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{{Short description|Arcade game companies}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
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| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founded =1977
| founded =1977 (Stern Electronics),
1986 (Stern Pinball)
| founder = <!-- or: | founders = -->
| founder = <!-- or: | founders = -->
| defunct =
| defunct =
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| products = Arcade video games, pinball machines
| products = Arcade video games, pinball machines
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = --> Gary Stern
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = --> Gary Stern
| key_people = Gary Stern<br>Sam Stern
| key_people = Sam Stern <br>Gary Stern, Chairman <br>Seth Davis, CEO
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
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}}
}}


'''Stern''' is the name of two different but related [[arcade game|arcade gaming]] companies. '''Stern Electronics, Inc.''' manufactured arcade video games and pinball machines from 1977–1985, and was known for 1980s ''[[Berzerk (video game)|Berzerk]]''. '''Stern Pinball, Inc.''', founded in 1999,{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} is a creator of pinball machines in North America.
'''Stern''' is the name of two different but related [[arcade game|arcade gaming]] companies. '''Stern Electronics, Inc.''' manufactured arcade video games and pinball machines from 1977 until 1985, and was best known for ''[[Berzerk (video game)|Berzerk]]''. '''Stern Pinball, Inc.''', founded in 1986 as Data East Pinball, is a manufacturer of pinball machines in North America.


==Stern Electronics, Inc.==
==Stern Electronics, Inc.==
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When arcade [[video game]]s became popular in 1980, Stern Electronics produced ''[[Berzerk (video game)|Berzerk]]''. In 1983, Stern became one of many victims of the [[Video game crash of 1983|amusement industry economic shakeout]] that occurred. In 1985, Stern Electronics left the amusement industry. Personnel from Stern Electronics formed a short-lived venture known as Pinstar, producing conversion kits for old Bally and Stern machines. Gary Stern was the president of Stern Electronics, Inc, Pinstar Inc, and [[Data East]] pinball.
When arcade [[video game]]s became popular in 1980, Stern Electronics produced ''[[Berzerk (video game)|Berzerk]]''. In 1983, Stern became one of many victims of the [[Video game crash of 1983|amusement industry economic shakeout]] that occurred. In 1985, Stern Electronics left the amusement industry. Personnel from Stern Electronics formed a short-lived venture known as Pinstar, producing conversion kits for old Bally and Stern machines. Gary Stern was the president of Stern Electronics, Inc, Pinstar Inc, and [[Data East]] pinball.

On March 16, 2023, [[Atari SA|Atari]] announced that it had acquired the intellectual property rights to 12 Stern Electronics titles, including ''Berzerk'' and ''[[Frenzy (1982 video game)|Frenzy]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=ATARI ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF BERZERK AND FRENZY IP |url=https://atari.com/blogs/newsroom/atari-announces-acquisition-of-berzerk-and-frenzy-ip |website=Atari |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref>


==Stern Pinball, Inc.==<!-- This section is linked from [[Pinball]] -->
==Stern Pinball, Inc.==<!-- This section is linked from [[Pinball]] -->
By 1999, the pinball industry was virtually dead and Williams stopped manufacturing pinball machines and focused on [[gambling]] devices as [[WMS Gaming]]. During the same year, [[Sega]] left the pinball industry and sold its pinball division, previously purchased from Data East in 1994,<ref name="tribune">{{cite news |title=Pinball Runs Out of Wizardry |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-12-14-9912140015-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> to Gary Stern, the son of Sam Stern. In October 1999, Sega sold the pinball portion of its company to Gary Stern, who had been running Data East/Sega pinball since 1986, and Stern Pinball was born.<ref name="tribune" /><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/us/25pinball.html?ex=1366862400&en=cf20500b61a66ca3&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=For a Pinball Survivor, the Game Isn’t Over |author=Davey, Monica |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2008-04-25 |access-date=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sternpinball.com/about/|title=About|first=Stern|last=Pinball|website=Stern Pinball}}</ref> Stern Pinball, Inc. is based in [[Elk Grove Village, Illinois]].
By 1999, the pinball industry was virtually dead and [[Sega]] left the pinball industry, and in October 1999 sold its pinball division, previously purchased from Data East in 1994,<ref name="tribune">{{cite news |title=Pinball Runs Out of Wizardry |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-12-14-9912140015-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> to Gary Stern, the son of Sam Stern, who had been running Data East/Sega pinball since 1986, and Stern Pinball was born.<ref name="tribune" /><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/us/25pinball.html?ex=1366862400&en=cf20500b61a66ca3&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=For a Pinball Survivor, the Game Isn't Over |author=Davey, Monica |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2008-04-25 |access-date=2008-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sternpinball.com/about/|title=About|first=Stern|last=Pinball|website=Stern Pinball}}</ref> Stern Pinball, Inc. is based in [[Elk Grove Village, Illinois]].


As of 2020, longtime designers [[Steven Ritchie|Steve Ritchie]], [[Brian Eddy]], John Borg, and [[George Gomez]] are designing pinball games at Stern Pinball, alongside former professional player Keith Elwin.
As of 2023, longtime designers [[Brian Eddy]], John Borg, and [[George Gomez]] are designing pinball games at Stern Pinball, alongside top-ranking competitive player Keith Elwin and popular pinball streamer Jack Danger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sternpinball.com/2021/12/20/stern-pinball-enhances-game-design-studio-3/|title=Stern Pinball Enhances Game Design Studio|first=Stern|last=Pinball|website=Stern Pinball}}</ref>


Some Stern pinball tables were also digitally released through ''[[The Pinball Arcade]]'' and ''[[Stern Pinball Arcade]]''.
Some Stern pinball tables were also digitally released through ''[[The Pinball Arcade]]'' and ''[[Stern Pinball Arcade]]''.


