Stern Pinball launched AC/DC Remastered, a new version of its 2012 AC/DC rebuilt on the SPIKE 3 platform, on Thursday, October 15. It comes in Premium ($10,199) and Limited Edition ($13,499, 500 games) models, with no Pro, and it's on sale now through Stern's distributors.
It's Stern's third remaster, after Metallica Remastered in 2024 and The Walking Dead Remastered last November. John Borg, who led both, takes on a Steve Ritchie design this time. The headline changes are a redesigned lower playfield and eight new AC/DC songs.
Notably, the launch arrived a day late. Stern's own teaser said it would debut Wednesday, October 14.
Design Team
- Design: John Borg (lead game designer, remaster); original 2012 design by Steve Ritchie
- Code: Joshua Henderson (lead software engineer, remaster); original code by Lyman F. Sheats Jr.
- Art: Randy Martinez (Premium translite and cabinet art), his first Stern game since John Wick in 2024
Hype & Rumors
AC/DC has been on fans' remaster wish lists since Metallica Remastered in 2024, and our upcoming pinball machines roundup has carried it as a next-Stern rumor since at least March. The rumor got more specific in late May, when a walkthrough of the Licensing Expo reported a new AC/DC from Stern with "new songs," which we covered in TWIP in June.
Notable Storylines
Borg Tweaks Ritchie
Borg designed the original Metallica and The Walking Dead, so both earlier remasters were his own games. AC/DC is Steve Ritchie's, and Ritchie is at Jersey Jack Pinball now, where his second game there, Sonic the Hedgehog, launched in June. George Gomez opens Stern's features video by calling AC/DC a "legendary Steve Ritchie masterpiece," and Borg says he wanted to "honor the original design" while upgrading it.
A Choppy Launch
Stern's October 13 teaser gave the date as "10/14/26," and a Stern Store page, indexed by Google before it was pulled, put the All-Access LE sale at noon Central that day. Neither happened. Rumored Stern dates have slipped before, but we can't recall Stern missing one it published itself.
The game arrived in pieces the next evening. The press release went up around 5:30 p.m. Eastern with the features video and the game trailer embedded, but the trailer was still set to private. The game page and Stern's social posts came later. It's a rocky way to launch a game during Pinball Expo, which got underway Wednesday.
A New Price Point
AC/DC Remastered costs $500 more than Stern's first two remasters. Metallica Remastered and The Walking Dead Remastered launched at $9,699 for the Premium and $12,999 for the LE.
It's $500 less than Fallout, though, which launched in September at $10,699 and $13,999.
Henderson's First Lead
Stern introduces Joshua Henderson in the features video as the remaster's "lead software engineer," the first time he's led a game's code. Before this, he was one of several programmers credited on John Wick, King Kong: Myth of Terror Island and Pokémon.
Henderson calls AC/DC "one of my personal favorite pinball machines of all time," and he says he wanted to keep what Lyman Sheats (who died in 2022) built into its rules, especially song choice as a strategy and the risk and reward of the song jackpot.
Pricing & Editions
AC/DC Remastered is available now through authorized Stern distributors and dealers, in two models:
- Premium: $10,199 (€9,499; £8,299)
- Limited Edition: $13,499 (€12,499; £10,899), limited to 500 games
European and UK prices are Stern's recommended retail prices, before VAT and other taxes.
Limited Edition Details
- Limited to 500 games worldwide, with a numbered plaque and signed certificate
- Cabinet and Speaker Expression Lighting with AC/DC effects, including laser-cut bell and lightning-bolt speaker logos
- Full-color mirrored backglass
- Reflective foil high-definition cabinet decals
- Powder-coated, laser-cut armor, legs, hinges and Action Button molding
- Upgraded audio, anti-reflection playfield glass and a shaker motor
- Insider Connected LE owner's badge
Premium Edition Details
- Full-color translite and high-definition cabinet decals with art by Randy Martinez
- Optional Cabinet and Speaker Expression Lighting
Notable Features
A Redesigned Lower Playfield
Borg calls the redesigned lower playfield "the biggest upgrade" in the remaster. It now has a captive bash ball, two flippers, two targets and a loop.
Cannon, Train and Bell
Borg says the ball-firing cannon was completely rebuilt, under a new molded cannon sculpt. The Rock N Roll Train ball diverter now has a molded AC/DC locomotive on it, and the swinging Hells Bells bash toy is a new molded piece.
