Stern Pinball has announced a new pinball machine created in partnership with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo [1].

The release marks a significant expansion of the Pokémon brand into high-end physical gaming hardware. By blending traditional arcade mechanics with the franchise's core collection elements, the machine targets both hardcore pinball enthusiasts and dedicated collectors.

The machine allows players to catch, battle, and complete a Pokédex while playing [3]. This integration of RPG elements into a pinball format is designed to offer fans a new way to interact with the brand [6]. To facilitate this, the game integrates with mobile technology. As a player approaches the machine, they can log in using a QR code via the Stern Insider Connected app on a phone, an IGN preview author said [7].

This project is part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise [6]. While a trailer for the machine was released on Feb. 13, 2024 [4], the company is slated to display the hardware at the New York Toy Fair 2026 [2].

The machine comes with a premium price tag. The cost for the Pokémon pinball table is $7,000 [4]. This pricing places the unit in the luxury tier of home arcade gaming, leading some critics to question the accessibility of the product. One Kotaku author asked, "Are you willing to pay $7,000 to fling steel balls at Meowth’s face?" [8].

Stern Pinball has announced a Pokémon pinball machine, the AV Club author said [9]. The partnership leverages the global reach of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to bring a niche hobby into the mainstream spotlight through one of the world's most valuable media franchises.

“The machine allows players to catch, battle, and complete a Pokédex while playing.”

The collaboration between Stern Pinball and The Pokémon Company demonstrates a strategy to monetize nostalgia and brand loyalty through luxury goods. By pricing the machine at $7,000, Stern is targeting a high-net-worth collector market rather than the general gaming public, while using the 30th anniversary to justify the prestige of the release.