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Arcade and Pinball News
Arcade and virtual pinball news covering VPX, Pinball FX, physical pinball, displays, and cabinet builds.
Jul 23, 2026
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24 storiesStern Releases Seven Transformers Pinball Accessories From $99.99 to $1,499.99
Stern lists seven Transformers accessories for Pro, Premium, and LE machines, with US MSRPs from $99.99 for Art Blades to $1,499.99 for the Optimus Prime Topper. The topper reacts to gameplay; its exclusive challenge mode is upcoming. Accessories are available through Stern and authorized dealers.
Stern Factory Tour Terms: One Annual Visit for All-Access Members and a Guest
Stern's factory-tour page says a paid All-Access member receives one complimentary tour per year for the member and one guest. Tours last one hour and are offered most Thursdays. Additional guests or additional tours cost $25 per person. Confirm an available date before making travel plans.
Stern Pop-Up Arcade at SDCC 2026: Pokémon and Transformers, No Badge Required
the San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog reports a public Stern pop-up arcade at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (333 W Harbor Dr), July 23–25, Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The report says no SDCC badge is required and names Pokémon and Transformers pinball machines. A direct Stern event page confirming the full logistics was not established; verify before traveling.
Pokémon Pro and Premium Join the IFPA Stern Rewards List
Stern says Pokémon Pro and Premium have joined the IFPA Stern Rewards list. Players must meet one of IFPA's current qualification paths, maintain a complete profile, and observe the one-game-per-program-year limit; selections remain subject to availability.
Stern Posts Code Across 34 Games and Names Mountain Dew as Pro Circuit Sponsor
Stern says new code was posted across 34 games and directs owners to its game-code support page for title-specific files and notes. Stern also named Mountain Dew as 2026 Pro Circuit sponsor; IFPA lists 20 schedule entries, including three events whose dates remain to be determined.
Stern Says Transformers Machines Are Rolling Out and Launch Parties Are Starting Soon
Stern's July 7 update says Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye machines are rolling out worldwide and official launch parties are starting soon. The game page lists Pro at $6,999, Premium at $9,699, and LE at $12,999, with the LE limited to 750—not marked sold out.
Pinball FX VR July 9 Update: Zen Source Check Points to Goat Simulator, The Princess Bride, and Pacific Rim at $7.99 Each
Zen Studios' July 2026 Pinball FX VR sources identify three July 9 additions: Goat Simulator Pinball, The Princess Bride Pinball, and Pacific Rim Pinball. Zen's Pinball Bites post says the three tables release as individual $7.99 store items. Verify live Meta Quest or Steam VR store pricing before purchasing.
Pinball FX VR July 9 Preview Corrected: Zen's Current Source Set Points to Goat Simulator, The Princess Bride, and Pacific Rim
Corrected July 9, 2026. Zen Studios' current July 2026 Pinball FX VR sources point to three July 9 VR additions: Goat Simulator Pinball, The Princess Bride Pinball, and Pacific Rim Pinball. The earlier generated six-table wording was not supported by the checked Zen source set. Pinball Bites says the three tables are individual $7.99 store items. Checked July 9, 2026.
LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (#11374) Now on General Release — $229.99, Amazon Listing Live, Brothers Brick Review Confirms Mechanics
LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (#11374, $229.99, 2,274 pieces) is on general release as of July 4, 2026 at lego.com and LEGO brand stores. Amazon listing is live. Target and Walmart availability not confirmed at launch. Brothers Brick review (July 3, 2026) confirms spring launcher, dual flippers, spinning bumpers, and ramp bridge are fully operable. Light Blue Classic Space Astronaut and Light Blue Space Baby confirmed exclusive to this set as of July 4, 2026. Verify current stock before ordering.
LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (#11374) Live for Insiders Early Access — $229.99, 2,274 Pieces; General Release July 4
LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (set #11374, $229.99) opened for LEGO Insiders Early Access today, July 1, 2026. General release July 4, 2026. 2,274 pieces; functional spring launcher, dual flippers, spinning bumpers, up-and-over ramp bridge, resettable progress bar. Minifigures: Light Blue Classic Space Astronaut and Light Blue Space Baby (both new color variants exclusive to this set). Available at lego.com and LEGO brand retail stores. Broader retail (Amazon, Target, Walmart) availability on July 4 not confirmed. Verify current stock at lego.com.
