By Todd Russell
Some interesting pinball developments over the past week.
Dune is out and incomplete, awaiting IP approvals
According to streamer Dirtypoolpinball (https://www.twitch.tv/dirtypoolpinball), that bought and owns a Dune, the follow up from Barrels of Fun to Labyrinth, the game is awaiting approval for assets from the IP owner Legendary. Dirty doesn’t want to stream Dune until this new content has been approved, as there are only two modes complete at the moment.
The Jaws 50th Anniversary Edition rumor
Is Stern about to announce a Jaws 50th Anniversary edition? There is a lot of talk and rumors swirling around this, including some speculating it will be black and white. Personally, I see no logic in a black and white edition of Jaws. The original movie was in color. I can see coming out with a special edition premium with a different translite, shooter rod (the yellow barrel is a bit underwhelming) and custom side armor. Sell the kit as an upgrade for the existing premium and manufacture 500 special editions of this where it’s included for the same or close to the same price as the premium. This way you don’t leave out the existing premium owners, but offer a way to get the add-on package at a discount if you are first time buyer. Not saying this is a great idea or anything, but if they’re going to do a 50th anniversary edition and it’s not an LE, then they are somewhat limited with what they can do.
As for other media celebrating Jaws? Well, it starts in June and runs through the Summer.
“This summer, a 50th-anniversary edition of Jaws will be released on physical media and digital, packed with new bonus content. Streaming kicks off June 15 on Peacock, alongside Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D, and Jaws: The Revenge.” – JAWS to resurface in theaters for 50th anniversary — The Daily Jaws
Theatrically, folks can see the original movie running again from August 29 – September 4, 2025. It does make sense Stern might get in on this celebration, but it sure feels like too soon. We’ll find out soon if they are doing anything. They might just run special 50th anniversary Insider Connected quests with special badges and leaderboard challenges. We’ll chat about it plenty more on the Humpday Wednesday stream.
King Kong preorder by my son – will be NIB machine #4 for the pinhouse
As mentioned on both Sunday and Monday, my other other son is purchasing his first pinball machine: King Kong: Myth of Terror Island. He put down a deposit last weekend for one and is waiting for the call that it’s arrived so it can be picked up. We were told it would be three weeks “or so” before their premium shipmen would arrive. You can read my detailed review on Monday, it’s 5,000+ words on King Kong here: Nobody in modern pinball makes games that shoot like Keith Elwin – King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (v0.82 code) Detailed First Thoughts after Flipping. Not sure if anybody from Stern Pinball read it, but they liked our post on X:
Am looking forward to playing the pro version at the NW Pinball & Arcade show next weekend. We’ll be there all three days and the word is they will have like 20 King Kongs to play. Definitely will be getting more time in on that. Also, want to see if I can get #1 on their Jaws for the 3-day IC leaderboard. Last year I got #2 and won a toy red car as a gift. They didn’t have the premium Jaws working until the third day, so the score was on the pro and want to say I had something like 550 million. It’s going to take over a billion for certain to be the top score. Maybe 2-3 billy, somewhere I’ve never been yet.
Skullbox Zaccaria Pinball Score Chasing: Tropical EM
PGM Tournament Game: Champion Pub – Pinball FX
SEARCH ID# I597mmmfin
Black Knight Swords of Rage Soundtrack on YouTube via Tikibird Arcade
We mentioned that we bought the record day version of Black Knight Swords of Rage Limited Edition a month ago or so: Stern Pinball second cornerstone of 2025 is King Kong: Myth of Terror Island to be talk of Humpday Wednesday S2E2, making us one of 1,200 that purchased. They sold out pretty fast, some by scalpers. If you missed out and don’t want to pay some of the stupid prices on eBay from those reselling, there’s Tikibird Arcade on YouTube (probably without permission, btw) that made the soundtrack available to listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9MX2W0FjgYBJKvSNoBDLylp5TVVRFtFd
I was kinda glad to find this so I don’t have to break the plastic on the album and rip it to MP3 myself.
What’s Happening in Your last week of Pinball?
Your turn. What have you been up to the last week with pinball — real, virtual, whatever pinball you’re playing? What are you playing the most? What do you want to play that feel you’ve neglected, if anything? What news has happened that turned you on … or off? The comments await on anything pinball-related.
HI Todd!
I’m loving the new Magic Castle Deluxe table. The great table layout, very cool DMD, shooting the balls into the Dragon’s mouth to play the upper playfield and setup multiball. I feel the table is well designed and my favorite Zaccaria Deluxe table to date. Do you have that same feeling, and what is your favorite Zacc Deluxe Table??