Arcade & Pinball Digest - February 10, 2026
Published
Stern Pinball has officially announced a Pokemon-themed pinball machine, available in three tiers: Pro ($6,999), Premium ($9,699), and Limited Edition ($12,999, only 750 units worldwide). The announcement is strategically timed ahead of Pokemon Day on February 27th, which marks the franchise's 30th anniversary. Stern also released its February 2026 'Stern of the Union' update, highlighting new Insider Connected features and factory tour scheduling for All-Access members.
Stern Announces Pokemon Pinball — Three Models, $6,999 to $12,999
Stern Pinball has officially announced a Pokemon-themed pinball machine, timed for release around Pokemon Day (February 27th) and the franchise's 30th anniversary. Three models are available: Pro ($6,999), Premium ($9,699), and Limited Edition ($12,999, capped at 750 units worldwide). A teaser trailer has been released confirming the collaboration.
Pokemon is arguably the biggest IP Stern has ever secured. The franchise has generated over $100 billion in total revenue across games, cards, merchandise, and media — dwarfing every previous Stern license. For collectors, the Limited Edition at 750 units will likely appreciate in value if the playfield design delivers; Stern LEs on strong themes have historically held or gained value. For virtual pinball enthusiasts, this almost certainly means a VPX recreation will follow within months. The pricing follows Stern's standard tiering, suggesting this is a major planned release, not a limited experiment.
💡What this means for you
Three model tiers follow Stern's standard configuration: Pro (essential features, solid playfield), Premium (additional mechanical features, LCD screen, enhanced lighting), Limited Edition (all Premium features plus exclusive artwork, numbered plaque, gold-plated trim). 750 LE units globally is standard for Stern's top-tier releases.
Market Position: Highest-profile IP license in Stern's active lineup. Competes on the collectibility front with Jersey Jack's upcoming Harry Potter machine and CGC's announced titles. Pokemon's cross-demographic appeal (ages 8-45) could broaden Stern's buyer base beyond traditional pinball collectors.
- Playfield layout and mechanical features (not yet revealed)
- Music and voice licensing details (original game music?)
- Dealer allocation — LE units will sell out fast at 750 globally
- Virtual pinball reproduction timeline
⏸️ Wait if: You want to see the full playfield reveal before committing $7,000+
✅ Buy if: You're a collector and want the LE — 750 units means these sell out within days of orders opening
Stern of the Union — February 2026 Updates
Stern's monthly community update highlights CES 2026 retrospective, new Insider Connected features for their digital pinball platform, and the launch of factory tour scheduling exclusively for All-Access paid subscribers. Stern continues its cadence of at least three major machine releases per year alongside classic title reissues.
The factory tour paywall (All-Access members only) is a smart community-building move. It creates FOMO and gives paying members tangible value beyond digital features. For virtual pinball setups, Insider Connected's expanding featureset suggests Stern is building a hybrid physical-digital ecosystem that could eventually bridge into home arcade connectivity.
💡What this means for you
Insider Connected is Stern's digital platform linking physical machines to online profiles, tracking scores, and enabling firmware updates. All-Access tier adds factory tour access and premium content.
Market Position: Stern remains the dominant physical pinball manufacturer with 3+ major releases annually. Factory tour exclusivity reinforces the premium brand positioning.
- All-Access subscription pricing and features
- Insider Connected integration with home arcade setups
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Stern Pokemon pinball machine cost?▼
The Stern Pokemon pinball comes in three models: Pro at $6,999, Premium at $9,699, and Limited Edition at $12,999 (limited to 750 units worldwide).
When is the Stern Pokemon pinball releasing?▼
Stern announced the machine in February 2026, timed around Pokemon Day (February 27th). Exact shipping dates have not been confirmed but orders are expected to open shortly after the full reveal.