This Week in Pinball, we’re building out our Pokédex.
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Song of the Week
A boxing match in an arena, set to music. Felt right for Pokémon week. "Death Punch" is a bonus track from the upcoming deluxe edition of Surgery And Pleasure, the 2025 release from Boston-area band Vundabar. Dropped about three weeks ago and I’ve been looping it ever since.
Pinball News of the Week
Stern Reveals Pokémon Pinball
It's official. Stern Pinball has revealed Pokémon Pinball — a Jack Danger and George Gomez collaboration, based on the '90s animated series, with every visual asset supplied directly by The Pokémon Company. Pricing remains unchanged from prior cornerstones, there's an animatronic Pikachu, and you can catch 180+ Pokémon. Nintendo's first pinball license in 34 years is a big deal. We've got the full breakdown — design team, pricing, hype cycle, Betson leaks, AI fakes, and what it all means — in our launch article.
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Dutch Pinball Exclusive (DPX) Is No More
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Dutch Pinball Exclusive is officially done. Founder Melvin Williams is out at Dutch Pinball after new investors entered with a different vision for the company. Melvin says Alice and his other designs are his own IP, and he's looking for potential US manufacturing partners to continue his pinball journey. More details in the article.
RUMOR: Dutch / Stern Team-up for BTTF?
Related to the DPX news — we reported on a rumor Wednesday night tying Dutch Pinball to Stern Pinball in a potential partnership to produce the long-rumored Back to the Future game. The rumor stemmed from comments by CoinTaker owner Melissa Marquette — CoinTaker being a key Dutch Pinball distributor — who confirmed the claim on Dutch Pinball's Facebook page before deleting her comments and issuing a denial to another outlet. Dutch Pinball hasn't commented in either direction. Make of that what you will.
The Pinball Bet
I really enjoyed getting to know Francis Wisniewski while working on this profile. He's making a seven-figure bet that the Pinball Capital of the World deserves a world-class place to play — and he's building it. 120+ games, grand opening set for April 2nd in Stone Park, just outside Chicago. We talked about his background, his vision, and why a gap this obvious has gone unfilled for so long.
TWIPYs Debut Tomorrow!
Good news, everyone — we found Matt! The 2025 TWIPYs debut tomorrow (Saturday) at 7 pm ET on the BASH Pinball Podcast YouTube channel. It's everything I've ever dreamed of for the TWIPYs and then some. Get ready.
Links of the Week
Chances are, most of your favorite pinball creators have Pokémon reveal content out today. I haven't been able to watch 'em all (see what I did there), but here are a few of my usual faves:
LoserKid interviews Pokémon’s design team
Cooltoy has a review (and some gameplay videos in his channel)
Fox Cities Pinball captured the game demo from media day
Travis Murie gives an overview for The Pinball Company
Nudge Magazine has their review plus a smattering of fun pics from media day
Poll of the Week
Last Week’s Poll Results
“Not at all hyped for Pokemon. I never understood the hype over that franchise. My kids were into it back in the day, but now, they don't care about it anymore and are not hyped for this release when I mentioned it to them. Might be a good shooter and a fun game. We will see. But as far as adding it to my collection, I'll take a hard pass.”
“I hope it's good because I just love pinball but the theme isn't one I'd pick. Would love to be pleasantly surprised!”
“Anyone that don't choose "super hyped" is male, 50+ and dying! No matter if you like the IP this is super for the hobby. Next up Lady Gaga and My Little Pony. Or Star Wars with another death star, Nirvana and Daredevil if you want pinball to die again!”
“It's just a childish theme..... As an adult I just don't get it..... And it won't get me....”
“Seems like a Japanese Kids theme”
“Not into the theme...hard pass.”
“The theme does not interest me. However, I have family members that can't wait to see the machine based solely on the theme. Having the opportunity to introduce and share pinball with them: Priceless.”
“I’d be surprised if they can beat that homebrew floating around. That is amazing. Won best in show at the Houston Expo.”
“I'm an adult.”
“Going to be a money earner. Looking forward to this one. Heck, might even be fun to play!”
“Very dumb theme!!”
“Great IP, will attract a younger audience, and older players as well.”
“Pokemon is one of my oldest fandoms, and pinball is one of my newest. I’m over the moon about this no matter what happens!!! (And I wish my twinbro were alive to see this, even tho he wasn’t into pinball.)”
“It’s been awhile since we had new pinball here in Europe… I don’t call TWDR new pinball ”
“Anxious to see if Stern can translate the Pokemon phenomenon to a fun, challenging machine. Pokemon fans will want something special.”
“Absolutely hypeless. I hope it's a success for Stern and that maybe with some cash in their pocket Stern management will be willing to give their designers a little more leeway to design better games but I really just don't care at all about this one.”
“I couldn't give two s***'s about the theme.”
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