072: Does Stern Make Too Many Games?

PodcastNov 4, 2026By Live From The Rock Room

Punk Rock Pinball Podcast

57 min

Summary

Hosts argue Stern isn't overproducing; Spooky and Barrels sell out fast, Goonies waitlist gripes.

Stephanie and Mike of the Punk Rock Pinball Podcast argue Stern is not making too many machines, contrasting its roughly four titles per year and wide availability with Spooky and Barrels of Fun, whose limited-run games sell out before release. The hosts also discuss the Goonies waitlist, the risks of scaling up manufacturing, and the value of buying used Stern Pros, while acknowledging they are seen as Stern shills. Much of the episode is local Central Illinois league and tournament logistics.

Highlights

Stern releases about four pinball titles per year.
Stern is the most reliable new pinball machine manufacturer, and its node board system is the best for modern pinball.
Across all manufacturers combined, roughly 13 to 16 new pinball titles are released per year, versus about 22 per year at Bally/Williams' peak.
Spooky's Goonies waitlist sold out before the game was officially announced, and the hosts missed the allocation.
Barrels of Fun's Dune sold out at MSRP and is no longer obtainable at that price.
Used Stern and Jersey Jack machines typically sell for $1,000 to $2,000 less than new after six to ten months.
A Stern Pro can be bought used for around $5,000, while Spooky's Winchester and Evil Dead sell for roughly $14,000 to $20,000 on the secondary market.
Scaling Spooky to half of Stern's capacity would likely require millions of dollars in investment.
Stern is the only manufacturer consistently marketing pinball outside the existing hobby, and is driving most growth in the broader market.
The Goonies is not a wide-body machine, based on what the hosts were told at Expo.
Goonies run size is over 1,000 units, possibly around 1,500.