Pokémon
Year of release: 2026
Designer: George Gomez & Jack Danger
Lead Artist(s): Pokémon Licensor
Lead Programmer: Tanio Klyce
Audio: Featuring the “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” theme song and special voice recordings of Pikachu and Giovanni
Video: Featuring numerous video and audio scenes from the original animated series
SPIKE 3 – Technology
The Pokémon pinball machine brings a real trainer feeling directly to the playing field with original sounds, light effects and well-known characters from the series
Become a top trainer on the pinball machine: Pokémon by Stern Pinball
The time has finally come: the new Pokémon pinball machine from Stern Pinball, Inc. has arrived – created in co-operation with The Pokémon Company International. One of the biggest and most successful entertainment brands in the world now comes to life in a pinball machine. If you grew up with Pokémon or simply love the brand, you’re not just getting a pinball machine, but a real experience that combines nostalgia and modern technology.
Since Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996, the world of Pikachu & Co. has developed into one of the most successful entertainment brands ever. Pokémon is far more than just a franchise. With an estimated total turnover of over 288 billion US dollars, Pokémon is not just a cult favourite, but an integral part of global pop culture. Video games, trading cards, animated series, cinema films, merchandise, live events – and now also pinball. Now, for the first time, this world is moving into a pinball machine. The Pokémon Universe in a world under glass. Whether you grew up with the first Gameboy editions, collected cards or enjoy Pokémon with your children today, this pinball machine will inspire us.
“I want to be the very best, like no one before me was.”
On the playing field, you embark on a journey through different habitats, catch Pokémon, put together your own team and compete against rivals. The illuminated Pokéball(mechanically animated in the Premium and LE versions) is more than just decoration – it is a central component of the gameplay. An interactive Meowth toy intervenes in the action and brings additional movement to the game. Team Rocket also gets involved. When you hear “We are Team Rocket and faster than light!” in the background, you know you’re in for a treat: Now it’s getting serious. Giovanni takes on the role of the big antagonist and provides some real boss moments.
The interplay of classic pinball elements and Pokémon atmosphere is particularly well realised. Video sequences from the original series, matching sounds and, of course, the legendary Pokémon theme song take you straight back to the early days. With the Pikachu figure on the playfield and his commentary on the game(animated in Premium and LE versions), the whole thing feels even more alive.
Technically, the machine is based on Stern’s latest SPIKE 3 platform. This ensures fast response times, modern lighting effects and a clear, powerful sound. Anyone who has ever played a current pinball machine from Stern knows how precise and robust these machines are. The Pokémon pinball machine is designed for long-term use – whether in your private games room or in a commercial environment.
If you are considering buying a Pokémon pinball machine, we will be happy to advise you personally. Whether as a highlight in your hobby room, an eye-catcher in your showroom or a crowd-puller in a commercial setting – we will help you find the right version.
The Pokémon pinball machine from Stern Pinball is available now. As an authorised dealer, we not only support you with the purchase, but also with delivery, installation and service. If you would like to get an idea of the machine or have any questions about availability, price or delivery time, simply get in touch with us.
“With Pokémon by my side, I can do anything!”
Three versions – Pro, Premium and Limited Edition
As usual with Stern Pinball, this pin is once again being launched in three versions. The Pokémon pinball machine is available in Pro, Premium and a Limited Edition limited to 750 pieces worldwide. Even the Pro version offers the complete gaming experience, true to the motto “The strength of a Pokémon does not depend on its size.” The Premium version brings additional interactive elements to the gameplay, while the Limited Edition scores with exclusive design details, special lighting effects and collector’s features.
