After a delay while awaiting licensor approval, Stern Pinball today finally launched their first ‘cornerstone’ title of 2026 with the reveal of their Pokémon game.
Pokémon is based on the huge global game brand created by Game Freaks in Japan, encompassing console games, mobile games, comics, movies, animated TV series, trading cards and a multitude of assorted merchandise.
The Pokémon world (an abbreviation of Pocket Monsters) first appeared on 27th February, 1996 in two games – Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Green Version – released for the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan. That makes 2026 the 30th anniversary year for the franchise.
Over those thirty years, much like pinball, Pokémon’s fortunes have had something of a rollercoaster ride. The brand saw huge worldwide growth up until 2000, when its popularity began to wane. While many further games were launched, it took until 2016 for the previous peak of popularity to be reached again with the launch of the augmented reality mobile game, Pokémon Go.
Stern Pinball’s Pokémon is based on the animated TV series and is licensed by The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), formed from a merger of Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK, and based in Bellvue, Washington.
The game was shown to distributors on Tuesday with a media event held the following day at Stern’s factory in Elk Grove Village on the outskirts of Chicago. At that event, game designers Jack Danger and George Gomez spoke about the game’s development and theme integration, while software lead, Tanio Klyce, described the rules currently in the game, as well as features which are planned for future updates.
Obtaining approval by the licence-holder for the use of any assets has been painstakingly slow, with all uses closely scrutinised. In a first for Stern, the cabinet, backbox, translite and playfield artwork was all created by TPCi’s in-house art team, with certain approved modifications for the more pinball-specific elements made at Stern.
This tight control has clearly led to the game’s launch being delayed from Stern’s usual early-January window so it can be shown at the Consumer Electronics Show. George and Jack said the licensors, TPCi, only got to see an actual physical game for the first time earlier this week. The games at the media event had ‘Pending licensor approval’ burned into the LCD screen.
Although 2026 is the 30th anniversary for the Pokémon brand, with many global events planned to celebrate the milestone, the team at Stern were at pains to dispel any suggestion they would be releasing a future 30th anniversary edition of the pinball, saying this is the 30th anniversary model.
You can watch the Media Open Day introduction to the game and an explanation of the rules right here, as recorded by Pinball News’s Mick Brown:
So, this being a ‘cornerstone’ game, we get the Pro, Premium and Limited Edition models, with the Limited Edition restricted to 750 numbered units.
Let’s take a look at the outside of the three models.
Pro
Premium
Limited Edition
Here’s a look at all three models side-by-side:
As usual, the Limited Edition is the most feature-packed, so we’ll start with that model when looking at the playfield.
Limited Edition
Premium
The Premium has the same playfield feature-set as the Limited Edition, but lacks the Expression Lighting system.
Pro
The Pro model loses a few of the features from the Premium/LE playfields. There is no Squirtle spinaround above the left inlane, and the Pokeball is just a simple standup target rather than being a lift ramp with a ball lock.
Here’s a comparison between the Pro and the Limited Edition playfields:
Rules
The game features four ‘biomes’ through which the player has to travel. The full Pokémon game has 36 biomes, but the four in the pinball are Desert, Forest, Lake and Mountain. Each biome has a battle against a rival you build up to by discovering a Pokémon, catching it, training it and sending it into battle. Certain Pokémon are exclusive to particular biomes.
You start in the forest biome with Bulbasaur as your Pokémon. You can shoot the lit shots followed by the lit scoop to change your Pokémon to Squirtle, Pikachu or Charmander.
Each major shot has a combo insert and making a lit combo shot earns you a Pokeball which is collected at the Pokedex captive ball. There are also eight secret combos, each of which starts an Eevee evolution. Make these combos to add Eevee to your team.
There are four main character shots – Squirtle, Charmander, Pikachu and Bulbasaur. Hitting their respective shots three times will start their mode.
Team Rocket is the villainous criminal organization. Their area, represented by a ‘R’, is up the centre top of the playfield. Spelling B-A-T-T-L-E will bring down the Meowth balloon which, when shot enough times, starts multiball. There is one Team Rocket multiball in the rules now, but two more are planned along with a mini wizard mode.
If you win your battles in all four biomes, you qualify for the Pokémon Arena mode.