Jersey Jack Pinball and SEGA Launch Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball — Three Editions From $9,999 to $15,000, Deposits Open Now
Jersey Jack Pinball and SEGA officially revealed the Sonic the Hedgehog Pinball Machine on June 23, 2026 (Sonic's 35th anniversary) with deposits immediately available at jerseyjackpinball.com. Three editions: Arcade Edition ($9,999, $1,000 deposit) — core experience; Special Edition ($12,000) — Green Hill Zone artwork, Sonic blue armor, RGB topper, shaker/haptics, Invisiglass; Collector's Edition ($15,000, $2,500 deposit) — mechanical battle topper, Knuckles Red armor, gold sparkle playfield, numbered plaque, camera, wireless headphones. All editions: Steve Ritchie design, 27-inch HD LCD, seven Sonic Generations stages, white glove delivery available.
LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (#11374, $229.99, 2,274 Pieces) Announced — Fully Functional Playfield; LEGO Insiders July 1, General Release July 4
LEGO announced Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (set #11374) at $229.99 USD. 2,274 pieces; fully functional tabletop playfield: spring launcher, dual flippers, spinning bumpers, up-and-over ramp bridge, resettable progress bar. Minifigures: Light Blue Classic Space Astronaut and Light Blue Space Baby (both new color variants). LEGO Insiders Early Access July 1, 2026; general release July 4, 2026. Available at LEGO.com and LEGO brand retail stores at launch. Broader retail availability (Amazon, Target, Walmart) not confirmed for launch date. Checked June 28, 2026.
Silverball Super Showdown 5 Wraps: Stern Transformers G1 SPC Completes First Competitive Tournament — Community Reception Enthusiastic
Silverball Super Showdown 5 (June 26–28, The Pinball Capital, Stone Park IL) concluded June 28 with Stern Transformers G1's first SPC competitive tournament debut complete. Community reception across Screen Rant and social media: enthusiastic and tournament-viable. Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron) voice performances and Stan Bush 'The Touch' soundtrack received specific positive attention. Final tournament bracket results not yet published. Stern Transformers G1 Pro ($6,999): first-production units shipping late June. Premium ($9,699): animatronic Megatron on Premium and LE only. LE ($12,999): sold out. Checked June 28, 2026.
Stern Transformers G1 SPC Competitive Debut at Silverball Super Showdown 5 — Pro $6,999 Units Shipping Late June; Premium $9,699 Animatronic Megatron, LE Sold Out
Stern Transformers G1 makes its SPC competitive debut at Silverball Super Showdown 5, June 26–28, The Pinball Capital, Stone Park IL — first major Midwest SPC event featuring the G1 in competitive play since the May 20 announcement. Pro: $6,999, late-June first-production shipping. Premium: $9,699, animatronic Megatron (Premium/LE only). LE: $12,999, sold out. Platform: SPIKE 3. Voice cast: Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron). Soundtrack: Stan Bush 'The Touch' (1986). Checked June 26, 2026.
LEGO Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (Set #11374) — Fully Playable, 2,274 Pieces, $229.99; LEGO Insiders July 1 / General Release July 4
LEGO revealed Icons Arcade Pinball Machine (Set #11374): 2,274 pieces, $229.99 USD. Fully functional tabletop play — spring launcher, dual flippers, spinning bumpers, up-and-over ramp bridge, resettable progress bar. Includes Light Blue Classic Space Astronaut and Light Blue Space Baby (both new color variants). LEGO Insiders Early Access July 1; general release July 4, 2026. Verified: lego.com.
Stern Releases Full Pokémon Accessories Line June 18 — $1,499.99 Magikarp Topper with Exclusive Multiball Mode, Free Code 0.83 for All Models
Stern Pinball released the full Pokémon accessories collection June 18, 2026: Magikarp Topper $1,499.99 (mechanically animated, RGB, exclusive Magikarp Multiball mode via MAGIKARP letter collection at right ramp); Poké Ball Shooter Knob $174.99; interior art blades $99.99; side armor; lighting kits. All compatible with Pro, Premium, and LE. Shipping late June/early July 2026. Free Code 0.83 adds new Pokémon and bug fixes to all models. Checked June 24, 2026.
