AC/DC Is Back! Stern Pinball Remasters Its Rock and Roll Classic

If there's one thing Stern Pinball knows how to do, it's put a rock concert on a pinball playfield. Now, one of the company's most recognizable music-themed machines is getting another shot at the spotlight. AC/DC Remastered has officially been revealed, bringing the band's legendary catalog back with updated hardware, new gameplay, and a fresh coat of rock and roll attitude.

Originally released in 2012, AC/DC has been a fan favorite for years, and Stern isn't simply dusting off the old machine and calling it a day. The remastered version has been rebuilt on the company's SPIKE 3 platform, with a redesigned lower playfield, updated mechanical features, additional songs, and new modes to give players more to explore.

The new release will be available in Premium and Limited Edition models. There's no Pro version announced, so if you've been waiting for a more affordable way to get your hands on an AC/DC machine, we'll have to see whether Stern has anything else planned.

What's New on the Playfield?

The biggest change is the redesigned lower playfield, but Stern has made several other updates throughout the machine.

The ball-firing cannon has been reworked with a custom-molded sculpt, while the Rock N Roll Train now features a molded locomotive as part of its ball-diverting mechanism. The familiar swinging Hells Bells toy has also received an update, and there's a new TNT detonator box with an animated plunger.

Other additions include a spinning target on the right loop, stainless steel ramp entrances featuring laser-cut AC/DC logos, and an illuminated song titleboard on the back panel.

Stern has also upgraded the playfield lighting with a new RGB system. Pair that with the optional cabinet and speaker lighting, and the whole machine should have plenty of ways to bring that concert atmosphere to life.

It's a nice mix of familiar elements and new touches. The original game already had a strong identity, so it'll be interesting to see how these changes affect the overall playing experience.

More AC/DC on the Soundtrack

Let's be honest. A big part of the appeal here is the music, and Stern is giving players even more of it.

The remastered game adds eight new AC/DC songs to the original soundtrack, along with six new selectable song modes. The rules have also been expanded with new wizard modes and three timed modes called Oi Mania, Thunder Ramps, and High Voltage.

Concert footage and music videos will play on the machine's 18.5-inch SPIKE 3 display, adding even more of the band's live energy to the experience.

The game also connects to Stern Insider Connected, with Achievements designed specifically for AC/DC Remastered.

For anyone who spent time with the original, these additions could be a big draw. New songs are always welcome on a music machine, but the expanded rules are what should give returning players a reason to keep coming back.

The Limited Edition Gets the Collector Treatment

As expected, Stern has put together a more elaborate package for collectors. The AC/DC Remastered Limited Edition will be restricted to 500 machines worldwide.

The LE includes a mirrored full-color backglass, reflective foil cabinet decals, exclusive pinball armor, upgraded audio, anti-reflection glass, and a shaker motor. It also comes equipped with Stern's Cabinet and Speaker Expression Lighting systems, featuring lighting effects inspired by the band.

Each machine also includes a numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner's badge.

It's the premium treatment you'd expect from a limited run, especially for a band with a fanbase as dedicated as AC/DC's.

Pricing and Availability

Stern has announced two versions of AC/DC Remastered, both available now through authorized distributors.

• Premium: $10,199

• Limited Edition: $13,499

The LE is limited to 500 units worldwide, and Stern has not announced a Pro model.

Is It Worth Revisiting?

There's something interesting about seeing Stern revisit a machine that's already been around for more than a decade. The original AC/DC had a great license to work with, a soundtrack packed with recognizable songs, and the kind of theme that naturally lends itself to pinball.

The question is whether the updated playfield, new mechanical features, and expanded rules make this feel like a meaningful new experience rather than just a modernized version of the original.

From what's been announced, there's plenty to be excited about. The redesigned lower playfield is the biggest change to watch, while the added songs and modes should give players more reasons to spend time with the game.

The Premium starts at $10,199, while collectors looking for something a little more exclusive can go for the $13,499 Limited Edition.

We'll be interested to see how the new version plays once people get some serious time on it. For now, AC/DC is back on the lineup, and Stern is giving one of its classic rock machines another chance to steal the show.