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What's it Like Playing the New Pokémon Pinball Machine?

Erika's Pinball Journey·video·14m 1s·analyzed·Mar 5, 2026
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claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.024

TL;DR

Pokémon Pinball hands-on impressions from Stern Media Day with emerging female creators.

Summary

Erika's Pinball Journey features firsthand impressions of Pokémon Pinball from the Stern Media Day event, with interviews from new content creator Melissa (Mel Plays Pinball) and her friend Bonnie. The group discusses the game's accessibility, art authenticity, design features, and appeal to both newcomers and Pokemon fans, emphasizing the hand-crafted manufacturing process at Stern's factory.

Key Claims

  • All art on Pokémon Pinball is 100% from original Pokémon source material, composed by artist Jeremy

    high confidence · Melissa citing information shared during Stern Media Day event

  • Pokémon Pinball is designed to be accessible for both beginners and advanced players

    high confidence · Melissa and Bonnie's gameplay impressions at Stern factory

  • The game features a progression system where players can catch and train Pokémon with escalating rewards

    medium confidence · Melissa describing gameplay mechanics observed during play session

  • Stern factory normally operates with approximately 400 employees on the production floor

    high confidence · Tour guide information shared during Stern Media Day event

  • Pokémon Pinball features external side lights as a new aesthetic feature (also appears on Walking Dead)

    medium confidence · Observation from gameplay and discussion about lighting upgrades between premium tiers

  • As of the video's recording, Pokémon Pinball machines had not yet shipped to arcade locations

    high confidence · Erika's outro commentary about anticipated location distribution

  • Eevee and its evolutions are not heavily featured in the current version of Pokémon Pinball

    high confidence · Melissa's observation during gameplay with expectation of future updates

  • Tilt warnings feature Jigglypuff character telling players about tilt risk

    high confidence · Bonnie's specific observation of video display element during play

Notable Quotes

  • “I'm a filmmaker turned pinball enthusiast...I've spent about a decade in the film industry”

    Erika@ 0:34 — Establishes Erika's background and frames her unique perspective in pinball content creation

  • “They nailed it as far as the design and the layout. It's going to be really good, I think, for beginners and advanced players alike...It's just really approachable.”

    Melissa@ 3:02 — Key endorsement of Pokémon Pinball's accessibility design from emerging creator with fresh perspective

  • “The art on this game is 100% from all the original Pokemon stuff...it is true to the original game”

    Melissa@ 4:04 — Important confirmation about art sourcing that appeals to longtime Pokemon fans

  • “There's so much love that goes in...seeing like the level of attention and how much of it is done by hand”

    Bonnie@ 6:29 — Emotional reaction to Stern's manufacturing craftsmanship, humanizes production

  • “I'm all about the ramps...It reminds me of like T2, how you can like get in that and just keep locking in”

    Melissa@ 8:33 — Specific gameplay appreciation, ties to classic pinball design lineage

  • “Can't upset Jigglypuff...She slaps man. She's funny.”

    Bonnie@ 9:30 — Humorous detail showing character integration in gameplay feedback systems

Entities

ErikapersonMelissa LumispersonBonnie Alcraftoft CurranpersonJeremypersonStern PinballcompanyPokémon PinballgameRewind PinballcompanyBarrels of FuncompanyNashville pinball sceneorganizationStern Media Day eventevent

Signals

  • ?

    community_signal: New female pinball content creator (Melissa/Mel Plays Pinball) emerging from Nashville scene, starting channel with focus on accessibility and welcoming new players

    high · Melissa started Mel Plays Pinball channel in fall 2024 with short-form content aimed at newcomers; Erika highlights this as positive community development

  • ?

    community_signal: Pinball content creators actively connecting and collaborating at industry events, building relationships

    high · Erika met Melissa and Bonnie for first time at Stern Media Day after online interaction; emphasis on community bonds and collaborative spirit

  • ?

    product_launch: Stern conducted official Media Day event for Pokémon Pinball launch, inviting content creators and press

    high · Event held at Stern factory with playable machines, factory tours, and interviews with production staff

  • ?

    gameplay_signal: Pokémon Pinball intentionally designed for broad appeal spanning beginners to experienced players with progressive reward systems

    high · Multiple speakers emphasize approachable design, catch-and-train progression mechanic, and balanced difficulty for skill levels

  • ?

    design_innovation: Pokémon Pinball includes whirlpool/dish feature with mechanical flap that routes to different outcomes

    high · Bonnie specifically praises whirlpool/dish feature as satisfying mechanical element with variable routing

  • ?