Silverball Super Showdown — Competitor Registration Closes Today June 14; Final Hours; 2026 Stern Pro Circuit Event June 26–28
Silverball Super Showdown competitor registration closes at end of day Saturday June 14. Event runs June 26–28 at The Pinball Capital, Stone Park IL: 8,100 sq ft, 130+ machines, Pinburgh-style match play, 2026 Stern Pro Circuit. G1 Pro deliveries active (Day 25); G1 will be Day 37 at event start. Spectator access does not require advance registration.
Pinball FX VR DLC on Sale — Buy Before July 9 Price Adjustment
Zen Studios put almost every Pinball FX VR add-on pack on sale (announced June 4) ahead of a confirmed price adjustment effective July 9. Meta Quest, PSVR, and PC VR platforms. New prices after July 9 not yet published. Sale window: 27 days from June 12 to expand a VR table library at current pricing.
Stern Transformers G1 First Owner Reports Posting on Pinside — Pro Deliveries Spreading Beyond Priority Queue
Stern Transformers G1 Pro deliveries spread beyond Priority queue buyers on June 11 with first gameplay reports posting on Pinside's owner thread — covering Megatron animatronic cannon under real play and code depth impressions. Pro $6,999 confirmed. Premium ($9,699) on track for late June. LE $12,999 sold out. Silverball Chicago 15 days.
Silverball Super Showdown Chicago — Tournament Registration Closes June 14 (3 Days); 2026 Stern Pro Circuit
Silverball Super Showdown competitive registration closes June 14 — 3 days from June 11. Event runs June 26–28 at The Pinball Capital, Stone Park IL (Chicago suburb): 8,100 sq ft, 130+ machines, Pinburgh-style match play, 2026 Stern Pro Circuit classification. First major pinball community gathering in the Midwest following the G1 launch.
Stern Transformers G1 Day 22 — Post-NWPAS Day 3: Pro Delivery Confirmations Spreading on Pinside; Silverball Super Showdown 16 Days
Transformers G1 Day 22 Wednesday June 10: post-NWPAS Day 3. First Pro delivery confirmations from Priority queue buyers spreading on Pinside owner thread. Pro $6,999 in production, deliveries underway; Premium $9,699 late June; LE $12,999 mid-late June (750 units sold out). Silverball Super Showdown Chicago (June 26–28) 16 days away — 2026 Stern Pro Circuit event.
Stern Pokémon VPX Day 44 — SPIKE 3 Day 22; GSPF Day 24 Stable; Audio ROM Unchanged; Q3–Q4 2027; NWPAS Post-Show Day 3 Developer Follow-Through Window
Pokémon VPX Day 44 Wednesday June 10: SPIKE 3 dual-watch Day 22. GSPF Day 24 stable — 24 consecutive days without development milestone update. Audio ROM bottleneck (145 species sounds, battle music, gym themes) unchanged. Q3–Q4 2027 timeline unchanged. Post-NWPAS Day 3 — Stern engineer informal contacts in post-conference follow-through window this week.
Pinball FX PS4/Xbox One Block Day 10 — 64 Days to Williams Vol 9 August 14 Deadline; Week 2 Wednesday; Large-Library Owners (40+ Tables) Should Begin Verification This Week
Pinball FX PS4/Xbox One block Day 10 Wednesday June 10: 64 days to Williams Vol 9 August 14 deadline. Week 2 Day 3. Large-library owners (40+ tables) should begin individual title verification this week — 5–8 titles per session clears 40+ before August 14 with buffer. PC Steam/Epic recommended migration path. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S also valid.
Silverball Super Showdown Chicago — 16 Days (June 26–28); Book Hotels Before June 14 = 4 Days Remaining; Transformers G1 Day 38 at Event Start
Silverball Super Showdown Chicago (June 26–28, The Pinball Capital, Stone Park IL) is 16 days away as of Wednesday June 10. Book hotel before June 14 = 4 days remaining for best rates. 2026 Stern Pro Circuit event. Transformers G1 will be Day 38 at Silverball event start — Pro delivery confirmations spreading on Pinside. NWPAS complete data available as pre-Silverball reference.
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