The podcasters, streamers, YouTubers, and community builders making pinball great, and what they're publishing this week.
Tim Sexton discusses his path from competitive pinball to Stern developer and retirement from tournaments.
Tim said on the JBS Show: pinball is a sport, but if you’re too competitive, you eventually need a life outside of it. Tim Sexton told me exactly how he went from learning pinball rules in college to becoming a Stern lead developer, then to walking away from competition in 2023 because it started feeling like his whole life. Great games matter, but so does not letting one thing own you. Sometimes the smartest move is stepping back before the grind kills the joy. And honestly, that’s why I love these conversations - they’re not just about machines, they’re about the people building them, playing them, and trying to stay human while doing it. Full episode is up if you want the whole story.
Yesterday we unexpectedly got pictures of Stern Pinball's new Pokémon Home Edition Plus pinball machine from the floor of a Costco store. Today I brin...
Six stones. Total control over reality, time, space, mind, power, and souls. Whoever holds all six can rewrite the universe — and in 2020, Stern Pinball built a machine around exactly that fight, right as the movie version of this story became the biggest theatrical event in history. In this episode of The Skill Shot, we're covering Avengers Infinity Quest Premium (Stern, 2020), designed by Keith Elwin — and the one deliberate choice that makes this machine completely different from the $2.79 billion movie it's based on. Stern licensed Marvel's comic books here, not the MCU — no Robert Downey Jr, no Chris Evans, just voice actors playing the comic-accurate versions of these characters, with art from Zombie Yeti leaning fully into vintage Marvel style. The Premium edition's signature mechanism is a motorized pop-up disc under Dr. Strange that drops the ball into a physical subway running under the playfield, visible through RGB-lit windows, alongside a Captain Marvel inverse-gravity wireform ramp and a Pym Laboratories vertical up-kicker. Only 500 LE units were ever built, and the whole ruleset is built around collecting Infinity Gems from Thanos's lieutenants before facing him directly. If you're into deep dives on modern Stern machines, channels like Bitvint and Silverball Chronicles cover a lot of the same ground from a competitive-play angle, and PAPA Pinball and WayOut Pinball have some great tournament footage of this one in action if you want to see high-level gem strategy in practice. Every machine on this channel gets scored with my 5-category, 100-point rubric covering Shots, Code & Depth, Theme, Build Quality, and Resale Value — and this one landed a spot that might surprise you given how it's talked about in the community. 🎯 Stern Pinball, 2020 🎨 Designed by Keith Elwin, art by Jeremy "Zombie Yeti" Packer 🔧 SPIKE 2 system 🎰 Pro / Premium / Limited Edition — only 500 LE units built 🛡️ Motorized Dr.
Stern's Pokémon Costco release sparks debate over brand reliance vs. code quality; JJP gains momentum.
We're back! Scott and Josh are talking about: Pokemon Home, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ender's Game, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Bon Jovi, Yukon Yeti, Goonies, Beetlejuice, Houdini, Galactic Tank Force, and Cirqus Voltaire! Did we miss any? Facebook - Instagram - Tiktok - Pinball Podcast
Erika tours California Extreme 2026 arcade/pinball expo, showcasing hundreds of games, vendors, and tournaments.
Come walk the floor of California Extreme with me! I went through the whole show solo, talking through the arcade cabinets and pinball machines on display, the history behind some of the standout pieces, and the tournaments and events running throughout the convention. This version has a fixed camera angle — I've selected the view for you so you can just sit back and watch without needing to look around. 🔄 Prefer to explore the show yourself? I also filmed this in true 360° — you can click and drag to look wherever you want, just like being there in person. Watch that version here: 📍 Filmed at California Extreme 🕹️ Solo walkthrough + commentary 🏆 Includes tournament and event info Connect with me on Social Media! 🙂 Instagram: Facebook: Twitch: arcade game,cax,california extreme,pinball,pinball machines,arcade,gaming,pinball community,best arcade games,pinball tournament,classic pinball,limited,feature,jersey jack pinball,stern pinball,retro gaming,game design,pinball machine,pinball enthusiasts,pac man,turner pinball,barrels of fun pinball,wizard,video games,arcade jackpot,gaming event,walkthrough
California Extreme 2026 walkthrough showcasing arcade, pinball, tournaments, and indie games.
