Convention - SDCC 2026 : Stern Pinball launches Pokémon, bringing Trainers to the silverball arena

By Mulder, 10 july 2026

The long-rumored collaboration between Stern Pinball and The Pokémon Company International has finally become reality. Timed to coincide with San Diego Comic-Con 2026, the world's largest pinball manufacturer officially unveiled Pokémon by Stern Pinball, marking the first time in the nearly three decades of Pokémon history that the global phenomenon has received an officially licensed commercial pinball machine. More than a simple licensed adaptation, the new table represents a carefully crafted celebration of the franchise's legacy, blending classic Pokémon nostalgia with the latest generation of Stern's mechanical innovation. Visitors attending SDCC 2026 will also have the rare opportunity to experience the game firsthand inside Stern's traditional Pop-Up Arcade, located just outside the convention center at the Marriott Marquis, allowing both convention attendees and visitors without Comic-Con badges to enjoy the machine in a less crowded environment.

Since its debut in Japan in 1996, Pokémon has grown into one of the most successful entertainment properties in history, spanning video games, television animation, trading cards, films and merchandise. Surprisingly, despite thousands of arcade and amusement adaptations over the years, a modern officially licensed pinball machine had never materialized. That long absence makes Stern's announcement particularly significant for collectors and arcade enthusiasts alike. Powered by the company's latest SPIKE 3 platform, Pokémon by Stern Pinball has been designed from the ground up as a dynamic journey that recreates the sensation of becoming a Pokémon Trainer rather than simply offering familiar artwork. Throughout each game, players travel across four distinct habitats where they discover, capture and train Pokémon while gradually assembling their own collection. The design philosophy focuses on recreating progression, exploration and battles instead of merely chasing high scores, giving each session a narrative flow reminiscent of the original video games.

The playfield itself showcases Stern's increasingly sophisticated approach to integrating mechanical toys with modern software. One of the centerpiece features is the illuminated animated Poké Ball mechanism that players repeatedly target in order to capture Pokémon. Nearby, an expressive animatronic Pikachu reacts throughout gameplay, celebrating successful shots and encouraging players during key moments. Rival Trainer battles interrupt the collecting process, while the infamous Team Rocket becomes a recurring threat during progression. Their presence culminates with an interactive Meowth hot-air balloon descending directly over the battle area, creating an obstacle that physically alters gameplay. On the Premium and Limited Edition models, Stern has added an interactive electromagnet beneath the playfield that unpredictably influences ball movement during battles, injecting additional chaos and requiring quick reflexes from experienced players.

Faithfulness to the Pokémon universe extends far beyond the mechanical layout. Rather than creating an entirely original presentation, Stern has incorporated video footage from the original animated television series, reinforcing the nostalgic connection that many longtime fans have with the franchise. The experience is further enriched through dedicated voice performances for Pikachu and Giovanni, preserving much of the humor and personality associated with the original animation. Perhaps most notably, the inclusion of the instantly recognizable "Pokémon Theme" song transforms each game into an audiovisual tribute to one of the defining entertainment franchises of the late 1990s. The result is a machine that deliberately appeals to multiple generations: players who grew up with Pokémon's original debut as well as younger fans discovering the franchise through more recent games and animated productions.

Modern Stern releases increasingly emphasize connected gameplay, and Pokémon continues that direction through the company's award-winning Insider Connected ecosystem. By signing into their Insider Connected account before playing, users permanently register every Pokémon they capture during games. Those captured creatures become part of a persistent digital Pokémon Collection accessible through the Insider Connected application, allowing progress to continue across multiple locations and multiple machines worldwide. This progression system introduces an element rarely associated with traditional pinball: long-term collection goals extending well beyond individual play sessions. For operators, it also creates a powerful incentive for repeat visits, while collectors benefit from exclusive digital ownership badges and progression tracking.

Collectors, of course, will likely set their sights on the highly limited Limited Edition version, restricted to only 750 machines worldwide. Stern has reserved numerous premium upgrades for this edition, including the updated Expression Lighting System and Speaker Expression Lighting System featuring Pokémon-specific visual effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, exclusive cabinet artwork, custom Pokémon-themed armor, a designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio components, anti-reflective playfield glass, shaker motor, sequential numbering, a signed certificate of authenticity and an exclusive Insider Connected Limited Edition digital owner badge. These enhancements continue Stern's strategy of offering increasingly elaborate collector-focused editions that blur the line between commercial arcade equipment and display-worthy collectibles.

The launch also highlights Stern's longstanding relationship with San Diego Comic-Con. Once again, the manufacturer has established its Pop-Up Arcade adjacent to the convention center at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, located at 333 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, making access significantly easier than navigating the often crowded exhibition halls inside SDCC itself. Between Thursday, July 23 and Saturday, July 25, visitors will be able to reserve 30-minute hands-on sessions with the new Pokémon machine while also meeting members of Stern's development team for interviews and discussions about the game's creation. This outside-the-convention strategy has become one of Stern's signature Comic-Con traditions, allowing journalists, collectors and enthusiasts more relaxed opportunities to experience new releases compared with the intense crowds typically found on the exhibition floor.

Speaking during the announcement, Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, described the project as the culmination of a long-awaited collaboration, emphasizing that the machine celebrates nostalgia, craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of Pokémon while translating the excitement of catching and battling creatures into the unique language of pinball. His comments reflect the broader ambition behind the project: not simply licensing a popular brand, but designing a machine capable of standing alongside Stern's acclaimed adaptations of other major entertainment properties while introducing an entirely new audience to modern pinball.

The timing of the release could hardly be more appropriate. Comic-Con increasingly serves as a showcase not only for films, television series and comics, but also for premium collectibles, gaming experiences and interactive entertainment. Pokémon by Stern Pinball sits comfortably at the crossroads of those worlds, combining collectible craftsmanship, nostalgic design and cutting-edge gameplay technology into a single package. For lifelong Pokémon fans, it offers a completely new way to revisit familiar characters. For pinball enthusiasts, it represents another ambitious example of how modern mechanical design continues to evolve while embracing some of the most recognizable intellectual properties in global popular culture.

Event recap
-          What: Hands-on demonstrations of Pokémon by Stern Pinball, with 30-minute playable sessions and interview opportunities with members of the Stern Pinball team.
-          Where: Stern Pinball Pop-Up Arcade, Marriott Marquis Hotel, 333 W Harbor Drive, San Diego, California, conveniently located adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center for easier public access.
-          When: Thursday, July 23, through Saturday, July 25, 2026, with sessions scheduled every 30 minutes from 10:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
-          Machine availability: Pokémon by Stern Pinball is available immediately through authorized Stern Pinball distributors worldwide in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models, with the Limited Edition restricted to 750 units globally.

(Source : press release)