Here’s the feature matrix showing what is included in each of the three models:
Here’s how Stern Pinball announced their latest release:
| Become a Top Pokémon Trainer with Stern Pinball’s Newest Line of Machines Stern Pinball Challenges Trainers to Catch Pokémon and Battle Their Way to the Top CHICAGO, IL – February 12, 2026 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the largest manufacturer of pinball games in the world, in collaboration with The Pokémon Company International, revealed and released a new pinball machine – Pokémon by Stern Pinball. Since Pokémon debuted in Japan in 1996, Trainers around the world have embarked on countless journeys across the iconic entertainment franchise – all in pursuit of becoming a top Pokémon Trainer. Powered by Stern’s SPIKE 3 technology, this dynamic machine brings the thrill of catching, battling rivals and training Pokémon in the silverball arena for the very first time. Stern invites players to step up to the playfield and test their skills as Pokémon Trainers, battling rivals and facing off against the menacing Team Rocket in intense encounters. Pokémon by Stern Pinball is available now in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models. 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. Players will shoot the illuminated, mechanically animated Poké Ball to catch Pokémon, build their ultimate team, and complete their Pokémon Collection. The playfield also features beautifully crafted Pokémon-themed ramps, spinners, and targets. Watch as the animatronic Pikachu reacts to your gameplay, cheering you on every step of the way! Trainers can battle their way through rival trainers and compete in the arena through dynamic, custom battle sequences. Danger lurks as Team Rocket and their infamous boss, Giovanni, plot trouble. The interactive Meowth Balloon toy swoops down onto the battle arena to challenge the Trainer. Premium and Limited Edition games include an interactive electromagnet that adds chaos to the battle arena. Every element of Pokémon by Stern Pinball has been meticulously crafted with attention to detail, honoring the rich legacy of the beloved franchise. The machine integrates video clips from the original Pokémon animated series, immersing players in the world that started it all. Bringing the experience to life even further, custom voiceovers 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” song, a true celebration of the timeless Pokémon adventure. Utilizing Stern Pinball’s award-winning Insider Connected, Pokémon by Stern Pinball elevates the experience by connecting Trainers and their adventures across machines and locations. When Trainers play Pokémon by Stern Pinball signed in with their Stern Insider Connected Account, the Pokémon they CATCH will be added to their Insider Connected Pokémon Collection, which can be viewed in the Insider Connected app. Trainers looking for an elevated experience will be able to enjoy the highly collectible Limited Edition model, limited to 750 games globally, which includes the updated Expression Lighting System™ and Speaker Expression Lighting System with Pokémon-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, a custom LE Pokémon pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration. “Today we’re proud to finally deliver the long-awaited Pokémon by Stern Pinball machine,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “This game is a true celebration of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the enduring adventure of Pokémon – brought to life in a whole new way through immersive pinball gameplay, thrilling battles and the timeless excitement of catching Pokémon.” Pokémon by Stern Pinballis available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world. Find out more and contact us for availability in your location on the game information page here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on YouTube,Twitter,Instagram,Facebook, and TikTok. Pricing and Availability: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”) and Recommended Retail Price (“RRP”): *MSRP (US) and RRP (Europe) are for sales to end-users before any applicable VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, Tariffs, or other taxes and are subject to change. Pro Edition: $US 6,999 (RRP – €6,699.00; £5,799.00) Premium Edition: $US 9,699 (RRP – €8,749.00; £7,599.00) Limited Edition: $US 12,999 (RRP – €11,999.00; £10,499.00) Pokémon by Stern Pinball games feature Stern’s best-in-class commercial quality reliability backed by a pinball best-in-class one-year warranty. About Insider Connected Insider Connected™ is Stern Pinball’s community network that allows players and owners to engage with pinball games in rapidly expanding ways. The platform unites pinball players worldwide and enhances the fun through a variety of useful online features. Insider Connected is included with every new Stern product and is available as an add-on for existing games. Registration for Insider Connected is available atinsider.sternpinball.com or in the intuitive Insider Connected™ mobile app on iOS and Android. By tapping a device on any enabled machine, players can track and resume game progress wherever they play, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the pinball community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. In addition to offering benefits to players, Insider Connected allows Stern to serve its game owners worldwide by upgrading games, offering new features and quests, and extending the longevity of machines for years to come. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games and experiences. 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 worldwide. Recent Stern Pinball titles include The Walking Dead Remastered, Star Wars, King Kong, Dungeons & Dragons, Metallica Remastered, The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, 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 competing in high-stakes global competitions to novice players discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visitwww.sternpinball.com. About Pokémon The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com. ### All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. |
Finally for now, here are the flyers for the three models:
We’ll have more details of Stern Pinball’s new Pokémon game, including the presentation video from the Media Day, right here at Pinball News.
