Newsletter
Volume 1 | Issue 1
Feb. 18, 2025
Pinstar NOLA’s
Pinball Guide
“No matter the hype surrounding a game, what’s important is that you are into the theme first and foremost. These games are expensive, and you will likely own it for a long time. Make sure it’s something you are really into before purchasing”.
Currently Available Games and Recommendations:
These are my opinions. If it’s not listed here, it means I don’t recommend it.
Stern Pinball
DUNGEONS and DRAGONS – I am sorry if you missed on the LE, because I believe this game to be the new standard for Stern Pinball. We already have two code updates while other games are still waiting. I think Stern makes this game the new flagship, at least until Kong comes along.
Recommendation: Get the Pro, it’s loaded.
“Remember, these are games. They are supposed to be fun. They are to be played with friends and family to make memories. I have a hard time dealing with people who use them as investment items and whine when the value of a game drops due to marketplace changes. Buy it because you love it, not because you want to flip it to make money. That seems to have been lost in shift of the pandemic, where games used to primarily be on location, to now the being in homes”.
METALLICA REMASTER – Killer reboot of the classic Borg game. The LE’s are one of the hardest to get machines in recent memory.
Recommendation: Get the Premium. There is no Pro version, and the LE’s are well, unobtanium.
UNCANNY X-MEN – This game has been polarizing to say the least. It seems to have been rushed to market with insufficient code. This is likely because D n D wasn’t ready, and Stern needed a debut for Pinball Expo Last fall. Unfortunately, Jack Danger might be getting the shaft here as he definitely took some chances with the non-Italian bottom, but man, it has some really cool shots and is fun to play. I hope the code updates improve the game, and I think it will.
That being said, I feel like I see a trend with Stern where the Pro games are starting to come more loaded with goodies. I feel like the Premiums now don’t have enough to warrant the price uptick. It seems to me, like they want you to buy the LE, or the Pro. Even the art packages are not as good on the premiums looking as far back as Jaws. If that is not their intention, then they better correct the course of the ship quickly. Maybe it’s just pure coincidence with the last few releases, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward.
Recommendation: Just like the D n D, get the Pro, it’s loaded.
JAWS – My current fav. At least until my DnD LE arrives. This is a classic Elwin shooter with lots of video assets from the movies. Deep ruleset and code as well.
Recommendation: Get the Premium, upper playfield and shark mech justify the expense.
GODZILLA – Still the King of Pinball.
Recommendation: Get the Premium, so worth it. Maybe the best mech ever.
JAMES BOND – The one game I wish I owned but don’t. yet…
Recommendation: Get the Premium.
STRANGER THINGS – The reason I got back into Pinball.
Recommendation: Get the Premium. Still has the unique tech and worth it, although the pro is fun to play.
The MANDALORIAN -This game has been so embattled. I am not sure why. It’s fun to play, the sounds, the call outs, the video assets, and ohmage to the show are great. Peeps want to poo poo this game, but I can tell you from first hand knowledge, this is the game your kids will want to play first. It also has the best Stern topper to date, it’s really cool. Also, in case you haven’t noticed, it has way more earnable achievements in the insider connect than any other game, at least until we see what DnD offers. That means the code is deep. Same designers as D n D, Brian Eddy and Dwight Sullivan. That should tell you something. If this game was struggling, they would have vaulted it, but they didn’t. Furthermore, titles like Deadpool, Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden and Star Wars did get vaulted, and those are great games.
Recommendation: Get the Premium, worth it, but the pro is a good machine.
JURASSIC PARK – People love this game and it’s an Elwin. Not my fav, but I can see why people like it. Maybe I just haven’t spent enough time with it. Definitely think you gotta know the ruleset for this one.
Recommendation: Get the Premium.
Jersey Jack Pinball
AVATAR – Jury is still out on this one for me. I wanted to like it, and I reserve judgement and may still end up fully recommending. It does have a bad ass topper. And, I am a sucker for the UV stuff. Is that enough to warrant a CE?