Topics

Pokémon Pinball gameplay and designprimaryAccessibility and newcomer appeal in modern pinballprimaryWomen in pinball content creationprimaryStern manufacturing process and craftsmanshipprimaryArt and visual design using original IP assetssecondaryCharacter integration in game feedback systemssecondaryLocation deployment and arcade distributionsecondaryFuture code updates and game evolutionmentioned

Sentiment

positive(0.89)— Overwhelmingly enthusiastic impressions of Pokémon Pinball from all participants. Consistent praise for accessibility, design, art authenticity, and manufacturing quality. Excitement about game arrival on location and community growth potential. No significant criticisms or concerns raised.

Transcript

youtube_auto_sub · $0.000

0:01
What's up everybody? My name is Erica and welcome to the channel. In this episode, I got a chance to sit down with a fellow pinball content creator and their best friend to talk about Stern's newest release of Pokemon. Now, we were all at the Stern Pinball Media Day that they had for their new release of this game. We got to play it. We got to see it and experience it. And then we're talking about it so that we can tell you about what this game is like. Something I think that's really fun about this episode is that the content creator that I'm interviewing has a very similar background to myself. Now, if you're a fan of the channel or maybe you're new
0:32
fan of the channel or maybe you're new here, I'm a filmmaker turned pinball enthusiast. I've spent about a decade in the film industry and I worked on movies and TV shows for about 7 to 8 years and the rest of my time I've been more in a studio in-house corporate space. Uh moving back actually into freelance. So, um that's also another journey, but another a story for another time likely. This creator is new to the pinball space. Her name is Melissa. She is Mel plays pinball. And I'm just super stoked that she has decided to join the content creation side of pinball. I think it's
1:03
creation side of pinball. I think it's just super fun getting to connect with somebody else that has a very similar background to myself. And yeah, we got to talk about Pokemon Pinball. I got to get some of her thoughts and her friend Bonnie's thoughts, who's also had doubled a little bit in film, it seems like, which is cool. I do want to give a shout out to my sponsor, Rewind Pinball. If you are looking to buy a pinball machine from Stern or Barrels of Fun, they are an authorized dealer. I'll go ahead and link their website down below. And if you let them know that you got recommended from me, that would be super awesome. Without further ado, let's go

“I really think that a lot of Pokemon people are going to want this to like experience Pokemon pinball but like live actually like pinball.”

Melissa@ 10:49 — Strategic observation about crossover appeal bringing Pokemon fans into pinball hobby

  • “It's a lovely lovely world full of lovely people. So if you've been thinking about it and haven't pulled the trigger, just just go just play.”

    Melissa@ 12:09 — Community encouragement from new creator, shows welcoming culture

    • Walking Dead
    game
    T2 (Terminator 2)game
    Pokémon franchiseproduct

    design_innovation: Pokémon characters integrated into game feedback systems (e.g., Jigglypuff for tilt warnings)

    high · Bonnie notes Jigglypuff appears in tilt warning videos with humorous messaging

  • ?

    manufacturing_signal: Stern factory employs approximately 400 people in production; machines assembled largely by hand with high attention to detail

    high · Tour information shared during Media Day; speakers emphasize hand-assembly and meticulous craftsmanship

  • ?

    product_strategy: Pokémon Pinball uses 100% authentic artwork from original Pokémon media sources, composed by artist Jeremy to maintain visual fidelity

    high · Melissa reports Stern intentionally sourced and adapted original artwork to appeal to longtime fans

  • ?

    product_launch: As of video recording date, Pokémon Pinball had not yet begun shipping to arcade locations

    high · Erika explicitly states in outro that machines had not yet arrived at arcades and anticipates upcoming location placement

  • $

    market_signal: Pokémon Pinball expected to attract Pokémon franchise fans into pinball hobby, potential for Pokémon Go integration discussed

    high · Melissa predicts Pokemon collectors will want machine; discussion of potential Pokémon Go app integration and location-based connections

  • ?

