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Stern’s NEW Transformers Pinball First Look: Autobots Roll Out!

RetroRalph·video·16m 21s·analyzed·May 23, 2026
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.020

TL;DR

Stern's new G1 Transformers pinball impresses with cartoon authenticity and innovative single-bumper design.

Summary

RetroRalph attends a Stern Pinball media event for the new G1 Transformers pinball game designed by Elliott Eisman with code by Elizabeth Kiske. The game features three cabinet tiers (Pro/Premium/LE), G1 cartoon-themed licensing with original voice actors and the classic Yukata Touch song, innovative single pop-bumper design, and dual-player competitive modes. Ralph expresses strong enthusiasm about the game's thematic authenticity and gameplay accessibility, positioning it as a major IP alternative to Pokémon in Stern's portfolio.

Key Claims

  • The last Stern Transformers game was released in 2011 after the Michael Bay film release

    high confidence · RetroRalph opening statement at media event

  • This new Transformers game is Elliott Eisman's second design after John Wick

    high confidence · RetroRalph discussing designer credits

  • Elizabeth Kiske is the code lead and potentially the first female head code developer at Stern

    high confidence · RetroRalph and Elizabeth discussing her role in game development

  • The game features a single pop-bumper design rather than pop clusters to maintain game speed

    high confidence · RetroRalph explaining mechanical design philosophy

  • Hasbro provided original voice actors and the Yukata Touch song from the G1 cartoon for licensing authenticity

    high confidence · RetroRalph commenting on audio and licensing quality

  • The game includes a Training Course/sandbox mode to teach players shots and mechanics

    high confidence · Elizabeth describing practice/tutorial functionality

  • The game features dual-player competitive modes where players control Autobots vs Decepticons

    medium confidence · Ralph and Elizabeth discussing two-player action button mechanics

Notable Quotes

  • “This time, it is a child of 80s who are showing us the full G1 Cartoon universe.”

    RetroRalph@ 0:21 — Clarifies the target demographic and thematic positioning of this Transformers iteration vs. 2011 Michael Bay version

  • “I really like this. Congratulations, Stern. You've got a new player. When we were here last time, we played Pokemon.”

    RetroRalph@ 6:21 — Indicates Transformers is positioned as competitive with Pokémon for attracting new/casual audiences to premium Stern titles

  • “I think this is the best audio that Stern has ever done. Because Hasbro has brought in the necessary and important things for them.”

    RetroRalph@ 7:11 — High praise for licensing integration and audio quality, suggests strong IP partnership with Hasbro

  • “I think she is the first female head code developer. This is a great experience for Elizabeth and we bring new things to this game.”

    RetroRalph@ 8:25 — Notable industry milestone regarding diversity in pinball code development roles

  • “At first, I thought I didn't want this. I thought I wasn't ready... but when people who were in front of me said that I was ready, I believed that it was enough for me.”

    Elizabeth Kiske@ 9:10 — Reveals confidence/imposter syndrome dynamics in early-career game development roles

Entities

RetroRalphpersonElliott EismanpersonElizabeth KiskepersonStern PinballcompanyHasbrocompanyTransformers (G1 2025/2026)gameJohn WickgameTransformers (2011)gamePokemongame

Signals

  • ?

    product_launch: Stern officially reveals new G1 Transformers pinball at media day event with designer and code lead present

    high · RetroRalph attending Stern Pinball media event with direct access to Elliott Eisman and Elizabeth Kiske

  • ?

    licensing_signal: Hasbro providing deep content integration including original voice actors, G1 cartoon soundtrack, and character licensing for game authenticity

    high · RetroRalph praising audio quality and noting Hasbro brought 'necessary and important things'; inclusion of Yukata Touch song and voice talent

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Designer opting for single pop-bumper instead of pop clusters to maintain game flow and speed, referencing recent Stern trend (Tainers, X-Men)

    high · RetroRalph detailed discussion of single KT-Panthu vs. pop cluster trade-offs; mentions Star Wars Fall of the Empire as comparison

  • ?

    design_innovation: Game includes training/practice mode allowing players to learn shot sequences in sandbox environment before main game

    high · Elizabeth Kiske explaining practice missions and Training Course functionality

  • ?

    gameplay_signal: Game features dual-player competitive modes with Autobots vs. Decepticons faction system; action button mechanic allows simultaneous two-player interaction

    medium · Ralph and Elizabeth discussing multi-player competitive mechanics where one player is Optimus/Autobot and other is Decepticon

