John Borg: The Designer Behind Some of Pinball's Biggest Modern Hits
- Wizard Mod
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 2
One of Stern's Longest-Serving Designers
Few pinball designers have enjoyed the consistency of John Borg.
Unlike many legendary designers whose careers were interrupted by changes in the industry, John Borg has remained active almost continuously since the early days of Data East, through Sega Pinball, and into today's Stern Pinball.
For decades he has helped shape some of the most popular pinball machines ever produced, creating games that continue to entertain collectors around the world.
The Beginning at Data East
John Borg's first major success came during his time at Data East with Star Wars.
It was the beginning of a career that would span several decades and multiple generations of pinball players.
As the industry evolved from Data East to Sega Pinball and eventually Stern Pinball, John Borg remained part of the same development family, making him one of the longest-serving designers still creating games today.
TRON: One of the Greatest modern Pinball Machines
One of John Borg's most celebrated designs is TRON: Legacy.
The combination of spectacular lighting, incredible sound design and fast gameplay quickly made it one of Stern's modern classics.
Its futuristic artwork also makes it one of our favourite machines to customise.
Metallica Continues to Be a Fan Favourite
Another enormous success came with Metallica.
Years later, Stern revisited the game with Metallica Remastered, introducing updated artwork, new technology and gameplay refinements while preserving everything players loved about the original.
It remains one of the most popular music-themed pinball machines ever produced.
The Walking Dead Is Still One of Stern's Best Games
Among collectors, The Walking Dead has earned a reputation as one of John Borg's finest achievements.
The challenging gameplay, dark atmosphere and excellent rules make it a machine that rewards repeated play and continues to be highly regarded years after its release.
More recently, Stern introduced The Walking Dead Remastered, bringing the game to a new generation of players.
If you're curious about the differences between both versions, The Walking Dead Remastered vs Original.
Star Wars: Fall of the Empire
John Borg continues designing new games today.
One of his latest releases is Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, another example of his long-standing relationship with Stern Pinball and licensed themes.
As with many of his designs, the game combines exciting gameplay with spectacular artwork that looks even better when extended with custom pinball mods.
What Defines a John Borg Machine?
John Borg's machines have always focused on creating fun, approachable gameplay combined with strong licensed themes.
Rather than chasing a single signature feature, his designs adapt to each license, allowing the artwork, toys and gameplay to work together naturally.
That flexibility has helped him remain one of the industry's most productive designers for decades, delivering games that appeal to both casual players and serious collectors alike.
Continue Exploring Our Legendary Pinball Designers Series
Every legendary pinball machine begins with a legendary designer. Our Legendary Pinball Designers Series explores the creative minds behind some of the greatest games ever built, from timeless classics to today's most innovative machines. Along the way, you'll also discover the pinball mods inspired by their iconic creations, helping collectors take these incredible games even further.
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