We’ve written here before that Nintendo likes to do their own thing, sometimes branching in bizarre areas (Nintendo Alarmo is aimed at Kids, of course). And if you do something with one of their IPs without any kind of permission, their lionly legal prowess can be stroked (Going Anti Nintendo Super Smash Tournament Rules by Linus Tech Tips + Black Friday Deal for SSBU OLED Switch Bundle)
This is both a great strength and weakness.
When it comes to fans being able to get more Nintendo IPs, in, well, let’s just talk about pinball here, let’s say more Mario, Zelda and so on pinball machines, the rumor mill has been a nearly constant: Pokemon is coming from Stern!
But … is it?
During the recent 40th Anniversary Pinball Expo Chicago at around the 39 minute mark, Stern Pinball CEO Seth Davis talks about certain licensors not wanting to license their IPs and specifically says, “Nintendo, call me.” You can listen to him say exactly that in the video below.
It’s entirely possible this is to throw rumor brokers like Kaneda off the scent that Stern doesn’t have a relationship with Nintendo and licensing any of their IPs, like Pokemon, or it may in fact be exactly what Seth is saying: Nintendo is Nintendon’t when it comes to licensing their IPs to Stern.
I’m going to weigh on the side of the truth being somewhere in the middle.
I think Stern has talked with Nintendo. They might in fact have some discussion in/around certain pinball games up to and including Pokemon. Maybe what Seth is saying is putting out the message that they haven’t closed any actual deals and Stern could and would make several Nintendo pinball machines if only they had the licensing to do so. Or maybe they have one or two licensing deals done, but they are haggling on some contract disputes to close the deal.
The latter seems the most realistic to me. Nintendo will play ball with their IPs, if the deal is right and they have some sort of creative control. I think that last part is the sticking point. Nintendo just likes to be in control of most everything with their brand.
This is what makes Nintendo kind of weak, as well as strong. Weak in the sense that it takes too long to get anything done, but strong that they maintain very high creative standards. I think those standards might even stretch into the fact that Stern isn’t a Japanese company. Stern is an American company and cultural company differences might also be sticking points for them. Stern might want 100% complete creative control and Nintendo will never surrender on that. Or, maybe what Nintendo wants as far as control will not work with Stern.
Or maybe neither side, like Seth is insinuating, is talking at all.
Bottom line: I no longer see a Pokemon pinball any time soon. This comment pretty much kills the rumor mill in 2025 for a Stern Pokemon pinball. Watch me be wrong on this, totally misreading Seth Davis comments. That he’s just head faking us. It’s possible. I’m thinking it’s more likely than not that no Stern pinball in 2025 is going to be Nintendo-related. This isn’t to say something won’t get done in 2026 or beyond, but I don’t think Davis would be pleading with Nintendo to call him, if he was actively cutting IP deals with them. They are, in fact, the first company he mentions when licensing challenges comes up.
Sorry to those that are looking for Pokemon pinball from Stern. Doesn’t look like it’s going to be a reality in 2025.
We don’t do much rumor mill stuff here at PGM, because it’s frankly a side of the industry I’m not that interested in. I am, however, wishing Nintendo would license more of their IPs, not only to pinball but to others to do things with their games that Nintendo either doesn’t want to do themselves or can’t. Pinball seems to be something Nintendo hasn’t had much interest in doing and it’s a shame, because pinballers want another Mario pinball, Zelda, Pokemon, these are amazing properties.
I would love to see a Nintendo pinball machine, but I would want Nintendo to be involved in the process, and I hope whoever works with them would also want this as well.
While we wait the Game Boy Advance has a few titles worth checking out, Super Mario Pinball Land, and Pokémon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire.