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Don’s Pinball Podcast is live!

Don's Pinball Podcast Live Streams (YouTube)·video·analyzed·May 22, 2026
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.026

TL;DR

Don analyzes Transformers feedback and previews upcoming JJP Sonic release.

Summary

Don discusses early community feedback on Stern's Transformers pinball machine, covering disappointment with Optimus Prime's lack of motion, the Grimlock sculpt design choice, and gameplay quality compared to X-Men. He also shares impressions of unreleased games including Sonic the Hedgehog (Jersey Jack, arriving in two weeks), Cuphead (homebrew), and compares topper designs across recent releases. The stream includes live gameplay analysis and market speculation on Transformers Limited Edition pricing.

Key Claims

  • Sonic the Hedgehog (Jersey Jack) is arriving in approximately two weeks

    medium confidence · Don reporting what he's hearing from media days attendees, not directly confirmed

  • The Sonic topper will be more impressive than the Harry Potter topper

    medium confidence · Don relaying second-hand feedback from media days attendees about the Sonic topper

  • Elizabeth (code designer) is being compared favorably to Lyman in terms of code passion and quality

    medium confidence · Don's commentary on Transformers code designer Elizabeth

  • Grimlock's low-poly sculpt may intentionally reference the cartoon show's low-resolution depiction

    medium confidence · Don found cartoon stills suggesting this design choice may be deliberate

  • Transformers Limited Edition is being priced at 11k in the secondary market

    high confidence · Live chat comment visible in stream: 'Transformers LE 11k market max'

  • Don is waiting to buy a Transformers Premium at $7,000 after code is complete

    high confidence · Direct statement by Don about his purchasing strategy

  • Don gave X-Men an A rating for creativity and layout, and Transformers a B for layout complexity

    high confidence · Don directly states these rankings in the stream

  • Jersey Jack's Avatar topper and Godfather topper were high-quality, but Harry Potter topper was a step back

    medium confidence · Don's opinion based on his experience with JJP games

  • Cuphead (homebrew) deserves to be toured to shows for people to play

    high confidence · Don's direct statement during stream discussion

  • Someone is selling their Pokemon machine to buy Transformers

    high confidence · Live chat comment: 'I see Vic VP is selling Pokemon to get Transformers'

Notable Quotes

  • “And this is not including S tier, but like a game like X-Men, I gave like an A for creativity and layout. Because, I mean, it was a finger stops the ball, fires it back the other way.”

    Don@ 0:15 — Establishes Don's rating framework and shows how he evaluates game creativity against Transformers

  • “And you can have it all tied in so as he leans forward, his arms get sucked in and his head flips down. And then as it comes out, it all kind of unfolds.”

    Don@ 2:29 — Speculates on alternative Optimus Prime mechanicals that could have been implemented

  • “The gameplay seems to have non-Stern, but super fun vibe. It's fun. Like every, everywhere you shoot, there's something fun to hit.”

    Don — Positive assessment of Transformers gameplay mechanics despite design limitations

  • “It has to be because it's going right up against freaking Sonic the Hedgehog. So what I'm hearing from Sonic is two weeks.”

    Don@ 4:15 — Key market intelligence on imminent Sonic release and competitive positioning

  • “I like it better than every other American pinball game. I like it better than some Sterns, and I think that's a good place to be.”

    Ozzy (guest)@ 10:24 — Strong endorsement of Cuphead from experienced player, establishing quality baseline

  • “I will buy a Transformers Premium in a year when the code is done for $7,000. Not a bad idea, and it may come with a topper.”

    Don@ 17:09 — Market strategy revealing expected secondary market pricing dynamics

Entities

DonpersonOzzypersonElizabethpersonZachary MenningpersonStern PinballcompanyJersey Jack PinballcompanyAmerican PinballcompanyTransformersgame

Signals

  • ?

    product_launch: Sonic the Hedgehog from Jersey Jack Pinball expected to arrive within two weeks based on media days feedback

    medium · Don states: 'So what I'm hearing from Sonic is two weeks. Two weeks. Nobody that was at the media days told me anything.'

