Stern Pinball has unveiled The Uncanny X-Men, a new machine based on Marvel’s mutant heroes. While Stern has produced an earlier X-Men pinball game, this is an entirely different design, led by Jack Danger.
The reveal includes a full walkthrough trailer:
The Uncanny X-Men: What We Know
The game draws on the time-travel stories Days of Future Past and “Mind Out of Time”, themes also explored in the 1990s animated series. Stern has published the official game page with further details.
A shorter trailer offers another look at the machine:
The Limited Edition is being produced and shipped first, followed by Premium and then Pro models. The LE run is limited to 811 machines, which helps explain why the initial trailer places such strong emphasis on that version.
A striking lower playfield layout
The lower playfield immediately stands out. Its flippers are arranged away from the usual central positions, and the machine uses three flippers. Unusual flipper placement can take time to adjust to, so players may need several games before deciding how the layout feels.
The comparison between the available playfields highlights the differences between versions. The Premium and LE models add features including a moving robot hand, while the ramp arrangement and looping shots appear designed to create a strong sense of flow.
Rules, shots and model differences
The rules shown so far suggest a machine built around recognisable X-Men themes and a broad range of objectives. The layout also appears to use several unexpected shots, giving the game an identity beyond its licence.
The complete features matrix sets out the differences between the Pro, Premium and LE editions. Those details will be important for buyers and operators comparing the three models.
Initial thoughts
The unconventional layout is the most intriguing part of the reveal. Jack Danger appears to have been given room to experiment with shot geometry and playfield flow, and the ramps and loops look as though they could make the game enjoyable to play. The off-centre flippers may divide opinion, but they also give the machine a distinctive challenge.
The Premium and LE versions appear to offer the most visually active experience through additions such as the moving robot hand. Whether those extras justify the higher cost will depend on how they affect real-world play, rather than how impressive they look in promotional material.
For operators, it is too early to know how The Uncanny X-Men will perform on location. The game should appeal to Marvel fans and pinball players, but its earning potential will only become clear after it has spent time in arcades and other venues. Operators considering a machine for a venue can also review RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and browse the wider range of arcade machines.
For Australian collectors deciding how a pinball machine fits into a home setup, RETROCADE also covers virtual pinball machines, while replacement controls and other maintenance items are available through the arcade parts catalogue.
The final verdict will have to wait until the machine can be played properly, but the combination of a familiar licence, time-travel themes and an unusual playfield makes this one worth watching.
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