==Notable pinball machines==
==Pinball machines==


===Stern Electronics===
===Stern Electronics===
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* ''Stampede'' (1977)
* ''Rawhide'' (1977)
* ''Disco'' (1977)
* ''Pinball'' (1977)
* ''Pinball'' (1977)
* ''Stingray'' (1977)
* ''Stingray'' (1977)
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* ''Dracula'' (1979)
* ''Dracula'' (1979)
* ''Trident'' (1979)
* ''Trident'' (1979)
* ''[[Hot Hand (pinball)|Hot Hand]]'' (1979)
* ''Hot Hand'' (1979)
* ''Magic'' (1979)
* ''Magic'' (1979)
* ''Cosmic Princess'' (1979) (Produced in Australia by Leisure and Allied Industries under license from Stern Electronics Inc)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pinpedia.com/machine/1896|title=Cosmic Princess|website=Pinpedia}}</ref><ref name="ipdb.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl|title=The Internet Pinball Machine Database|website=www.ipdb.org}}</ref>
* ''Cosmic Princess'' (1979) (Produced in Australia by Leisure and Allied Industries under license from Stern Electronics Inc)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pinpedia.com/machine/1896|title=Cosmic Princess|website=Pinpedia}}</ref><ref name="ipdb.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl|title=The Internet Pinball Machine Database|website=www.ipdb.org}}</ref>
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===Stern Pinball===
===Stern Pinball===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{{div col|colwidth=}}
|-
* ''[[Harley-Davidson (Sega/Stern pinball)|Harley Davidson]]'' (1999; 2nd revision 2002; 3rd edition 2004 slightly updated of the Sega game)
! Machine Name !! Year !! Lead Designer || License Source
* ''[[Striker Xtreme]]'' (2000)
|-
* ''[[Sharkey's Shootout]]'' (2000)
| ''[[Harley-Davidson (Sega/Stern pinball)|Harley Davidson]]'' || 1999 || John Borg & Lonnie D. Ropp || [[Harley-Davidson]]
* ''High Roller Casino'' (2001){{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}
|-
* ''[[Austin Powers|Austin Powers (pinball)]]'' (2001, designed by [[John Borg pinball designer|John Borg]] and based on the ''[[Austin Powers]]'' film series)
| ''Striker Xtreme'' || 2000|| Joe Balcer || Original Theme
* ''[[NFL (pinball)|NFL]]'' (2001) (basically a modification of Striker Xtreme)
|-
* ''[[Playboy (pinball)|Playboy]]'' (2002, originally planned for the [[Pinball 2000]] platform,{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} prototype exists)(Design by George Gomez)
| ''Sharkey's Shootout'' || 2000 || John Borg || Original Theme
* ''[[RollerCoaster Tycoon]]'' (2002) produced by PLD)
|-
* ''[[The Simpsons Pinball Party]]'' (2003)
| ''High Roller Casino'' || 2001 || Jon Norris || Original Theme
* ''[[List of Terminator video games|Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (pinball)]]'' (2003) produced by [[Steven Ritchie|Steve Ritchie]] Productions [SRP])
|-
* ''The Lord of the Rings'' (2003){{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} (Design by George Gomez)
| ''Austin Powers'' || 2001 || John Borg & Lonnie D. Ropp || [[Austin Powers]]
* ''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not! (pinball)|Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]'' (2004, produced by PLD, based on the series ''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]'')
|-
* ''[[Elvis (pinball)|Elvis]]'' (2004) produced by [[Steven Ritchie|Steve Ritchie]] Productions (SRP), also 500 Gold/LE models exist
| ''Monopoly'' || 2001 || [[Pat Lawlor]] || [[Monopoly (game)]]
* ''The Sopranos'' (2005, based on the series ''[[The Sopranos]]'')(Design by George Gomez)
|-
* ''[[NASCAR (pinball)|NASCAR]]'' (''[[Grand Prix (pinball)|Grand Prix]]'' in Europe) (2005; produced by PLD)
| ''NFL'' || 2001 || Joe Balcer || [[National Football League]]
* ''[[World Poker Tour (pinball)|World Poker Tour]]'' (2006) produced by SRP
|-
* ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (pinball)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' (2006) (based on the movie ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'')
| ''Playboy'' || 2002 || [[George Gomez]] & Dwight Sullivan || [[Playboy]]
* ''Dale Jr'' (600-unit limited edition,{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} based on the NASCAR game with new Dale Earnhardt, Jr, #8 art package)
|-
* ''[[Family Guy|Family Guy (pinball)]]'' (2007; produced by PLD)
| ''RollerCoaster Tycoon'' || 2002 || Pat Lawlor || [[RollerCoaster Tycoon]]
* ''[[Spider-Man (pinball)|Spider-Man]]'' (2007; produced by SRP, based on the [[Spider-Man]] films)
|-
* ''Black Suited Spider-Man'' (Limited edition version of Spider-Man game with new art package, mirrored backglass, webbed chrome side armor and [[Haptic technology#Video games|shaker motor]])
| ''[[The Simpsons Pinball Party]]'' || 2003 || Joe Balcer & Keith P. Johnson || [[The Simpsons]]
* ''[[Wheel of Fortune (pinball)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' (2007) (based on the TV show ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]])''
|-
* ''[[Shrek (franchise)|Shrek]]'' (2008) (based on all three movies; produced by PLD; modified version of ''Family Guy''){{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
| ''Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'' || 2003 || Steve Ritchie || [[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]
* ''Indiana Jones'' (2008) (based on all four movies)
|-
* ''Batman'' (2008) (based on the films ''[[Batman Begins]]'' and ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'')<ref>[http://www.sternpinball.com/Batman.shtml Stern Pinball's Official ''Batman'' Pinball webpage.] Retrieved 18 July 2008.</ref>(Design by George Gomez)
| ''The Lord of the Rings'' || 2003 || George Gomez || [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)]]
* ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (pinball)|CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' (2008; produced by PLD, based on the TV show ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'')<ref>[http://www.sternpinball.com/CSI.shtml Stern Pinball's Official ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' Pinball webpage.] Retrieved on 8 November 2008.</ref>
|-
* ''24'' (2009; produced by SRP, based on the TV show [[24 TV Series|24]])<ref>[http://www.sternpinball.com/24.shtml Stern Pinball's Official ''24'' Pinball webpage.] Retrieved 22 March 2009</ref>
| ''Ripley's Believe It or Not!'' || 2004 || Pat Lawlor || [[Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]
* ''NBA'' (2009) Lonnie Ropp, Gary Stern (designers) Based on the older Sega pinball ''[[Space Jam (pinball)|Space Jam]]''
|-
* ''The Lord of the Rings Limited Edition'' (Dec. 2009) gold mirrored backglass, shaker motor, gold package.
| ''Elvis'' || 2004 || [[Steve Ritchie (pinball designer)|Steve Ritchie]] || [[Elvis Presley]]
* ''Big Buck Hunter'' (2010) John Borg (designer)
|-
* ''[[Iron Man 2|Iron Man (pinball)]]'' (2010) John Borg (designer) Based on the film [[Iron Man (2008 film)|''Iron Man'']]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tilt.it/flipper_pinball/2010/03/enada-primavera-2010/ |title= Enada Coin-op Trade Show 2010| publisher=TILT.IT | access-date=9 October 2010}}</ref>
| ''The Sopranos'' || 2005 || George Gomez || [[The Sopranos]]
* ''Iron Man Classic'' (2010) (home edition)
|-
* ''[[Avatar (pinball)|AVATAR]]'' (2010) John Borg (designer), Based on James Cameron's ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|AVATAR]]''<ref>[http://www.pinballnews.com/games/avatar/index.html Stern's new Avatar game.] pinballnews.com. Retrieved 9 October 2010.</ref>
| ''Grand Prix'' || 2005 || Pat Lawlor || Original
* ''AVATAR Limited Edition (250 units)'' James Cameron's (2010) [[Haptic technology#Video games|shaker motor]], Chrome trim, white powerball, additional code, moving AMP suit feet, motorized transporter pod lid, and additional figures added.<ref>[http://www.pinballnews.com/news/avatarle.html Stern's new Avatar Limited game.] pinballnews.com. Retrieved 9 October 2010.</ref>
|-
* ''[[Rolling Stones (pinball)|Rolling Stones]]'' (2011) ''[[Rolling Stones]]'' theme<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinballnews.com/games/rollingstones/index.html |title=The Rolling Stones |publisher=Pinball News |access-date=2011-07-02}}</ref>
| ''NASCAR'' || 2005|| Pat Lawlor || [[NASCAR]]
* ''Rolling Stones Limited Edition'' (350 units) Includes a real screened backglass, white powerball, [[Haptic technology#Video games|shaker motor]], 2 under playfield magnets, up-post and 2 outer post ball savers activated by 2 additional flipper buttons.
|-
* ''[[TRON (pinball)|TRON]]'' (2011) John Borg (designer), Based on ''[[Tron: Legacy]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinballnews.com/games/tron/index.html |title=Tron: Legacy|publisher=Pinball News |access-date=2011-07-02}}</ref>
| ''World Poker Tour'' || 2006|| Steve Ritchie || [[World Poker Tour]]
* ''TRON Limited Edition'' (400 units) Chrome trim, Color changing fiber optic light tubes that run on both ramps, additional code, moving recognizer toy, and 4-bank drop targets instead of stand ups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinballnews.com/games/tron/index3.html |title=TRON Limited Edition |publisher=Pinball News |date=2011-05-06 |access-date=2011-07-02}}</ref>
|-
