Stern Pinball has officially unveiled its second major cornerstone release of the year, a pinball machine inspired by the iconic Transformers franchise, titled Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye! This announcement marks a significant moment for pinball enthusiasts and fans of the enduring Transformers saga, bringing the epic battle between Autobots and Decepticons to the arcade floor once again. The game is designed by Elliot Eismin, with Elizabeth Gieske leading the software development, and will be available in three distinct versions: Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE).

This release revisits a beloved property for Stern Pinball, which previously launched a Transformers game in 2011. That earlier design, helmed by George Gomez, was notable for its innovative use of QR codes. These codes directed players to a dedicated microsite for game rules, in-game music, and behind-the-scenes development information, a pioneering feature for its time, though the microsite has since been discontinued. The 2011 model offered Pro and Limited Edition variants, with the LE further split into three distinct aesthetic themes: Autobot-crimson, Decepticon-violet, and a split design featuring both factions.

Fifteen years after its predecessor, the Autobots and Decepticons return to engage in a new conflict, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the original Transformers movie. This milestone is celebrated throughout the new machine, promising a rich thematic experience for both seasoned pinball players and newcomers drawn by the franchise’s enduring appeal.

A Look at the Models: Design and Aesthetics

Stern Pinball has maintained its tiered approach with the Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye! release, offering Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models, each with distinct visual and functional characteristics.

Pro Model

The Pro model, as the entry-level offering, sets the stage with vibrant cabinet artwork that clearly delineates the classic Autobot and Decepticon color schemes. The left side of the cabinet prominently features Autobot imagery, while the right side is dedicated to the Decepticons, a visual theme that extends to the lock bar and other cabinet elements. The backbox features detailed artwork, and even the side panels of the backbox showcase intricate character designs. The translite artwork further immerses players in the Transformers universe.

Premium Model

The Premium model builds upon the Pro’s foundation with enhanced visual elements. While sharing the core artwork and color palette, it introduces additional premium features. The left side of the cabinet continues the Autobot theme, and the right side the Decepticon theme, mirroring the Pro model. The backbox artwork and side panel designs are consistent with the Pro, but the Premium model often incorporates higher-quality materials or additional aesthetic touches that elevate its visual appeal.

Limited Edition (LE) Model

The Limited Edition model represents the pinnacle of the Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye! pinball machine, offering exclusive features and a unique aesthetic. This edition revisits the split color scheme seen in the 2011 LE, featuring a reversed crimson and violet paint package, a direct nod to the original design. The cabinet artwork is a striking blend of both factions, with a divided lock bar. The LE model is distinguished by its mirrored backglass, a premium touch that reflects light and enhances the visual depth of the display. The backbox side artwork and cabinet art are meticulously detailed, showcasing the full spectrum of Transformers characters.

A notable detail across all three models, particularly relevant for home buyers, is the inclusion of warning text above the display panel’s keyhole. This text, advising of high voltages and recommending service by qualified personnel, reflects Stern Pinball’s commitment to safety and compliance in an evolving market.

Playfield Design and Features: A Deep Dive

The playfield is where the true heart of any pinball machine lies, and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye! offers a rich and engaging experience across all its iterations, with variations in complexity and mechanical features. All models are designed as six-ball games, featuring three flippers: two standard flippers at the bottom and an additional flipper located mid-playfield on the right side. The playfield itself is conceptually divided, with the Autobots dominating the left side and the Decepticons the right, aligning with the cabinet’s color scheme.

Limited Edition Playfield

The LE model is outfitted with Stern Pinball’s Expression dual-sided cabinet and speaker lighting systems, along with interior lighting. This creates an immersive visual experience, with dynamic lighting effects that sync with gameplay. The laser-cut side rails are specifically designed to accommodate this exterior cabinet lighting.

Central to the LE playfield are four custom-sculpted toys: Optimus Prime and Megatron, the iconic leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons, positioned at the top of the playfield. On the right side is Soundwave, serving as a ball lock mechanism, and on the left, the formidable Grimlock, a Dinobot toy.

Megatron is a fully animatronic figure with an articulated fusion cannon. This cannon can rotate left and right, and its arm moves up and down, allowing players to aim and fire locked pinballs. In front of Megatron, a scoop is accessible via a short jump ramp, guarded by a three-bank drop target. Two stand-up targets flank the scoop.