    content_signal: Multiple content creators producing and publishing Pokémon Pinball impressions from Stern Media Day

    high · Erika notes additional video coming with personal input; implies coordinated media coverage strategy

  • ?

    code_update: Pokémon Pinball expected to receive ongoing code updates with expanded character features, particularly Eevee evolutions

    medium · Melissa anticipates future updates will feature Eevee more prominently as game evolves and gains popularity

    • 1:35
    awesome. Without further ado, let's go ahead and run the clip. What's up, guys? So, we're here still playing Pokémon uh at the Stern Factory, and I'm here with Melissa Lumis and Bonnie Alcraftoft Curran. Yes. is here with Mel Plays Pinball. >> Yeah. Right on. Yeah. You just started a new Instagram, a new like channel of pinball stuff and I think it's awesome. >> Thank you. >> More women in pinball. This is amazing. So, uh, yeah. You want you want to talk about how you got involved getting to come here to >> Yeah, for sure. So, Bonnie and I have
    2:05
    >> Yeah, for sure. So, Bonnie and I have both been in the pinball scene. We're based in Nashville for a couple of years. Um, mostly tournaments, but anything pinball related. And this last fall decided to start my own channel. Um, a lot of short form, a lot of trying to make the games new and welcoming to new people. Um, and yeah, it's just been a really good, pleasant surprise how that's been received. So, we got the invitation to come here and see Pokémon. >> That's awesome. >> What do you guys think of the game so far? >> I love it. I think it's really awesome. I am not um familiar with Pokemon. It's
    2:38
    I am not um familiar with Pokemon. It's not something that I grew up with, per se. Like, obviously, we've heard of it, right? But I don't know much beyond that that it was like a TV show. Um, so yeah, speaking from that perspective, I still I still really love it. I think it's really fun. I think they nailed it as far as the design and the layout. Uh, it's going to be really good, I think, for beginners and advanced players alike. >> It's just really approachable. >> Totally totally agree. >> It's so much fun. And that is the main
    3:09
    >> It's so much fun. And that is the main point of all of these at the end, right? Is for them to be fun. So, um, and and it definitely is. >> You've been finding it to be for yourself. You also feel, uh, the challenging aspect or like it's approachable. >> Totally. It's a it's a good example of, um, you know, the format of Pokémon in general and the game itself. You start with the classics, the nice little cute guys, and then, uh, evolve them up. So, there is so much opportunity to collect different Pokémon, train them to a higher level, but you also feel this
    3:40
    higher level, but you also feel this really big reward. um at how accessible it is to like catch your first one. You can train yours up is what I mean. >> Oh, cool. I didn't realize that they had that feature. >> Was what's the coolest thing that you guys learned about Pokemon Pinball like during their process or >> That's a great question. I think um something that was interesting that they shared was that the art on this game is 100% from all the original Pokemon stuff. um that the artist Jeremy, you know, did a lot of work to compose
    4:13
    know, did a lot of work to compose everything and make sure everything was right ratio- wise and everything, but that it is true to the original game. So, I think that people are that are really attached and fans of the original game are going to be super pleased with that. >> Yeah, we'll have to ask the Pokemon experts, but uh I think they will be pleased. I think the ones that were here today seem to be pleased from what I can tell. I don't know. We haven't gotten any feedback from them yet. >> Yeah. No, it's cool because I'm also wondering like once people see this art knowing that it all existed already,
    4:43
    knowing that it all existed already, like can they call out where it was from? Like can they say like, "Oh, that's from this season or that's from this or that's from this." Right. >> Totally. And same with the story lines and like the scenes that they're building into this. Um, which I know are going to continue to get updated, but yeah, it's like >> feels so good. It's like I'm like >> I'm like feel like I'm reliving my childhood re-watching the And now I really want to like I have them on VHS some of the old ones but now I'm like oh I bet you it's like on some sort of streaming service that I could rewatch all this cuz yeah the Meowth Balloon thing I totally remember Team Rocket
    5:14
    thing I totally remember Team Rocket always like being in that >> you know Pokemon so well >> man. Yeah, that that ketchup one. I already I mentioned it a little before with Aaron, but there's an episode Pikachu falls in love with a ketchup bottle and that's like my favorite and I have this like Pikachu sticker with him in a ketchup bottle and it's like my favorite sticker and yeah, I got Pikachu on like a lot of stuff. Did you um so being such a fan of the game, did you notice any little Easter eggs or modes or anything that >> I think yeah, just like the the callbacks to the seasons of like what I watched growing up and like I think yeah, the the Meowth thing, the Pokeball