* ''Transformers'' 2011 George Gomez (designer)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sternpinball.com/Media/Videos/Games/transformers-pinball-coming-soon.aspx |title=Transformers Pinball Coming Soon |publisher=Pinball News |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinballnews.com/games/transformers/index3.html |title=Transformers |publisher=Pinball News |date=9 September 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011}}</ref>
| ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' || 2006 || Dennis Nordman || [[Pirates of the Caribbean]]
* ''Transformers Limited Edition'' (500 units combo edition) Includes a [[Haptic technology#Video games|shaker motor]] and additional features, added Megatron drop target and firing cannon, upper Ironhide mini playfield, moving Starscream moving platform as well as powder coated crimson and violet trim and legs.
|-
* ''Transformers Limited Edition'' (125 units Decepticon version) All the same features as the combo except an exclusive art translite and all violet trim.
| ''Dale Jr.'' || 2007|| Pat Lawlor|| [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]]
* ''Transformers Limited Edition'' (125 units Autobots version) All the same features as the combo except an exclusive art translite and all crimson trim.
|-
* ''[[AC/DC (pinball)|AC/DC]]'' (2012) Steve Ritchie (designer)<ref name=PN>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pinballnews.com/games/acdc/index.html|title=Pinball News – First and Free|website=www.pinballnews.com}}</ref>
| ''Family Guy'' || 2007 || Pat Lawlor || [[Family Guy]]
* ''AC/DC Premium'' A full featured design geared toward the enthusiast with all the features that the designer intended<ref name=PN/>
|-
* ''AC/DC Limited Edition Back in Black'' (300 units) Same features as the Premium but with added [[Haptic technology#Video games|shaker motor]], a larger 12" subwoofer, as well as a distinctive cabinet art package with black/chrome trim and legs, and exclusive real screened backglass.
| ''[[Spider-Man (pinball)|Spider-Man]]'' || 2007 || Stevie Ritchie || [[Spider-Man in film#Sam Raimi's trilogy|Spider-Man (Sam Raimi's film trilogy)]]
* ''AC/DC Limited Edition Let There Be Rock'' (200 units) Same features as the premium but with added [[Haptic technology#Video games|shaker motor]], an exclusive real screened backglass art, a larger 12" subwoofer and red/yellow trim and legs.
|-
* ''[[X-Men (pinball)|X-Men]]'' (2012) John Borg (designer)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sternpinball.com/Games/x.aspx|title=Sternpinball.com}}</ref>
| ''Wheel of Fortune'' || 2007|| Dennis Nordman || [[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)]]
* ''X-Men Limited Edition Wolverine'' (300 units) Same features as the Pro with these additional features, real screened dedicated backglass, 2 added pop up targets, moving iceman ramp, added spinning disc/magnet. Blue powdercoated trim.
|-
* ''X-Men Limited Edition Magneto'' (250 units) Same features as the Pro with these additional features, real screened dedicated backglass, 2 added pop up targets, moving iceman ramp, added spinning disc/magnet. Red powdercoated trim.
| ''Indiana Jones'' || 2008 || John Borg || First four [[Indiana Jones]] films
* ''[[Avengers (pinball)|Avengers]]'' (2012) (Design by George Gomez)
|-
* ''Avengers Blue LE'' (250 units) (Design by George Gomez)
* ''Avengers Green Hulk LE'' (250 units) (Design by George Gomez)
| ''Batman (The Dark Knight)'' || 2008 || George Gomez || First two films in [[The Dark Knight Trilogy]]
|-
* ''Transformers The Pin'' (2012) (intended for home use) (Design by George Gomez)
| ''Shrek'' || 2008 || Pat Lawlor || First 3 [[Shrek (franchise)|Shrek]] films
* ''Avengers The Pin'' (2013) (intended for home use) (Design by George Gomez)
|-
* ''[[Metallica (pinball)|Metallica]]'' (2013) (designed by John Borg, art by Dirty Donny)
| ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (pinball)|CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' || 2008|| Pat Lawlor || [[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]
* ''Metallica Premium'' Hammer smash toy with disappearing ball to under playfield coffin lock, Moving grave marker cross, inline 3-bank drop targets, Ball-eating snake mouth animated, "Sparky" figurine animated on an electric chair.
|-
* ''Metallica Master of Puppets LE'' (500 units) Platinum trim, screened backglass, John Borg's signature under hard coat.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica Master of Puppets LE|url=http://www.sternpinball.com/Games/metallica-master-of-puppets-le.aspx|publisher=Stern|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref>
* ''Star Trek'' (2013) Steve Ritchie (designer) First Pro debut with all LED lighting as standard.
| ''24'' || 2008 || Steve Ritchie || [[24 (TV series)]]
|-
* ''Star Trek Premium''
| ''NBA'' || 2008 || John Borg & Ray Tanzer || [[National Basketball Association]]
* ''Star Trek LE'' (799 units)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sternpinball.com/Games/star-trek.aspx|title=Sternpinball.com}}</ref>
|-
* ''Mustang'' (2014) John Trudeau (designer)
| ''Big Buck Hunter Pro'' || 2009 || John Borg || [[Big Buck Hunter]]
* ''Mustang Premium''
|-
* ''Mustang LE''
| ''Iron Man'' || 2010 || John Borg || First two [[List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films#Films|Iron Man]] films
*''[[Stern (game company)|The Walking Dead]]'' (2014) (designed by John Borg)
|-
* ''The Walking Dead LE (600 units)''
| ''Avatar'' || 2010 || John Borg || [[Avatar (2009 film)]]
* ''The Walking Dead Premium''
|-
* ''Wrestlemania'' (2015)
| ''The Rolling Stones'' || 2011 || Tom Kopera || [[The Rolling Stones]]
* ''Wrestlemania LE''
|-
* ''Kiss'' (2015)
| ''TRON: Legacy'' || 2011 || John Borg || [[TRON: Legacy]]
* ''Game of Thrones'' (2015)
|-
* ''Whoa Nellie!'' (2015)
* ''Spider-Man Home Edition'' (2016) (Design by George Gomez)
| ''Transformers'' || 2011 || George Gomez || [[Transformers (film series)]]
|-
* ''[[Spider-Man (pinball)|Spider-Man Vault Edition]]'' (2016) (redesign of the existing Spider-Man with new playfield- and DMD-graphics, and new music and sound effects)
| ''[[AC/DC (pinball)|AC/DC]]'' || 2012 || Steve Ritchie || [[AC/DC]]
* ''[[Ghostbusters (pinball)|Ghostbusters]]'' (2016) (based on the first two films)<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Porges | first=Seth | date=19 April 2016 | title=What You Need To Know About The New 'Ghostbusters' Pinball Machine | magazine=[[Forbes]] | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethporges/2016/04/19/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-ghostbusters-pinball-machine/#847f1a835cee | access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref>
|-
* ''The Pabst Can Crusher'' (2016) (retheme of Whoa Nellie!)
| ''X-Men'' || 2012 || John Borg || [[X-Men]]
* ''Batman '66'' (2016) (based on the [[Batman (TV series)|''Batman'']] television series from 1966<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/stern-pinball/stern-is-making-a-batman-66-pinball-machine-starri/|title=Stern is Making a Batman '66 Pinball Machine Starring Adam West|date=30 August (Design by George Gomez) 2016|website=pastemagazine.com}}</ref>)
|-
* ''Aerosmith'' (2017)
| ''The Avengers'' || 2012 || George Gomez || [[The Avengers (2012 film)]]
* ''Star Wars'' (2017)
|-
* ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' (2017)
| ''Metallica'' || 2013 || John Borg || [[Metallica]]
* ''Iron Maiden'' (2018) (first design of Keith Elwin)
|-
* ''Supreme'' (2018) (retheme of Spider-Man Home Edition)(Design by George Gomez)
| ''Star Trek'' || 2013 || Steve Ritchie || J.J. Abrams [[List of Star Trek films#Reboot (Kelvin timeline) films|Star Trek]] films
* ''Deadpool'' (2018) (based on the comics) (Design by George Gomez)
|-
* ''The Beatles'' (2018) (Ka-Pow Pinball collaboration, with only 1,964 machines produced) (Design by George Gomez- evolution of Sea Witch by Mike Kubin.)
| ''Mustang'' || 2014 || John Trudeau || [[Ford Mustang]]
* ''Primus'' (2018) (retheme of Whoa Nellie!)
|-
* ''The Munsters'' (2019) (based on 1960s TV series ''[[The Munsters]]'')
| ''The Walking Dead'' || 2014 || John Borg || [[The Walking Dead (TV series)]]
* ''Black Knight: Sword of Rage'' (2019) (designed by Steve Ritchie as a sequel to ''[[Black Knight (pinball)|Black Knight]]'' and ''[[Black Knight 2000]]'', which he designed for Williams in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sternpinball.com/game/black-knight/|title=Black Knight: Sword of Rage|first=Stern|last=Pinball|website=Stern Pinball}}</ref>)
|-
* ''Star Wars Pin'' (2019) (intended for home use) (Design by George Gomez)
| ''WWE: Wrestlemania'' || 2015 || John Trudeau || [[WWE]]
* ''Jurassic Park'' (2019)
|-
* ''Elvira's House of Horrors'' (2019)
| ''Whoa Nellie: Big Juicy Melons'' || 2015 || Dennis Nordman || Original Theme
* ''Star Wars Comic Art'' (2019) (redesign of the existing Star Wars)
|-
* ''Stranger Things'' (2019)
| ''KISS'' || 2015 || John Borg || [[Kiss (band)]]
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (2020)
|-
* ''Avengers: Infinity Quest'' (2020)
| ''Game of Thrones'' || 2015 || Steve Ritchie || [[Game of Thrones]]
* ''Heavy Metal'' (2020) (Based off the popular magazine ''[[Heavy Metal (magazine)|Heavy Metal]]'')
|-
* ''Led Zeppelin'' (2020)
| ''[[Ghostbusters (pinball)|Ghostbusters]]'' || 2016 || John Trudeau || First two [[Ghostbusters (franchise)#Films|Ghostbusters]] films
* ''The Mandalorian'' (2021) (Lead designer Brian Eddy) (Announced May 4, officially revealed May 11.)
|-