  • ?

    gameplay_signal: Transformers rated B for layout complexity (below X-Men's A rating) but praised for fun factor and dense shot opportunities; every location on playfield has something fun to hit

    high · Don: 'I gave it a B in like layout complexity...The gameplay seems to have non-Stern, but super fun vibe. It's fun. Like every, everywhere you shoot, there's something fun to hit'

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Community disappointed that Optimus Prime has no moving/transforming mechanics; Don speculates on mechanical solutions that could have been implemented

    high · Don: 'And, you know, of course, people are upset that Optimus doesn't do anything, myself included. Why couldn't Optimus just, you know, kind of cantilever forward down to truck form'

  • ?

    design_innovation: Grimlock's low-poly sculpt may be intentional reference to cartoon show's animation style rather than quality issue; can be swapped with custom statue

    medium · Don: 'I did find some stills from the cartoon show that kind of show Grimlock is kind of like a cheesy, low resolution polygonal image. So maybe that's what they were going for. I think you can totally pop that out and pop in a more detailed...toy'

  • ?

    product_strategy: Transformers LE commanding 11k in secondary market; Premium expected to stabilize around 7k after code completion; market uncertainty about long-term value retention

Transcript

youtube_groq_whisper · $0.056

0:00
Herein the content, the comments that are coming back now. You know, what I didn't want to do was like overhype this game.
0:09
Game, I tried to rank it. I gave it a B in like layout complexity. And this is not including S tier, but like a game like X-Men, I gave like an A for creativity and layout. Because, I mean, it was a finger stops the ball, fires it back the other way. You have the crisscrossing wire forms behind the sentinel head. Thank you for watching. Sperm, Bumblebee, and the rest. Yeah, so I'm starting to get some of the sense of the community's initial feedback to the Transformers drop. And, you know, of course, people are upset that Optimus doesn't do anything, myself included. Why couldn't Optimus just, you know, kind of cantilever forward down to truck form and that could just like real quick, you know. And if a ball got stuck, he could sense it, you know, do a ball search, come back down again. And then he could bash him, bash, bash, bash. Then he could just stand back up. Like, this seems to be, like, a pretty easy way to do it. And you can have it all tied in so as he leans forward, his arms get sucked in and his head flips down. And then as it comes out, it all kind of unfolds. I'm interested to see, like, what they were doing with that mech originally. Like, was the whole thing truly transforming? I kind of figure it must just articulate and just fold down to truck.
2:47
And then... That would have been cool. Sperry Pintball. Berms in and then like pop back up like that would seem to be reasonable. It doesn't even look like it would be as big or as complicated as the building on Godzilla.

  • “I'm even passing on Transformers. As good as it is and as much fun as I had, and as much as Elizabeth is being heralded as the second coming of Lyman, as far as code goes, she is so passionate about it.”

    Don@ 10:35 — Acknowledges Transformers quality while declining to purchase, highlights code designer Elizabeth's reputation

  • “I don't know if they got the rights to the Pop-O-Matic camera pip reading dice mech. I think, honestly, go to whoever's involved that iterated that in the first place and just give them a game or something and get them to sign something so it can come out.”

    Don@ 9:40 — Identifies licensing barrier for Cuphead's Pop-O-Matic topper mechanic

  • “By then I'll have the little Laserbeak mod done. Currently laying out the parts for him. I think Laserbeak deserves to be on the pop bumper right by Soundwave.”

    Don@ 17:28 — Shows active customization/modding project on Transformers, adding value post-purchase

  • “I'm also working on a set of Optimus Prime truck nuts.”

    Don@ 17:44 — Humorous custom mod project referencing the Optimus Prime truck form disappointment discussed earlier

    • Sonic the Hedgehog
    game
    Cupheadgame
    Harry Pottergame
    X-Mengame
    Avatargame
    Godfathergame
    Pokemongame
    Beetlejuicegame
    Yukon Yetigame
    Godzillagame
    Monster League Hockeygame
    Electric Playgroundgame
    Lymanperson

    high · Don: 'I will buy a Transformers Premium in a year when the code is done for $7,000'; chat: 'Transformers LE 11k market max'

  • ~

    sentiment_shift: Jersey Jack's topper quality declining: Avatar and Godfather praised, Harry Potter topper seen as step back, likely due to resource allocation to under-glass art

    medium · Don: 'Jersey Jack did such a good topper for Avatar such a good one for Godfather I feel like it was a step back with Harry Potter. I think they realized that too.'

