Episode 265 – Rush Job

Pokémon Pinball released at $13k LE; American Pinball hires controversial Melvin Williams as creative director.

Ron Hallett and Bruce Nightingale discuss Stern's newly released Pokémon pinball machine ($7k–$13k across tiers, 750 LE units sold out immediately) and debate its accessibility-focused fan layout design versus Jack Danger typical cross-playfield complexity. They also cover American Pinball surprising hiring of Melvin Williams (former DPX/Dutch Pinball) as creative director to oversee Bally Williams remakes, questioning the decision's logic given Williams' Netherlands-based remote work arrangement and the perceived curse associated with Papa Duke licensing.