Arcade & Pinball Digest - February 11, 2026
Published
American Pinball has been acquired by a new ownership group from previous parent Aimtron, with immediate plans to produce 're-imagined' versions of seven classic Williams/Bally pinball titles through a new licensing agreement with Planetary Pinball. Arcade1Up is set to reveal its 2026 product lineup at the New York Toy Fair (February 14-17), with industry speculation pointing to new IPs and potential virtual pinball cabinet updates. Jersey Jack Pinball launched a 3D Game Viewer tool for the Harry Potter Collector's Edition and confirmed event appearances at Pinball at the Beach and the upcoming Texas Pinball Festival.
American Pinball Acquired -- Williams 'Reimagined' Classics Coming
American Pinball has been sold by Aimtron to a new ownership group with ambitious production plans. The new owners have secured a licensing agreement with Planetary Pinball granting rights to produce 're-imagined' versions of seven classic Williams/Bally pinball titles. The first new game is expected to be revealed soon. The previously anticipated Cuphead machine is reportedly 'likely dead' under new management, but new licensed themes are in development.
This is potentially the biggest pinball industry story of 2026. Williams/Bally titles -- think Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, Theatre of Magic, Tales of the Arabian Nights -- are the crown jewels of pinball history. 'Reimagined' is the key word: these won't be simple remakes like CGC's Medieval Madness Remake. Expect modernized playfield designs, updated rulesets, and contemporary technology (LCD screens, connected features) grafted onto beloved themes. For virtual pinball enthusiasts, this matters because reimagined physical tables historically spawn new digital recreations. The Cuphead cancellation suggests the new owners are prioritizing proven IPs over risky licenses -- a pragmatic move for a company rebuilding credibility.
💡What this means for you
Licensing agreement covers seven Williams/Bally titles through Planetary Pinball (IP holders for classic Williams designs). 'Reimagined' suggests updated playfield layouts and modern electronics rather than faithful reproductions. New ownership from Aimtron indicates manufacturing infrastructure and talent retention.
Market Position: Competes directly with Stern Pinball (market leader), Jersey Jack Pinball (premium tier), and CGC (remakes). The Williams license gives American Pinball instant credibility and customer demand that no new IP could match. This puts pressure on CGC, who previously held the remake market with their Medieval Madness and Attack from Mars remakes.
- Which seven Williams/Bally titles are included in the license
- Whether 'reimagined' means updated playfields, new rules, or cosmetic refreshes
- Price positioning relative to Stern Pro ($6,999) and JJP ($8,000+)
- Production timeline and manufacturing location
- Impact on CGC's remake business
⏸️ Wait if: Wait for the first title reveal before committing -- 'reimagined' could mean many things
✅ Buy if: You collect Williams classics and want modern electronics with nostalgic themes
Arcade1Up Preps NY Toy Fair 2026 Lineup Reveal -- February 14-17
Arcade1Up, now operating under the Basic Fun brand, is set to unveil its 2026 product lineup at the New York Toy Fair from February 14-17 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. An Arcade1Up representative stated: 'We can't wait till you guys see what we have in store for you at Toy Fair 2026.' Industry speculation includes new IP licenses, themed claw machines, potential new chipsets with larger screens, and updated virtual pinball cabinet offerings.
Arcade1Up under Basic Fun is interesting because Basic Fun's core business is toys -- they think in terms of mass-market retail, price points, and licensed IP appeal. For the virtual pinball community specifically, the question is whether Arcade1Up will update their virtual pinball cabinet with better internals. The current models use low-resolution screens and limited table selections compared to DIY builds. If they announce a higher-resolution playfield display or expanded table packs, it could lower the barrier to entry for virtual pinball newcomers. The Toy Fair timing also means any announcements will get mainstream press coverage, which helps legitimize virtual pinball as a consumer product category.
💡What this means for you
NY Toy Fair runs February 14-17, 2026 at Javits Center, NYC. Arcade1Up typically reveals full year lineup including new IP licenses, cabinet form factors, and technology updates. Past reveals have included virtual pinball cabinets, counter-cades, and full-size reproductions.
Market Position: Arcade1Up dominates the consumer-grade home arcade market. Their virtual pinball cabinets compete at the entry level ($400-$600) against DIY builds ($1,500+) and VPcabs Ultra ($3,000+). New chipsets could narrow the quality gap between consumer and enthusiast tiers.
- Specific new IPs and game titles
- Virtual pinball cabinet hardware updates (screen resolution, processing power)
- Pricing strategy under Basic Fun ownership
- Street date for 2026 products
⏸️ Wait if: You're considering any Arcade1Up purchase -- Toy Fair is three days away, wait for the reveal
✅ Buy if: Current-gen Arcade1Up meets your needs and you see a clearance deal
Jersey Jack Pinball Launches Harry Potter 3D Viewer, Hits the Road
Jersey Jack Pinball launched a new 3D Game Viewer tool allowing enthusiasts to virtually explore the Harry Potter Collector's Edition pinball machine from any angle. The company also confirmed event appearances at Pinball at the Beach (February 6-8, already completed) and the Texas Pinball Festival in March 2026. Company founder Jack Guarnieri published a column in RePlay Magazine on customer perception and loyalty in the pinball industry.
The 3D Game Viewer is a smart pre-purchase tool for $8,000+ machines -- letting prospective buyers examine playfield details, art package quality, and mechanical features before committing. For virtual pinball enthusiasts, the 3D viewer could serve as reference material for VPX table recreation, providing accurate geometry data that's typically hard to source from photos alone. JJP's event circuit presence is standard industry practice, but the RePlay Magazine column from Jack Guarnieri himself suggests he's positioning JJP as the thought leader in premium pinball, not just a manufacturer.
💡What this means for you
Browser-based 3D Game Viewer for interactive exploration of the Harry Potter CE playfield and cabinet. Event calendar includes Texas Pinball Festival (March 2026) for live demonstrations. Harry Potter CE features licensed IP, premium build quality, and JJP's signature mechanical complexity.
Market Position: JJP competes at the ultra-premium tier ($8,000-$15,000) against Stern's LE models and CGC's remakes. The Harry Potter license gives strong cross-demographic appeal similar to Stern's Pokemon announcement. JJP's smaller production runs create collector scarcity value.
- Harry Potter CE production numbers and availability
- Whether 3D viewer will expand to other JJP titles
- New game announcements expected at Texas Pinball Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
What Williams/Bally titles will American Pinball produce?▼
American Pinball has licensed rights to seven classic Williams/Bally titles through Planetary Pinball, but the specific titles have not been announced yet. The first reveal is expected soon. Popular speculation includes Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, Theatre of Magic, and Tales of the Arabian Nights.
When is the NY Toy Fair 2026?▼
The New York Toy Fair runs February 14-17, 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Arcade1Up is expected to announce its full 2026 product lineup at the event, potentially including new virtual pinball cabinet models.