  • ?

    content_signal: Don advocating for Cuphead (homebrew) to be toured to shows for public play rather than remaining isolated; licensing barrier on Pop-O-Matic topper mechanic identified

    high · Don: 'They should just tour that game around to shows. Just have it show up in the homebrew section. Let people play the damn game because it deserves to be played'

  • ?

    competitive_signal: Transformers and Sonic the Hedgehog directly competing for collector purchases; both high-profile releases in same window creating purchase pressure

    high · Don: 'It has to be because it's going right up against freaking Sonic the Hedgehog'

  • ?

    personnel_signal: Elizabeth (Transformers code designer) earning reputation comparable to legendary Lyman; showing strong passion and quality work

    medium · Don: 'as much as Elizabeth is being heralded as the second coming of Lyman, as far as code goes, she is so passionate about it'

  • $

    market_signal: Secondary market activity showing players trading older games (Pokemon) to fund new purchases (Transformers); community discussing this as both normal and controversial

    high · Don: 'I see Vic VP is selling Pokemon to get Transformers. What? Everybody's got to go give them crap, man'

  • ?

    product_concern: Harry Potter CE machine received by Zachary Menning arrived with significant cracking/splitting damage on cabinet, likely transit-related

    high · Live analysis of machine photos showing visible cracks and splits on playfield area; Don suggests wood glue repair as workaround

  • ?

    restoration_signal: Don actively working on Transformers mods including Laserbeak addition and 'Optimus Prime truck nuts' custom modifications

    high · Don: 'By then I'll have the little Laserbeak mod done...I'm also working on a set of Optimus Prime truck nuts'

