Pinball

GAD knows Pinball. Articles about new pinball games. How to place pinball in the best locations. How to choose a pinball machine for your home. Best tips on fixing pinball games. Greater America Distributing knows pinball machines and how to fix them. An authorized dealer of Stern Pinball, Chicago Pinball, Valley-Dynamo Pinball and Chicago Pinball. Distributing in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.

Jaws Gameplay Premiere

Jaws Gameplay Premiere 1039 539 GAD Vending

What to do in January? Pinball!

What to do in January? Pinball! 2048 1363 GAD Vending

January is such a let down after the holidays, but it doesn’t have to be. Pinball can be such fun!

Take a look at how to get involved in pinball events near you.

IFPA

The IFPA has created the World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR) to establish the first official rankings system of pinball players throughout the world. Through these endorsed tournaments and leagues, the IFPA  crowns the World’s Greatest Pinball Player at the end of each calendar year and organizes championships at State, National and International levels. IFPA endorsed tournaments will give players a chance to increase their WPPR rankings.

Some operators and players may remember the original IFPA from the early 1990s. Utilizing the support from the AMOA, manufacturers and operators, the original IFPA promoted pinball playing through tournament and league play. It hosted four world class pinball competitions and helped promote over 30 pinball leagues before becoming inactive in 1995.

The new IFPA begins life as an organization eager to provide assistance, direction and proven methodologies to insure the success of competitive pinball. Search here for events near you. 

Stern Pinball Army

Members of the Stern Army are the official brand ambassadors that make up the Stern Pinball street team.  Stern Army Members help make pinball locations flourish by creating and hosting monthly pinball events at a designated location and using these opportunities to help drive business to the location all while engaging and enriching the local pinball community. Stern Pinball helps by offering prize support to giveaway at your events and by also sharing the results through our social media channels to help promote your location. 

Learn more about joining the Stern Army! 

Where to play? 

There are so many great places to play pinball. Find locations near you on the Pinball Map, Pinside Map or at the Stern Pinball locator.

If you are looking for a new pinball game or can’t find what you are looking for – call your nearest GAD office. We are pinball enthusiasts too!

What’s New? Jaws

What’s New? Jaws 1039 539 GAD Vending

CHICAGO, IL – January 4, 2024 – Stern Pinball, Inc. announces their newest pinball games featuring JAWS, one of the most iconic motion picture thrillers of all time from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.  Players will experience all four blockbuster JAWS films like never before, with brand-new mechanical features inspired by iconic movie moments and state-of-the-art technology.  JAWS pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

JAWS transports players to the fictional locale of Amity Island, located off the coast of Long Island, New York.  The small fishing community is a popular beach vacation location in the summer.  As Fourth of July vacationers close in on the island’s picturesque beaches, grave danger lurks below sea level… The Amity Island mayor covers up the shark attacks out of fear of losing the island’s tourism money, resulting in more terrifying attacks.

Stern’s JAWS pinball games will have players grabbing their harpoons and playing as Quint, Hooper, and Brody to save Amity Island’s residents and the Fourth of July!  As the grizzled fishermen, tackle the most dangerous ocean creatures on the planet.  Tension mounts as you see “blood in the water” from our animated lighting effects.  Fire pinballs at the motorized “Shark Fin” target swimming across the playfield.  Anticipation builds as you navigate the “Orca Boat” upper playfield, featuring a “Lookout Tower” ramp, a ship’s wheel horizontal spinner on the deck, and a “Radio” stand-up target to call for help.  Lookout!  A motorized custom sculpted “Great White Shark” bash toy comes crashing through the bottom of a fishing boat, terrorizing players in this thrilling pinball odyssey.  Will you survive JAWS?!

In addition to immersive film and audio assets integrated into pinball action, JAWS includes custom speech by actor Richard Dreyfuss and the iconic movie theme music by John Williams.

“Honoring one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, we’re giving JAWS our most advanced software and hardware to date,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, “We can’t wait to debut JAWS Pinball’s heart-pounding gameplay to the world!”

JAWS pinball games include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in multiple ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, hunt Achievements, take on special JAWS Quests, and work on their lifetime Bounty Hunter rank.

Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through a better player experience, game location discovery, location leaderboards, performance analysis, automatic code updates, and remote diagnostics for easier maintenance.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/ or in the Insider Connected App.  Download it today on iOS and Android.

