Episode 1226: "Kaneda Claps Back Against The Shills Blaming Him For Transformers Response"
Kaneda defends Transformers criticism; shares Pokemon/Sonic intel; accuses media of manufacturer bias.
Warning. Shill feelings may be hurt.
Synopsis
Kaneda responds to criticism that he hyped unrealistic expectations about Transformers' Optimus Prime mech, defending his coverage as consumer advocacy rather than manufacturer shilling. He criticizes content creators for accepting incomplete games at full price, predicts Stern will release a topper for the non-functional mech, shares intel on Pokemon at Costco (same playfield as Pro, $5k price point), and expresses cautious optimism about Sonic the Hedgehog while questioning code depth and character voice integration.
Highlights
- Stern Pinball is releasing Pokemon at Costco with identical playfield to Pokemon Pro, stationary Meowth, same code, at $5,000 price point
- Stern ordered approximately 3,500 transforming Optimus mechs stored in Elk Grove, Illinois facility; will repurpose as paid topper at $1,500-$2,000 extra
- Keith Elwin publicly teased an upcoming mech on a podcast before Transformers release
- Optimus Prime mech was non-functional for months during development; Stern removed it rather than delaying to fix it
- Pokemon licensing (Pokémon Go company) prevents implementation of Pokedex online showcase feature Stern intended
- JJP Sonic the Hedgehog has no media day; launching without preview access for most media
- Sonic playfield layout shows fan-style blank design; Steve Ritchie can elaborate it significantly
- Content creators covering pinball are in financial/relationship servitude to manufacturers via undisclosed deals
Notable quotes
“They weren't going to be transparent until Kaneda was going to say something about that Harry Potter payment.”
“Nothing in this game is a robot in disguise. Nothing. The whole point of being a robot in disguise is when he in truck form he not a robot yet until he transforms.”
“If only half of the game has magic, then why don't you charge me half as much?”
“I am the solution. You clowns. You don't get it. You are not on the side of consumers.”
“Sonic the Hedgehog is going to wipe the floor with Transformers.”
“Losing your freedom to speak your real feelings and to give your true opinions. It's not worth it to me.”
Entities
- Chicago Gaming Company (CGC)· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP)· company
- Spooky Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Back to the Future· game
- Halo· game
- Harry Potter· game
- Pokemon· game
- Resident Evil· game
- Sonic the Hedgehog· game
- Stranger Things· game
- Toad· game
- Transformers· game
- Twilight Zone· game
- Barry· person
- Elliot Eismin· person
- George Gomez· person
- Kaneda· person
- Keith Elwin· person
- Keith P. Johnson· person
- Steve Ritchie· person
More from Kaneda’s Pinball Podcast
→ All content from Kaneda’s Pinball Podcast
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!
Episode 1227: "Kaneda's Back With Some Hot News!"
Kaneda reveals Sonic June 23rd launch and cascade of licensing/release date rumors for 2026-2027 pinball pipeline.
KNICKS BABY!!!!