Stern Pinball is gradually revealing more about VENOM, its latest Marvel machine. A new trailer gives collectors and operators a closer look at a game designed by Brian Eddy, with artwork from Zombie Yeti.
The trailer suggests a strong visual identity for the symbiote characters, while the playfield appears to offer plenty of mechanical action. Although Stern has previously produced Marvel and Spider-Man pinball games, VENOM takes a distinctly different approach.
Three VENOM editions for different players
As with many current Stern releases, VENOM is available in Pro, Premium and LE versions. The three models will enter production at different times, with the complete range expected to roll out over several months.
The Pro model has a listed MSRP of US$6,999. Final asking prices may be higher, depending on the seller. Australian buyers comparing a pinball purchase with other arcade machines should also consider the differences between home ownership and commercial operation.
A symbiote battle across the playfield
Stern’s VENOM pinball games place players inside the chaotic Marvel antihero universe, with more than 20 characters appearing across the game. The roster includes Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker, Black Suit Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Riot, Agony, Lasher, Phage, Doppelganger, Venomized Hulk, Venomized Wolverine and Venomized Captain America.
Carnage is gathering Codices to awaken Knull, the God of the symbiotes. Playing as Venom, the player must fight through Carnage’s symbiote army and the Infected before the threat spreads across the world.
Each game begins with the player choosing a host for Venom. That decision affects both the physical playfield experience and the digital game elements. Symbiote containment vessels sit vertically on either side of the playfield, locking and rapidly releasing balls to keep the action moving.
The playfield also sends balls through the mechanically shifting Agro-Lab and Life Foundation pathways. An interactive, custom-sculpted Carnage captive ball can be struck back towards Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane, while a surprise Doppelganger attack can activate three elevated targets and create another burst of disruption.
What changes between the models?
The official Features Matrix provides the clearest side-by-side comparison of the three editions. One notable difference is that the Pro has two ramps, while the Premium and LE versions include four. Those upper models also add the moving target shown in the trailer.
Here’s a link to the Features Matrix if you care to browse. Stern has also published a 31-page rules document for players who want to study the game’s rules and scoring in detail.
Here’s a 31-page ruleset document for a deeper look at the rules. Stern’s published photographs have largely focused on close-up views, making it difficult to assess the entire Pro playfield from the available material. More images were expected on 21 July.
VENOM heads to San Diego Comic-Con
The game is scheduled to appear at San Diego Comic-Con, which begins on Thursday, 20 July 2023. Stern also planned a half-hour online presentation for Insiders on 18 July.
For Australian collectors, VENOM is an interesting example of how modern pinball combines licensed characters, branching game features and physical playfield hardware. Anyone planning a dedicated game room can also compare the space and maintenance requirements with virtual pinball machines or browse the arcade machine buying guide before making a decision.
For more news on new releases and the wider coin-operated entertainment scene, visit the RETROCADE arcade blog.
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