Pokémon New Code 0.86 First Impressions

Something has changed in Pokémon Pinball.

Stern has just released code version 0.86.0 for Pokémon, and after spending some time looking through the new features and seeing the first reactions from players, it is becoming much easier to see where this machine is heading.

The biggest difference?

It finally feels much more like a Pokémon game about collecting Pokémon.

The Pokédex Changes Everything

The headline feature of 0.86 is the new Pokémon collection system.

The game now adds 31 Pokémon, and your collection can be viewed through Stern's connected system. That might sound like a relatively small addition, but it changes the motivation behind playing the machine.

Catching a Pokémon is no longer just something that happens during a game.

You are building a collection.

And suddenly there is another reason to start another game: which Pokémon can I catch next?

That is an incredibly natural fit for Pokémon, and it is exactly the sort of long-term progression the machine needed.

The new update also adds Achievements, giving players another layer of goals to work towards.

New Pokémon, New Modes

The update isn't just about tracking.

There is also a substantial amount of new gameplay.

Pikachu vs Mimikyu follows Pikachu vs Raichu and introduces a new multiball, with battle targets, Pikachu jackpots and a Super Jackpot sequence.

Then there are new second-stage Pokémon modes for the original starters.

Bulbasaur 2 introduces a shot-selection mechanic where the flipper buttons move two different shot arrows, with overlapping them producing triple awards.

Squirtle 2 changes the rhythm completely, asking players to put out shots that are "on fire" before completing the mode.

And Charmander 2 focuses on ramp combos, with six completed ramp shots required to light the Pokédex captive ball.

These are not simply extra animations or additional callouts.

They give the player new things to actually do.

Travel Makes the Beginning More Interesting

Another particularly interesting addition is the ability to unlock Travel at game start.

Once you've logged into the connected system and played the Forest Battle, you can unlock the ability to travel to other biomes at the beginning of a game.

That gives experienced players much more control over how they approach a game, while also making the different environments feel more important.

It is another small feature that fits the Pokémon concept extremely well.

You're not simply playing the same game over and over.

You're travelling through the Pokémon world and building your collection.

The First Reactions Are Very Encouraging

The timing of this update is important because Pokémon has been in a strange position since launch.

The machine itself has generally been described as fun, accessible and extremely easy to understand, but the early code was clearly leaving players wanting more.

That sentiment is visible in player discussions from the previous versions. Several owners specifically mentioned wanting the Pokédex and Achievements, while others said they were waiting for more substantial code before deciding how much long-term potential the machine had.

Now those features have arrived.

And the reaction to 0.86 has been noticeably more enthusiastic, with players immediately pointing out how much new content has been added and how much more interesting the progression feels.

That doesn't mean we can declare the final Pokémon code finished.

Far from it.

But 0.86 feels like an important step.

Pokémon Is Starting to Make More Sense

This is probably the most interesting thing about the update.

The original concept of Pokémon Pinball was always strong.

Catch Pokémon.

Battle Pokémon.

Build your collection.

Explore different areas.

The new code is finally connecting more of those ideas together.

And once you combine the new modes with the Pokédex, Achievements and Travel system, the machine starts giving players a much stronger reason to keep coming back.

Our Pokémon Pinball Review made the point that it was still very early to judge the machine's final depth.

After 0.86, that feels even more true.

There is now considerably more of the game to explore.

A Very Good Time to Own Pokémon

The most exciting thing about Pokémon Pinball right now is that it doesn't feel finished.

And that's actually a good thing.

The foundation was already there: smooth shots, colourful presentation, great animations and a theme that fits pinball almost perfectly.

Now the code is beginning to catch up with the concept.

If you're looking for ways to personalise the machine while following its development, our Best Pokémon Pinball Mods covers some of our favourite upgrades, while the complete Pokémon Pinball Mods collection brings them all together.

For now, the verdict on 0.86 is simple:

Pokémon Pinball just got a lot more interesting.

And if Stern keeps building the code in this direction, there is still a lot more to come.