| ''Batman 66'' || 2016 || George Gomez || [[Batman (TV series)]]
<!---Do NOT add any information or rumors about future games until it is announced on Stern Pinball's webpage or Stern's official press releases.--->
|-
{{div col end}}
| ''Aerosmith'' || 2017 || John Borg || [[Aerosmith]]
|-
| ''Star Wars'' || 2017 || Steve Ritchie || [[Star Wars original trilogy]]
|-
| ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' || 2017 || John Borg || [[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)]]
|-
| ''Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast'' || 2018 || Keith Elwin || [[Iron Maiden]]
|-
| ''Supreme'' || 2018 || George Gomez || [[Supreme (brand)]]
|-
| ''[[Deadpool (pinball)|Deadpool]]'' || 2018 || George Gomez || [[Deadpool]]
|-
| ''The Beatles'' || 2018 || Joe Kaminkow || [[The Beatles]]
|-
|- ''Primus'' || 2018 || Dennis Nordman || [[Primus (band)]]
|-
| ''Munsters'' || 2019 || John Borg || [[The Munsters]]
|-
| ''Black Knight: Sword of Rage'' || 2019 || Steve Ritchie || Sequel to [[Black Knight (pinball)]] and [[Black Knight 2000]]
|-
| ''[[Jurassic Park (pinball)|Jurassic Park]]'' || 2019 || Keith Elwin || [[Jurassic Park (film)]]
|-
| ''Elvira's House of Horrors''' || 2019|| Dennis Nordman || [[Elvira's Movie Macabre]] and a sequel to [[Elvira and the Party Monsters]] and [[Scared Stiff (pinball)]]
|-
| ''Stranger Things'' || 2019 || Brian Eddy || [[Stranger Things]]
|-
| ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' || 2020 || John Borg || [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]
|-
| ''Heavy Metal'' || 2020 || George Gomez || ''[[Heavy Metal (magazine)|Heavy Metal]]''
|-
| ''Avengers: Infinity Quest'' || 2020 || Keith Elwin || [[Avengers (comics)]]
|-
| ''Led Zeppelin'' || 2020 || Steve Ritchie || [[Led Zeppelin]]
|-
| ''The Mandalorian'' || 2021 || Brian Eddy || [[The Mandalorian]]
|-
| ''Godzilla'' || 2021 || Keith Elwin || [[Godzilla]]
|-
| ''Rush'' || 2022 || John Borg || [[Rush (band)]]
|-
| ''James Bond 007'' || 2022 || George Gomez || Sean Connery [[Portrayal of James Bond in film#Films|James Bond]] films
|-
| ''James Bond 007 60th Anniversary'' || 2022 || Keith Elwin|| All [[James Bond#Films|James Bond]] Films
|-
| ''Foo Fighters'' || 2023 || Jack Danger || [[Foo Fighters]]
|-
| ''Venom'' || 2023 || Brian Eddy || [[Venom (character)]]
|-
|''Jaws'' || 2024|| Keith Elwin || [[Jaws (franchise)]]
|-
| ''John Wick'' || 2024|| TBA ||[[John Wick]]
|}<ref>{{cite web |title=Pinside Game Archive >> Stern (Manufacturer) |url=https://pinside.com/pinball/machine/stern |website=Pinside}}</ref>
<!---Do NOT add any information or rumors about future games until it is announced on Stern Pinball's webpage or Stern's official--->


