Whizbang & Stern's Whoa Nellie! Now Available

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Feb 19, 2015

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.019

TL;DR

Stern releases Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons retro-modern collaboration at $6,499.

Summary

Stern Pinball announced the commercial availability of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons, a collaboration with Whizbang Pinball LLC featuring a retro electromechanical design modernized with current electronics. Created by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres, the game blends 1950s pin-up art and fruit crate aesthetics with modern technology at a $6,499 MSRP. The machine represents a unique positioned product combining classical playfield design with digital sound and lighting systems.

Key Claims

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons is based on the Continental Cafe playfield but features new electronics system for lamps, solenoids, score reels, sounds, and playfield lighting
high confidence · Official product description in announcement
Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres first unveiled the game as 'Project X' prototype in 2009
high confidence · Historical timeline provided in article with dated photos
The $6,499 MSRP is approximately $1,000 above the price of a current Stern Pro model game
high confidence · Explicit pricing statement in article dated February 2015
The game features illuminated mechanical score reels and retro-style bumper caps and flipper bats
high confidence · Official feature list in Stern announcement
Whizbang Pinball was founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman as a design studio
high confidence · Official company biography provided in announcement

Notable Quotes

“I love the combination of designing a retro-style playfield powered by today's latest technology”
Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball co-founder @ March 19, 2015 announcement — Designer's philosophy on blending classic and modern approaches
“Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ offers an entertaining classic pinball experience. We're excited to work with Whizbang Pinball to provide players and operators with a unique pinball game and a fun playing experience.”
Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball @ March 19, 2015 announcement — Official endorsement of the collaboration and product positioning
“This unique blend of classic and modern technologies creates a new breed of pinball machine that presents pinball as an art form while maintaining the reliability and serviceability of modern commercial pinball machines.”
Stern Pinball official announcement @ March 19, 2015 — Key positioning statement on the game's market differentiation

Entities

Stern PinballcompanyWhizbang Pinball LLCcompanyDennis Nordmanperson Greg Freresperson Gary SternpersonWhoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsgameContinental CafegameRoy ParkerpersonGeorge Molentinperson

Signals

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design_philosophy: Whoa Nellie! represents a deliberate strategy to blend retro electromechanical design aesthetics with modern electronics, positioning pinball as an art form while maintaining commercial reliability
high · Dennis Nordman quote and official positioning statement emphasizing 'classic and modern technologies' and 'pinball as an art form'
$
market_signal: Whoa Nellie! at $6,499 is priced approximately $1,000 premium to standard Stern Pro models, positioning it as a boutique premium product
high · Explicit statement: 'pitching it around $1,000 above the price of a current Stern Pro model game'
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announcement: Stern Pinball officially announces availability of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons collaboration with Whizbang Pinball LLC
high · Formal announcement dated March 19, 2015 with official retail pricing and distribution details
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product_strategy: Game includes supplemental powder-coated legs for transportation ease and optional fruit crate cabinet base, demonstrating attention to operational flexibility
high · Product feature list includes 'supplemental set of powder-coated legs for ease of operation and transportation' and dual mounting options

Topics

Retro-modern game design philosophyprimaryBoutique pinball manufacturing collaborationprimaryPricing and positioning in marketsecondaryGame art and aesthetic designsecondaryElectronics modernization of vintage designssecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.82)— Announcement is celebratory and positive throughout. No critical commentary present. Product positioned as innovative and desirable. Designer quotes express enthusiasm and vision.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Date: 19th February 2015 Following their announcement in October last year that they would be manufacturing the Whizbang Pinball game, Stern Pinball today confirmed that Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons is now available for purchase. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons The game is the creation of Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres who teamed up to bring modern technology and high quality printing techniques to an old-school electromechanical game design. It is based on the Continental Cafe playfield, but has a new electronics system to control the lamps and solenoids, drive the score reels, generate in-game sounds, and provide playfield lighting. Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres with their game The recommended retail price of the Stern-made Whoa Nellie! game is $6,499, pitching it around $1,000 above the price of a current Stern Pro model game and crushing any hopes it would be more affordable than a regular Stern game. The game will be supplied with two mounting options - the fruit crate base seen here, and a set of four powder-coated pinball legs for a more traditional look. Both young and old at the same time Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons was first unveiled as 'Project X' back in 2009 when it was still at the prototype stage. Dennis said he'd always been a fan of fruit crate label designs and Greg thought if they could combine that look with the Roy Parker/George Molentin style of pin-up artwork, they could produce something distinctive and attractive. Dennis and Greg with their prototype game in 2009 The initial sketch of the backglass Whizbang Pinball's backglass design The Stern models has a number of differences, including a full-size coin door, the removal of the ball lift mechanism, the addition of backbox side art panels, the Stern logo on the backglass, and a change in the wording at the top left from "Packed & stacked by Whizbang Pinball Co., Chicago, Illinois" to "Packed & stacked somewhere near Chicago, Illinois. The new backglass The new game's playfield (click to enlarge) Whoa Nellie! on powder-coated metal legs Here's how Stern announced the game's availability: MELROSE PARK, Ill., March 19, 2015 - Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, and Whizbang Pinball LLC officially announced the availability of their Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ pinball machine. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ pinball takes players on a journey through the Mellon Family farm renowned for abundant produce. Players score points on the farm operated by the lovely Melony Mellon and her twin sisters while avoiding the wrath of their over-protective shotgun-wielding father. The colorful easy-to-learn game features a fun classically styled pinball playfield tuned for a balance of randomness and skilled shooting challenges. The game rewards players of all skill levels. "Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ offers an entertaining classic pinball experience," said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball. "We're excited to work with Whizbang Pinball to provide players and operators with a unique pinball game and a fun playing experience." "I love the combination of designing a retro-style playfield powered by today's latest technology," said Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball co-founder. This unique blend of classic and modern technologies creates a new breed of pinball machine that presents pinball as an art form while maintaining the reliability and serviceability of modern commercial pinball machines. The playfield, backglass, and cabinet art and styling, central to the game's unique visual quality, feature detailed original characters and fresh hand-drawn artwork that blend elements of mid-century pin-up art and classic pinball themes. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ offers many unique features including: Original retro-style playfield designed by Dennis Nordman Original retro-style hand-drawn graphics by Greg Freres featuring fresh fruit, a cool truck and the ever popular Mellon family A unique, durable, weathered fruit crate cabinet design A supplemental set of powder-coated legs for ease of operation and transportation A standard coin-door for location play Illuminated mechanical score reels Retro-style bumper caps and flipper bats Dual-action bullseye melon targets A retro mechanical Knocker Space for crushed beer cans to set the perfect playfield angle (players can choose their own brand or use Whoa Nellie! branded cans) Pricing and Availability: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP") for the United States: US$6,499 Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons™ merchandise and accessories are now available through the Stern Shop: http://costore.com/sternpinball/welcome.asp and select authorized distributors and dealers around the world. About Whizbang Pinball LLC Founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball LLC is a design studio that presents boutique pinball as a new art form by integrating its extensive pinball industry experience with its artistic vision for a unique combination of art and technology. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern Pinball's highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern Pinball titles include WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Ford Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, and Spiderman. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball's games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes international competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com. All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. Back to the News page Like this page? Share it with your Facebook friends: Back to the front page