Episode 34: Harry Potter Drama Explodes on Pinside – Oh, and Predator Pinball Is Here Too!
Predator Pinball is finally real—and it’s HERE! In this video, we break down everything you need to know about the new Predator pinball machine from Pinball Brothers. From gameplay and theme integration to mechs, music, and the controversial Arnold question—we cover it all! 🎯 Widebody layout, killer shots, and iconic moments 🧠 Why Predator was chosen as the follow-up to Alien 🎵 Featuring Alan Silvestri’s original score + new tracks by Olof Gustafsson 🛠️ Powered by FAST Pinball hardware for reliability 🔥 Only ~800 units being made – with optional “Trophy Package” This week, I also dove into Pinside to catch up on all the latest controversy around Harry Potter, Predator, and more… and honestly? It was depressing. This is pinball—it’s supposed to be fun! Looking to Buy a New or Used Pinball Machine? LEAVE ME A VOICEMAIL, and I might play it on the show! Looking for more Pinball Content? Check out my pinball podcast, “The Flipside Podcast.” Video Version of the Podcast can be found here: Want to listen to the podcast instead? Here are links to Spotify and Apple Podcasts! [RETRO RALPH MERCHANDISE AND CONTACT INFO]
Kineticist’s take
Predator pinball launches amid Harry Potter AI drama and community debate.
Synopsis
Retro Ralph discusses the launch of Pinball Brothers' Predator pinball machine, covering its features, theme integration, and production details. He also addresses community drama around Jersey Jack's Harry Potter game and AI artwork controversy, emphasizing the need for positivity in the pinball community despite ongoing tensions.
Highlights
- Predator pinball is a widebody game with an MSRP of $10,995 launching with 800 units planned
- First Predator machines will ship to the US in mid-August, with some air freighted
- Arnold Schwarzenegger's likeness has licensing restrictions; he won't appear close-up and may only appear in movie clips
- Harry Potter code quality has issues but gameplay is fun; the game was well-received at Southern Fried Gaming Expo
- Predator pinball uses the Fast Pinball platform, also used by Spooky and Dutch Pinball
- An unlicensed Predator pinball machine exists at Galloping Ghost arcade but rarely works
- Pinball Brothers used Bell UH-1H Huey helicopter model reference for the helicopter toy in Predator
- Evil Dead and Kong have strong code on release compared to Harry Potter
- Predator licensing is still in progress and may receive additional Arnold content and custom audio
- Pinball Brothers is shifting to standardized Bally/Williams parts to improve reliability and serviceability
Entities
- Flip N Out Pinball· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Pinball Brothers· company
- Spooky Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Southern Fried Gaming Expo· event
- ABBA· game
- Dune· game
- Evil Dead· game
- Harry Potter· game
- Kong· game
- Predator· game
- Pinside· organization
- Alan Silvestri· person
- Colin· person
- Nick Madsen· person
- Olof Gustafsson· person
- Retro Ralph· person
- Fast Pinball· product
- Galloping Ghost· venue