Metallica Remastered Pinball Impressions
Stern Pinball kindly invited me to their headquarters in Elk Grove Village to try Metallica Remastered Pinball. This classic has been reborn with modern technology, including an LCD, new game modes, music, and graphics.
A New World
Walking through Stern’s front doors felt like Lucy stepping into Narnia for me. I’m a thirty-one-year-old man, and until this experience, I was ignorant of pinball’s popularity. What I previously believed were vanity games from a bygone era are, in reality, alive, thriving, and beloved by a worldwide community.
Here I am, a mere video game enthusiast, surrounded by pinball influencers crowded around machines from the old to the new in Stern’s “Pinball Alley.” Modern games like The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, and Jaws are present, with the newly revealed Metallica Remastered being the star attraction.
Dozens of attendees crowd the premium and limited edition machines, keeping the band’s tunes ripping for hours. While waiting for a window to get my hands on the game, I spoke with the Game Designer, John Borg, Lead Software Engineer, Raymond Davidson, and Stern’s Director of Marketing, Zach Sharpe.
The three of them filled me in on everything new with Metallica Remastered. On the surface, there are prevalent updates on display. The machine is coated in gorgeous new art by Rhys Cooper. The new LCD presents live concert footage and new animations supporting the new modes.
Eight new songs accompany the original setlist, bringing the total to twenty-two in Remastered. New sculptures, including Sparky the Skeleton, the Hammer, and illuminated skulls, accompany the art.
Under the Hood
Raymond described a few of the deeper software elements that are difficult for a layman like me to comprehend but are impressive when the machine is in action. One of several new software features is the transition from old lamp matrixes to node boards. Two new modes are included that are inspired by the band’s two most recent albums.
Many more new features and design philosophies set Remastered apart from its predecessor. Stern’s website explains them in depth.
I may be a pinball novice, but I know when I’m having a good time. I grew up listening to Metallica with my dad, and we’ve seen them perform twice together. The inclusion of live concert footage is an awesome touch.
I love how well the speed and ferocity of their music pairs with the energy of Pinball. Reacting to everything the game throws at you while shredding Master of Puppets makes for an adrenaline-fueled experience.
It Takes a Village
Zach took several attendees and me on a guided tour of Stern’s factory, where they build, repair, and ship their games worldwide. Stern employs hundreds of people who bring the machines to life by hand.
I’m captivated by the human ingenuity and artistry involved with pinball machines. I found out that each machine averages 3500 parts. From the base level of engineering to the finishing artistic touches, these are fun, beautiful works of art.
John shared that production on Metallica Remastered begins in November for limited editions and later followed by premiums.
Following the tour and my time with the game, I stopped by the 2024 Pinball Expo. Once again, my eyes were opened to pinball’s relevance. Inside the expo, hundreds of people flooded the show floor, crowding around countless pinball machines.
A Pinball Palace
Multiple pinball companies were present, with Stern easily having the most impressive booth. It reminded me much of E3’s alluring booths. R.I.P E3. General video game culture accompanied the machines, including countless retro games from Super Nintendo to the original PlayStation and Xbox, gaming weapon props, souvenirs, and more.
The cherry, or relish, on top of my Illinois adventure, was my lunch at Portillo’s. I’d never been but had heard tall tales. The legend of its hotdog prowess is true. My entire day was full of wonderful new experiences. I walked into Stern Inc. obliviously. I walked out with a significant appreciation for pinball and its prominent community.
What I once dabbled with at Barcades will be approached with more reverence and intrigue. Stay tuned to COGconnected for news, reviews, features, and now pinball.