CHICAGO, IL – September 14, 2021 – Stern Pinball, Inc. and Toho International, Inc., the subsidiary of the Japanese entertainment studio Toho Co., Ltd, announce a new line of pinball machines based on the iconic Toho film franchise featuring the King of the Monsters, Godzilla! The Godzilla pinball machines are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.
Godzilla is the longest running film franchise created by Toho, with thirty-two films produced since 1954. The popularity of the films have made Godzilla one of the most recognizable symbols in pop culture worldwide. In addition to numerous accolades and cinematic awards for film, music, and special effects, the Godzilla film series and licensed characters have generated over $1 billion in merchandise sales around the world.
In this monster-packed pinball adventure, players become Godzilla! The evil aliens, the Xiliens, use mind control rays to take control of the monsters King Ghidorah, Gigan, Megalon, Ebirah, and Titanosaurus. The Xiliens are demanding all of Earth’s resources. Godzilla and its allies, Mothra, Rodan, and Anguirus, battle the Xilien invasion with the goal of conquering Mechagodzilla to become King of the Monsters!
Chaos and destruction ensue on the playfield with Godzilla multiball, started by shooting one of the various shots in and through the centrally located skyscraper. In the Premium and LE models, a motor actuates the skyscraper, diverting balls through each of its five stories as it collapses, ultimately locking three balls on its roof. The Premium/LE playfield also features a collapsing bridge ramp. This animated breakaway ramp is guarded by a custom molded Godzilla and can divert pinballs back to the flipper or directly onto the playfield during Bridge Attack multiball.
On the Premium and LE models, Mechagodzilla features a motorized three-bank target set which rotates to reveal a spinner and jump ramp. Players will engage the Kaiju in battle by launching pinballs with the jump ramp and bashing the magnetic ball catch on its chest to start Mechagodzilla multiball.
All models of Godzilla pinball machines feature an innovative “Magna Grab” magnetic newton ball, capable of catching pinballs from five different shot paths, including off the plunge. This device can also divert pinballs to set up shots from the upper left flipper. The game also includes the iconic title song “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult, stunning hand-drawn artwork by Zombie Yeti, intricate wireform ramps, three spinning targets (Heat Ray, Mechagodzilla, and Monster Rampage), three flippers, three “powerline” themed stand-up targets and a UFO pop pumper. The game highlights video and audio from ten* Toho Showa Era Godzilla films to create a one-of-a-kind immersive Godzilla pinball experience.
Godzilla pinball machines also debut Stern’s Insider Connected system, which includes a QR code reader on the bottom arch that enables players to interact with the game and this new network in a variety of ways. Stern Insider Connected provides new entertainment and player engagement features and an operator focused tool set to drive location play and remotely manage every aspect of the machines. Insider Connected goes live with the launch of Godzilla, with the full scope of features scheduled for roll out over the next year.
Only 1,000 LE machines will be available. The LE version includes an exclusive full color mirrored backglass inspired by Mechagodzilla, iconic custom cabinet artwork, custom high gloss metallic silver powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer autographed bottom arch, exclusive inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity.
“Partnering with Toho, we have brought the Godzilla universe to pinball” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “Insider Connected enables players, owners, and operators to interact with their machines like never before.”
Pricing and Availability:
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:
*MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.
Pro Model: $US 6,899
Premium Model: $US 8,999
Limited Edition Model: $US 10,499
Godzilla pinball machines and accessories are available now 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 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 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.
About Toho
Toho Company, Limited, is a Japanese entertainment studio focused on the development, production, exhibition, and distribution of powerful live action and animated content including motion pictures, television and theater. Founded in 1932, Toho remains a prominent force in bringing brands and original storytelling with versatile talents to audiences worldwide. Its subsidiaries include Toho Cinemas, the highest grossing exhibition company in Japan, and Toho International, Inc., a U.S. established incorporated company that manages and commercializes Toho’s intellectual property portfolio. To learn more about Toho, visit: www.toho.co.jp/en/.
Follow Godzilla!
Twitter: @TOHO_GODZILLA
Instagram: @godzilla_toho
YouTube: GodzillaToho
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All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.
*Final video and audio pending licensor approval.
What a blast to the past! Retro Raccoons takes players back – and in a great way – to past arcade games.
Retro Raccoons is a retro styled, patented arcade that entertains up to 4 players with dozens of unique minigames. Each player has their own joystick, button and cupholder. New content and minigames are added periodically to ensure gameplay stays fun and fresh. Updates require Wifi or Ethernet access.
