Transformers fans have been waiting a long time for something big. The franchise is thriving in comics, but live-action films and video games have been quiet. Hasbro is reportedly working on fixing that, with new games and a film on the way.
Before any of that arrives, Stern Pinball has released a new Transformers pinball machine. The base model costs $6,999. It is out now, and it is exactly as extravagant as it sounds.
The $7,000 Pinball Machine
The machine is called Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. Stern Pinball is offering three versions, and the price climbs steeply from there. The Premium model costs $9,699. The Limited Edition model costs $12,999.
That is a serious amount of money for a single piece of entertainment hardware, even by the standards of premium pinball collecting. For context, that base price is enough to buy every Transformers film, comic, and game ever released, with money left over.
The machine is not aimed at casual fans. It is aimed at devoted collectors who want the best possible version of a Transformers pinball table in their home.
What The Money Buys
The machine is based on the original designs of many of Transformers’ most iconic characters. It delivers an excellent, high-end experience with abundant Transformers theming throughout. It is a true work of art.
Stern Pinball is known for its licensed machines. The company has built tables for Fallout, Pokémon, The Walking Dead, X-Men, John Wick, and The Mandalorian, among many others. This is not a new venture for them, and the Transformers table is built to the same standard.
The machine includes all the best pinball trimmings one would expect from a high-end machine. For the price, you are getting a premium physical product, not a digital approximation.
Stern Pinball’s Track Record
Stern Pinball is the industry leader in pinball manufacturing. The company has built a reputation for quality that few can match. When a major franchise gets a pinball machine, Stern is often the company behind it.
The list of licenses Stern has worked with is long and varied. Beyond the ones already mentioned, the company has produced machines for a wide range of films, TV shows, and games. That experience shows in the finished product, and the Transformers machine is no exception.
The Price Tiers
- Base Model: $6,999
- Premium Model: $9,699
- Limited Edition Model: $12,999
The three tiers offer different levels of features and finish. The Limited Edition is the most expensive and presumably the most collectible. What exactly changes between the tiers is not specified, but the price difference is substantial.
For most people, even the base model is out of reach. This is a product for serious collectors with significant disposable income. It is for truly dogmatic devotees of Transformers, not the casual fan who enjoys the odd release every now and then.
Hasbro’s Bigger Plans
The pinball machine is not the only Transformers news on the table. Hasbro is reportedly building new game studios and a publishing organization designed to deliver games for its vast collection of IP. That means more Transformers video games could be on the way.
Hasbro’s new in-game publishing label has several video games potentially in production. There is also a new Transformers film in the works. The latest film was Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and the franchise has been quiet on the gaming front for a while.
The Wait For A New Game
There is no timeline for the new games or the film. Fans are going to have to wait quite a while for the big-budget Transformers video game.
Hasbro’s new publishing label is designed to finally deliver great games for its vast selection of IP. That is a big promise, and it covers more than just Transformers. The company owns a wide range of brands, and the new label could produce games across all of them.
For now, the pinball machine is the only concrete new Transformers product that fans can actually buy. If you want a big-budget Transformers experience right now, this is it. You just have to be willing to pay for it.
Who Should Buy This
If you are a casual Transformers fan who enjoys the occasional movie or cartoon, this machine is not for you. The price alone puts it in a different category. This is for people who have the money and the space for a full-size pinball machine.
The Transformers machine is a statement piece, a centerpiece for a game room or a serious collection. If you do not want to buy one, you can still look at it. Stern Pinball’s official website has the machine on display. It is impressively detailed and rather beautiful, and you can admire it without spending $7,000.
A Strange Addition
This is not a typical Transformers announcement. It is a niche product for a specific audience. The machine looks absolutely incredible, but the price is exorbitantly high.
Transformers has been criminally underserved when it comes to live-action films and video games. The comics have been doing better than ever, but the other media have been lacking. The pinball machine is a strange but welcome addition to the franchise’s lineup.
There is no word on when the new film or games will arrive. They are in the works, and fans will have to wait. In the meantime, the pinball machine is the most tangible new Transformers product available.
The Bottom Line
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye pinball machine is a premium product at a premium price. It is built by a company with a strong reputation, and it honors the original designs of the franchise. If you have the money, it is likely an excellent addition to any collection.
If you do not have the money, it is still worth a look. The machine is on display on Stern Pinball’s website, and it is beautiful. You do not have to own it to appreciate the craftsmanship.
The bigger story is what comes next. Hasbro is building out its game publishing operation, and a new Transformers film is in the works. The pinball machine is a stopgap, a way to get a high-end Transformers product while the bigger projects are still in development.
For now, the headline is the price. A $7,000 Transformers release is officially here, and it is exactly as extravagant as it sounds. Whether that is worth it is up to you.
Source: screenrant.com
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