Pro version
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2 pinball fingers
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2 illuminated pop bumpers
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18.5″ full HD display
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Pickachu figure with custom speech
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interactive Meowth Balloon Bash Toy crashes into the arena to challenge the trainer
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Static Poké Ball with ball catcher post on the left ramp to catch a Pokémon
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Pokédex Captive Ball
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right scoop to start Rival Battles
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B-A-T-T-L-E Targets
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Psyduck Stand Up Target
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Charmander Optical Spinning Target
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Full-spectrum RGB LED playfield arrow inserts
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via Insider Connected you can collect your captured Pokémons and assign them to your Pokémon Collection
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and lots more …
Premium version
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Based on the features of the Pro model, but with enhanced mechanics and features and a slightly customised ball run
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animatronic Pikachu Toy reacts to the action on the playing field with movements and individually recorded voice output
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Arena magnet for dynamic action
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animatronic Pokéball Ball Lock with RGB lighting
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left ramp leads to the Squirtle Whirlpool Bowl for spinning action and recharging water energy
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Psyduck Sneak-In Ball Scoop (instead of Stand Up Target in the Pro model)
Limited Edition
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limited to 750 pieces
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Features like premium model + lots of extras
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Certificate of authenticity signed by Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball
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Individually signed by the game designers Jack Danger and George Gomez
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Numbered limited edition plate
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Limited edition mirrored Pokémon backglass
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Interactive Cabinet Expression LightingSystem™ with intelligent RGB LEDs – reacts to game events
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Interactive Speaker Expression Lighting with Pokémon laser shape covers
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Anti-reflective disc
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Shaker motor
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Special powder coating on side armour, lockbar, hinges and pinball legs
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Laser-cut illuminated pinball armour
All versions of the Pokémon Pinball – Pro, Premium and Limited Edition – already come with modern basic equipment with the latest star technologies and numerous comfort features as standard.
All three models have the following equipment as standard:
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Multifunctional action button
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Snap-Latch front system for quick and easy access to the pitch
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Stern Insider Connected™ including QR reader for logging in, saving progress and connecting with the global player community
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Powerful stereo sound system with 3-channel amplifier
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10-band graphic equaliser with separate control for backbox and cabinet speakers
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Line-out audio connection for external amplifiers and sound systems
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Individually adjustable fade control for customising the front and cabinet speakers
Expression Lighting System™
All Pokémon Pinball pinball machines are compatible with the “Expression Lighting System™” accessory set – with intelligent full spectrum RGB LEDs and the “Speaker Expression Lighting System” accessory set.
The complete Expression Lighting System™ including Speaker Expression Lighting is already integrated in the Limited Edition, Pokémon style, ex works. For the Pro and Premium models, the interactive RGB lighting systems can be optionally retrofitted as official accessories for Spike 3 systems and enhance the gaming experience with spectacular, synchronised Pokémon lighting effects.
Insider Connected – your progress is saved
With the integrated Insider Connected system, you can log in to the machine and save your progress.
With Pokémon Pinball, Stern Pinball takes the classic pinball experience to a new level with Stern Insider Connected™. Instead of just saving high scores, each game becomes part of your own Pokémon journey. You log in directly at the machine using a personal QR code and can catch Pokémon during the game, which are then permanently added to your digital collection.
Especially cool: Your progress is not tied to a single machine. You can continue to play on different Pokémon pinball machines – whether at home, in the bar around the corner, in arcade leisure locations or at events – and expand your collection everywhere. This creates a real collection and long-term motivation factor in the style of the classic Pokémon games.
At the launch of the pinball machine, trainers can already catch 182 different Pokémon and add them permanently to their personal collection via Stern Insider Connected™. Further Pokémon and features will be added in the future via updates, keeping the hunt for the complete Pokédex exciting in the long term – “Gotta Catch ‘Em All”
In addition, global leaderboards, achievements and community features will provide ever new challenges.
Code Update V 0.82 – May 2026
In this video, Stern presents Pinball Code Update 0.82 for its Pokémon pinball machine.
The team presents gameplay improvements, including easier game progression, balanced scoring adjustments for different modes, improved light shows, and new interactive features for the Action Button to help Trainers catch Pokémon during their adventures.
Here you can find videos of Stern Pinball for Pokémon Pinball:
