Pinball Roundtable - Is Stern Back on Top? Pokémon Pinball, Rumors & Why 2026 Might Be the Best Year
Pinball Roundtable - Is Stern Back on Top? Pokémon Pinball, Rumors & Why 2026 Might Be the Best Year
1 hr 40 min listen
Send us Fan Mail Jamie Burchell joins Retro Ralph and Cale Hernandez for a wide-ranging, honest discussion about some of the biggest conversations happening in pinball right now. We break down Pokémon pinball and talk about what media day was really like, the vibe at Stern, the energy in the room, and whether this release feels like Stern getting some of their mojo back. Does Pokémon put Stern back on top? Is this the reset moment they needed heading into this year? We also take a hard look a...
Kineticist’s take
Pokémon Pinball media day shows strong enthusiasm; Stern poised for major sales success.
Synopsis
Pinball Roundtable discusses Pokémon Pinball's successful media day reveal, strong pre-launch reception despite early leaks, and growing crossover appeal beyond traditional pinball enthusiasts. The hosts debate Twippies Awards awards format changes and their impact on viewership, discuss Stern's renewed momentum, and explore the game's potential for commercial success through location play and home collectors. Ralph shares firsthand impressions from the media event where Stern and game designers displayed exceptional enthusiasm for the title.
Entities
- Barrels of Fun· company
- Flip N Out Pinball· company
- Houston Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Texas Pinball Festival· event
- Pokémon Pinball· game
- Victor H.· game
- This Week in Pinball· organization
- Cale Hernandez· person
- Christopher Franchi· person
- Colin (This Week in Pinball)· person
- Erica Winnick· person
- Erica's Pinball Journey· person
- George Gomez· person
- Jack Danger· person
- Jamie Burchell· person
- Joe Marchfield· person
- Marc Silk· person
- Ralph (Retro Ralph)· person
- Seth· person
- Zach Meny· person
- Stern Insider Connected· product