Pokémon Pinball Goes Pro: Inside Stern’s Newest Release

I’ve been in pinball for a long time, I mean really in it, hands greasy with vintage rubber and eyes locked on every new Stern announcement. But when Stern Pinball finally pulled back the curtain on the official Pokémon pinball machine, I nearly dropped my drink. Not a rumor, not a wish list whisper, but the real deal. Stern teamed up with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo to bring this to life in a way that actually feels massive, nostalgic, and completely next-level.

Let’s get this straight right away, Pokémon isn’t just a themed skin slapped on an existing layout. Stern built this from the ground up around the whole “Trainer’s journey” vibe that made the franchise legendary since 1996. The machine uses Stern’s SPIKE 3 technology to put you in the shoes of a Trainer. You don’t just hit targets and chase high scores, you catch and train Pokémon, battle rival Trainers, and square off against Team Rocket’s top schemer Giovanni right on the playfield. There’s even an animatronic Pikachu cheering you on, so you can feel legit when you nail that tricky loop shot.

One of the coolest things for me personally is how much personality Stern’s put into this. We’re talking ramps, spinners, and targets decked out with Pokémon flair, plus video clips from the original anime and voiceovers that bring Pikachu and that dastardly Giovanni to life. The iconic Pokémon Theme music kicks in too, the kind of soundtrack that makes grown-ups grin like they’re ten again.

There are three versions of the machine: the Pro, the Premium, and the ultra-collectible Limited Edition. Each lets you dive into the world differently, but that Limited Edition is something special if you’re a serious collector. Stern only made 750 of them worldwide. It has upgraded lighting, a sleek mirrored backglass, custom art armor, a signed plaque, and a whole bunch of other bells and whistles that make it a centerpiece piece in any collection.

The machine also works with Stern’s Insider Connected system. That means when you sign in and play, the Pokémon you catch get added to your personal connected collection. Imagine walking into an arcade, playing a few rounds, and actually seeing your progress tracked in your roster. It’s a tiny taste of that “Trainer journey” out in the real world, and it’s brilliant.

This Pokémon pinball isn’t just for arcade owners or collectors. It’s a gateway. If you’ve ever wanted to see younger folks fall in love with real metal, real lights, real playfield action, Pokémon might be the machine that bridges generations. Fans of the original Pokémon pinball games on Game Boy will get a kick out of seeing this franchise brought into full-size pinball glory.

Trust me, we’re living through the next big chapter in pinball culture. Whether you’re chasing Pokémon or chasing multiball madness, this machine is about to be one everyone’s talking about. Keep your eyes peeled and your quarters ready. The Pokeballs are rolling into town, and Nitro Pinball will be front row when it happens.