Limited to 1,000 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes a full-color mirrored backglass based on the iconic JAWS movie poster by world-renowned artist Roger Kastel, full-color reflective foil high-definition cabinet decal with hand-drawn artwork by Michael Barnard, exclusive custom “Great White” powder-coated pinball armor, Speaker Expression Lighting with JAWS-themed game effects (sonar, water, blood in the water, and more!), 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 signed by Stern President & CEO Seth Davis and Chairman & Founder Gary Stern.

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 Edition:                                                     $US 6,999

Premium Edition:                                            $US 9,699

Limited Edition:                                              $US 12,999

JAWS pinball games and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide.

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected is a comprehensive technology initiative to connect the universe of Stern pinball games.  The platform increases player engagement with the games across commercial and home environments.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the Insider Connected App.  Download it today on iOS and Android.  Players can also register at a connected game by scanning a registration QR code on the machine.  Once a player registers, they are issued a unique QR Code that identifies that player at Stern pinball games anywhere in the world.  When a player scans into the game, they can track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.

“Insider Connected is transforming how players interact with pinball games.  Operators benefit from new tools that drive repeat play and help maintain games remotely.  At the same time, players can earn special entertainment location badges,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

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 around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include 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 visit www.sternpinball.com.

About JAWS

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, JAWS set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry.  When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled fisherman (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.  Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, JAWS remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

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 All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

GAD is taking pre-orders for Jaws Pinball for both home and commercial use now!

What does everyone want for the holidays? Pinball

What does everyone want for the holidays? Pinball 715 404 GAD Vending

GAD Knows Pinball 

And, we stock lots of pinball. Check out our Pinball Catalog for lots more information. 

How about everyone’s favorite action hero? James Bond 007

The highly collectible James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition pinball machine highlights the entire franchise of 25 films, all James Bond actors, villains, and henchmen. GAD stocks 007 and we have the 60th Anniversary Limited Edition available.

Stern Pinball’s James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition pinball machines will immerse players in the history of 007.  Limited to 500 machines globally, the rare 60th Anniversary Limited Edition offers players a one-of-a-kind pinball experience.  Control the chaos from Oddjob’s kinetic spinning disc hat as you battle villains and utilize special gadgets.  Survive tactical precision shots against 10 drop targets as you start Mission Multiball mayhem.  Escape SPECTRE’s evil henchmen as you navigate pinballs through 4 fast-flowing optical spinners.  Like a hidden gadget from Q Branch, learn your assignments through a custom LCD screen located inside the playfield and watch your high scores rack up on the unique classic-style mechanical score reels.

Log into our award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in a variety of ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.  Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through Location Leaderboards, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the machines.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/.

Commemorating this exclusive pinball machine, the James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition includes the official James Bond 007 pinball topper, an exclusive full-color mirrored backglass inspired by 60 years of James Bond, custom high gloss and powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, an exclusive Union Jack pinball shooter knob, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern Chairman Gary Stern and President & CEO Seth Davis.

What About Your Favorite Rock Band? 

Why not fill the house (garage, office or man cave) with your favorite rock band and pinball?

GAD stocks (at the time of this writing – some may have been sold out!) –

  • Foo Fighters Pro and Premium
  • Iron Maiden Pro and Premium
  • Guns ‘n Roses – on order

Marvel Fans Rejoice

Marvel – at its best – presented as only Stern can do.

How about the new Venom? GAD has Pro and Premium version that allow you to choose your character. So this pinball game is different every time you play.

Two of the best games Stern has produced are back in production – okay, you can tell us what your favorite games are! But we’ll stay with favorites Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool as some of the best Stern ever. We have both in the Pro editions.

Get Your Favorite Movie Pinball

Stern is excellent at creating interesting pinball using our favorite movies. We love these creations!

  1. Star Wars Home Edition – has been available in various iterations but this one is specifically designed for home use. Using Stern’s commercial parts to create a quality home pinball machines.
  2. Godzilla – the monster is at its best with this Stern design. Godzilla is arguably one of the best pinball games ever made.
  3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – this is a favorite set of action heroes that everyone loves.
  4. Pulp Fiction – this is available for pre-order for those that love this cult classic.
  5. Toy Story 4 – your kids love Toy Story and this game brings them the best of Woody and Buzz Lightyear’s friends as they follow the newest Toy Story 4 adventure.
  6. Jurassic Park – this is a great pinball for every age. The dinosaurs of Jurassic Park come to play with this great pinball game.

What Pinball is Right for YOU?

Pinball games are designed for everyone. So, we can’t say what game is the perfect game for you to own.

What we do suggest is try this to make the decision what’s best for you?

