Arcade Digest - February 15, 2026
Published
Arcade1Up, now under Basic Fun!'s ownership, officially unveiled the Sonic the Hedgehog Supreme Series arcade cabinet at New York Toy Fair 2026 — the first-ever Sonic home arcade cabinet and the first new collection under Basic Fun! management. Stern Pinball's Pokemon machines have entered the shipping queue with Pro models arriving first. Stern's February 'Union Address' update detailed new Insider Connected features including Community Quests, Global Leaderboards, and factory tour opportunities for All-Access members.
Arcade1Up Unveils Sonic the Hedgehog Supreme Series at NY Toy Fair 2026
Arcade1Up, now managed by Basic Fun! following its 2025 asset acquisition, has officially unveiled the Sonic the Hedgehog Supreme Series arcade cabinet at New York Toy Fair 2026. This marks the first-ever Sonic the Hedgehog home arcade cabinet and the first new collection released under Basic Fun!'s management. The premium full-size standing cabinet is designed to celebrate Sonic's 35th anniversary and is planned as the first of multiple Sonic titles. Alongside the Sonic reveal, Arcade1Up also announced new PAC-MAN and Ms. PAC-MAN cabinets.
This is the proof-of-life announcement the Arcade1Up community has been waiting for. After Basic Fun! acquired Arcade1Up's assets in 2025, there were legitimate concerns the brand was dead. The Sonic partnership with Sega signals that Basic Fun! has secured new IP licensing deals — arguably the most important capability for a home arcade brand. The 'Supreme Series' tier suggests premium pricing and build quality, distancing from Arcade1Up's reputation for budget-tier cabinets. For collectors, the Sonic timing (35th anniversary) mirrors the Pokemon pinball strategy — tying product launches to franchise milestones maximizes hype and sales velocity.
💡What this means for you
Sonic Supreme Series: Full-size standing cabinet. Premium tier. Multi-year Sega partnership confirmed. Additional PAC-MAN and Ms. PAC-MAN cabinets also announced. Release: Fall 2026 (holiday retail window).
Market Position: First new Arcade1Up collection under Basic Fun! ownership. Validates continued IP licensing capability. Competes with iiRcade for premium home arcade market. Sonic IP has strong cross-demographic appeal (kids, retro gamers, collector market).
- Pricing for Supreme Series — will it be above the old Pro Series?
- Which Sonic games are included (Genesis classics, modern titles, or both)
- Online play capability and QoS for networked features
⏸️ Wait if: You want to see the full game list and pricing before committing
✅ Buy if: You're a Sonic fan who has been waiting for a proper home arcade cabinet
Stern Pokemon Pinball Begins Shipping — Pro Models Arriving First
Stern Pinball has begun shipping Pokemon pinball machines, with Pro models ($6,999) arriving at distributors and direct customers first. Premium ($9,699) and Limited Edition ($12,999, 750 units) variants are expected to follow in the coming weeks. Early hands-on reports from distributors highlight the interactive Poke Ball mechanism, the Meowth Balloon toy, and the Insider Connected Pokedex integration that tracks which Pokemon players catch.
The shipping timeline matters: Pro first, then Premium, then LE. This is Stern's standard approach — it builds urgency for the Premium and LE by ensuring early Pro reviews generate buzz. The Pokedex integration through Insider Connected is the real innovation: it creates a persistent, cross-location collection mechanic that incentivizes repeat play at different venues. For arcade owners, this means a Pokemon machine could drive repeat visits as players try to 'catch them all' across different game sessions.
💡What this means for you
Shipping order: Pro first, Premium second, LE last. Pro: $6,999. Premium: $9,699 (LCD, enhanced toys, electromagnet). LE: $12,999 (750 units, exclusive art, numbered plaque). Insider Connected: Digital Pokedex, Community Quests, Global Leaderboards.
Market Position: Stern's strongest IP launch quarter. Pro model at $6,999 targets the high-end home game room market. LE at $12,999 targets collectors and investors (expected to appreciate above retail immediately).
- Shipping timeline for Premium and LE variants
- How many Pokemon are catchable and which are LE-exclusive
- Secondary market pricing for the 750-unit LE
⏸️ Wait if: You want Premium features — wait for shipping confirmation on that tier
✅ Buy if: You want the Pro and can order now — first wave availability won't last
Stern February Union Address: Community Quests, Global Leaderboards, and Factory Tours
Stern Pinball's February 2026 'Stern of the Union Address' detailed several new features for its Insider Connected platform. Community Quests introduce cooperative challenges across the entire Stern player network. Global Leaderboards rank players across all connected machines worldwide. All-Access members can now book factory tours at Stern's manufacturing facility in Chicago. The update also confirmed continued software updates for Star Wars: Fall of the Empire.
Stern is building something bigger than a pinball company — they're building a connected gaming platform. Community Quests turn individual play into cooperative events, which is how modern gaming retains players. Global Leaderboards create competitive motivation across locations. Factory tours create brand evangelists. This is the 'Games as a Service' model applied to physical gaming hardware, and it's working: Insider Connected engagement drives repeat machine purchases because players feel part of an ecosystem, not just buying a standalone game.
💡What this means for you
Insider Connected updates: Community Quests (cooperative challenges). Global Leaderboards (cross-location ranking). Factory Tour booking for All-Access members. Continued SW: Fall of the Empire software support.
Market Position: Stern is the only pinball manufacturer with a connected platform. Jersey Jack and CGC do not offer equivalent features. Insider Connected is becoming a competitive moat, not just a feature.
- Community Quest reward structure and prizes
- Whether Global Leaderboards will integrate with IFPA rankings
- Factory tour capacity and booking availability
⏸️ Wait if: You already have a connected Stern machine — these features are free updates
✅ Buy if: Community features are your thing — any 2024+ Stern machine supports Insider Connected
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arcade1Up making new cabinets in 2026?▼
Yes. Under new ownership by Basic Fun!, Arcade1Up revealed a Sonic the Hedgehog Supreme Series cabinet at NY Toy Fair 2026, along with new PAC-MAN and Ms. PAC-MAN models. This is the first new collection since Basic Fun!'s acquisition.
When does the Stern Pokemon pinball ship?▼
Stern has begun shipping Pokemon Pro models ($6,999) to distributors and direct customers. Premium and Limited Edition variants are expected to ship in the coming weeks.
What are Stern Community Quests?▼
Community Quests are cooperative challenges within Stern's Insider Connected platform where players work together toward shared goals across all connected machines worldwide. They were announced in Stern's February 2026 Union Address.