An official Pokémon pinball machine is on the way, the result of a collaboration between The Pokémon Company International and Stern Pinball. The release blends arcade hardware with one of gaming’s most recognizable franchises, but it arrives with pricing that places it firmly in the collector category. Depending on the edition, the Pokémon pinball machine costs between $6,999 and $12,999.
Stern Pinball, known for licensed machines tied to film, music, and television properties, has built this table around the original Kanto-era Pokémon. Players can assemble a team featuring Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, and Pikachu, while attempting to capture up to 182 Pokémon. Most of those creatures come from the original Kanto region, with additional content expected to roll out over time.
The gameplay structure mirrors core elements of the video game series. Players can complete Gym Battles across four different biomes and eventually face off against Team Rocket. Progress is tracked through Stern’s companion app, which logs captured Pokémon and builds out a digital Pokédex tied to the machine. This hybrid approach reflects how modern pinball machines increasingly incorporate connected features to extend engagement beyond the cabinet itself.
Visually and mechanically, the machine leans heavily into nostalgia. The playfield artwork and sound design draw from the original animated series, with a built-in monitor that plays clips from the show. A standout feature is the animatronic Pikachu integrated into the cabinet, adding a moving character element that responds during gameplay. The plunger is styled as a Master Ball, reinforcing the collectible theme at a tactile level.
The wide price range reflects Stern’s typical tiered model. Lower-priced versions generally offer the same core gameplay but fewer premium cabinet upgrades, while the higher-end editions include enhanced art packages, upgraded components, and additional cosmetic details aimed at collectors. For most buyers, this is less an impulse purchase and more a long-term entertainment investment or display piece.
In the broader context of arcade hardware, licensed pinball machines have become increasingly elaborate — and expensive. Limited production runs, rising manufacturing costs, and niche demand have pushed modern pinball pricing far beyond that of earlier decades. The Pokémon pinball machine fits squarely within that trend, combining a globally recognized brand with specialized hardware.
For fans searching for details about the official Pokémon pinball machine, the appeal is clear: physical gameplay built around familiar characters, layered objectives tied to Gym Battles and Pokédex completion, and audiovisual callbacks to the franchise’s early years. Whether that justifies the $6,999 to $12,999 price tag will depend on how much value buyers place on nostalgia, collectibility, and the enduring appeal of pinball in a digital-first era.
