STRANGER THINGS REVEALED

Stern Pinball have today released promotional pictures showing their latest title, Stranger Things, designed by Brian Eddy and based on the hit Netflix series.

As usual, the game is available in three variants – Pro, Premium and Limited Edition, with 500 Limited Edition models available.

The cabinet trim on the Pro and Premium is the same, but the Premium features cabinet and backbox artwork based on season two of the show, compared to the first season for the Pro. The LE’s artwork is based on the creature from Upside Down and it includes purple powder-coated cabinet metalwork as well as upgraded speakers, a shaker motor, cabinet interior artwork and anti-reflective glass.

Turning to the playfield, Stranger Things is a two-flippered six-ball fan layout featuring eight main shots. There are left and right ramps, with both having returns into their respective inlanes. There is also a kickout saucer on the centre-left.

Working around the playfield, either sidde of the sauder are the first two D-E-M-O-D-O-G stangup targets, while above the saucer is the left entrance to the outer orbit lane which feeds to either the right entrance or the pop bumpers at the top right. The left orbit also features a spinner.

Then comes the left ramp.

On the Pro this just traps the ball with an up-post before returning it to the left inlane but on the Premium and LE there is a ramp diverter which feeds a magnet behind the back panel to grab the ball and lock it for Telekinetic Multiball.

The main playfield feature is the movie screen in the centre towards the back. This illustrates probably the biggest difference between the Pro model’s playfield and the Premium/LE.

On the Pro, the screen is a large decal depicting the Hawkins Laboratory. The screen is split into three sections, with the central section on a pivot which allows it to fold down to reveal a Demogorgon creature behind.

As well as being a reveal device, the central screen section turns into a ramp which sends the ball up and into the Demogorgon’s mouth.

The ramp is considerably wider than the Demogorgon’s mouth, so it also plays the role of a bash toy unless the shot is sufficiently accurate to send the ball down the creature’s throat.

The big feature of the Premium and LE models is a projector mounted under the bottom arch which projects dynamic artwork onto several sections of the playfield, including the screen.

So while the Pro has a decal on its screen, the Premium and LE have a white screen showing animated clips from the projector.

You can also see how the ramps on the Premium/LE playfield feature rather plain-looking decals when compared to the colourful artwork on the Pro. That’s because the projector also illuminates the ramps, along with the Arcade sign over the left ramp entrance and the spinner in the left outer orbit lane.

The vertical standup targets either side of the two ramps are also rather plain, and they too get washed by the projector to show dynamic artwork.

Now, at this point we should probably point out that the images shown here are somewhat at odds with those seen in an earlier leak of a promo video by Stern.

In that video, the projector effects were shown on a game in a near-dark room where they looked pretty impressive if a little washed-out.

That was presumably optimum lighting conditions for the projector. In the rest of the pictures here, however, the playfield is brightly-illuminated, so we wouldn’t expect the projected images to appear anywhere near as bright.

The screen is raised above the playfield level, allowing space for a set of four drop targets below. On the Premium and LE these drop targets have additional animated artwork from the projector, but on the Pro the artwork comes from fixed decals.

There is an inner orbit around the drop targets which can be shot in either direction and, when the drop targets are knocked down, two more D-E-M-O-D-O-G standup targets and a shot under the screen to attack the Demogorgon are revealed.

The individually-controlled drop targets can also rise up to trap a ball behind to create another ball lock for multiball play.

Continuing around the playfield, the right ramp always feeds the ball back into the right inlane following a near-180 degree turn and has two more D-E-M-O-D-O-G targets either side of the entrance.

To the right of the right ramp is the final main shot – the right orbit lane entrance which feeds the pop bumpers or the opposite orbit lane.

There are no shots and just the single and final D-E-M-O-D-O-G target below the right orbit lane entrance as that’s the point where the shooter lane ends, sending the ball across the playfield when it is first launched.

Here are some more shots of the playfield layout from both the Pro and the Premium/LE designs.

Here’s a list of the different features present on the Pro, Premium and Limited Edition models of Stranger Things.

Here’s how Stern Pinball announced their latest release:

Stern Pinball Announces New Stranger Things Pinball Machines CHICAGO, IL – December 23, 2019 – Stern Pinball, Inc., a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball, announced today the availability of a new line of pinball machines celebrating the hit Netflix series, Stranger Things. Experience the terrifying forces in Hawkins, Indiana that turn this small town “upside down” with supernatural elements, strange sightings, and government secrets. Stranger Things pinball machines will immerse players in a search to unravel the extraordinary mysteries and secret government experiments taking place at the Hawkins National Laboratory. The gameplay focuses on unlocking the hidden meanings of supernatural events occurring in and around the town, including the appearance of a girl known as “Eleven” with telekinetic abilities. The ball is wild as Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Joyce, and Police Chief Jim Hopper help Eleven close the dimensional gate. “Stranger Things is one of the most successful shows of all time, connecting with people around the world and across generations. This game features action, mystery, suspense, and humor; Stranger Things is a perfect fit for pinball,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. The Premium and Limited Edition models feature a first ever video projector that displays images and animations directly on the playfield, creating dramatic interactions with gameplay action. The center of the playfield features a unique ramp that doubles as a screen and leads the player into a direct battle with the Demogorgon. These models also feature a new Eleven themed “telekinetic” magnetic ball lock. The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models all feature distinct hand-drawn art in addition to the custom sculpted, interactive Demogorgon bash toy, guarded by drop targets and a rotating ramp. All models include two hideout ball scoops, a Demodog spinner, three custom ramps, and game rules that will transport players into the Upside Down. The Limited Edition model is limited to 500 units globally. The LE model includes additional unique features such as an exclusive mirrored backglass, exclusive custom themed cabinet artwork, a custom autographed bottom arch, exclusive custom art blades, anti-reflection pinball glass, a shaker motor, and a sequentially numbered plaque. Pricing and Availability: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.​​​ Pro Model: ​​​​​$US 6,099 Premium Model: ​​​​$US 7,699 Limited Edition Model: ​​​$US 9,099 Stranger Things pinball machines are available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball. Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe. Recent Stern Pinball titles include Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

And the final surprise reveal from Stern Pinball is that they have been secretly manufacturing Stranger Things for several weeks and delivering them to selected distributors, meaning the game is available to buy right now.

This is a first for Stern Pinball or any of the major manufacturers so far, and has been one of the ‘holy grail’ targets of the pinball business. The other, of course, if complete code on release, but that ambition would still appear to be some way off.

We’ll be back with more on Stern Pinball new Stranger Things game very soon, right here at Pinball News.