Which Modern Stern Pinball Machine Should You Buy?

Buying a new Stern pinball machine isn't easy. There are several excellent games still in production, but they offer very different experiences.

So rather than ranking them, let's look at what kind of player each machine suits best.

Godzilla — The Safe Bet

If you simply want one of the best modern pinball machines available, Godzilla is the easiest recommendation.

The layout, flow, rules, artwork and theme all work brilliantly together. It is challenging without being frustrating and deep without losing its fun.

If you don't have a specific preference, this is the machine we'd be most comfortable recommending.

Our Godzilla WizBlades are also a great way to add even more visual impact, and our Best Godzilla Pinball Mods guide covers more options.

JAWS — For Players Who Want a Challenge

JAWS has one of the most unusual layouts in modern Stern pinball.

The crossing shots, upper playfield and unusual geometry make it considerably less predictable than a conventional layout. Add a deep ruleset and a difficult learning curve, and you have a machine that can keep experienced players busy for a very long time.

If you enjoy learning difficult games, JAWS is a great choice.

See our Best Jaws Pinball Mods for some customisation ideas.

John Wick — Pure Speed

If you want fast, straightforward pinball, look at John Wick.

The game has only two flippers and very direct shots, but the ball moves incredibly quickly. There is little time to stop and think.

It is the machine for players who want every game to feel like a chase scene.

The Uncanny X-Men — Something Completely Different

Jack Danger's Uncanny X-Men has one of the most unconventional layouts Stern has produced in years.

The flippers aren't centred in the traditional way, and the shot geometry feels strange at first. That's exactly what makes it interesting.

If you want a machine that feels genuinely different from everything else in your collection, this is one to consider.

Our The Uncanny X-Men Premium WizPanels also work particularly well with its unusual artwork.

Metallica Remastered — For Music Fans

If you love Metallica, this one is an easy recommendation.

Metallica Remastered takes the original game and gives it a major visual and software upgrade, with new animations, footage, audio, speech and modes.

The new artwork is spectacular, too.

If you already loved the original Metallica, this is the version to own.

Check out our Metallica Remastered Pinball Mods for customisation options.

Dungeons & Dragons — For Deep Rules and Choices

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye is for players who want a machine they can spend a long time learning.

You choose characters, make decisions, progress through a campaign and encounter different paths through the game.

If you like deep rules and having more control over your journey, D&D is one of the strongest choices.

We also have Dungeons & Dragons Pinball WizBlades.

Pokémon — For the Theme and Spectacle

Pokémon combines a huge licence with a deep modern pinball experience.

It is colourful, packed with characters and instantly recognisable, but there is plenty of gameplay underneath the theme as well.

If the Pokémon licence is important to you, this is an especially easy machine to fall in love with.

Explore the complete Pokémon Pinball Mods collection.

King Kong — Another Keith Elwin Experience

If you like Godzilla and want another Keith Elwin design, King Kong: Myth of Terror Island is an obvious candidate.

It has the unusual shot geometry and strong flow you'd expect from Elwin, but with a completely different theme and atmosphere.

Our Best King Kong Pinball Mods article looks at some of the customisation possibilities.

The Walking Dead Remastered — Hard, Fast and Short

The Walking Dead Remastered is the choice for players who don't mind getting destroyed.

The games can be short, the machine is extremely difficult, but when everything comes together, it is spectacular.

The Remastered version also brings a beautiful visual and hardware upgrade to the original, making this much more than a simple software update.

If you enjoy brutally difficult pinball with huge moments, don't overlook it.

Star Wars: Fall of the Empire — The New Hard

If you want a hard Star Wars pinball and don't mind buying into a machine while its software continues to evolve, Star Wars: Fall of the Empire is worth considering.

It is still too early to know exactly where its final ruleset will rank, but that's part of the appeal: you're getting a brand-new Stern experience and watching it develop but the layout already tells us that it is a challenging experience..

Three More Still Worth Considering

There are also a few other Stern machines still available that deserve a quick mention.

James Bond 007 is a great choice if you want a cinematic machine with fast gameplay and one of the strongest movie licences in pinball.

Venom is a good option if you want a modern Stern with fast gameplay and a very different feel from the company's biggest games.

Jurassic Park remains an excellent choice for players who enjoy difficult but satisfying shots and one of Keith Elwin's most influential layouts.

So Which One Should You Buy?

Want the safest overall choice? Godzilla.

Want a serious challenge? JAWS.

Want speed? John Wick.

Want something completely different? The Uncanny X-Men.

Love music? Metallica Remastered.

Want deep choices and rules? Dungeons & Dragons.

Love the licence? Pokémon.

Want another Keith Elwin machine? King Kong.

Want brutal difficulty? The Walking Dead Remastered.

Want something brand new? Star Wars: Fall of the Empire.

There isn't one correct answer. The best Stern is the one that matches how you actually like to play pinball.