Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball Review

Star Wars has already had several lives in pinball, so making another machine based on the original trilogy is not an easy task.

Star Wars: Fall of the Empire takes a different approach from Stern's 2017 Star Wars, focusing heavily on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Designed by John Borg, the game puts the player directly into some of the most memorable moments of the trilogy, from the Battle of Hoth to the Death Star and Jabba's palace.

It is fast, colourful and immediately recognisable — and it feels like a very accessible way to enter modern Stern pinball.

Gameplay

Fall of the Empire is built around constant action.

The game gives you a large collection of objectives to work towards, with Rebel and Empire-themed modes, multiballs and several major Star Wars moments playing out as you progress.

The shots are generally easy to understand, which makes the machine welcoming to newer players. At the same time, the tighter shots and deeper scoring opportunities give experienced players plenty to improve.

A particularly nice touch is the way the game keeps rewarding you with something visually or mechanically interesting as you progress.

Layout & Flow

John Borg has created a fairly open fan layout with a large number of major shots spread across the playfield.

That openness gives the game a very different feel from many of Borg's more punishing designs. Shots are easy to identify and the ball moves rapidly between the major areas of the playfield.

The game can be extremely fast, but once you learn the geometry, the speed becomes part of the fun rather than something you simply have to survive.

The Death Star shot, Sarlacc Pit and central jump ramp each give the layout their own identity, while the Premium and LE versions add the motorised hyperspace and AT-AT features.

Rules and Code

This is probably the most interesting part of reviewing Fall of the Empire right now.

The code is still evolving.

That means it is too early to make a final judgement about the complete ruleset. There is already plenty to do, but Stern continues to develop the software, and future updates can add more depth, improve progression and change the way experienced players approach the game.

That's actually a positive when looking at a machine like this.

The foundation is already there: multiple multiballs, character and story modes, objectives and risk-reward decisions. As the software matures, the machine has the potential to become an even deeper Star Wars experience.

For a new Stern, that possibility is part of the appeal.

Theme & Artwork

This might be the strongest part of Fall of the Empire.

The machine captures the original trilogy beautifully, with artwork and animations built around moments that practically everyone recognises.

The Death Star, AT-AT, Millennium Falcon, Jabba and the Sarlacc all give the machine an immediate cinematic identity.

The artwork also works particularly well with customisation. Our Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball Mods collection includes everything from WizBlades and WizPanels to WizAprons, WizDoors, WizWings and WizShooters.

The Holographic WizBlades are especially interesting on this machine, adding an extra shimmering effect that fits the futuristic theme beautifully.

Sound & Atmosphere

Star Wars without the music simply wouldn't be Star Wars.

Fall of the Empire makes excellent use of the familiar soundtrack, sound effects and dialogue to create an atmosphere that feels instantly recognisable.

The upgraded audio system and larger Spike 3 display also give the presentation considerably more presence.

The result is a machine that feels particularly good in a home environment, where the combination of music, lighting and screen animation can really become part of the experience.

Pro, Premium or LE?

Stern offers Pro, Premium and Limited Edition versions.

The Pro gives you the core game at the lowest price and retains the essential Star Wars experience. It is arguably the easiest version to recommend if gameplay is your priority.

The Premium adds the more elaborate hardware, including the motorised hyperspace system and additional physical features.

The LE takes the presentation a step further with upgraded artwork, trim and additional visual details, making it particularly attractive to collectors and serious Star Wars fans.

All three play the same fundamental game, so the choice largely comes down to how much you value the extra hardware and presentation.

Who Is This Machine For?

Fall of the Empire is particularly well suited to Star Wars fans, casual players and people who want a fast modern Stern that is easy to understand.

It is also a good choice for families and locations because you don't need to spend hours learning complicated rules before you can start having fun.

Experienced players may find more depth as the software continues to develop, so this is one of those machines where the long-term experience is still taking shape.

And if you enjoy demanding modern pinball, our Hardest Modern Pinball Machines Ever Made guide shows how this compares with some of Stern's more punishing games.

Final Verdict

Star Wars: Fall of the Empire is a machine that puts accessibility, spectacle and theme at the centre of the experience.

The layout is fast and approachable, the original-trilogy presentation is excellent and the combination of music, lighting and iconic moments makes it immediately enjoyable.

The biggest question is the code.

Because the software is still evolving, the final version of the game has not yet been fully revealed. That leaves plenty of room for Stern to turn a very enjoyable Star Wars machine into something even deeper over time.

For Star Wars fans, that makes Fall of the Empire particularly easy to recommend.

And for anyone looking to make the machine even more personal, the complete Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball Mods collection gives you plenty of ways to take the artwork further.