Stern Pinball’s Transformers Machine Turns Cartoon Battles Into Real Pinball Action, is More Than Meets the Eye

Stern Pinball released its newest game yesterday, and it captures the spirit of the original 1984 Transformers series in ways that feel fresh and hands-on. Players step right into the long-running fight between Optimus Prime’s Autobots and Megatron’s Decepticons, with the machine using moving robot figures, familiar voice lines, and story beats pulled straight from the old TV episodes. Every flipper shot and ball lock pulls you deeper into that world, and the details keep coming the longer you play.

Mechanical toys completely dominate the playfield, influencing how each game plays out. A sculpted Optimus Prime statue begs to be hit with the ball, while Grimlock keeps an eye on a set of targets; knock them down, and you’ll unlock some great Dinobot side tasks. Soundwave’s cassette deck also gets in on the action, literally grabbing balls and tossing them back into play like a frantic pinball game. What about the higher-end models? Forget about it; they come with a full-fledged animatronic Megatron, complete with a swinging fusion weapon that fires balls at you when you least expect them. All of these moving pieces give the impression that each round is a live action performance, rather than just a fast tempo.

Ramps and targets are perfectly at home in the Transformers universe. The Autobot emblem on the left ramp sends the ball straight up to the upper flipper, but the Decepticon insignia on the right ramp sends balls directly into Megatron’s lair. Three banks of drop targets guard Megatron himself, and taking them down allows you to advance in the main story. There’s an Energon spinner where you may collect cubes to boost your shots and get the multiballs going. Bumblebee is a captive ball for extra points, and a dedicated add-a-ball post keeps the action rolling if you hit the appropriate sequences, while three flippers provide good control of the entire field.

Story missions follow classic cartoon arcs, with real video clips playing out on the 18.5-inch high-definition screen. Custom audio restores the voices of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron and Soundwave. There’s also a special mode to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 film, complete with Stan Bush’s “The Touch” blasting out and original tunes from Knights of Unicron and season one playing on the speakers. With all of this audio flair, every multiball and victory lap seems like the season finale.

After a few games, the connected features become active. Stern’s Insider Connected system keeps track of your success and rewards you with Cyber Coins to unlock additional modes, such as Prime Training, which teaches you through advanced techniques as Autobots show you the ropes. For the first time, you may now invite a buddy to participate in real-time head-to-head competitions on some Stern machines. Leaderboards and shared progress keep groups coming back when the initial excitement wears off.

Customers can choose between three versions, with the Pro model, which costs $6,999, including all of the bells and whistles you’d expect in a full rule set, the main toys in static form, a basic sound system, and support for the Insider Connected service. The Premium, priced at $9,699, includes some real movement in the form of a working Megatron, as well as more mechanical motion than the original model. At the top of the line comes the Limited Edition, which is limited to 750 pieces globally, making it a true collectible. This top-of-the-line model includes a mirrored backglass with artwork from the original series, full-color cabinet decals, a seriously upgraded sound system with tweeters, interactive lighting that reacts to every shot, anti-reflective glass on the front, a high-powered motor so the entire thing moves, custom powder coat on the outer casing, a signed certificate, and a numbered plaque on top of that. Every version includes six balls to play, and all models run on Stern’s Spike 3 platform, ensuring a smooth and reliable functioning.

Availability is now available through Stern’s network of distributors, so whether you’re an operator or a collector, you can place an order right today through their website. The combination of toys that fire and move, a complex story mode to lure you in, and modern additions that connect to the outside world all contribute to a truly immersive experience that will keep you going back for more.