Get ready to embark on a thrilling Pokémon adventure like never before! Stern Pinball Inc. and The Pokémon Company have joined forces to create the ultimate pinball experience, bringing the world of Pokémon to life in a way you've never seen before. Prepare to catch, battle, and complete your very own Pokédex, all while enjoying the high-tech wonders of this innovative machine.
But here's the real game-changer: this isn't just a simple throwback. The Pokémon Pinball machine is packed with cutting-edge features that will leave you in awe. Imagine collecting Pokémon as you play, and saving your progress on a digital Pokédex right on your phone! That's not all - get ready for interactive surprises like an animatronic Pikachu and an HD screen filled with anime footage. This machine is set to revolutionize the pinball world, and we got a sneak peek at its awesomeness during our visit to Stern's factory.
A Partnership Like No Other
The collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Stern Pinball is a testament to their dedication to perfection. During our visit, we heard countless stories about their close partnership, and it's clear that Stern truly understands the essence of Pokémon. Tanio Klyce, the lead programmer, revealed the immense effort put into seamlessly blending pinball mechanics with the Pokémon universe. It's a game designed to capture the thrill of battling, catching, and exploring the world of Pokémon.
The art package, centered around the iconic Kanto Region Pokémon from Generation 1, showcases the meticulous collaboration between the two companies. Klyce explained that they composed and adapted The Pokémon Company's artwork, ensuring every detail, from line weights to character scales, was meticulously scrutinized. This attention to detail adds a layer of authenticity to the game, as confirmed by George Gomez, a seasoned Stern pinball designer and co-lead on the project.
Beyond the Art: An Immersive Experience
The Pokémon Pinball machine offers more than just stunning visuals. The monitor in the back glass displays anime clips from Seasons 10-25, bringing the battles to life. For instance, triggering the right ramp multiple times initiates a Pikachu vs. Raichu mode, where anime battle scenes unfold on the screen while you play in multiball mode. The Pokémon theme song fills the air, and Meowth's taunts from the anime add an extra layer of immersion. Voice actor Giovani even recorded custom shoutouts for specific modes, adding to the overall experience.
Catching Pokémon: A Pinball Challenge
The game focuses on catching Pokémon from Generation 1 and the Kanto region, but Klyce assures us that Pokémon from all generations will be included. At launch, players can discover and catch 182 Pokémon. Catching them in pinball is an art! You'll hit targets and fill a meter, with pop bumpers acting as 'tall grass' to speed up the process. Once the meter is filled, a random Pokémon appears, based on the biome you're in. You'll then need to shoot a lit purple flashing shot to reveal the Pokémon in the Pokédex and launch the Pokéball toy to capture it.
Battling Pokémon: A Unique Twist
In a surprising twist, you don't choose your starters. Instead, you begin with a team of four: Squirtle, Pikachu, Charmander, and Bulbasaur. Battles are initiated by shooting the scoop on the right, and you must aim for lit shots to navigate through the battle. The first Pokémon deployed is Bulbasaur, with purple shots for poison attacks and green shots for grass attacks. If you hesitate, your adversary will strike back. We faced a challenging battle against Scyther, but switching to Charmander proved to be a game-changer, boosting our score significantly.
Version Differences: Premium, Limited, and Pro
The Pokémon Pinball machine comes in three versions: Premium, Limited Edition (LE), and Pro. The Premium and LE versions include an animatronic Pikachu, an interactive Pokéball, and a magnet for pinball flings. The LE version, a limited run of 750 machines, boasts additional lighting, colored 'armor,' and a custom art scheme. The Pro version, while stripped down, still features the iconic Meowth Balloon for easy targets and multiball. Other Stern machines may have more striking differences, but the Pro version's lack of metal parts and lighting makes it appear slightly cheaper.
A New Era of Pokémon Pinball
The Pokémon Pinball machine promises an innovative way to fill out your Pokédex across multiple machines, arcades, bars, and game rooms. While the Pokédex, battles, and DLC potential showcase innovation, the game's basic layout feels approachable and classic, reminiscent of titles like Attack from Mars and Monster Bash. The shots are easy to hit, and the gameplay is engaging, though not kid-friendly. Just like Pokémon and pinball, mastering this game will take time and dedication.
Get ready to embark on this thrilling Pokémon journey, and stay tuned for more updates from Stern Pinball. The Pro model is priced at $6,999, the Premium at $9,699, and the LE at $12,999, with pre-orders available now at https://sternpinball.com/game/pokemon/.
