The Flipside Pinball Podcast

In Pinball Rage: My Tournament Meltdown!, we dive into the chaotic (and sometimes emotional) world of competitive pinball, and yes, I had a bit of a moment. We’ll break down what tournament play is really like, how to know if it’s right for you, and what you should know before attending one. I’ll share the story of my own meltdown, what triggered it, and how you can avoid making the same mistake....

Stern Pinball just revealed the long-rumored JAWS 50th Anniversary Edition! In this episode, we react to the reveal and dive into the art, features, and whether it lives up to the hype. But that’s not all...Stern also dropped major code updates for several games that really needed it. We break it all down! 🦈 JAWS 50th Anniversary Edition – First impressions & reaction 🎮 Code updates on underperf...

Predator Pinball is finally real—and it’s HERE! In this video, we break down everything you need to know about the new Predator pinball machine from Pinball Brothers. From gameplay and theme integration to mechs, music, and the controversial Arnold question—we cover it all! 🎯 Widebody layout, killer shots, and iconic moments 🧠 Why Predator was chosen as the follow-up to Alien 🎵 Featuring Alan S...

In this episode, I share my first impressions after playing Jersey Jack Pinball’s highly anticipated Harry Potter machine — but that’s not all. I was honored to help tell the story behind this game by filming the official featurette, giving fans a rare glimpse behind the curtain at how this pinball experience came to life. From creative design to theme integration, this episode dives into what mak...

I finally got my hands on Evil Dead pinball by Spooky—and holy hell, it’s GOOD. In this episode, I share my first impressions, what makes it click, and why this might be Spooky’s best machine yet! But… where’s Harry Potter from Jersey Jack Pinball? The hype is real, but the silence is deafening. Plus, we cover new updates to King Kong by Stern Pinball and Dungeons & Dragons ... Looking to Buy a Ne...

🎙️ In this episode of TheFlipside, we dive into the highly anticipated release from Jersey Jack Pinball: the Harry Potter pinball machine! With one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history—spanning eight blockbuster films and a massive global fanbase—Jersey Jack is taking on one of the biggest licenses in pinball history. Will this new Harry Potter-themed pinball machine live up to the...

The wait is over—the full trailer for Stern’s King Kong is finally here, and in this episode of The FlipSide, we’re breaking it all down together. From the layout glimpses to the art and animations, I’m sharing my unfiltered first impressions and live commentary as we dissect everything revealed so far. I won’t be playing the game until Thursday at the Stern Media Day event, but trust me—there’s p...

In this episode of The FlipSide, we’re diving into Stern’s King Kong pinball teaser. We didn’t get much in the trailer—but let’s talk about what we did see. Are we excited or disappointed? And if it was a bit underwhelming… does it even matter? Because let’s be honest—Keith Elwin always brings the heat. Is Keith’s signature innovation and masterful flow enough to get you hyped for a giant ape-them...

In this episode of The FlipSide, I sit down with Jamie from Wormhole Pinball for an in-depth and fun conversation covering everything from our experience hosting the TWIPY Awards to exploring the legendary Wormhole Vault—a collection of rare and unique pinball machines from the past. We dive into what it’s like having access to such an incredible lineup of classic games and talk about how older ma...

In this episode, we dive deep into the latest pinball rumors, industry news, and some wild speculation—because why not? We kick things off by discussing what Barrels of Fun might have in store for their next game and explore possible themes like Dune, G.I. Joe, and The Goonies (links below for reference). We also chat about Wonderland Amusements and Powlowski Pinball’s involvement in the scene. Th...

In Episode 26, we dive into the exciting speculation around Barrels of Fun’s next big game! Plus, we recap the highlights from the epic TWIPY Weekend and listen to your voicemails. Don’t miss out on the latest updates, behind-the-scenes fun, and more! Tune in now for all the details! LEAVE ME A VOICEMAIL (and I might play it on the next show) https://www.speakpipe.com/RetroRalphVM Looking to Buy a...