==Arcade games manufactured by Stern==
==Arcade games manufactured by Stern==
Line 190: Line 250:
* ''Strategy X'' (1981) (programmed by [[Konami]])
* ''Strategy X'' (1981) (programmed by [[Konami]])
* ''Jungler'' (1981) (programmed by [[Konami]])
* ''Jungler'' (1981) (programmed by [[Konami]])
* ''Armored Car'' (1981)
* ''[[Armored Car (video game)|Armored Car]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Amidar]]'' (1981) (programmed by [[Konami]])
* ''[[Amidar]]'' (1981) (programmed by [[Konami]])
* ''[[Frenzy (1982 video game)|Frenzy]]'' (1982)<ref name="arcade-museum.com"/>
* ''[[Frenzy (1982 video game)|Frenzy]]'' (1982)<ref name="arcade-museum.com"/>
Line 208: Line 268:
* ''[[Cliff Hanger (video game)|Cliff Hanger]]'' (1983)<ref name="arcade-museum.com"/> (laserdisc game using video footage from [[TMS Entertainment|TMS]])
* ''[[Cliff Hanger (video game)|Cliff Hanger]]'' (1983)<ref name="arcade-museum.com"/> (laserdisc game using video footage from [[TMS Entertainment|TMS]])
* ''Great Guns'' (1984)
* ''Great Guns'' (1984)
* ''Goal To Go'' (1984) (laserdisc game)
* ''Goal to Go'' (1984) (laserdisc game)
* ''Super Bagman'' (1984)<ref name="arcade-museum.com" /> (programmed by Valadon Automation)
* ''Super Bagman'' (1984)<ref name="arcade-museum.com" /> (programmed by Valadon Automation)


