Episode 1213: "Let's Talk About These New Themes"
Kaneda previews 2025-2027 pinball pipeline: Transformers, He-Man, G.I. Joe, Van Halen, new AC/DC, Dracula.
And why pinball prices are never going down.
Synopsis
Kaneda discusses upcoming pinball themes and machines, expressing confidence in most announcements while reconsidering Justice League. He covers Transformers G1 (Stern, May release), Masters of the Universe (Barrels of Fun), G.I. Joe (Barrels of Fun), Van Halen (Jersey Jack), a new AC/DC (Stern, John Borg), and Dracula (Stern, Brian Eddy). He also reflects on pricing dynamics, the secondary market appeal of boutique games, and wealth disparities in the collector community.
Highlights
- Barrels of Fun acquired the Masters of the Universe license from American Pinball
- Transformers G1 is coming out next month (from recording date) and is Stern's greatest game in a long time
- Elliott Eismann spent 25 months developing Transformers, compared to Jack Danger's 10 months on X-Men
- Stern is making a new AC/DC game designed by John Borg, not a reissue of the Steve Ritchie version
- Justice League pinball machine is unlikely to happen due to DC's shift away from the Zack Snyder era
- Beetlejuice machines from the Kaneda drawing will be serial numbers 501-505, in the middle of the production run
- Stern's pipeline for 2025 is: Transformers, Pokemon (code/topper), Fallout, then AC/DC
Notable quotes
“I know for a fact that they got this license from American Pinball. This is not a rumor. They have the license. They have the power.”
“What an exciting time when you think about pinball that we are about to get a plethora of our favorite 80s cartoons in pinball format. Transformers G1. It's coming. It's going to be out next month.”
“Elliott Eismann has had 25 months, 25 months developing this game. Think about that. Jack Danger had like 10 months to develop X-Men. So this is insane.”
“The boutique industry is where all the FOMO is. The FOMO is hard to maintain at Stern. There is none at Jersey Jack because collector's editions are unlimited.”
“For a lot of us, we can save up and buy a couple of machines a year. But man, you got to make a really, really big pinball salary if you want to be able to afford three to four pinball machines a year.”
“I don't think we're going to see Brian Eddy's game until Q1 of 2027. It's crazy, right? Kaneda's taking you all the way to 2027.”
“Sonic the Hedgehog is going to be the game of the year. I think the second best game this year is going to be Fallout. And I think the third Transformers.”
“Quality of life minus envy equals happiness.”
Entities
- American Pinball· company
- Barrels of Fun· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Spooky Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- AC/DC (new)· game
- Beetlejuice· game
- Dracula· game
- Fallout· game
- G.I. Joe· game
- Masters of the Universe· game
- Pokemon· game
- Sonic the Hedgehog· game
- Transformers G1· game
- Van Halen· game
- Brian Eddy· person
- Brian Savage· person
- David Van Es· person
- Elliott Eismann· person
- Jack Danger· person
- John Borg· person
- Kaneda· person
- Mark Seiden· person
- Seth· person
- Steve Ritchie· person
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!