    • 3:30
    But yeah, what we got is what we got. Regarding the like low poly resolution of the sculpt of Grimlock, the Dinocons super cool. I'm glad they included them. I did find some stills from the cartoon show that kind of show Grimlock is kind of like a cheesy, Ssd, you know, like low resolution polygonal image. So maybe that's what they were going for. I think you can totally pop that out and pop in a more detailed, like just statue toy. And I'm sure people are going to do that. The gameplay seems to have non-Stern, but super fun vibe. It's fun. Like every, everywhere you shoot, there's something fun to hit, you know, so it's a good game. It's a good game and it has to be. It has to be because it's going right up against freaking Sonic the Hedgehog. So what I'm hearing from Sonic is two weeks. Two weeks.
    4:21
    Nobody that was at the media days told me anything. And I've tried to get some. Not like, like I don't want details from them, but I want their sense. Like, was it good? What I am hearing is that if you a topper guy this topper is going to impress a lot more than the one we got with Harry Potter which I love that If you get the CE and it the only way to get the topper Jersey Jack did such a good topper for Avatar such a good one for Godfather I feel like it was a step back with Harry Potter. I think they realized that too. And I think it was a matter of like, holy crap, they put a lot into Potter under the glass. So, you know, and everything they did to get the extra art package going and everything. Sperry Pintlejuice, Evel Dead, Hary Potter, Predator. Sperry Pintball LLC, Beter, E.D. Which homebrew had a playable topper?
    6:32
    They were really fun. You know, Banzai was probably the most extreme example of that. But even in Terminator, like, it was cool. It wasn't terribly fun. It was kind of fun in the NBA game.
    6:46
    But, like, would you put, like, a vertical play field or something up there? I don't know. It would just be fun to see. It's fun to see balls go around wire forms. I'd be happy with just more of that. I love what Electric Playground did with their topper. I love that they're at American Pinball. Sperry Pintball. In the game.
    7:59
    I'll fix it in post. My plan was to dye my hair blue, get a nose ring, and do the Sonic unboxing with a soul patch. I thought that'd be funny. It's probably kind of stupid.
    8:13
    So, early word on Transformers. Played Cuphead. Oh, dude, did you? Hell yeah. Ozzy, let me know your thoughts and stuff. I see Bumblebee modes. Where's the shot at? I don't know that there is a shot. I don't know that he's on the play field at all.
    8:31
    And I'm not sure how to collect those Bumblebee letters. All right. So I'm glad somebody else played Cuphead. They should just tour that game around to shows. Just have it show up in the homebrew section. Let people play the damn game because it deserves to be played.
    8:47
    You know, I think they should let the designer have it. You know, it will come out. All right. Breaking news from live reporter Ozzy, friend of the show. Sperco guy Glad we got to hang out again I glad I glad I don want to hype up Cuphead like it the greatest game of all time or anything It good It really good But I don want it to seem like oh well Don played it Nobody else can play it So that why he hyping it up It a good game I don want to overhype it I want you to be appropriately whelmed Do you have any pic of Cuphead I could probably post them I probably could post them now I was good. I was told not to take my phone out of my pocket. I was respecting my host, so I didn't take any pictures of Cuphead.
    9:35
    Got a photographic memory. But yeah, the Ryan Cuphead. Oh, maybe you're asking Ozzy. So I don't know if they got the rights to the Pop-O-Matic camera pip reading dice mech. I think, honestly, go to whoever's involved that iterated that in the first place and just give them a game or something and get them to sign something so it can come out. They took my phone. Yeah. All right. I'm glad it's alive. I'm glad you played it. Ozzy, what'd you think? Forget my opinion. What did you think? You're very experienced. You're very experienced in pinball, so I value your opinion.
    10:15
    What do you think? Great game. Good game. I like it. I like it too. I like it better than every other American pinball game. I like it better than some Sterns, and I think that's a good place to be. Slept well.
    11:05
    I think that's who gets it. But someone like me, where I've got to really sell something to get something, I've got to pick my moves carefully. For sure, I'm definitely passing on all three of those two. I'm even passing on Transformers. As good as it is and as much fun as I had, and as much as Elizabeth is being heralded as the second coming of Lyman, as far as code goes, she is so passionate about it. So like you're talking to her and you can just see it just coming.
    11:35
    I'm on a list for Monster League Hockey. I don't know if I'll convert to a buyer just because there's so many games. If nothing else was coming for the year, then yeah, but it's going to be hard, man.
    11:46
    So many good games are coming right now, and then we still have more to come this year. I'm trading my HPCE for the Transformers. Slept well. Can't type with one finger.
    12:28
    CE, oops, CE, Pinside. Someone's probably already answered in the comments. Because for me, I don't play. Oh, you know what? If you're not playing it, and I think, honestly, I'd probably be playing Transformers a lot longer than I played Harry Potter. I played the hell out of Harry Potter, and I got to the point where I was really just doing the same thing every time.
    12:50
    13.5, Evansville, Indiana, from a little guy called Zachary Menning. All right, there. 13-5. So you're right at, you know, you're right at 14-5, 14-8. 13-5. For a use, there's nine on here. This is all of them.
    13:14
    Let's see, what does he say? 138 plays, interactive topper. I bet this is Ozzy's game. Thank you for watching. Oh, what the hell happened?
    13:55
    I want to see the lockdown bar problem. Oh here we go Oh dude that the worst spot for a frickin watermark
    14:11
    It is, it is kind of, it looks like split here. It's a big split. And then we got Crackage. All right, offer this man a deal. I think he could probably get it. Oh, that's the front that's going up the side. So it's like it's popped out from the side.
    14:32
    All right. Ouch. What's up, Kaz? How you doing? I'm going to sign in. All right, we're signed in. Let me go back to the damage. I want to see the damage.
    14:53
    Show me your damage. That sucks, man. How did that happen? This must have been in transit or something.
    15:04
    That guy's cracked off. And, you know, you could throw some wood glue in there and clamp it, and then you probably wouldn't even notice it anymore. But you would know it's there.
    15:17
    Oh, no. What's the spell to repair a back box? I kind of think $13.50 is probably a good price for just a regular CE, let alone a broken one.
    15:37
    Boom. That sucks. The lock bar will cover it up. That's hard to fix. I mean, I would throw some wood glue in there, and I would clamp it. And then at least it would protect it from breaking more.
    15:53
    It would protect it from breaking more. Transformers LE 11k market max. I mean, I see Vic VP is selling Pokemon to get Transformers. What? Everybody's got to go give them crap, man. If you've got a Pokemon and you're selling it, you're the worst kind of jerk apparently.
    16:14
    So Ozzy, that's not your game then. There's something to be said about just, you know, you played a game, you had fun with it, you traded in for a new one, and you keep going. And that's a fair trade, if that makes sense.
    16:32
    I don't know. I'm not alone by trying to kind of like wait out the market now and see if I can be the beneficiary of a lower priced LE on Transformers, particularly as we get into the fall. So maybe that'll happen. But maybe there's a whole lot of people doing that where the price won't really come down and like Transformers is going to be the game that retains the value going forward. It's so hard to read the market. But regardless, I've got my house priorities right now. And I'm still on the hook for Beetlejuice and Yukon Yeti right now. I will buy a Transformers Premium in a year when the code is done for $7,000. Not a bad idea, and it may come with a topper. Someone's going to put on a topper. They're going to play the hell out of this game. They're going to love the topper mode. And then there's going to be a new shiny, and they're going to say, you know what? I'll take $7,000 for this. Come get it. And that's where we come in. And by then I'll have the little Laserbeak mod done.
    17:33
    Currently laying out the parts for him. I think Laserbeak deserves to be on the pop bumper right by Soundwave. So I think that's what we'll try to do.
    17:44
    I'm also working on a set of Optimus Prime truck nuts. Thank you for watching. Sperry Pintball.