TNT Detonator
There's a new molded TNT detonator box with an animated plunger, plus three TNT drop targets.
Songs and Display
The 2012 song list gains eight AC/DC songs, six of them new selectable song modes, and the back panel has a bigger, lit jukebox to fit them. Live concert footage and classic music videos run on SPIKE 3's 18.5-inch HD display.
Smaller Upgrades
The ramp entrances are now stainless steel with lit, laser-cut AC/DC logos, the right loop gets a spinning target, and the playfield has new RGB lighting.
Rules & Code
Stern says the rules are updated, with new wizard modes and three new Devil Horn timed modes (Oi Mania, Thunder Ramps and High Voltage). For how the 2012 rules play, see our AC/DC tutorial.
Media
Game Trailer (October 15, 2026)
Features Video (October 15, 2026)
Teaser Trailer (October 13, 2026)
Photos
Press Release
Stern Pinball Invites Players to Rock Out with AC/DC Remastered, an Electrifying Pinball Experience Where Rock Legends and High Scores Collide — October 15, 2026
CHICAGO, IL – October 15, 2026 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of pinball games, revealed and released a technologically advanced new pinball experience celebrating one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time – AC/DC Remastered.
AC/DC is widely regarded as one of the most popular rock bands in music history, with a legacy that spans decades and more than 200 million albums sold. The band’s landmark album, Back in Black, has sold more than 50 million copies, and their signature hits “Thunderstruck” and “Back in Black” continue to generate billions of streams. Now, that timeless legacy returns to the playfield with AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball, bringing a celebrated pinball classic to a new generation of players. AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball is available now in Premium and Limited Edition (LE) models.
In AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball, players will experience an updated and enhanced version of the pinball classic, fully integrated on the SPIKE 3 platform. Players must be prepared to be Thunderstruck with refined mechanical updates and upgrades, featuring an all-new redesigned lower playfield and new wizard modes including three new timed modes: “Oi Mania,” “Thunder Ramps,” and “High Voltage”.
For Those About to Rock, a re-engineered pinball-firing cannon with a custom-molded cannon sculpt has been upgraded along with the Rock N Roll Train ball diverter featuring a custom-molded AC/DC locomotive train sculpt. A revised and custom-molded Hells Bells swinging bash toy and custom-molded TNT detonator box with an animated plunger add even more action to this rock concert under glass.
AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball also includes an updated back panel with an illuminated song titleboard, upgraded stainless steel ramp entrances with laser-cut AC/DC logos, and an added right loop spinning target. All-new RGB playfield lighting is fully in sync with optional cabinet and speaker expression lighting.
Players can rock out to eight new AC/DC songs added to the original 2012 song list in AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball, along with six new selectable song modes. Live concert footage and classic music videos spanning the history of the legendary band come to life on an 18.5-inch high-resolution SPIKE 3 display bringing an added layer of energy to the experience.
Loaded with Stern Pinball’s state-of-the-art technology, AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball seamlessly combines both physical and digital gameplay. Utilizing Stern Pinball’s award-winning Insider Connected platform, players can track their progress, earn new game-specific Achievements, and connect with AC/DC fans all over the world.
Limited to 500 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes the updated Cabinet Expression Lighting System™ and Speaker Expression Lighting System with AC/DC-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition reflective foil cabinet decals, exclusive custom AC/DC Remastered pinball armor, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.
“AC/DC is one of the most iconic and beloved music-themed pinball games of all time, with a legacy that has resonated with players for more than a decade” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “With AC/DC Remastered, we’re proud to honor what made the original machine a classic while introducing refined updates and enhancements that bring this beloved game to a new generation of players.”
AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide. Find out more and contact us for availability in your location on the game information page here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Pricing and Availability:
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”) and Recommended Retail Price (“RRP”):
MSRP (US) and RRP (Europe) are for sales to end-users before any applicable VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, Tariffs, or other taxes and are subject to change.
Premium Edition: $US 10,199 (RRP – €9,499.00; £8,299.00)
Limited Edition: $US 13,499 (RRP – €12,499.00; £10,899.00)
AC/DC Remastered by Stern Pinball games feature Stern’s best-in-class commercial quality reliability backed by a pinball best-in-class one-year warranty.
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