Who is your favorite modern manufacturer, and why?

[Glitch]

So I’m curious: with absolutely no negativity, I’ve seen a lot of loyalty to certain manufacturers on here, and what I’d love to know is ‘what makes your favorite your favorite?’

Cause we can all agree certain manufacturers do things better than others, and curious what’s important to everyone. So with the one rule of no negativity (2026 is getting to me), I’d love to know what you prefer.

 

[ZoomZoomBoomBoom]

I get asked this all the time at the bar...

Stern makes "action super hero movie" machines. (Amazing at first, but are kind of all starting to feel the same).
Jersey Jack makes "adventure movie/ Christopher Nolan" machines. (Gameplay takes longer to build, but once it delivers, it packs a more profound punch).
Spooky makes the "coolest", "old Tim Burton movie", machines. (Not the greatest ever made, but they are just so damn cool.)
Pinball Bros makes the boutique machines for enthusiasts and are exciting to see if you catch a rare glimpse of one in the wild.
American Pinball makes the "best bang for your buck" machines, but like meat and potatoes, while fulfilling, people don't get excited about them.
Turner is that up and coming teenager who is technically brilliant, but hasn't yet fully developed into an adult (business).
Barrels of Fun is the adult version of Turner. Solid, quality, but like a responsible adult, not quite the "bad boy" of what Stern used to be. (Yet?)
Chicago Games is like expensive, real wood furniture that is built to last and isn't flashy, but nobody really knows except the people that know.
Dutch Pinball, Hexa and Perditti are like those animals that are very unique, however due to evolution are borderline extinct.
Williams is the Ford of pinball machines. Classic regular machines with some (Ford GT/ Raptor) games that sometimes just blow the competition away.
Gottlieb is the Hyundai of pinball.

...that's my take on them.

 

[kool1]

Stern #1 - not even close for me. I'm not a collector, I like to play. Nothing pulls me in and keeps me hitting start like modern Sterns.

2nd place - I absolutely love where JJP game play is now though (just got a Harry Potter and EJ is really good also).

3rd - Spooky. Quality/reliability is finally matching it's beautiful games.

BOF definitely the one to watch!!! Love Dune and Winchester, both really good games.

 

[Chris Bardon]

Stern is definitely the big dog to beat now for new games. The build quality is generally reliable, and if you need parts you can get them. I've got 6 spike 2s though, and other than cleaning and changing rubbers/balls, I haven't had to do much to keep them running. As someone who just wants to play, they just work. Game designs and rules also took a massive step up in the Spike2 era, and in general every game (at least the ones I've owned) has gotten (or is in the process of getting) finished code.

I do like JJP games, and have owned a couple (DI, Hobbit). They have the highest production values of anyone out there. I know Jack used to throw around the term "HD pinball", and the A/V quality and lighting on their games is top notch. Code is a little more hit and miss, but when it's good it can be very good. HP is a fun theme, and I'm looking forward to what they have next.

 

[Jeff K.]

In my humble opinion, Stern make the most fun all around games.
However, I am interested in JJP’s HP. Aside from DI & EJ, I haven’t found their other titles all that compelling.
I’ve never played a Spooky or AP that wasn’t either broken or just not all that enjoyable.
Chicago Gaming makes awesome remakes. Love my MMR.
Full disclaimer, I’ve never seen nor played a BoF or Turner game, nor have I seen Spooky’s two recent offerings (ED or BJ).
My biggest concern is the high pricing on all pins atm, especially in $CAD.
The secondary market for most Stern & JJP titles is also def under duress.

 

[MrMikeman]

I find that Stern has become the MacDonald’s of pinball. Most of their games look the same with ultra busy rainbow puke artwork. The penny pinching ways of the greed motivated CEO is quite evident now. Stern's corporate philosophy now seems limited to maximising short term profit with no long term vision to grow the brand. Meh.

BoF seems focussed on producing a quality product and I think they are doing well.

JJP has always been about bling over substance but they seem to be consciously trying to remedy that. EJ And now HP are amazing.

Spooky’s vision is “pack the game as much as possible”. They are also now more focussed on making the games fun to play too. The progression of the design team is evident. As long as they continue along that path I think they may have very cool games in store for us.

Multimorphic has no real foothold in Canada yet due to the lack of distribution. Most folks have not played a P3 in a home environment(at least a current model) and have pre-conceived ideas about the game. It’s a pretty amazing real pinball platform with dynamic artwork instead of ink on plywood. Themes are a bit niche so far but apparently cool licences are coming. I like that my NIB games cost half of a Stern Pro and way less than a Stern Premium. Great for space limitations as it only takes up 1 spot in the lineup. Getting acceptance is the biggest hurdle for Multimorphic as this requires exposure.