Recommendation: TBD
ELTON JOHN – In the conversation for best game of 2023-24. It’s a lot of fun to play and is really smooth with great shots. This guy Ritchie knows what he’s doing… Also has a great art package and topper. My friend, Christpher Franchi designed.
Recommendation: Get the CE if you can find one, but LE if not.
Dutch Pinball
THE BIG LEBOWSKI – Awesome game, and totally different vibe than the Stern or JJP games.
Recommendation: I have one machine left, however there is a rumor they may make 25 more. Highly recommend you grab one.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND – Beautiful game, but not for me. Delayed manufacturing yet again.
Recommendation: SOLD OUT LIMITED RUN
BACK TO THE FUTURE – Possibly the most anticipated game ever. The delay of Alice has me a little concerned that we won’t see this at Expo, and most likely will have to wait until 2026…
Recommendation:
Spooky Pinball:
EVIL DEAD -
Rumor Mill and Recommendations:
Obviously, subject to change and often do…
Stern Pinball
KONG - Newest Elwin game. Hopefully we will see it at Pinball Expo. Might be the greatest game ever. Get your LE orders in with me now!!!
WALKING DEAD REMASTER - This is a game where I can see the remaster being a great idea. I own this game and it’s a lot of fun to play. I can see why Stern has chosen this game to do a rework and bring up to speed. My thoughts on why the “Remaster” is a thing, is based on my belief that it is all about the Insider Connect System, and how it will be implemented in the future. This game being chosen, also most likely means we are not getting a TRON remaster. At least not in 2025. I actually think that Tron might be a vault, not a remaster.
STAR WARS TITLE TBD – Fourth quarter cornerstone? The second Borg Game for 2025, which I why I am surmising no Tron this year. I can only hope that maybe this jumps on the back of DnD and we get a deep code and rule set for something different and new, like an Andor title. How cool and innovative would that be? I have been hoping and suggesting to Stern that they do a VADER machine, but don’t think it’s happening. That would be my all-time favorite machine if produced. So many great one liners, and action scenes. Dark and cool at the same time. Seems like a no brainer to me…
It's probably Skeleton Crew. At least there’s a Goonies aspect to that. Hey, Goonies, what a great theme for a game! Had lunch next to Jude Law last week and we talked about it a bit. He could neither confirm nor deny if there’s a season two in the works. He lives in NOLA now apparently.
Could also be Ashoka? Or the last trilogy? Kilo Ren would be cool in a game…
How about Sith vs Jedi? That’d be cool too…
We’ll see soon enough.
GHOSTBUSTERS – We all saw the Slimer toy in mass production. Something is happening here. Again, I wonder if it might just be a vault edition, with insider connected added? Either way, great game, one of my favs, and can totally see why there might be a new or updated release.
TRON - What to say here. This game was so far in advance of where everything else when it was released, that I am still not sure what Stern does to make it better. Part of me hopes they just leave it alone, and maybe just add Insider Connect. But, then, I think about all the innovations that have occurred since 2011 and wonder if it really could be made even better? Maybe it’s tied to the new movie? Nine Inch Nails music with an updated design could be dope! If this Borg game comes to be a thing, hop on it faster than KONG!
Grapevine:
Aerosmith Remaster?
Jersey Jack Pinball
HARRY POTTER – Potentially the biggest pinball license in pinball history. I hope Eric and JJP knock this out of the park. There are some many different ways this game could go, that I just hope they can contain it into a workable design. Maybe there are multiple game designs with the same license? This has the potential to be so great. Hope they nail it. We thought it was coming to TPF, but now sounds like later in the year. Let’s hope it’s worth the wait.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG – Steve Ritchie is attached to this. And let’s face it, is there a more suitable character to be adapted to pinball than SONIC? Don’t be surprised if this ends up being game of the year. I know that’s out of left field, and not a theme I was stoked about initially, but I think it could happen. I think Franchi did the art too before he left for Spooky…
Grapevine:
The MATRIX – Please, please, please let this be for realz. This rumor seems to come and go every year. I think it would be an awesome pinball theme!
TOP GUN! – YES!
BEASTIE BOYS-YES!
That’s all for now. Let me know if I can get one of these ordered for you:
Tom