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Episode 1193: "TGIF Happy & Hungover Live Show"
PodcastAnalysis updated yesterday25 min listen
TL;DR
Pokémon launch dominates secondary market; Stern LE strategy criticized; major parts supplier shutdown looms.
See above:)
Synopsis
Kaneda hosts a live, unedited episode covering Pokémon's 30th anniversary and its launch impact on the pinball secondary market. He discusses upcoming 2025-2026 games (Sonic, Transformers, Back to the Future, Goonies), criticizes Stern's Limited Edition differentiation strategy and art direction under Zombie Yeti, warns of a critical parts supplier (Savoy/Hap) shutting down their pinball division, and advocates for free-market pricing against Pinside marketplace gatekeeping. The episode includes personal anecdotes about vacation policy changes and philosophical commentary on wealth and community values.
Highlights
- Pokémon Limited Edition secondary market pricing is currently $18,000 for a same-day deal, potentially $20,000 if willing to wait
- Someone traded Chris L a Beetlejuice straight-up for a Pokémon with no mate on the table, a losing trade (Beetlejuice $9,999 + $3,500 spot = $13,500 vs Pokémon $18k-$23k)
- Savoy/Hap, a major pinball parts supplier (coin doors, switches, lockdown bars), is shutting down their pinball division
- Winchester Mystery House secondary market is not reaching $20k offers despite community enthusiasm; Kaneda estimates current value around $18k
- 2025 will be 'the best year in the history of pinball' with releases including Sonic, Beetlejuice, Harry Potter, Goonies, Back to the Future, Transformers, Fallout, and American Pinball remakes
- Sonic the Hedgehog will be 'game of the year' and superior to Pokémon despite the latter's commercial appeal
- Three best-edition pinball machines now cost approximately $45,000 total, compared to $18,000 ten years ago
- Stern's Zombie Yeti as art director failed to differentiate Limited Edition from Premium Edition on King Kong and Walking Dead
- Robin's Pinside marketplace rules restricting Pokémon sales are 'idiotic' and 'socialist,' driving sales to gray/black market and raising prices
- Flippin' Out Pinball has 14-15 of the 750 Pokémon LE units produced
Notable quotes
“That is a horrible trade for the dude that handed over a Pokémon because look, I mean, I love Beetlejuice...But let's be honest here. Beetlejuice was $9,999. People are now selling spots for $3,500. That's $13,500. Why would you trade straight up for a Pokémon, which is easily worth $18,000 to $23,000 right now? What a moron.”
“Pokémon might be the most basic pinball machine I've ever seen since I've been covering this hobby. And the reason why it gets a pass is because it was the right move.”
“If he simply allowed the free market to do its job, the prices would even out. And that is the irony in all of these gatekeepers...the moment you can actually make a buck or two, it's like they want to come in there and tell you that you can't.”
“This is the biggest single piece of news in all of pinball that one of the most like prolific suppliers of pinball parts is shutting down their pinball business.”
“Sonic the Hedgehog...is going to make Pokémon feel Papa Duke damn empty.”
“Zombie Yeti, you're the art director at Sam Stern Pinball. You need to make the Elite really stand out. Like it needs to blow people away compared to the Premium Edition.”
“I'm so tired of hearing you guys order from other dealers and distros...If you're going to order a pinball machine, will you do me a favor and order it from either Mike at Automate It...or Chris and Melissa at coin taker?”
“When you want to get someone excited, ask them what their hobbies are. You know what happens in this town? And then I'm going to end this episode...thanking each and every one of you, for the community you've made, for the community we've built around pinball.”
Entities
- American Pinball· company
- Automate It· company
- Barrels of Fun· company
- Savoy/Hap· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Pinball Expo· event
- Texas Pinball Festival· event
- Back to the Future· game
- Beetlejuice· game
- Fallout· game
- Goonies· game
- Harry Potter· game
- Pokémon (Stern)· game
- Sonic the Hedgehog· game
- Transformers· game
- Winchester Mystery House· game
- Chris and Melissa· person
- Chris L· person
- Donald Garrison· person
- Frank D'Angelo· person
- Jeremy Packer· person
- Kaneda· person
- Robin· person
- Troy· person
- Zombie Yeti· person
More from Kaneda’s Pinball Podcast
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Episode 1229: "Something We Can All Agree On"
22 min listen
TL;DR
Kaneda condemns Stern's incomplete game launches and urges community to withhold support until quality improves.
Everyone wants the same thing, but we won't get there if we keep buying right away.
Episode 1228: "The Shills Coming for Kaneda & Everything Happening in Pinball Right Now!"
30 min listen
FRIDAY SHOW SPECTACULAR!
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