Transcript

youtube_groq_whisper · $0.049

0:00
Hello Friends, We are at the Stern Pinball for Transformers Media Tavor. I am very excited about this.
0:15
The last Stern Transformers game was released in 2011. It was released after the Michael Bay release. This time, it is a child of 80s who are showing us the full G1 Cartoon universe. This is the second game of Elliot Iceman after John Wick. Anyway, I am very excited to see what he is going to do in this game. And this is a very big court issue because Elizabeth Kiske is leading this. He played for Jaws and TNT. I especially like what he did in Shark is Broken Mode. Anyway, let's go inside and see what Stern has for us. Let's see what's going on. I realized that this game would be a great help for you. But only a short distance is enough to help.
1:28
Here it is. As always, Stern Transformers I Pro, Premium and Limited Edition are shown in three models. Basically, this is the same game, but each model has some important differences. Let's talk about that later. Okay, we are on the media table. It's come to light. Transformers is more than what you can see. This is a game in premium edition. I will explain about the toys and mechanics in this video. Megatron is a Soundwave
3:03
Micaum Arumai. Inda Mekkei Anugavadhar ku ningle silavatai adikka vendiyadhu avasiyam. Oru shotai tadukum vagayil ithayavadhu vaikum poothu, adhu ur savalana unarvai tharigiradhu, enakku adhu pidikum. Muzhumayaga chutri varum orbit shot ondrum ulladhu, adhu vedikai anadhu. Nootri enbathu degree shot ondrum ulladhu.
Optimus Prime
product
Megatronproduct
Soundwaveproduct
Yukata Touchproduct
?

personnel_signal: Elizabeth Kiske appears to be first or among first female head code developers at Stern; notable career transition narrative discussed on-camera

medium · RetroRalph explicitly stating 'I think she is the first female head code developer' and Elizabeth discussing initial doubt overcome by team confidence

  • ?

    product_strategy: Transformers positioned as major cornerstone IP alternative to Pokemon for attracting casual/mainstream players to premium Stern titles

    high · RetroRalph comparing Transformers to Pokemon as gateway IP; stating 'Can I turn Pokemon into Transformers?' as rhetorical question about appeal parity

  • $

    market_signal: Game released in three cabinet tiers (Pro/Premium/Limited Edition) with significant feature/art differences between models

    high · RetroRalph noting 'Stern Transformers I Pro, Premium and Limited Edition are shown in three models. Basically, this is the same game, but each model has some important differences'

  • ?

    content_signal: RetroRalph producing substantial YouTube coverage of media event with gameplay footage, designer/code developer interviews, and detailed mechanical analysis

    high · Full video of media event walkthrough, interviews, and gameplay demonstration at Stern facility

  • ~

    sentiment_shift: Strong positive community sentiment around Elliott Eisman's second design and Elizabeth Kiske's code work; Ralph expresses high confidence in execution quality

    high · RetroRalph: 'If you are a fan of Transformers, you will love this game'; 'Elliot and Elizabeth created this game very well'; 'I don't want to say ten out of ten, but they did a great job'