  1. Try the games that you think you are interested in – find games near you. Pinball Map.
    • Call GAD and see what games we have on our showroom floor. We have showrooms open to the public in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.
  2. Measure your spaces.
    • People create game rooms in their basement, attic, garage and extra bedrooms.
    • Add a game to a stairway inset.
    • Change your family room into a multi game room.
  3. Decide your budget.
    • GAD can give you a total quote – including delivery, sales tax and accessories.
  4. GAD has games in stock for when you are ready!

Time is running out…

Time is running out… 742 425 GAD Vending

While we love to help our customers to the last minute, there are somethings that just need a bit of time to accomplish.

First, check out our online catalog. Call us to chat about what you are looking for, to answer questions, or you can stop by one of our showrooms.

Take shipping. It takes us a couple days to crate your purchase, arrange a shipper and get it off for you. Please arrange a continental US shipping order by Monday, December 18.

In home delivery by GAD is available in the geographic areas near our offices. We have warehouses located in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. And, while we love to deliver the perfect Christmas gift, this takes organization to get your perfect game to your home so you can surprise the friends and family.

Pick up yourself at GAD. Again, our warehouses are located in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. We have a variety of games available at each location. GAD showrooms are open to the public. We have a few games on display for you to check out and lots of new games to take home.

While we recommend a pick up truck, trailer or similar, up to you how you want to get your game home!

 

 

How do you do the holidays?

How do you do the holidays? 717 402 GAD Vending

Yes, we are all generous with our friends and family during the holidays. But what about yourself?

How about filling your home game room with fun? Keep the family happy – and invite your friends over for unlimited games!

GAD stocks pinball, Golden Tee PGA Home, digital darts and Classic-cade Arcade. All available for home, free play. Many designed specifically for home use. A wide variety in stock and ready for pick up, delivery (free in limited geographic area) or reasonable shipping charges can apply.

Check out our online catalog. Go play the games of interest – Pinball Locator Map. Call us with questions. 

Fill the house with laughter and pinball

Fill the house with laughter and pinball 715 402 GAD Vending

It’s right before Christmas and all through the house, the sounds of laughter and pinball disturb the mouse….

Pinball is a game that all ages enjoy. And with the new Stern Insider Connected, there can be fun competition too.

This is the game that creates laughter, fun while bettering hand-eye coordination. Math and rule following are important. And, the kids can better each other by tilting the machine (older sibs wouldn’t do that?)

GAD stocks all types of pinball. Good for the entire family with favorites like Godzilla, Guardians of the Galaxy and Cactus Canyon Pinball.

Check out our GAD catalog of stock games.  

 

Right Before Christmas and All Through the House… The sounds of pinball and laughter are stirring the mouse…

Right Before Christmas and All Through the House… The sounds of pinball and laughter are stirring the mouse… 713 401 GAD Vending

Why not create the sounds of laughter and merriment all through your house? This is a great time! Our warehouses in Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines have games in stock available for home purchase.

GAD regularly stocks various pinball games, Golden Tee PGA Home, digital darts and other commercial games. Check out our online catalog.

To give you an idea, in stock may include:

  • James Bond Pro, Premium or 60th Anniversary Edition
  • Stern’s Star Wars Home Edition
  • TMNT Premium
  • Houdini
  • Toy Story LE
  • New and Tournament Galaxy 3 Fire and Plus Darts
  • Refurbished Galaxy 2.5 Darts
  • Commercial grade pool tables
  • Classicade’s Multicade uprights and cocktail tables
  • Golden Tee PGA Home Edition

GAD isn’t Santa but can deliver in areas near us. You can pick up. Or we can ship to your home for a small shipping charge.

 

What does everyone want for the holidays?

What does everyone want for the holidays? 716 401 GAD Vending

What does everyone really want for the holidays? And, what do you want for your family? Fun. Wholesome play time. Best game nights ever. Keep the kids around home. Host friends with active games to play. Fill your game room with these great options and fill your home with laughter!

How about the newest Stern Venom Pinball?  

Stern Pinball, Inc. and Marvel debut an all-new line of pinball games featuring one of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex, and iconic characters, Venom – who’s ready to wreak havoc. Venom pinball games are available at GAD in Pro, and Premium.

Venom, an alien symbiote that bonds with various hosts, including former Spider-Man antagonist Eddie Brock, first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man comic book series in the ’80s. The symbiote gives its host superhuman strength and agility, providing creative and versatile powers out of its material. With its unique and visually striking appearance, Venom quickly became one of Marvel’s most recognizable and popular characters. Venom has been an inspiration for numerous products including: action figures, apparel, collectibles, and now pinball – cementing its continual influence on popular culture in game rooms and entertainment locations worldwide.

