MUSTANG
PREMIUM & LE MODELS


Date: 5th March, 2014

Stern Pinball today released pictures of the Premium and Limited Edition models of their forthcoming Mustang game to go along with the previously-announced Pro model.

The Premium is officially called the Boss Premium, while the LE is gets the catchy title of 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition. Prices for the two new variants are set at $7,495 for the Boss Premium, and $8,495 for the 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition.

Here's the Boss Premium cabinet and playfield.

The Mustang Boss Premium
The Mustang Boss Premium cabinet and backglass artwork

There is no information about the additional gameplay features found in the two upper models, but the Premium and LEs do come with a fire button mounted on the lock bar which, for the first time, is absent in the Pro. They also feature cabinet artwork protectors around the flipper buttons.

The Premium doesn't appear to have any special finish to the cabinet trim, but the LE is supposed to have a powder coat finish to the cabinet armour and legs, although it doesn't show up too well in these pictures.

Meanwhile the 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition's cabinet and backbox artwork is... interesting.

The 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition
The 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition

Putting aside the rather obvious lack of artwork revealed so far on the LE for one moment, you may recall an earlier press release from Stern promised "Both premium and limited-edition games feature genuine chrome Mustang badges on the speaker grilles." That pledge appears to have been dropped in favour of a single Mustang badge on the speaker panel, while the LE's speaker panel appears the less-attractive of the two, without the stripe section around the display. Maybe by way of compensation, the LE appears to have illuminated speaker surrounds.

So it would appear the LE is the less attractive package of the two, at least from the outside. But what about on the playfield where the real action happens?

The Boss Premium playfield
The Boss Premium playfield

Compared to the Pro, the central car now sits on a rotating turntable which appears to hide what little view of the pop bumpers existed before and causes the scoop award indicator board to be removed. Stern say the turntable can accept the owner's own choice of Mustang from the Maisto or M2 range of 1/24th scale models, if that's your thing.

But more interestingly, a pair of 'Hazard' drop targets have appeared in the centre of the playfield to block shots at the two small standup targets and toughen-up the orbit lane shots.

An additional cross-playfield wireform has appeared on the Premium and LE models, leading from the left ramp return to the right inlane, but bypassing the whirlpool saucer mounted over the right inlane. An extra Mustang Store feature has been added to the scoop - indicated by the yellow arrow above the cobra insert - and a large Donut Time flashing sign has been added to the right of the central Mustang model.

Model cars now sit over the two ramp returns and the playfield artwork features different sets of Mustang models.

The Limited Edition playfield
The Limited Edition playfield

Other than the change of Mustang models and different models featured in the artwork, the LE and Premium playfields appear have the same additions over the Pro. Here it is again for comparison.

The Pro playfield
The Mustang Pro playfield
(click to enlarge)

Here's the feature grid for the three models.

The features in the three Mustang models
The features in the three Mustang models
(click to enlarge)

So in addition to the features we've highlighted, the Premiums and LEs get an additional four music tracks, while the LE is the only model with a shaker motor, backbox flashers, powder-coated trim, the usual LE owners plaque and certificate, and John Trudeau's signature on the playfield.

Here's what Stern Pinball had to say in their official announcement.

Stern Pinball Announces New Ford Mustang Themed Games

Stern Pinball Is Now Offering its Mustang Pro Game, Mustang Boss
Premium Game and the 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition Game

MELROSE PARK, IL – March 5, 2014 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, proudly announced today the availability of three Mustang pinball games. The feature-rich Boss Premium and 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition machines will join Stern’s Pro model, which was recently greeted by rave reviews at the Chicago Auto Show. Manufactured by Chicago’s own Stern Pinball, the Mustang-inspired games combine two icons of American pop culture – pinball and Mustang.

Stern Pinball’s Pro model, designed for arcades and other public spaces, features Mustangs from the past five decades. The Boss Premium model focuses on an array of Boss Mustang models while the 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition machine contains exclusive commemorative game features and art from the1965 original Mustang through the all-new 2015 Mustang GT. Each game includes real Mustang sounds and a Sony Music soundtrack featuring generational cruising tunes to give players the visceral experience of driving a Mustang. The Boss Premium and 50-Years-of-Mustang Limited Edition models feature genuine Ford Mustang chrome pony emblems on the speaker display panels, unique art packages, additional drop targets, an interactive turntable feature, a stainless steel crossing ramp and eight color -changing LED shot arrows to lead players on a unique racing experience.

The games incorporate a mix of classic pinball features and cutting-edge technology to let players race with some of the greatest Mustangs of all time and build a dream collection as players progress through the game. The playfield invites players to go drag racing, rallying, drifting and road racing as they string a series of shots together in pursuit of a high score.

“Everyone at Stern is buzzing with excitement about the Mustang games,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “From the artwork and game features to the generational soundtrack, we’ve created games that will make Mustang lovers, pinball fanatics and collectors worldwide eager to take each model for a test -drive.”

The Ford Mustang game continues the Stern Pinball tradition of producing quality pinball machines for young and old. The company traces its lineage to the 1930’s in Philadelphia when Sam Stern entered the business of operating pinball games. Sam subsequently became part owner and president of Williams Manufacturing, a pioneer in the pinball industry, and passed his lifelong enthusiasm for pinball to his son, Gary, who founded Stern Pinball. Today pinball remains one of the world’s favorite pastimes.

Pricing and Availability:

Mustang pinball is available through authorized Stern distributors and dealers.

Pro Version: $5,395 (MSRP)
Premium Version: $7,495 (MSRP)
Limited Edition Version: $8,495 (MSRP)

To learn more about the Ford Mustang pinball machine and Stern Pinball, please visit http://www.sternpinball.com.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.
Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games. Recent Stern titles include Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, XMen, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern’s games. For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

About Ford:
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 180,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

That's all for this latest update, but we'll be bringing you all the very latest news about Stern's new Mustang game right here at Pinball News.


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