Stern Pinball Finally Unleashes Fallout

The wait is over.

After months of rumors, speculation, and a handful of teasers that only seemed to make everyone more curious, Stern Pinball has officially revealed Fallout. And after finally getting a look at the machine, it's pretty clear why this one has been generating so much buzz behind the scenes.

Based on the Fallout video game franchise and the hit Amazon Prime television series, Stern's latest Cornerstone release is being developed in collaboration with Bethesda Game Studios and Kilter Films, the production company behind the TV series.

And yeah... this thing is loaded.

Welcome to the Wasteland

Designed by Keith Elwin and his team, Fallout puts players directly into the wasteland and lets them experience the game through the eyes of three characters from the television series: Lucy MacLean, The Ghoul, and Maximus.

Each character comes with their own side modes and features, giving players different ways to approach the game.

At the heart of the rules is the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system, allowing players to build up Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck throughout their games.

Players will also hack terminals using a Pip-Boy, battle wastelanders, explore the vault, and work their way through the various challenges scattered throughout the game.

And because this is Fallout, there are plenty of familiar faces and objects along the way.

Vault Boy, Power Armor, Nuka-Cola, Vault Suits, the Pip-Boy and plenty of other Fallout staples are all represented.

Stern also worked directly with Bethesda and Kilter Films during development, including Bethesda's Todd Howard and Kilter Films executive producer Jonathan Nolan. The game pulls material from both the video games and the first two seasons of the television series.

This Playfield Is Packed

If the early previews had you wondering whether the game was going to live up to all the hype, the answer appears to be a pretty big yes.

The centerpiece is a replica Pip-Boy sitting right on the playfield. Built in collaboration with WAND Co., the Pip-Boy features an interactive color screen that ties directly into different game modes.

Then there's the Fat Man launcher, which uses a multi-axis system and Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., to send balls toward an upper playfield target gallery.

There's also a moving Nuka-Cola bottle cap spinner, an inverted upper flipper, a mechanical vault blast door, and a Deathclaw bash toy complete with kickback and taunt features.

And for those who like a little lower-playfield action, Stern has incorporated its magnetic Magna-Flip technology as well.

It's a lot to take in from the first look.

The Game Keeps Getting Deeper

One of the things I find most interesting about Fallout is how much Stern has incorporated the RPG side of the franchise into the pinball rules.

The new S.P.E.C.I.A.L. perk system is connected through Stern Insider Connected, allowing players to continue building their character progression across games.

According to Stern, getting all seven attributes to level 10 unlocks exclusive modes tied to each character.

That kind of persistent progression could add a really interesting layer to the game, especially for players who tend to put serious time into one machine.

It's not just about surviving one game. You're building toward something every time you play.

And Then There's the Limited Edition

Stern is producing 770 Limited Edition machines worldwide, a nod to the Great War of 2077 from the Fallout universe.

The LE gets a pretty substantial list of upgrades, including a full-color mirrored backglass, HD cabinet artwork, Cabinet and Speaker Expression Lighting, custom armor, upgraded audio, anti-reflective glass, a shaker motor, a custom shooter knob, numbered plaque, certificate of authenticity and an Insider Connected LE owner's badge.

There's even a designer-signed bottom arch.

Basically, Stern went all in on the collector version.

Three Versions, Available Now

Unlike some releases where fans have to wait months for production to ramp up, Fallout is available immediately through Stern distributors worldwide.

The three models are priced at:

Pro: $7,299
Premium: $10,699
Limited Edition: $13,999

Yes, that is a little more than we've become accustomed to seeing from recent Stern releases. But after seeing everything they've managed to pack into this machine, it's at least easier to understand where that price is coming from.

So... Was the Hype Worth It?

That's the big question.

The rumors surrounding Fallout have been unusually loud, especially after dealers reportedly got an early look at the machine. Now that we've finally seen it for ourselves, it's easy to understand why people were excited.

You've got a massive license, a Keith Elwin design, characters from the television series, material from the games, a ton of physical hardware and a software system that actually gives players something to work toward.

On paper, this looks like one of Stern's biggest releases in a while.

But of course, there's only one thing left to do.

Play it.

Luckily, we won't have to wait long for that either. Stern is showing off Fallout during its launch livestream today, giving everyone a chance to see the game in action and get a better feel for how all of these toys and rules come together.

After all the rumors and teasers, it's finally time to head into the wasteland.

And honestly?

I can't wait.