Retro pinball machines

best retro pinball machines

Retro pinball machines are just amazing! To have your own Pinball machine has probably been a dream for most men growing up. We love getting entertained and distracted with fun themed arcade machines that play loud music and tilt and buzz, just like in the old days in the arcades downtown.

I remember how I could use hours and hours, day in and day out playing those games and trying to beat my friend’s high scores and set a new personal record.

Arcade Games have changed considerably over the years. There are now plenty of fancy features packed into the latest machines from various companies, high-resolution screens and LED lights that flash in all of the colors of the rainbow, all of them in one massively fun machine made for people like us.

These are some of the best pinball machines out there with details like monsters, dragons, zombies and has a super solid build quality, that’ll last for many years.

Let’s take a look at some of the best options.

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Here are 7 of the best retro pinball machines to get right now

1. Stern Pinball The Munsters

the munsters retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • Custom sculpted Herman bash toys

  • Magnetized ball catch

  • Digital number display 

  • Line-out audio connector for external amplification

The Munsters stern Pinball machine
The Munsters stern Pinball machine
The Munsters stern Pinball machine

Retro pinball machines Video

Retro pinball machines best pick

Stern The Munsters is an original pinball arcade experience, celebrating the iconic American TV hit series, The Munsters. Players will travel to 1313 Mockingbird Lane, joining the entire Munsters family on this crazy haunted pinball adventure.

They are all there! Herman, Raven, Lily, Spot, and Grandpa, players will work their way towards Munster Madness in this massively funny and action-packed pinball world under glass. 

Stern’s The Munsters Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models feature stunning and distinctive hand-drawn art. Each game features a custom sculpted Herman bash toy with magnetized ball catch, highlighting Herman multiball.

All models include a custom sculpted Drag-U-La toy car featured near a left shooter lane a kicker pop-up bash toy hidden under the left ramp and a metal turn-around, flip-up ramp.

The Premium and Limited Edition models both feature Grandpa’s laboratory, a lower playfield that features 2 mini flippers, 2 ramps, a Grandpa bash target, a digital number display, and a multiball feature. The Premium model features an exclusive black and white custom art package in homage to classic black and white TV.

I can’t recommend this enough, The Munsters pinball machines will be available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models. Get one if you want something retro looking, that really pops out. 

Find the best price here: Stern pinball Munsters arcade machine

2. Stern Pinball Iron Maiden

Iron maiden retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • Premium Model

  • Twelve selectable Iron Maiden hits

  • Original hand-drawn arty by Zombie Yeti

  • Intensively interactive playfield including four flippers

Iron Maiden stern Pinball machine
Iron Maiden stern Pinball machine
Iron Maiden stern Pinball machine

Retro pinball machines Video

Iron Maiden was formed in 1975, they led the wave of British heavy metal music and became a global institution. Over the course of 40 years, the band now has a cult status, ferocious dedication to fans, and a Rock star attitude to critics.

With over 90 million album sales, more than 2,000 live performances in 63 countries, tens of millions of fans and 16 studio albums, Iron Maiden has more than earned its status as one of the most influential and revered rock bands of all time.

The Iron Maiden pinball machines aim to reflect the same excitement, energy, and experience of a live Iron Maiden concert. Players will immerse themselves in an interactive Iron Maiden universe transforming into various forms of Eddie, the band’s legendary mascot.

Players, as Eddie, will embark on a journey to defeat the Beast and his minions across the Legacy of the Beast. Iron Maiden pinball entertains with an amazing array of modern and classic features, making it one of the most popular pinball arcades ever.

The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models feature stunning and distinctive hand-drawn art by renowned illustrator and Iron Maiden fan Jeremy Packer, a.k.a. Zombie Yeti.

