TL;DRRetro Ralph reviews Sonic JJP vs Transformers amid unprecedented pinball abundance.
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?