Sonic vs. Transformers Pinball Review + The Wildest Year in Modern Pinball?!
Sonic vs. Transformers Pinball Review + The Wildest Year in Modern Pinball?!
Sonic Pinball vs. Transformers Pinball - if you could only bring one home, which would it be? In this episode of The Flip Side Pinball Podcast, I review and compare Sonic Pinball by Jersey Jack Pinball and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye by Stern Pinball. These are two completely different machines, but both deliver great theme integration, approachable rules and plenty of reasons to hit the start button again. I’m not necessarily trying to crown one definitive winner. Instead, I break down what each game does well, where each one could improve and which machine may be the better fit for your game room. • My impressions of Jersey Jack’s Sonic Pinball • Sonic’s zones, checkpoints, rings and Chaos Emerald Multiball • The upper playfield, Bash Dash and upcoming feature modes • My biggest praise and criticism of the current Sonic code • Stern’s Transformers Pinball after extended play • The shots, rules, multiballs and “One Shall Fall” mode • The Optimus Prime controversy and the mod I’d like to see • Transformers Pro vs. Premium vs. LE • Which game may be better for newer pinball players • My updated pinball lineup and new podcast studio • The incredible number of new pinball machines arriving in 2026 Sonic offers a fast, approachable fan layout with rules that are easy to understand but still provide depth. Transformers delivers a more unusual and challenging layout packed with G1 nostalgia, creative shots and some fantastic moments. They scratch completely different itches and that makes choosing between them extremely difficult. Which one would you bring home: Sonic or Transformers? Are you buying one of these machines, or are you saving your game-room space for another upcoming release? Drop a comment and let me know! LOOKING FOR A NEW OR USED PINBALL MACHINE?
Kineticist’s take
Retro Ralph reviews Sonic JJP vs Transformers amid unprecedented pinball abundance.
Synopsis
Retro Ralph reviews two newly released pinball games: Sonic the Hedgehog (Jersey Jack Pinball) and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye (Stern): in the context of an unusually abundant year for quality pinball releases. He praises Sonic's accessible yet deep ruleset, innovative upper playfield, and faithful adaptation of Sonic Generations gameplay, while noting minor criticisms around boss battle impact and missing feature modes. He also discusses the broader pinball market excitement, community dynamics, and his current game room lineup.
Highlights
- Sonic the Hedgehog pinball is based on Sonic Generations and faithfully maps video game progression mechanics (checkpoints, rings, Chaos Emeralds) to pinball gameplay
- Sonic CE features red powder coat armor with video topper; SE has blue armor with acrylic topper; Arcade Edition is most affordable and plays identically to CE
- Sonic currently ships with four pending feature modes (including Casino Nights) not yet coded; code completion status is partial but substantial
- Sonic implements a ball save on the accelerator loop return to protect inexperienced players from sudden loss after first hit
- Harry Potter pinball is rule-complex and requires extended learning curve, but Sonic is more accessible at entry level while maintaining depth
- 2026 is 'the wildest year in modern pinball' with unprecedented volume and quality of releases causing collectors to struggle with space and trade-in decisions
- Sonic features seven selectable zones (Green Hill, etc.) playable in any order; harder zones unlock progressively and skilled players can start at highest difficulty
- Winchester Mystery House (Barrels of Fun) is an 'amazing game' with exceptional call-outs and immersive experience; Jeff Dodson work is 'outstanding'
Entities
- Barrels of Fun· company
- Flip N Out Pinball· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Triple Drain· content
- The Flipside Pinball Podcast· event
- Harry Potter· game
- Sonic the Hedgehog· game
- Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye· game
- Winchester Mystery House· game
- Cole· person
- Eric Minor· person
- Gary Stern· person
- Jeff Dodson· person
- Joel· person
- Kale· person
- Karl D'Angelo· person
- Mason Conrad· person
- Ozzy· person
- Retro Ralph· person
- Rudy· person
- Tom· person
- Travis· person
- Zach Meny· person
- Electric Bat· venue