    5:45
    yeah, the the Meowth thing, the Pokeball looking like an actual I wonder it probably is like size like one for one. I wonder if that's a one for one Pokeball. I should ask that. I'll find out. Maybe I'll put it in the video. >> Um couldn't ask. >> We'll answer it right here. >> I'll put it somewhere in the bubble. somewhere around us. Um, but yeah, so your first time here at Stern as well. What's that been like for you guys? >> A blast, right? It's been super cool. I've had I've had a great time. >> It's really educational, too. Like I mean, I love a factory of any kind
    6:16
    mean, I love a factory of any kind getting to just see on such >> I'm very excited about the factory and weird equipment. It's like single singleuse task machine that does this one thing and that's that does it all day long and it's this weird old piece and it's >> Yeah. >> Yeah. and seeing like the level of attention and how much of it is done by hand. Like there's so much love that goes in >> 100 people on that floor. We didn't get to see it in action today. Yeah. >> But yeah, normally there's about 400 people there. So that's pretty wild. Just all hands on deck. >> Yeah. I've taken the factory tour a handful of times and just like
    6:48
    handful of times and just like >> it's amazing what they do. It's like this is one of the last things on earth I feel like that you really have like people like meticulously putting these things together like this. like I don't know probably like the typewriter needed this kind of like amount of people like putting pieces together but even then they probably like were individually like here's your typewriter to build like put it together I don't know >> I just I have a hard time thinking of other things that are like this and if you know something else that is like this that's built by hand like let us know in the comments I guess. Yeah. And just the whole life cycle of the whole thing. You know, we always we often
    7:20
    thing. You know, we always we often start our journey with these games at the finished product. And so it's been really cool to kind of go backwards and >> and see it from the actual beginning instead of um >> Yeah. It gives you a new level of appreciation for what goes into these >> and like the wiring and all that stuff. Like I've fixed some of my games. I have I own a few and it's like oh my god. It's like >> there's so much that goes into every single game and they ship out a lot of them. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah. >> Yeah. It's been a blast. >> I'm glad that you guys have had fun and
    7:52
    >> I'm glad that you guys have had fun and that you guys got a chance to get to play Pokemon. It's super cool to get to see you here. I also meet meeting you for the first time. I know. Yeah. >> Yeah. I like chat with Melissa like online all the time, but never this is our first time meeting just like with Aaron. So, it was really exciting for me like not just to play Pokemon, but I was also like, "Oh my god, I feel like I fang girl a little bit, too, cuz I'm like, man, these people are just into pinball like me." Like lost in the pinball sauce. >> It feels like a like camp or something almost. I'm like, "Oh, my pen pal going to be there."
    8:22
    going to be there." >> Yeah. No, it's really cool. And did you have a favorite feature that you've seen so far while playing the game or like a shot that you were like, "Oh, yeah. I want to >> I'm all about the ramps." The ramps. It's very It reminds me of like T2, how you can like get in that and just keep locking in and that's that pleases me. >> I'm Squirtle Squad. >> Squirtle. Squirtle squad. I like the ramps. I like the whirlpool. I like the >> creature of the black lagoon kind of >> what they call it a cup. I forget there was a phrase they used for it. I was like whirlpool dish.
    8:53
    like whirlpool dish. >> Yeah, the dish. >> Yeah. And so satisfying so cool the little it's got a little flap, right? So it's either it'll go down or it'll go into the whirlpool and like >> they don't have it on the pro as well. >> Did you have a favorite art package? >> One of the art packages speak to you. >> Um I don't know of any of the games over the other, but one detail that I liked in the video component is the tilt the tilt warnings. The dangers is Jigglypuff just telling you like final warning and
    9:23
    just telling you like final warning and I'm like oh I can't upset you. >> Can't upset Jigglypuff. >> You don't want the wrath of Jigglypuff. >> Oh no. She slaps man. She just >> she's like no she's funny. I like her. Yeah me too. I like a lot the I like the I actually really like the pros art and the Ellie and the I mean I like all of them but yeah I think there's something about the pro with Pichu I think is what like I think of my cousin and love Pikachu and Pichu >> the little lights on the Ellie on the side are a nice little new feature that
