Stern Pinball Unveils Star Wars Fall of the Empire

Stern Pinball unveils Star Wars: Fall of the Empire

Stern Pinball has returned to the Star Wars universe with a new machine inspired by the events of Return of the Jedi. The reveal followed a build-up led by pinball streamer-turned-Stern employee Jack Danger, who played through the franchise’s previous Stern tables before introducing the new game.

Star Wars: Fall of the Empire trailer

Stern teased Star Wars: Fall of the Empire a couple of weeks ago, before moving into the full announcement. Veteran pinball designer John Borg is leading the project, with the reveal followed by further details about its hardware and playfield features.

Here is the headline feature list. Some of these additions are exclusive to the Premium and Limited Edition models.

• First game built on the Spike3 platform
• New 18.5-inch HD display
• Updated audio system
• Force Outlane Magnetic Ball Saver
• Sculpted AT-AT toy
• Death Star II toy with an opening ramp
• Millennium Falcon toy
• Sarlacc Pit whirlpool target
• Sculpted Jabba the Hutt, Stormtrooper helmet and TIE Fighters
• Custom C-3PO callouts performed by actor Chris Bartlett

The Force MagnaSave is one of the most distinctive additions. It works in a similar way to the MagnaSave feature on the Premium and LE versions of Ghostbusters, using a magnet to help protect the ball from the outlane. It is not included on the Pro model.

The three cabinet versions

As with many Stern releases, Fall of the Empire is offered in Pro, Premium and Limited Edition configurations. Buyers comparing physical pinball machines with other virtual pinball machines should note that the feature sets differ significantly between the three Stern variants.

Premium and Limited Edition features

• Custom-sculpted motorised AT-AT Walker
• Motorised Hyperspace lift ramp feeding a wireform ramp
• Custom-sculpted TIE Fighter with spotlight
• “Use the Force” Jedi Save outlane magnetic ball saver
• Illuminated custom-sculpted Jabba the Hutt figure
• Custom-sculpted Darth Vader helmet
• Custom-sculpted Stormtrooper helmet
• Powder-coated steel bottom arch

The Limited Edition also includes Stern’s Expression Lighting System. Premium buyers can add that system later. Stern’s complete comparison is available in the full Features Matrix.

For readers planning a dedicated games room, the differences between models are worth weighing alongside cabinet space and ownership needs. RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide offers broader advice for choosing and planning a home setup, while the arcade repairs service page covers ongoing maintenance considerations.

The game is available now, although Stern produces machines in limited runs. Once a particular run sells through, new orders may need to wait until further units are produced.

For more arcade and pinball news, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.