. Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets worldwide. Recent Stern Pinball titles include The Walking Dead Remastered, Star Wars, King Kong, Dungeons & Dragons, Metallica Remastered, The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games, from professional pinball players competing in high-stakes global competitions to novice players discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com. About Pokémon The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com. ### All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.