Optimus Prime is a static bash toy whose legs register hits. Soundwave acts as a ball lock, with balls diverted from the ramp return into his cassette deck. The cassette compartment opens to release the locked balls after sufficient hits on a wide control stand-up target at the toy’s base.

Premium Model Playfield

The Premium model shares the same artwork package and core playfield layout as the LE, including the key toys like Optimus Prime and Megatron. However, it omits the pre-installed Expression lighting systems for the cabinet and speakers, and the interior cabinet art blades. These features can often be added as aftermarket upgrades. Functionally, the Premium model provides a similar gameplay experience to the LE, focusing on the core mechanics and toy interactions. The drop target bank and scoop, along with the static Optimus Prime and the interactive Megatron, are all present and operational.

Pro Model Playfield

The Pro model, as the most accessible version, streamlines some of the features found in the Premium and LE models. The most apparent differences lie in the replacement of the Grimlock and Soundwave toys with flat, illustrated plastics. Despite the absence of the physical toys, their corresponding targets remain on the playfield, ensuring that these characters are still integrated into the game’s rules and objectives.

The Megatron toy on the Pro model is static. It does not rotate, and it lacks the functional ball-shooting cannon found on the higher-tier models. Consequently, the feeding mechanism for the cannon and the central wireform ramp are absent. The Insider Connected scanner is also positioned differently on the Pro model. Nevertheless, the core elements like the drop target bank, scoop, and Optimus Prime bash toy are retained, ensuring a substantial pinball experience.

All three models feature "last-cut" ramps, a design choice that enhances durability and playability. The Autobot logo is emblazoned on the left ramp, and the Decepticon logo on the right, reinforcing the factional theme.

Game Mechanics and Objectives

The game mechanics are designed to immerse players in the Transformers narrative. Players are tasked with collecting Energon Cubes to power up, teaming up with the Dinobots, and collecting Transformers Tech Spec cards. The game incorporates missions inspired by major story arcs from the original 1984 Transformers animated television series, complete with authentic video clips and story-driven objectives.

A special mode celebrates the 40th anniversary of THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE (1986), featuring the iconic song "The Touch" by Stan Bush. The game also boasts custom call-outs from legendary voice actors, including Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron and Soundwave, alongside original music from Knights of Unicron.

Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected platform is integrated, introducing a new Cyber Coin wallet system. Players can earn Cyber Coins to unlock exclusive challenge modes. The game also features a "Prime Training" challenge mode, designed to guide players through pinball mastery, and for the first time in a Stern game, a real-time, head-to-head competitive mode for two players.

Production and Release Details

Stern Pinball hosted a Media Day on Wednesday, May 20th, coinciding with the game’s reveal. During this event, Matthew Guyer, Stern’s VP of Marketing, emphasized the appeal of established franchises like Transformers and Pokémon to a demographic of 40-something adults who may not have been traditional pinball fans but are interested in themed merchandise. This strategic marketing approach aims to broaden the pinball market.

The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye! pinball machine is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide. The Limited Edition model is capped at 750 units globally. The MSRP for the Pro model is listed at $6,999.

Official Statement and Market Context

Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, commented on the release: "The TRANSFORMERS franchise has inspired generations with its timeless battle between good and evil. With TRANSFORMERS: More Than Meets the Eye pinball, we’ve created a machine that dynamically changes before your eyes, delivers groundbreaking gameplay, legendary music, and the ultimate showdown fans have been waiting for."

The game’s release is strategically timed to leverage the enduring popularity of the Transformers brand and capitalize on a growing interest in themed entertainment among adult consumers. The tiered model structure allows Stern Pinball to cater to different market segments, from budget-conscious players to collectors seeking premium, limited-edition items. The integration of Insider Connected further underscores Stern’s commitment to evolving pinball with digital features and community engagement.

The detailed feature matrix provided by Stern Pinball clearly outlines the distinctions between the Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models, allowing potential buyers to make informed decisions based on their preferences and budget. The availability of flyers for each model further aids in disseminating product information to a wide audience.

With its blend of classic Transformers lore, innovative pinball mechanics, and high-quality production, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye! is poised to be a significant addition to Stern Pinball’s impressive portfolio and a sought-after machine for collectors and players alike.