    9:55
    side are a nice little new feature that I have not seen before like someone said something about external lights I'm like what are you talking about and then they turn the machine on and I was like oh >> yeah they just started doing that I think >> I like this >> they did that on Walking Dead maybe I'm not sure but Yeah, it's a really cool feature. >> It is. >> I think you can get that for the premier. So nice. >> I'm also excited to see as the game evolves, uh, pun intended. Um, in the Ellie, how much they do feature Eevee and the evolutions of Eevee, which in the current version of the game as we played today is not as highlighted. So,
    10:27
    played today is not as highlighted. So, I'm excited to see um where that goes. I think, yeah, as as people buy this game and as it gets played and it gets more popular, I only see good that's going to come out from that. And so, and the whole new crowd of people that are going to get into pinball >> or at least like have a new collectible within their Pokemon collection. I really think that a lot of Pokemon people are going to want this to like experience Pokemon pinball but like live >> actually like pinball. >> I want to know if there's like gonna be I need to like ask them if there's going
    10:58
    I need to like ask them if there's going to be like any little call like little Easter egg or little like music thing like maybe they put in a song from Pokemon Pinball or >> I want to ask some of those questions as well. >> The the pinball um the Pokemon app >> Pokemon Go. >> Yeah, >> I've used it. Yeah. >> I'm not like feel like it's going to need to be on like we're going they're going to need to be some connection >> where the machines are. They need to be there. >> So you like collect and then you're like, "Oh, what do we have here?" >> Bas Yeah. There's a lot of like crossover that could be made. >> Yeah. I hear some exciting things. So
    11:28
    >> Yeah. I hear some exciting things. So it's a it's a fun time. And >> Yeah. Well, I'm glad you guys enjoyed the game. >> I did too. >> You too. >> It's fun playing with you, hanging with you. >> Playing pinball. Yeah. And uh yeah, don't uh any other last remarks or anything you want to plug or talk about at the end? >> If you're ever in Nashville, hit us up. Um got a lovely little pinball scene there. And >> the uh women's tournaments occasionally. So >> I mean, if you follow Mel, she posts all about it, so you find it there. >> Yeah. >> And uh just play in general. Follow
    11:59
    >> And uh just play in general. Follow Erica. you are if you're already seeing this. But, >> you know, it's it's it's a lovely lovely world full of lovely people. So, if you've been thinking about it and haven't pulled the trigger, just just go just play. >> Go support your local arcade and go play some Pokemon if they didn't. >> Yeah. >> And if they don't have Pokemon, ask them why. >> Yeah. >> There you go. >> But, uh, yeah, Loretta, thank you so much for joining. >> I'll hug you. Yeah, I'll hug you for
    12:34
    >> I love it. >> Thank you, ladies. Um, I'll go ahead and I'll make like an outro thing. >> Thanks so much for watching. I hope you enjoyed this video. It was a really great time getting to talk with Melissa and Bonnie about Pokémon. And I'm just super excited for this game to start arriving on location, guys, cuz like as of right now of this video, I don't know that the machines have like shipped and made their way into the arcades, but soon it will happen. Um, I'm really just like want to know your thoughts. What are you guys excited about for Pokemon Pinball? Are you new here to the pinball space? Do you have questions? I would
    13:05
    space? Do you have questions? I would love to know. If you have never been in this world before, maybe you are a Pokémon fan and this is something new to you. I would really want to know what it is that you want to know. I have another video that I'm likely going to be coming out with where I talk about my personal input about all of the Pokemon pinball stuff. And if you have made it this far in this video, I just want to say thank you so much for your support. It really means a lot that you want to tune in to my channel and see what content I've got going on. I have a lot of really fun
    13:35
    going on. I have a lot of really fun ideas for this year. I'm really grateful for the opportunities that have been coming my way and the people that are interested in working with me on some really fun stuff. And I also just have like a lot of really fun ideas that I want to share. But um yeah, just thank you for sticking around. and thanks for your support. Be sure to go play some pinball, support your local arcade, and yeah, have fun out there, guys. And thanks for watching.