Retro Raccoons features the patented “Cheers” mode for bar and barcade locations. Requires players to place their drinks in the cup holders to participate, ensuring customers purchase a drink. Additionally, there is a traditional Cash Mode (bill acceptor) which makes it great for family friendly arcade locations.
Features include:
Retro Raccoons is made in America featuring quality parts and an Intel CPU. This game is ETL Certified for both commercial and home use.
Sensational Retro Fun For Arcades, Bars & More!
COVID is brutal on getting consistent foot traffic. Taking aside the new protocols, here’s ideas (some new – some reinforcing) to better repeat traffic in your bar, restaurant or barcade.
TRIVIA
Trivia made easy with AMI digital music systems. The digital game master has lots of great games to choose from. Run on every screen in the house for easy social distancing.
AMI also helps you by running contests on to users. This encourages app usage for both gaming and music playing. You, as the owner, has lots of options what to charge for and what’s free.
TOURNAMENTS
Want to turn your slowest night into your busiest? Looking to attracting a competitive audience? Near a gym and want to capture the post-workout crowd? How about a tournament?
Darts are a good one to start with. The G3-Fire can be connected to the internet to create a league with even a few people to start. The G3-Fire is a brilliant red to brighten even the darkest corner.
Billiards – what more can we say? Pool is a favorite with lots of variations to tournament, team or individual play.
Golden Tee also has internet leagues, contests and other built in games. Or work to create your own league. The new Golden Tee PGA is just shipping now, so this is a brand new game for the Golden Tee fan.
Pinball games are getting in the action by adding new internet capabilities. You can run a tournament. Join Stern Army. But always, and we mean always, keep the high scores on the game!
Tournaments should have some type of prize. Check with your local jurisdiction as to what you can and can not award!
Tournament Play Control
If you aren’t using some of the preset internet leagues, try an app like Match Play to control your tournament. Players can enter their score, with you controlling the official approval. You choose the games from head-to-head, round robin, elimination, best score, ladder brackets…. This allows you to run tournaments over time. Change the type of tournament to entertain your audience. And – extend the contest so everyone who wants can participate.
If you want a simple, manual bracket game – try printing a large format bracket. Or use chalkboard paint on a wall and draw or paint a bracket.
Approachable
Think ahead to make the game approachable. Everyone likes to participate and win!
Don’t Drag It Out – But Maybe You Can
Pay attention to how long your tournament will last. You don’t want people to get too bored and leave. Or a tournament you can’t finish within last call.
Think about your tournament running over multiple evenings or on a particular week day. Invite players back for a “best of” tournament – along with drink/food specials.
Run a triathlon of games. Every Tuesday is a different game that accumulates points. Darts, Pinball, Golden Tee, etc. Players have 4 weeks to complete each station to their best score.
Start Your Own Pinball Tournament
Interested? Looking for more resources?
*The suggestions in this article are general. Make sure you check your local NE, SD, KS, MO or IO laws about gaming, awards and tournament rules before you choose the tournament type and rules that work for you. GAD Knows and Sells Games, Pinball, Pool and Arcade.
Our offices are closed on Monday, September 6 to observe Labor Day. And, give our staff time to play lots of arcade games, pinball, darts and Golden Tee!
To our commercial arcade customers – if you have equipment issues, please contact your sales or service personnel direct.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
GAD
This fall Stern Pinball will launch the highly anticipated initiative to connect the existing universe of Stern pinball machines and all its future games. The platform is known as Insider ConnectedTM, and it was designed as a comprehensive system with elements that address both players and operators. Stern Pinball’s Chief Creative Officer George Gomez describes the future of pinball with connectivity coming soon to Stern games everywhere!
(Shack News, August 26, 2021) Pinball has always been kind of a community game when you think about it. Sure, you can really only run the silver ball by yourself, but when you look up at the backboard and see the scores of the best players around, it gives you something to strive for. You and others push and figure out the technique to try to put your score up in that hollowed spot. You might even share tips and strategies on any given game with fellow players. Stern and its fans have cultivated that community passion and interaction over the years, and the company is about to try to give its fans more ways to do so with a new Insider Connected program.
Stern announced the Insider Connected program via an press release on its website on August 26, 2021. This is a program that will be standard on new machines and can be applied to previously released ones via a retrofit kit. There will also be a mobile app. Essentially, any Stern Pinball machine with Insider Connected set up will feature a QR code where users can log the machine via the app and engage in community interaction, Challenge Quests, and other promotions.
With Challenge Quests, Stern Pinball machine owners and operators can set up events and challenges that will allow players to earn loyalty points. Players can also track their progress and chase after game-specific achievements, as well as engaging with other players from the community.
