Speculation about Stern Pinball’s next release pointed in the wrong direction, with the expected Venom machine failing to materialise. Stern has instead offered an early look at a James Bond-themed design.
Which Bond will feature?
Stern has not yet revealed whether the machine will centre on one actor’s interpretation of 007 or bring several versions of the spy together. A multi-era design would give players the chance to choose their preferred Bond, while a single-character approach could make sense for a limited edition model. Sean Connery is often regarded as the definitive Bond, although the film series’ other portrayals each have their own distinct appeal.
What Stern has confirmed
The project was shown during Stern’s State of the Union presentation. It has been described as a design by George Gomez, although that attribution had not been formally confirmed at the time of the announcement.
Gomez would be a fitting designer for the property. He previously worked on Midway’s Spy Hunter, a game strongly influenced by the Bond formula. The project was intended to use James Bond theme music, but licensing costs made that impractical.
Bond’s arcade and pinball history
Although Bond has influenced several arcade-style games, including Spy Hunter, Top Secret and Edward Randy, the franchise had not previously received an official Bond video game for arcades.
The Stern machine will also be the third James Bond-themed pinball release. It follows Gottlieb’s James Bond in 1980 and Sega’s Goldeneye in 1996.
For more coverage of new releases and industry announcements, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. Readers comparing pinball formats can also explore virtual pinball machines and the wider range of arcade machines.
What should the machine include?
The central unanswered question is whether Stern will celebrate one Bond or draw from the complete film legacy. A broader tribute could offer more characters and eras, while a focused table might deliver a sharper interpretation of one version of 007.
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