Which Modern Pinball Machines Hold Their Value Best?

Some Pinball Machines Lose Value. Others Become More Desirable.

Not every pinball machine follows the same path.

Some titles depreciate steadily after release.

Others remain remarkably stable for years.

And a select few become even more valuable as collectors compete to find them on the second-hand market.

While no one can predict the future with certainty, some modern machines have already shown an impressive ability to hold—or even increase—their value over time.

Godzilla

Keith Elwin's masterpiece continues to be one of the most sought-after modern Stern machines.

Strong gameplay, universal praise and constant demand have helped Godzilla remain one of the safest modern titles for collectors.

It's difficult to imagine demand slowing any time soon.

Medieval Madness Remake

Some games simply never go out of fashion.

The Medieval Madness Remake continues to attract both new players and experienced collectors thanks to its timeless gameplay and legendary reputation.

Collectors looking to personalise their machine can also explore our Medieval Madness Remake Pinball Mods collection.

King Kong: Myth of Terror Island

Although still relatively new, King Kong has enjoyed an exceptionally strong launch.

Keith Elwin's design, combined with the popularity of the licence, has already made it one of Stern's hottest modern machines.

If interest continues at its current pace, it could become another long-term favourite.

Pokémon

Few modern launches have generated as much excitement as Pokémon.

The Limited Edition sold out almost immediately, and demand has remained incredibly strong since launch.

Early collector interest alone suggests Pokémon has all the ingredients to become one of Stern's most desirable recent releases.

If you're lucky enough to own one, our Pokémon Pinball Mods collection offers a wide range of custom upgrades.

James Bond 007 60th Anniversary

Limited production almost always helps long-term collectability.

The spectacular James Bond 007 60th Anniversary edition combines Keith Elwin's unique single-level design with true collector exclusivity, making it one of the most interesting special editions released in recent years.

Batman '66

Batman '66 has quietly become one of the most desirable machines in modern pinball.

Its enormous ruleset, beautiful artwork and George Gomez's classic layout have helped it remain a favourite among collectors for many years.

Find more about George Gomez's work on our George Gomez Designer topic.

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters wasn't universally appreciated when it first launched.

Over time, however, collectors have increasingly recognised its challenging gameplay and unique personality.

Its reputation has continued to grow, along with its value.

The Simpsons Pinball Party

Steve Ritchie's legendary Simpsons machine has become increasingly difficult to find at reasonable prices.

Many collectors now consider it one of Stern's greatest licensed games, and values have reflected that growing appreciation.

The Lord of the Rings

Another George Gomez classic.

The Lord of the Rings has consistently remained one of the most desirable pinball machines ever produced.

Its deep gameplay, iconic theme and lasting popularity continue to make it one of the strongest long-term collector pieces.

Cactus Canyon Remake & Tales of the Arabian Nights Remake

The recent wave of classic Williams remakes has reminded collectors why these legendary games became icons in the first place.

Machines such as Cactus Canyon Remake and Tales of the Arabian Nights Remake continue attracting enormous interest, combining timeless gameplay with modern manufacturing quality.

Rick and Morty

Spooky Pinball's Rick and Morty has developed an incredibly loyal following.

Its relatively limited production numbers and passionate fan base have helped it remain highly desirable on the secondary market.

Jaws 50th Anniversary

Special editions with limited production often become collector favourites.

The Jaws 50th Anniversary edition combines one of Keith Elwin's best designs with exclusive presentation, making it another machine many collectors expect to remain highly desirable.

What About Sonic?

It's still too early to know exactly how Sonic the Hedgehog will perform on the secondary market, but early signs are encouraging.

Steve Ritchie's machines have a long history of remaining popular with collectors, and Sonic combines his signature fast-flowing gameplay with one of the world's most recognisable gaming franchises.

Whether it ultimately joins machines like Godzilla and Jaws among the most sought-after modern Stern titles remains to be seen, but it's certainly one we'll be watching closely over the coming years. In the meantime, collectors can already personalise their machine with our Sonic Pinball Mods collection.

Holding Value Isn't Everything

Of course, the best pinball machine isn't always the one worth the most.

The machine that gives you the biggest smile every time you press the Start button will always be the best investment.

But if you're lucky enough to own one that also holds its value over time, that's a very welcome bonus.

If you're planning to keep your machine for years, premium custom artwork can also help preserve its appearance while making it even more enjoyable to own. Explore our Modern Pinball Machines Were Made for Custom Pinball Mods article to see why so many collectors personalise their favourite games.