Line 216: Line 276:
==External links==
==External links==
* {{official website|1=http://www.sternpinball.com/|2=Stern Pinball, Inc. official website}}
* {{official website|1=http://www.sternpinball.com/|2=Stern Pinball, Inc. official website}}
* [http://www.arcade-museum.com/manuf_detail.php?manuf_id=1644&game_id=7096 Stern Pinball, Inc.] at the Arcade Museum website
* [https://www.kineticist.co/pinball-manufacturers/stern-pinball-inc List of Stern Pinball Machines] at Kineticist
* [https://gameroomblog.com/reviews/cheap-pretty-and-fast-a-look-at-classic-stern-pinballs The GameRoom Blog: Cheap, Pretty and Fast: A Look at Classic Stern Pinballs]

{{The Pinball Arcade}}


[[Category:Stern Electronics pinball machines|*]]
[[Category:Stern Electronics pinball machines|*]]

Revision as of 17:51, 3 May 2024

Stern
IndustryArcade games
Founded1977 (Stern Electronics), 1986 (Stern Pinball)
Headquarters
United States
Key people
Sam Stern
Gary Stern, Chairman
Seth Davis, CEO
ProductsArcade video games, pinball machines
OwnerGary Stern
Websitesternpinball.com

Stern is the name of two different but related arcade gaming companies. Stern Electronics, Inc. manufactured arcade video games and pinball machines from 1977 until 1985, and was best known for Berzerk. Stern Pinball, Inc., founded in 1986 as Data East Pinball, is a manufacturer of pinball machines in North America.

Stern Electronics, Inc.

