Episode 15: “The BIGGEST Pinball Expo 2024 SURPRISES and DISAPPOINTMENTS”
In this episode of The FlipSide, Cale and Rachel from Electric Bat Arcade and Jamie from Wormhole Pinball join us to break down everything we saw at Pinball Expo 2024! From jaw-dropping reveals to unexpected surprises, we’re here to share our thoughts. Which game took center stage—was it Jersey Jack’s Avatar, Stern’s Uncanny X-Men, or Dutch Pinball’s Alice in Wonderland? We also weigh in on the $1,000 pinball machine—yes, it’s real! But what exactly did they bring to the show, and do we believe they can pull off something the community will actually like? Did they blow their chances at community acceptance, or did they present something interesting that could carve out its own corner of the market?
Kineticist’s take
Pinball Expo 2024 live coverage with game reviews, sub-$1K machine drama, and industry observations.
Synopsis
Live podcast from Pinball Expo 2024 in Schaumburg, Illinois featuring hosts Retro Ralph, Kale, and Rachel from Electric Bat Arcade, and Jamie from Wormhole Pinball discussing major game releases and show surprises. Key topics include hands-on impressions of Alice in Wonderland (Spooky), Avatar (Jersey Jack), and X-Men (Stern), as well as a controversial sub-$1,000 pinball machine prototype from a 1UP-affiliated company and various homebrew games. The episode blends gameplay critique, industry commentary, and casual convention experiences.
Highlights
- Alice in Wonderland has sculpted (non-flat) plastics that won't last on location but are handpainted and visually impressive.
- Alice in Wonderland's upper playfield magnets either didn't work or weren't coded; players couldn't access intended upper playfield features.
- Avatar multiball is unlimited (out-of-balls), allowing even casual players to play for extended periods, which is problematic for location operators.
- Avatar has no audio in video clips despite being essential for movie-based themes; code update is planned to add audio.
- A sub-$1,000 pinball machine prototype (1UP-affiliated, Alice-themed) was exhibited with no functional playfield, only a black wood placeholder.
- The sub-$1K machine uses a smaller ball size (not full-size pinball) and is intended for Kickstarter funding and retail (Target) availability.
- Stern's booth had padded red carpet at Expo 2024, but Venom (last year) did not, contrasting with Bond (two years prior) which had carpet.
- Electric Bat Arcade ordered a Stern Metallica machine (either Premium or LE tier available).
- Retro Ralph achieved a game-closing score (GC'd) on Metallica despite identifying himself as an inconsistent player.
- A 'Mothership' homebrew game larger than Godzilla was shown but won't be playable until next year's Expo.
Entities
- 1UP· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Spooky Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Stumblr· company
- Pinball Expo 2024· event
- Alice in Wonderland· game
- Avatar· game
- Bond· game
- Metallica· game
- Mothership· game
- Stern Home Edition· game
- Sub-$1,000 Alice Machine· game
- Venom· game
- X-Men· game
- Hans· person
- Jamie· person
- Kale· person
- Rachel· person
- Retro Ralph· person
- Zach Sharp· person
- Electric Bat Arcade· venue
- Wormhole Pinball· venue