Stern’s Venom pinball games will immerse players into the mayhem of this antihero’s Marvel Universe, featuring more than 20 characters including: Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker, Black Suit Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Riot, Agony, Lasher, Phage, Doppelganger, Venomized Hulk, Venomized Wolverine and Venomized Captain America. Venom’s arch enemy Carnage is collecting Codices to awaken Knull, the God of the symbiotes. Venom must stop Carnage by battling through his army of symbiotes and the Infected to prevent him from taking over the world.

Playing as Venom, gamers will select a host to bond with at the start of each game, altering the entire gaming experience both physically and digitally. Vertical pinball lock symbiote containment vessels located on both sides of the playfield lock and quickly release balls for constant frenetic action as players explore shots through the mechanically changing Agro-Lab and Life Foundation pathways. Players will bash an interactive, custom sculpted Carnage captive ball back into Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane. Additionally, a surprise Doppelganger attack can swing into action at a moment’s notice, unveiling three uplift targets wreaking chaos.

Venom pinball games include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in a variety of ways. Through Insider Connected, players will be able to save their game progress through connectivity persistence, allowing anyone to become a (anti)hero as you advance through the game to reach the final wizard mode at the end, no matter how many tries it might take.

In addition, Insider Connected allows players to track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through Location Leaderboards, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the games. Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com.

Let’s Play Golden Tee PGA Home Edition

Complete Your Home Arcade, Clubhouse or Business with the all new Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Edition

New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.

REAL PGA TOUR Courses
Play Hole 17 on TPC Sawgrass, the most famous hole in golf and six PGA TOUR courses overall. All six tournament stops were created using real topography data. Every blade of grass is accounted for!

More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.

Online Play Available
Unlock new games modes, courses and features by going online. A FREE subscription is included with every cabinet purchase! Gain access to exclusive Events, the all-new Club Pass and more!

Everyone Loves Darts! Why not make it digital?

The G3 Fire is the first of its kind with a glowing cabinet.

All the exciting features from the Galaxy 3 Live, including worldwide online play, tracked player rankings, and statistics. In addition to the glowing cabinet, the machine is equipped with a larger display, a better player camera, an automatic target flip, and new games! All this while maintaining compatibility amongst all other G3s already out in the world.

Galaxy 3 Fire Features:

  • Larger 24″ Monitor
  • Enhanced Player Camera
  • Automatic Target Flip
  • New Games
  • Compatible with all G3’s
  • Live Remote Play
  • Standard & Remote Leagues
  • Glowing Cabinet

Made in the USA

Looking for Classic Fun for the Family? Check out Classic-Cade!

Before home TV gaming consoles and PCs kept gamers playing in the comfort of their own homes, there used to be long nights by the arcade cabinet located at your local arcade, amusement park, bar or restaurant. Pouring quarter after quarter in, see if you could beat your friend’s high score; it was all exhilarating. Not only was the experience one of a kind, but the games you could play were unlike anything players had seen up to that point. Remember hours playing Pac-Man? Galaga? Millipede? Space Invaders?

Gone are those days of just one game, on one console. In the early development of arcade games, the hardware to run one game was the full console. Today, the size of the console or table is about the people comfort – not the need to house lots of hardware.

Want to relive those great games? At home? At your favorite establishment? Classic-cade is the answer to your need for fun, retro arcade games. With over 60 games available in stand up console or sit down table, no gamer should be without.

If you want to play against other players, or just looking to best your high score – these games give hours of wholesome fun for the entire family.

GAD stocks both the Classic-cade table and console versions for immediate fun!

What Pinball Should You Have For Thanksgiving?

What Pinball Should You Have For Thanksgiving? 1000 1123 GAD Vending

Want to just hang around and not have something to do this Thanksgiving weekend? Let the family just get stir crazy??

How about putting your home game room together this week? GAD has the games in stock to give you plenty of fun.

GAD has a wide variety of pinball for all ages.

  • Younger kids love Toy Story 4, TMNT, and Cactus Canyon.
  • Young, teenage kids are into Venom, Godzilla and Avengers.
  • Everyone has fun with digital darts, Classic-cade Arcade games and James Bond 007.
  • And, of course, choosing a game that is from your favorite band is always a good idea. In stock includes: Foo Fighters, and Iron Maiden.

If you are looking for game room set up ideas, read “What Should Be In Your Home Game Room“. And “What Should You Add to Your Home Game Room?”

And the other question that is asked of us all the time – yes, we sell to home game rooms!