Stern Electronics was formed when the Stern family bought the financially troubled Chicago Coin in 1977. Chicago Coin's assets were purchased at bankruptcy sales forming the core inventory of Stern Electronics, Inc.; however, as a separate company, they did not assume any of the debt Chicago Coin had amassed.

The first two games made by Stern were Stampede and Rawhide, both originally made by Chicago Coin, which only had changes made to their branding and logos. After a weak start, Stern Electronics' sales started picking up by the end of 1977. By 1978, they had switched over to fully solid-state electronics for their games. In 1979, Stern acquired the jukebox production assets of the bankrupt Seeburg Corporation, and the company became known as Stern / Seeburg. Coincidentally, Seeburg also owned Williams in the 1960s, when Sam Stern was its president.

When arcade video games became popular in 1980, Stern Electronics produced Berzerk. In 1983, Stern became one of many victims of the amusement industry economic shakeout that occurred. In 1985, Stern Electronics left the amusement industry. Personnel from Stern Electronics formed a short-lived venture known as Pinstar, producing conversion kits for old Bally and Stern machines. Gary Stern was the president of Stern Electronics, Inc, Pinstar Inc, and Data East pinball.

On March 16, 2023, Atari announced that it had acquired the intellectual property rights to 12 Stern Electronics titles, including Berzerk and Frenzy.[1]

Stern Pinball, Inc.

By 1999, the pinball industry was virtually dead and Sega left the pinball industry, and in October 1999 sold its pinball division, previously purchased from Data East in 1994,[2] to Gary Stern, the son of Sam Stern, who had been running Data East/Sega pinball since 1986, and Stern Pinball was born.[2][3][4] Stern Pinball, Inc. is based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

As of 2023, longtime designers Brian Eddy, John Borg, and George Gomez are designing pinball games at Stern Pinball, alongside top-ranking competitive player Keith Elwin and popular pinball streamer Jack Danger.[5]

Some Stern pinball tables were also digitally released through The Pinball Arcade and Stern Pinball Arcade.

Pinball machines

Stern Electronics

  • Stampede (1977)
  • Rawhide (1977)
  • Disco (1977)
  • Pinball (1977)
  • Stingray (1977)
  • Stars (1978)
  • Memory Lane (1978)
  • Lectronamo (1978)
  • Wild Fyre (1978)
  • Nugent (1978)
  • Dracula (1979)
  • Trident (1979)
  • Hot Hand (1979)
  • Magic (1979)
  • Cosmic Princess (1979) (Produced in Australia by Leisure and Allied Industries under license from Stern Electronics Inc)[6][7]
  • Meteor (1979) (Highest production of all Stern Electronics' Pinballs)[7]
  • Galaxy (1980)
  • Ali (1980)
  • Big Game (1980) (First game to incorporate seven-digit scoring in the digital era)[8]
  • Seawitch (1980)
  • Cheetah (1980)
  • Quicksilver (1980)
  • Star Gazer (1980)
  • Flight 2000 (1980) (Stern's first game with multi-ball and speech)
  • Nine Ball (1980)
  • Freefall (1981)
  • Lightning (1981)
  • Split Second (1981)
  • Catacomb (1981)
  • Viper (1981)
  • Dragonfist (1982)
  • Iron Maiden (1982) (Unrelated to the British heavy metal band)
  • Orbitor 1 (1982) (Featured a 3d-vacuum formed playfield with spinning rubber bumpers causing frenetic ball action; it was the company's last released game)[7]
  • Cue (1982) (Six machines built)
  • Lazer Lord (1984) (One prototype built)