Turner pinball I don’t know much about. I’ve played Merlin’s Arcade at a show and thought it was super fun. Price is the hurdle when compared to what else you could get for that same amount. Yeti game I hate the generic unlicensed ragtime music and could never stand having that game in my lineup, regardless of game play. Audio is too important to me. The current audio makes the game feel like a cheap Zizzle or Arcade 1up.

CGC puts out quality games. I really enjoyed my MMRRE and CCR when I had them. Remakes are just remakes though. No idea of their design creativity yet as Pulp Fiction was designed outside of CGC.

PB I don’t know at all. Never played any of their games.

AP I haven’t played much of their games either. Did try to play GTF at a show but the game was lame/not working right. Meh. I’d have to try in a quiet environment to make up an opinion.

 

[Pin_Fandango]

Spooky - They are love letters to the themes they make. I like what Spooky is putting out in terms of theme integration but I find their game lacking creativity in the layouts section. Clunky machines with questionable design choices and experimentation. But very cool machines from a theme integration point of view. I never find them particularly fun to shoot. The only machine I have liked from them is Rick and Morty and it is not a flow monster by any means, super clunk fest, but the sound package and it being so different make it fun.

JJP - the casino slot type of pinball. They are making some great layouts but the machines seem soulless, like a slot machine. Great animations, great light shows but they lack emotion in the sound package although it is perfect, it just does not scream emotion and the callouts are emotionless. Beautiful machines always, probably some of the best build quality and theme integration but it is not perfect. They are not as fun as a Stern.

BOF - have not seen one in person but seem like people like them and they seen to have good build quality.

Stern - KIA of pinball. Their cost cutting mentality has completely pushed me out of their product. The new spike III system is an absolute joke and not worth the price, the system is designed to be cheap to produce and they have now even make their cabinet cheaper than before, with it not being a real cabinet anymore but just 5 pieces of plywood held by cheap soft stainless steel brackets. They make however the most fun pinball but their systems are designed for cookie cutter programming. If you look closely, all their machines play absolutely the same, and the code is fundamentally the same with just a few nuances pertaining to the theme with more or less the same structure, depending who the designing team is. Once they lose Elwin as lead designer they will be in 3rd or 4th place.

There is no perfect system and I am not liking what Stern is making anymore so I would likely be adding things to my collection that speak to me from a nostalgic place or that are fun to shoot. I am looking forward to Gremlins from spooky and I will probably buy it even if the layout sucks.

 

[kool1]

That's a pretty negative look at pinball companies @Pin_Fandango .

HP from JJP is very fun. Definitely not a "slot machine" . Definitely not soulless, quite the opposite. Not a fan of Avitar but I think EJ is a fantastic game too. Toy Story definitely feels like a slot machine, maybe you played that last.

Stern FOTE was definitely disappointing but I think JW, D&D and KK are all fun. Not themes for me fun but not everything will be. As for the processing power of spike III I'm not sure why it's a "joke" and "not worth the price". Is more power not good? Certainly more than enough for pinball. It's not like they raised the price.

 

[Pin_Fandango]

The callouts in all JJPs are soulless for me compared to a more fun, voice acting of older games. Something that Stern does well here. JJPS are all about nice and refined sounds, that go well with their animated structure but lack emotion. They feel like a slot machine to me. I have not played HP in person but did not notice anything different than other JJPS while watching streams. I am just not a fan.

Was not refering to the processing power but more about how their systems are made. Spike III is all about using cheaper components, there is no proof yet that more power equals to more fun. By wathcing their latest, their coding structure and gameplay remains absolutely the same? not sure where the power was gained but in the day and age, this is irrelevant, just more proof that spike II was built around an already dated system just to keep it cheap. Their motto is making all the electronics inside cheaper and smaller and unserviceable, even the speakers are now smaller footprint than before. There is absolutely no value passed to the customer, it is all about making the machine cheaper overall and boost their botom line. The cabinet in the spike III is the same cabinet they use in home editions.

 

[kool1]

Spike 3 definitely more power and faster boot times. Bigger screens. Speakers don't sound worse, better IMO. Same price. Not sure what is cheaper to make here?

Pinball really isn't about faster processing power.If you think the code is bad or too complex that's fair. Not for you.

 

[frosken]

Such a challenge to rate them...