Step inside California Extreme in full 360°! I walked the entire show solo, giving you a real feel for what it's like to be there. Along the way I talk through what I'm seeing, the history behind some of the machines, and mention side events happening throughout the con. This is a true 360° video, so grab your mouse (or your finger on mobile) and look around — drag the video to explore every angle of the show floor as I walk. ⚠️ Watch on the YouTube app or YouTube.com for the full interactive 360° experience. Viewing this elsewhere (embedded players, some third-party apps) may show a distorted or "fisheye" angle since it won't recognize the 360° format. Want a more guided experience where I pick the best angle for you at all times? Check out the standard edited version here: 📍 Filmed at California Extreme 🕹️ Solo walkthrough + commentary 🏆 Includes tournament and event coverage Connect with me on Social Media! 🙂 Instagram: Facebook: Twitch: Also I'd love your input on these 360 walkthroughs! Solo vs. co-host — Do you prefer it just being me, or would you rather I bring a friend along so there's more conversation/banter? Narration vs. no talking — Should I keep talking through what I'm seeing, or would you rather I stay quiet and just let the sights (and maybe some background music) do the talking? Background music vs. live ambiance — If I do go quiet, would you rather hear the actual sounds of the convention (crowds, machines, chatter) or music laid over the top? Drop a comment and let me know what you'd enjoy most:)
Flip n Out streams Transformers with coder Elizabeth Gieske, discussing new code updates and game mechanics.
Tonight we streamed TRANSFORMERS: More than meets the eye Premium pinball machine by @sternpinballinc! Elizabeth was free to join the stream and helped explain anything code related we had questions on. We were excited to revisit this game and see how much more they had added to it in the last month. Enjoy! Purchase your very own new or preowned pinball and arcade machines from Flip N Out Pinball. We would be thrilled to earn your business. Flip N Out Pinball flipnoutpinball.com zach@flipnoutpinball.com @FlipNOutPinball
Junk Drawer 104: Expo prep, ladies' flip recap, Tasker Smith book review, arcade earnings data.
Craft Brew Sally talks about a new brewery that One Barrel is opening in DePere Wi. FINALLY launched our products on SilverBall Swag - check it out here! Hey, why not drop us a line! email directly to ---> PinballJD@gmail.com
Spooky gives away Beetlejuice; Don reviews Bon Jovi, Yukon Yeti; Pokémon at Costco; The Big Lebowski concerns.
It just doesn't stop!! Neither should we. Has this been an uneventful first half of the year? Maybe, but the second half is making up for it with tons of great games!Let's get into it all! Hi, I'm Don, I'll be your guide.Hit me up! donspinballpodcast@gmail.compatreon.com/donspinballpodcastLove all the support from this great community!!
This weekend, I head down to Maple Pinball in Mississauga for an action-packed weekend of competitive pinball! With three different tournaments over the course of the weekend, there was plenty of pinball to play, competition to watch, and machines to get my hands on. I also take you on a quick tour of Maple Pinball and show off their incredible collection of around 70 machines—everything from classics to modern titles. I'll talk a little about the tournament formats, the machines I played, some of the highlights from the weekend, and what it's like competing in a room with this many great games. Whether you're into competitive pinball, collecting machines, or just love seeing a room packed with pinball, there's plenty here to check out! Three tournaments. 70 machines. One very busy weekend of pinball! 😄
You Can Buy A Pokemon Pinball Machine For Your Home At Costco! Today we will be talking about the latest @sternpinballinc Home Pinball machine to be released at Costco stores Pokemon pinball! Stern Pokémon Home Pinball Machine: Other Stern Pinball Machines In Stock: Embark on an unforgettable journey across four distinct habitats, discovering, catching, and bonding with many of their favorite Pokémon. In Pokémon by Stern Pinball, Trainers embark on an unforgettable journey across four distinct habitats, discovering, catching, and bonding with many of their favorite Pokémon. The playfield features beautifully crafted Pokémon-themed ramps, spinners, and targets. Bringing the experience to life even further, custom voice work for Pikachu and the notorious Team Rocket leader, Giovanni, captures the spirit and humor that fans know and love. To complete the nostalgic journey, the game proudly includes the iconic “Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch‘Em All)” song, a true celebration of the timeless Pokémon adventure.
PRP Website - This week on the Punk Rock Pinball Podcast, Steph is away, so PRP HQ member Rob jumps into the co-host chair to talk about what it’s really like to be a newer player trying to break into competitive pinball. Rob has only been playing tournaments for a matter of months, and we get into the good, the bad, and the frustrating parts of trying to improve when you’re surrounded by experienced players. We talk about tournament nerves, obsessing over standings, dealing with losing, learning modern pinball rules without getting completely overwhelmed, and why sometimes the best strategy is to learn just one or two things on a game and build from there. We also talk about the importance of having a welcoming pinball community, why playing well by yourself doesn’t always translate to league or tournament play, and whether competitive pinball needs more beginner-focused events. Plus, Rob checks out Super Jumbo Arcade in Aurora, plays Sonic, Beetlejuice, Evil Dead and Transformers, we debate different eras of pinball, talk about the San Diego Pinball Club cheat sheets, and celebrate the fine art of being perfectly mid at pinball. If you’re new to competitive pinball, thinking about playing your first tournament, or just trying to get better without driving yourself crazy, this one is for you.
Stern Pinball has been looking to grow its relationship with the warehouse club Costco. For a while now, the rumor has been that its next game for the...