Any Stern game utilizing the Spike 2 LCD system produced after the September launch will ship with the Insider Connected system installed. That means machines like the recent Led Zeppelin and Mandalorian releases can be set up with this program.
With pinball always having had some level of community interaction behind it, Insider Connected seems like a wonderful way to expand pinball past the player standing at the machine at any given time. Stay tuned for more news and updates regarding Stern Pinball as it becomes available, right here at Shacknews.
CHICAGO, IL – August 26, 2021 – Stern Pinball, Inc., announced today the launch of Insider Connected, a comprehensive technology initiative to connect the universe of Stern pinball machines. The platform is designed to enhance and extend player engagement with the games across both home and commercial environments. It also presents professional operators of the pinball machines with a robust set of tools to drive location play, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely and maintain the machines.
Registration for Insider Connected is free; players can either scan a QR code at the games or go to the Stern Pinball website where they will need to enter an email address and create a password. Once players register for Insider Connected, they are issued a unique QR Code that can be used to identify that player at any connected Stern pinball machine, anywhere in the world. When a player logs into the machine, they can track their progress, earn new game specific achievements, engage with the player community and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.
Challenge Quests can be issued by operators to drive play at their locations and build player loyalty or by Stern Pinball to highlight a game title or engage the community. When players complete quests, they receive loyalty rewards.
All Stern Spike® 2 LCD games produced after the September launch will ship with the Insider Connected system installed; this includes new runs of previously released titles. Any existing Stern LCD game can be added to Insider Connected by installing a simple, inexpensive retrofit kit available from Stern distributors, dealers and the Stern Store®.
By the end of the year, all 17 Stern Spike 2 LCD system titles will be added to Insider Connected. At launch seven titles will be supported. Over the next year the full system with added features will be rolled out.
“Insider Connected will transform how players interact with pinball machines, and operators will benefit greatly from new tools,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.
Stern Pinball machines and accessories are available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors like GAD 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 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 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.
Spending more family time always sounded like a great idea – before COVID. Now, hopefully, all the kids are back (physically) in school. But as the novelty of school wears off again, its time to start Family Game Night.
Turn the TV off. Go to an arcade to play. Or add a game to your home. Either way, there are lots of games for all ages.
Going Out to an Arcade?
There are lots of ways to find the games you want to play. Google, of course. Call GAD – we can give you suggestions for games that are age appropriate. Stern Pinball has their own map of Stern Pinball game locations. Try Pinball Game Map or Pinside.
Break Up the Boredom and Up Your Game Night At Home
While board games can be fun, they generally don’t always engage the entire family. (Unless you set up an Olympic type marathon tournament that includes board games, pinball, darts, etc.) Why not find a set of games that match your family dynamic? Here are a few suggestions.
Table Classic-Cade
This is the perfect family game for all ages, genders and skill levels. With over 60 classic games, it offers hours of single play, one on one and team play fun.
Games include: Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Mario Bros, Centipede, Galaga, Pong and so many more!
Pinball
A pinball game is a classic, family favorite.
Choose from titles like Hot Wheels, Ghostbusters and The Addams Family for younger audiences. Check out Stranger Things, Jurassic Park and Houdini for a junior high school + age audience. And, consider Metallica, Iron Maiden or Guns ‘N Roses for an older player.
For family favorites across all ages, check out Stern’s The Mandalorian, Guardians of the Galaxy, or Hot Wheels.
Ask us about connecting your Pinball game to the internet. Many of the newer games are internet friendly allowing for remote play against friends, family or internet tournaments!
Golden Tee
Golden Tee 2021 Home Edition is the worldwide hit bar game Golden Tee programmed for home play. With the internet, play tournaments, win best shot of the week or play against friends remote.
Golden Tee PGA is becoming the newest standard for Golden Tee lovers. If you are looking at a new game, the commercial version is available for home purchase.
Darts
Electronic darts has upped the game with electronic scoring and internet tournaments.
Our new favorite is the G3 Galaxy Fire:
GAD can help you figure out the best titles for the ages of your family, the size of your home game room and game selections in your budget. GAD provides quotes that are all inclusive, so you never have any surprises.
GAD Vending provides games to Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota.
Because some folks like to read the rules – before and/or after they play the game. Others say reading the rules in No Bueno. However you want to play the newest Stern The Mandalorian – here’s you go…..
The Mandalorian Rule Sheet:
This is the way to set some high scores on The Mandalorian pinball machines! Check out the official rule sheet here! https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Mando-Rule-Sheet.pdf