Stern Pinball

Machine Name Year Lead Designer License Source
Harley Davidson 1999 John Borg & Lonnie D. Ropp Harley-Davidson
Striker Xtreme 2000 Joe Balcer Original Theme
Sharkey's Shootout 2000 John Borg Original Theme
High Roller Casino 2001 Jon Norris Original Theme
Austin Powers 2001 John Borg & Lonnie D. Ropp Austin Powers
Monopoly 2001 Pat Lawlor Monopoly (game)
NFL 2001 Joe Balcer National Football League
Playboy 2002 George Gomez & Dwight Sullivan Playboy
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2002 Pat Lawlor RollerCoaster Tycoon
The Simpsons Pinball Party 2003 Joe Balcer & Keith P. Johnson The Simpsons
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines 2003 Steve Ritchie Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
The Lord of the Rings 2003 George Gomez The Lord of the Rings (film series)
Ripley's Believe It or Not! 2004 Pat Lawlor Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Elvis 2004 Steve Ritchie Elvis Presley
The Sopranos 2005 George Gomez The Sopranos
Grand Prix 2005 Pat Lawlor Original
NASCAR 2005 Pat Lawlor NASCAR
World Poker Tour 2006 Steve Ritchie World Poker Tour
Pirates of the Caribbean 2006 Dennis Nordman Pirates of the Caribbean
Dale Jr. 2007 Pat Lawlor Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Family Guy 2007 Pat Lawlor Family Guy
Spider-Man 2007 Stevie Ritchie Spider-Man (Sam Raimi's film trilogy)
Wheel of Fortune 2007 Dennis Nordman Wheel of Fortune (American game show)
Indiana Jones 2008 John Borg First four Indiana Jones films
Batman (The Dark Knight) 2008 George Gomez First two films in The Dark Knight Trilogy
Shrek 2008 Pat Lawlor First 3 Shrek films
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 2008 Pat Lawlor CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
24 2008 Steve Ritchie 24 (TV series)
NBA 2008 John Borg & Ray Tanzer National Basketball Association
Big Buck Hunter Pro 2009 John Borg Big Buck Hunter
Iron Man 2010 John Borg First two Iron Man films
Avatar 2010 John Borg Avatar (2009 film)
The Rolling Stones 2011 Tom Kopera The Rolling Stones
TRON: Legacy 2011 John Borg TRON: Legacy
Transformers 2011 George Gomez Transformers (film series)
AC/DC 2012 Steve Ritchie AC/DC
X-Men 2012 John Borg X-Men
The Avengers 2012 George Gomez The Avengers (2012 film)
Metallica 2013 John Borg Metallica
Star Trek 2013 Steve Ritchie J.J. Abrams Star Trek films
Mustang 2014 John Trudeau Ford Mustang
The Walking Dead 2014 John Borg The Walking Dead (TV series)
WWE: Wrestlemania 2015 John Trudeau WWE
Whoa Nellie: Big Juicy Melons 2015 Dennis Nordman Original Theme
KISS 2015 John Borg Kiss (band)
Game of Thrones 2015 Steve Ritchie Game of Thrones
Ghostbusters 2016 John Trudeau First two Ghostbusters films
Batman 66 2016 George Gomez Batman (TV series)
Aerosmith 2017 John Borg Aerosmith
Star Wars 2017 Steve Ritchie Star Wars original trilogy
Guardians of the Galaxy 2017 John Borg Guardians of the Galaxy (film)
Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast 2018 Keith Elwin Iron Maiden
Supreme 2018 George Gomez Supreme (brand)
Deadpool 2018 George Gomez Deadpool
The Beatles 2018 Joe Kaminkow The Beatles
Munsters 2019 John Borg The Munsters
Black Knight: Sword of Rage 2019 Steve Ritchie Sequel to Black Knight (pinball) and Black Knight 2000
Jurassic Park 2019 Keith Elwin Jurassic Park (film)
Elvira's House of Horrors' 2019 Dennis Nordman Elvira's Movie Macabre and a sequel to Elvira and the Party Monsters and Scared Stiff (pinball)
Stranger Things 2019 Brian Eddy Stranger Things
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2020 John Borg Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heavy Metal 2020 George Gomez Heavy Metal
Avengers: Infinity Quest 2020 Keith Elwin Avengers (comics)
Led Zeppelin 2020 Steve Ritchie Led Zeppelin
The Mandalorian 2021 Brian Eddy The Mandalorian
Godzilla 2021 Keith Elwin Godzilla
Rush 2022 John Borg Rush (band)
James Bond 007 2022 George Gomez Sean Connery James Bond films
James Bond 007 60th Anniversary 2022 Keith Elwin All James Bond Films
Foo Fighters 2023 Jack Danger Foo Fighters
Venom 2023 Brian Eddy Venom (character)
Jaws 2024 Keith Elwin Jaws (franchise)
John Wick 2024 TBA John Wick

[9]

Arcade games manufactured by Stern

  • Astro Invader (1980) (programmed by Konami)[10]
  • Berzerk (1980)[10]
  • The End (1980) (programmed by Konami)
  • Scramble (1981) (programmed by Konami)
  • Super Cobra (1981) (programmed by Konami)
  • Moon War (1981)
  • Turtles (1981) (programmed by Konami)[10]
  • Strategy X (1981) (programmed by Konami)
  • Jungler (1981) (programmed by Konami)
  • Armored Car (1981)
  • Amidar (1981) (programmed by Konami)
  • Frenzy (1982)[10]
  • Tazz-Mania (1982)
  • Tutankham (1982) (programmed by Konami)
  • Pooyan (1982)[10] (programmed by Konami)
  • Dark Planet (1982) (designed by Erick Erickson and Dan Langlois)
  • Rescue (1982)[10][11]
  • Calipso (1982) (developed by Stern, released by Tago Electronics)
  • Anteater (1982) (developed by Stern, released by Tago Electronics)
  • Mazer Blazer (1982)
  • Lost Tomb (1982)
  • Bagman (Le Bagnard) (1982) (programmed by Valadon Automation)
  • Pop Flamer (1982) (programmed by Jaleco)
  • Star Jacker (1983) (programmed by Sega)
  • Minefield (1983)[10]
  • Cliff Hanger (1983)[10] (laserdisc game using video footage from TMS)
  • Great Guns (1984)
  • Goal to Go (1984) (laserdisc game)
  • Super Bagman (1984)[10] (programmed by Valadon Automation)

References

  1. ^ "ATARI ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF BERZERK AND FRENZY IP". Atari. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Pinball Runs Out of Wizardry". Chicago Tribune.
  3. ^ Davey, Monica (25 April 2008). "For a Pinball Survivor, the Game Isn't Over". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
  4. ^ Pinball, Stern. "About". Stern Pinball.
  5. ^ Pinball, Stern. "Stern Pinball Enhances Game Design Studio". Stern Pinball.
  6. ^ "Cosmic Princess". Pinpedia.
  7. ^ a b c "The Internet Pinball Machine Database". www.ipdb.org.
  8. ^ "Internet Pinball Machine Database: Stern 'Big Game' Images". www.ipdb.org.
  9. ^ "Pinside Game Archive >> Stern (Manufacturer)". Pinside.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Stern Electronics – coin-operated machines". www.arcade-museum.com.
  11. ^ Sharpe, Roger C. (June 1983). "Insert Coin Here". Electronic Games. p. 92. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
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