    • 3:21
    Idhar ku adiyil ningle adithaal, adhu meendum idadhu piliparukku thirumbum. Inda nootri enbathu degree shotkal enakku migavum pidikum. Idhi vilayatin vegathai adhigarithu nandraga chella vaikiradhu. There is no more to slow down the game. Here you have a KT-Panthu that you can hit. There is a single pop-pumper under the soundwave. They are doing this in their games recently. Try to think of Tainzer Room and Uncanny X They want to keep one pop instead of pop clusters If you remember Star Wars Fall of the Empire they used both I like this very much This gives a little more variety to the game I like that one pop I think pop clusters will slow down the game very much This is the speed of the game and the order of the show He like saying me Krimlock me whatever You know it stupid It a revelation It a revelation Okay, should I say it? No, we're going to find out. I'll use it. Really? Yes. Look, he's got a place in the LCD screens. They have a lot of screens. So, the big screens were taken from the first generation of Transformers. They have a lot of screens. Transparmers
    4:58
    But if you watch premium or pro movies, I think you will like the way the world of Transformers is designed. The real question is, how is this really played? Are the shots good? Does this point draw me into the world of Transformers? Are there any important features in this? Is it very important to me to start over? I am very interested in this. Because this game has many advantages in terms of the game. Mom, I'm talking. Is this working? Okay. Mom, Transformers. I don't know any history. I should have known Transformers. I should have grown up with Transformers. But I wasn't interested in it. We are playing Transformers for the first time. This is a great excitement. When you are a child, it is strange to feel that you are the greatest in feeling things. Transparmers
    6:15
    I'm thinking, can I turn Pokemon into Transformers? I really like this. Congratulations, Stern. You've got a new player. When we were here last time, we played Pokemon. I knew it. Ralf didn't know much about it. We're finally back in the game. You're giving me my little game. My brain is running on air. I think it's great. It's great. But how does it work? How does it work? I like to play this game. Since it is in the front of Elliot Iceman's 2nd Game and Elizabeth Coding, I have been playing this game for 6 years. I feel like your toys have come alive from the Rapper Maid box under your bed. I think I'm a bird. When I was a small child, we didn't have these things. It's like saying, let's live in this pinball machine. Megatron has a gun, he shoots with it. You don't want to ruin this, but it's very cool. Let's talk a little about this audio system. I think this is the best audio that Stern has ever done. I'll tell you the reason for that. Because Hasbro has brought in the necessary and important things for them. Especially you, Kalin Cartoon fans, there is a song specifically. Everyone was talking about it. Yukata Touch song is in this game. Stern, a name used in the film, is a character who was born in the world of Transformers. He is a good person, and everyone will be happy with him. He has brought in a lot of voice actors and characters. He has brought in a lot of characters and characters. It's amazing that he has brought you into the world of Transformers. If there was a character that he created himself or if there was a character that didn't have a real connection, I don't think I would have liked this game so much. I don't want to say ten out of ten, but they did a great job. If you are a cartoon lover, you will definitely like this.
    8:07
    Hello I am Ralph I play pinball sometimes then I get be a head coach I sad that I have to go back and think about it Elizabeth Christie is the head coach for this game. This is a great thing because I think she is the first female head coach developer. Stern, Stern, This is a great experience for Elizabeth and we bring new things to this game.
    9:00
    To be honest, he is the one who codes the first game. So I have to choose. How much of a hard worker are you? This is your first game. This is very surprising. At first, I thought I didn't want this. I thought I wasn't ready. I didn't think it was a good idea, but when people who were in front of me said that I was ready, I believed that it was enough for me. So, as soon as I started working in the law, I felt very motivated. I'm going to do this. My opinions are going to be heard by many. Yes, that's great. Yes, I'm a big fan of Transformers. I really like it. I would say that Soundwave was worth it. To be honest, this is the first time I've said that I'm going to work in the Transformers game. I didn't watch that show for the first time. I watched the videos about the show and the film. They showed their dolls. Those dolls were very cute and funny. I was interested in Transformers when they talked about it. It was great to see the community and the fans. I'm a part of that. I have my own toys and my favorite characters. So, from the start of the game to the end, I'm a big fan of Transformers. That's great. I have to make some changes. Main Game 95 is over. Wow! Yes, it's very complete. You want to enjoy this game, but you don't want to play it too much. What will you do? First, I'll tell you to shoot Megatron. It will start your mode. Shoot Optimus in the scope under Optimus. It will move in green light. It will lock the bullets for your Transformers. It will move like a right-hand ram. Shoot it. Then I'll put a training course. You can practice in it. Yes, you know to practice missions. You can practice shots in the game. For example, you can aim at the right ram and hit. This is a game that helps you learn a little bit about the game. Is that the way it is? Yes, it's like a sandbox. You can play as a pinball player. Yes, it's a lot of fun to play in groups and play in turns.
    11:05
    Okay. But I wanted this to be a new experience. You're not in the same room now. This has always been a group game. Isn't it like it's going down now? Now I'm on the right and you're on the left. Action button is the side button that controls the game. We are two people there. Like a group, you and I play together. It's not a proper action button. No, we are against each other. You are optimists and I am trying. It's still good, isn't it? It's already in the making. I have art, I have art. We need to finish the main part of the game. Only then can I do other games, i.e. the Sailor's Book. Sern Pinball Ic. The Soundwave .
    13:10
    Aarcade 2, X-Men, Mortal Kombat. Transformation of the I am Ralf Locke. I am not. Listen to me. No. Stop. Please. I don't like the way you are. No. Come. No. No. I am Kareem Locke. Come. I am not. Come on. Okay. No. Stop. No. The rules are here. Come. No. No. Please. Go back. Go back. Krimlock, Manitha, You are very slow.
    15:00
    Fusion Cannon Pants are very useful for shooting at you. Moreover, the soundwave in case attack pants are very comfortable to hold. It is a good match for this black item. When you go to the One-Shot Fall state, those old memories will occupy you completely. Optimus Virtus Megatron is a very great war. To be honest, this is the most important Transformers model to be in this game. Okay, Stern Media Day ends here.
    15:30
    This media day was very special for me because Transformers is a very important part of my childhood. On Saturday mornings, I would watch cartoons in front of the TV. That's why I had a lot of expectations about this game. But Elliot and Elizabeth created this game very well. If you are a fan of Transformers, you will love this game. I have to go to the airport now. That's all for now. Let's go to the auto parts.
    16:00
    Hit.