Stern IMHO, although diluted is the "standard". What I think saved them in the last few years is Insider Connect. I must admit that I love IC and it adds more excitement to try to achieve some game-specific goals and reels you in to finish their games' feature while providing "proof" that to completed them. Obviously, your game setup may help (or not) hitting those targets.

It is true that they've cut corners (a lot) and feel like rainbow-puke is the new norm, but some titles still have satisfying shots and flow to which it keeps you coming back for more. It is a question of taste.

Spooky: I've played numerous titles, but haven't tried BJ yet and only played ED a few times at PinFest last year. I've heard that they have progressed quite a bit, but I'm no fan of Scooby-Doo, TCM/Looney Tunes nor Halloween. They feel too much like Popeye....the ball is always hidden. I'm hearing mixed reviews on the reliability of them, but as for looks, I really like what they'Ve done lately. interesting to watch.

JJ: All looks and no content would be the best way to describe them. HOWEVER, I do like EJ and HP... I feel like they "got the message" and are getting better as per flow and gameplay. I've nenver been a fan of HP (never read any books or watched any movie), but I've had the opportunity to play it a bit and I enjoy the game. I also like EJ... fun to play IMHO.

P3: interesting concept. Games are getting better and better. Don't want to be the sucker that needs to move it though...sooooo heavy! Flippers feel clunky and I've heard some of the reliability nightmares, but they are starting to gain notice and I hope that more people will soon try it out and enjoy their next titles. IMHO, their last title (Portal) is a true game breaker... it makes use of the entire playfield, not just the upper third.

American Pinball: ...ugh...While some titles have some decent features, their last one (bbq) is such a disgrace. Go get me a Street Fighter 2 rather than play (and pay) for that stinker...started well and since then they've gone downhill... and I mean avalanche speed.

Turner: I was surprised by their Merlin game. I enjoy it... maybe not at the pricing of the other ones, but it is a fun game. It seemed solid too. Their new title looks like a WW 2.0 w/o a true visual or sound package, but if they can get a licence that makes sense, I would be curious how good (or bad) they'll progress.

Hexa: OMFG! run! run run run ruuuuuunnnn!!!!!!! Remember the Yugo?.... that's where I put them... w/o the Yugo price. Sorry, but I had to say it.

BOF: I've played Labyrinthe quite a bit and I enjoy it. very well built. I can't wait to play winchester... it looks so promising.

Chicago: a remake is a remake. Pulp Fiction is not bad, but they need to bring out a few more original titles before I can rate them.

I cannot really chat about the other titles...as I haven't really played/tried them.

I also try to compare "bang for the buck".... some might be better than others, but is the price overage for them worthwhile?...the years of covid FOMO are over...I just hope the pinball manufacturers will not drop like flies as per the supply and demand are evolving in a very rapid pace. More is not necessarily better...

In conclusion, there is no perfect pinball company.

my $0,05

 

[Pin_Fandango]

Is not about processing power or boot times. I am talking about the system itself and how it is built. SPIKE III is cheaper to make, and it shows in almost every component, the electronics, the cabinet, and the overall construction including the decals. It feels like the focus was on cutting costs rather than improving the player experience or making it easier to service. The gameplay is fine, but the system and build quality have definitely taken a step down.

 

[kool1]

Is not about processing power or boot times. I am talking about the system itself and how it is built. SPIKE III is cheaper to make, and it shows in almost every component, the electronics, the cabinet, and the overall construction including the decals. It feels like the focus was on cutting costs rather than improving the player experience or making it easier to service. The gameplay is fine, but the system and build quality have definitely taken a step down.

How do you know it's cheaper to make? Are bigger screens and upgraded processors cheaper? I don't know where you get this information from.

If you are just talking about the cabinets, I have read all the posts about the new main cabinet. It's identical wood but made in house with new design l. I don't see the massive savings even there.

 

[Pin_Fandango]

How do you know it's cheaper to make? Are bigger screens and upgraded processors cheaper? I don't know where you get this information from.

If you are just talking about the cabinets, I have read all the posts about the new main cabinet. It's identical wood but made in house with new design l. I don't see the massive savings even there.

I am not claiming to have exact cost numbers. I am talking about what I see in the design choices. Smaller electronics, more compact speaker modules, and changes to the cabinet all point to a system that is simpler and easier to produce. Whether the savings are big or not, the direction looks more about reducing complexity than improving durability or serviceability. That is what matters to me as a player and owner.

I also do not want to turn this into a full Stern debate. I will just say there is a lot of misinformation around what makes a good cabinet. It is not just about the type of wood, the construction method matters a lot. That may not be important to everyone, but it is to me.

