Episode 1208: "Kaneda's First Impressions of Pokemon LE"
Kaneda's Pokemon LE first impressions: accessible, family-friendly design with smooth shots but concerns about mechanical depth and code dependency.
Pokemon has landed in casa de Kaneda!
Synopsis
Kaneda provides an extended first-impression review of his newly acquired Pokemon LE pinball machine (unit #50), comparing it extensively to his previous machine, Guns N' Roses CE. He praises Pokemon's accessibility, bright aesthetics, smooth shot layout, and family appeal, while expressing concerns about mechanical depth and reliance on future code updates. He criticizes Stern's LE cabinet decal quality and discusses the game's role as a gateway machine for new players and his young son.
Highlights
- Pokemon LE unit cost Kaneda over $14,000 all-in for setup in his home
- Pokemon is approximately $2,000 more expensive than his Guns N' Roses CE
- Pokemon LE has minimal interactive toys (Meowth, Squiddle Whirlpool, scoop, magnet) with no truly novel mechanical features
- Stern LE machines should have radial/premium decals like Batman SLE, not basic stickers
- Pokemon's success will depend heavily on code quality and future software updates
- Pokemon has exceptional audio-visual presentation, among the best on any Stern machine
- His family (Brenda and 5-year-old Killian) is engaging with Pokemon in ways they never did with other games
- Pokemon's smooth playfield shots and ramp mechanics are superior to Guns N' Roses
Notable quotes
“Going from Guns N' Roses all these years to Pokemon is like going from an abusive relationship to a healthy relationship.”
“Stern! These things should be radials for this much money. There is no excuse that a $13,000 Stern machine is showing up with just regular stickers.”
“There's something about the inviting nature of this game... There's something about the bright colors. This game just pops. It's super bright, it's super inviting.”
“The moment that Pokemon logo goes across that's that big screen. And you see the Pokeballs light up on the speaker grills. It just makes you smile.”
“Part of me feels like I should be making fun of how little is in this game... But it's something about the sum of the parts and the parts are all charming that are making this game a real pleasure to play.”
“Name me another game that invites kids to jump on pinball better than Pokemon.”
“I heard Brenda and Killian playing Pokemon without me. Alright, that's amazing. Once I heard that game going and I wasn't even invited, I knew that this game is something special.”
“This baby shoots like butter. And right out of the box, I've only had one issue... Everything else is working super smooth.”
“There's a reason why this property is the most successful entertainment property in the history of entertainment properties. And we're all still just children inside.”
“I think George Gomez really made the right decision to make a game that everybody can jump on and have fun.”
Entities
- Stern Pinball· company
- Brenda· person
- Cassian· person
- Frank· person
- George Gomez· person
- Jack Danger· person
- Kaneda· person
- Killian· person
- Back to the Future· product
- Batman 66· product
- Batman SLE· product
- Beetlejuice· product
- Fallout· product
- Goonies· product
- Guns N' Roses· product
- Harry Potter· product
- Pokemon Pinball· product
- Sonic the Hedgehog· product
- Transformers· product
- Automated· venue/company
More from Kaneda’s Pinball Podcast
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Episode 1229: "Something We Can All Agree On"
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!"
FRIDAY SHOW SPECTACULAR!