All models include twelve Iron Maiden songs, here are some of them. 
1. Aces High
2. Number of the Beast
3. Run to the Hills
4. Fear of the Dark

Find the best price here: Stern pinball Iron Maiden arcade machine

3. Stern Pinball PRIMUS Retro Pinball Machine

PRIMUS retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • Limited to 100 machines worldwide!

  • Signed by band members Les, Larry, and Tim

  • Original art by Zombie Yeti and Zoltron

  • Custom voice-overs by Les Claypol of Primus, 13 Primus song tracklist

PRIMUS stern Pinball machine
PRIMUS stern Pinball machine
PRIMUS stern Pinball machine

Retro pinball machines Video

The Primus pinball machine was designed for the band “Primus”, which uses the layout for “Whoa Nelly”. There were 100 games planned, plus 8 special editions for members of the band and individuals involved in the project. The 100 games have a silver COA on the apron with the number out of 100 on it. Special Editions have the same COA but in Gold.

The machines are covered top to bottom in surreal, mind-bending art inspired by the band’s signature aesthetic. Renowned illustrator Zombie Yeti and longtime Primus art curator Zoltron spent 100+ hours together creating the illustrations of this game.

Primus fans will instantly recognize the classic style of the band’s album cover art, including a fully-rigged ship from Sailing the Seas of Cheese and the smiling baby from Suck on This, among others.

Primus choose to use a classic pinball playfield to allow the visual layout to take hold of the player. Each unit is hand-signed by all three band members and includes a metallic ‘authenticity’ plate individually embossed (under glass).  All units are outfitted with an upgraded Kenwood sound system and feature a bunch of their most popular tracks.

Find the best price here: Stern pinball PRIMUS arcade machine

4. Stern Pinball Star Wars Retro Pinball Machine

Star Wars retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • Stylish cabinet with dynamic, high definition Artwork

  • All-led playfield lighting provides optimal colors and brilliant light shows

  • High-definition graphics and innovative animations

  • Enhanced reliability and simplified servicing

Star Wars stern nostalgic Pinball arcade
Star Wars stern Pinball arcade
Star Wars stern Pinball arcade

Retro pinball machines Video

Stern Pinball’s Star Wars is a new and affordable pinball machine designed and engineered for the home.  Stern’s new Star Wars machine was made to immerse players into the dynamic Star Wars galaxy. 

It’s packed with features that provide players with an irresistible game experience including select speech and footage from the original Star Wars trilogy, color-changing playfield inserts, a custom sculpted Death Star, and a custom sculpted and interactive TIE fighter.

The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with dynamic, high definition artwork.  The all-LED playfield lighting provides optimal color and brilliant light shows.

The arcade is designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball fun to homes everywhere,” said Gary Stern, Chairman, and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “We are pleased to bring these pinball machines celebrating the Star Wars galaxy and adventures to our fans.” 

Find the best price here: Stern pinball Star Wars arcade machine

5. Stern Pinball Black Knight Retro Pinball Machine

Black Knight retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • The Mighty Black Knight rides again! 

  • Custom interactive Black Knight toy with a spinning flail and power shields

  • Stainless steel ramps and chrome wire ramps throughout

  • Powerhouse music composed and Performed by Scott Ian of anthrax

Black Knight stern Pinball arcade
Black Knight stern Pinball arcade
Black Knight stern Pinball arcade

Retro pinball machines Video

Retro pinball machines heavy metal

This has the best soundtrack ever made for a pinball arcade… period.

The iconic pinball character, the Black Knight is back to entertain a new generation of pinball players, with the third game in the Black Knight franchise, Black Knight: Sword of Rage.

For the first time ever, players will explore, discover, and unlock the secrets of the Black Knight universe. Navigating through these dark, mysterious, and twisted realms, players will uncover foes, demons, riches, and secrets in their quest against the Black Knight. 

Each game features a custom sculpted, interactive, and multi-functional Black Knight bash toy. This interactive Black Knight toy features a motorized flail, a glowing RGB helmet with individually controllable expressive lighting to interact and taunt players with custom speech, and a sliding coil-driven shield that will bash and block your shots.