Which brings it back to the original question. My preference right now is not Stern, for those reasons. That is all.

At the end of the day, this is just my perspective based on what I like to see and own in these machines.

 

[kool1]

Don't get me wrong @Pin_Fandango, Stern is not all good and lots of room for improvement with recent execution, long waits for code and poor communication.

That said becoming more efficient is not a bad thing and doesn't mean it's worse or "cheap". Upgraded screens speakers and processors don't exactly scream cost cuts, quite the opposite. There is a great interview Cary does with George Gomez regarding the new cabinets where he explains what has been done, you should watch.

 

[Pin_Fandango]

Don't get me wrong @Pin_Fandango, Stern is not all good and lots of room for improvement with recent execution, long waits for code and poor communication.

That said becoming more efficient is not a bad thing and doesn't mean it's worse or "cheap". Upgraded screens speakers and processors don't exactly scream cost cuts, quite the opposite. There is a great interview Cary does with George Gomez regarding the new cabinets where he explains what has been done, you should watch.

I watched that interview. George might be a great engineer but that does not make him a great cabinet maker. I 100% respect the dudes trayectory and what he has contributed to pinball history in the last 40+ years but I am sorry, this new cabinet is not for me and I will not pay top dollar for an ikea style assembly.

 

[kool1]

I would trust George over almost anyone in pinball. He knows it inside and out. Unless you have deep background in cabinet making and can explain what is wrong I will take his word its well engineered. No one is saying Pokémon pinball cabinets are falling apart or seem unstable.

Lots of amazing pinball out there. Buy what you like for sure! Great thing in 2026 is there is more choice than ever before.

 

[IVPinball]

Such a challenge to rate them...

Stern IMHO, although diluted is the "standard". What I think saved them in the last few years is Insider Connect. I must admit that I love IC and it adds more excitement to try to achieve some game-specific goals and reels you in to finish their games' feature while providing "proof" that to completed them. Obviously, your game setup may help (or not) hitting those targets.

It is true that they've cut corners (a lot) and feel like rainbow-puke is the new norm, but some titles still have satisfying shots and flow to which it keeps you coming back for more. It is a question of taste.

Spooky: I've played numerous titles, but haven't tried BJ yet and only played ED a few times at PinFest last year. I've heard that they have progressed quite a bit, but I'm no fan of Scooby-Doo, TCM/Looney Tunes nor Halloween. They feel too much like Popeye....the ball is always hidden. I'm hearing mixed reviews on the reliability of them, but as for looks, I really like what they'Ve done lately. interesting to watch.

JJ: All looks and no content would be the best way to describe them. HOWEVER, I do like EJ and HP... I feel like they "got the message" and are getting better as per flow and gameplay. I've nenver been a fan of HP (never read any books or watched any movie), but I've had the opportunity to play it a bit and I enjoy the game. I also like EJ... fun to play IMHO.

P3: interesting concept. Games are getting better and better. Don't want to be the sucker that needs to move it though...sooooo heavy! Flippers feel clunky and I've heard some of the reliability nightmares, but they are starting to gain notice and I hope that more people will soon try it out and enjoy their next titles. IMHO, their last title (Portal) is a true game breaker... it makes use of the entire playfield, not just the upper third.

American Pinball: ...ugh...While some titles have some decent features, their last one (bbq) is such a disgrace. Go get me a Street Fighter 2 rather than play (and pay) for that stinker...started well and since then they've gone downhill... and I mean avalanche speed.

Turner: I was surprised by their Merlin game. I enjoy it... maybe not at the pricing of the other ones, but it is a fun game. It seemed solid too. Their new title looks like a WW 2.0 w/o a true visual or sound package, but if they can get a licence that makes sense, I would be curious how good (or bad) they'll progress.

Hexa: OMFG! run! run run run ruuuuuunnnn!!!!!!! Remember the Yugo?.... that's where I put them... w/o the Yugo price. Sorry, but I had to say it.

BOF: I've played Labyrinthe quite a bit and I enjoy it. very well built. I can't wait to play winchester... it looks so promising.

Chicago: a remake is a remake. Pulp Fiction is not bad, but they need to bring out a few more original titles before I can rate them.

I cannot really chat about the other titles...as I haven't really played/tried them.

I also try to compare "bang for the buck".... some might be better than others, but is the price overage for them worthwhile?...the years of covid FOMO are over...I just hope the pinball manufacturers will not drop like flies as per the supply and demand are evolving in a very rapid pace. More is not necessarily better...

In conclusion, there is no perfect pinball company.

my $0,05

Lol at Yugo