All models include the distinct “Magna-Save”, a player-controlled magnet used to prevent a ball from draining and timed resetting drop targets. Black Knight – Sword of Rage’s playfield layout is new yet derived from earlier Black Knights, providing fast gameplay, with all steel and wire ramps.

Steve has modernized this pinball with the LCD display that has all original animation, with more Steve speech helped by Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson, and music by Brendon Small and Anthrax’s Scott Ian.

Stern’s Black Knight: Sword of Rage Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models feature stunning and distinctive hand-drawn art in homage to this pinball icon.

Find the best price here: Stern pinball Black Knight arcade machine

6. Stern Pinball Stranger Things Retro Pinball Machine

Stranger Things retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • Will immerse players in a search to unravel the mysteries and secret government experiments

  • Custom sculpted Demogorgon that players can shoot up to destroy

  • Custom speech by actor David Harbour who plays Police Chief Jim Hopper

  • 5 Multiballs (Telekinesis, Demogorgon Battle, Send it back, Light the Fire, Final Showdown)

Stranger Things old school retro pinball machine
Stranger Things old school pinball machine
Stranger Things old school pinball machine

Retro pinball machines Video

Experience the terrifying and supernatural forces in Hawkins, that turned this small town upside down.

The Stern Stranger Things pinball machine will immerse players in a search to unravel the scary mysteries and secret government experiments taking place at the Hawkins National Laboratory.

The gameplay focuses on unlocking the hidden meanings of supernatural events occurring in and around the town, including the appearance of a girl known as “Eleven” with telekinetic abilities. Get the ball and help Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Joyce, and Police Chief Jim Hopper and Eleven to close the dimensional gate.

The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models all feature distinct hand-drawn art in addition to the custom sculpted, interactive Demogorgon bash toy, guarded by drop targets and a rotating ramp. All models include two hideout ball scoops, a Demodog spinner, three custom ramps, and game rules that will transport players into the Upside Down space.

7. Stern Pinball The Beatles Retro Pinball Machine

The Beatles retro pinball machines

Stern Pinball machine specs

  • Retro-themed playfield that features four flippers, eleven drop targets, eight stand-up targets, multiple skill shots and much more

  • The only Beatles Pinball Machine EVER made with only 1964 Games Available

  • 1960’s Beatlemania features nine timeless hit songs from the era

  • Introductions by Ed Sullivan and Cousin Brucie

The Beatles old school retro pinball machines
The Beatles old school pinball machine

Retro pinball machines Video

The Beatles retro pinball machine features iconic introductions by Ed Sullivan along with custom speech and callouts by Hall of Fame disk jockey, Cousin Brucie.

Cousin Brucie introduced The Beatles at New York’s Shea Stadium in 1964. The retro-themed playfield features four flippers, eleven drop targets, eight stand-up targets, multiple skill shots, two spinners, a ball-catching magnet and a magnetic spinning record disc in the center of the playfield.

Players, friends, and family will enjoy the full-screen animations while oldies from The Beatles play and fills the room with nostalgic tones.

All models feature unique art packages and custom powder-coated armor. The 100 Diamond Editions are numbered, certified collectible and include a mirrored backglass. The 250 Platinum Editions are numbered and certified collectible.

The “state of the art” electronic system also powers a high-fidelity 3-channel audio system that is three times more powerful than audio systems of previous generations. So get ready for these classics:

  • A Hard Day’s Night
  • Can’t Buy Me Love
  • Ticket to Ride
  • All My Loving
  • Help
  • Drive My Car
  • It Won’t Be Long
  • I Should Have Known Better
  • Taxman

 

Find the best price here: Stern pinball The Beatles arcade machine

That was my article on retro style pinball machines hope you found something useful.

If you’re interested in other Retro stuff and articles we have a lot of great ones in our Posts section.