In this episode, I dive into an intriguing message I received about three pinball rumors and why they might actually be true. Could Barrels of Fun be working on an IP from our childhood that would make it a must-buy game? Jersey Jack seems to be gearing up for a Harry Potter release, but what comes next? Could it be an amazing IP from the Sega Genesis era? Or maybe a music pin that breaks free fro...

It all started with one trip to Pinball Expo—just one. I came back home, bought my first machine, and from that moment on, it’s been all pinball, all the time. Machines have come and gone, and through the years, I’ve learned a lot about what I love in a game and what just doesn’t stick. But here’s the problem: I still struggle with deciding what stays and what goes. With limited space and an endle...

In Episode 23 of The FlipSide Podcast, I share my hilariously cringe-worthy encounter with the one and only Gary Stern—yes, it’s as awkward as it sounds! Plus, I take your voicemails to spotlight your thoughts and predictions and dive into what the future of pinball could look like in 2025. Don’t forget—it’s not too late to vote for the TWIPYs! Show your support for your favorite podcaster, stream...

In this episode, we’re diving deep—how deep? A full 45 minutes! But with so much to cover, it’s worth it. I’ll introduce you to Ian from Nudge, share our behind-the-scenes experience at Stern Pinball’s media day, and give you our honest thoughts on Stern’s newest cornerstone release, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye. We’ll also discuss the game’s impact on the pinball community, our broader vi...

The FlipSide is back with an action-packed episode! This week, we dive into the much-anticipated Dungeons & Dragons pinball release from Stern. Will it cast a spell on fans or roll a natural 1? We'll break down the gameplay, art, and features to determine if this title will be a critical hit or a surprising miss. Plus, TWIPY Awards voting is OPEN! We’ll discuss our favorite categories, why your vo...

In this action-packed episode of The FlipSide Podcast, we’re diving into some of the hottest topics in pinball! Stern has announced that Foo Fighters is heading to the vault, but why so soon? We’ll break down the possible reasons behind this unexpected move. Plus, there’s controversy brewing in the Stern Pinball Cup—are players really cheating to win? On top of that, we’re speculating on Stern’s n...

In this episode, the TWIPYs are back! We’ll cover how you can participate, who’s hosting, how to vote, and who might take home the win! Plus, the Pinball Rumor Mill is really heating up—and maybe even getting a little strange. We’ll dive into your voicemails and discuss the wild rumor about an American version of Godzilla that was controversial. What’s going on here? All this and more in Episode 1...

In this hilarious and thought-provoking episode, we dive into the terrifying nostalgia of Evil Dead and how it left some of us scarred for life (in the best way). Next, we answer YOUR listener voicemails, tackling burning questions, hot takes, and a few unexpected surprises. Finally, we confront the blue elephant in the room—does Avatar deserve its hype, or is it just an overhyped visual spectacle...

In this episode, I had a rough day at work, and honestly, I was feeling down in the dumps. What was I to do? Well, how about a pinball tournament to lift my spirits? The problem is, tournament play is hard, and, well, I’m just not very good. But will tonight be my night? Will the pinball gods align to finally give me my shining moment? Tune into Episode 17 to find out!

In this episode of The FlipSide, we dive into some big questions—did I buy Metallica?—along with exciting updates, like the new "Lights Out" feature in John Wick, a nod to Caine’s character in John Wick 4, thanks to code developer Tim Sexton. My Uncanny X-Men LE also got a fresh code update with new Expo content. Expo 2024 was a blast—highlighted by Metallica—but I regret missing the freeplay room...

In this episode of The FlipSide, Cale and Rachel from Electric Bat Arcade and Jamie from Wormhole Pinball join us to break down everything we saw at Pinball Expo 2024! From jaw-dropping reveals to unexpected surprises, we’re here to share our thoughts. Which game took center stage—was it Jersey Jack’s Avatar, Stern’s Uncanny X-Men, or Dutch Pinball’s Alice in Wonderland? We also weigh in on the $1...

In this episode of The FlipSide Podcast, we explore all things Pinball Expo 2024. What can we anticipate, and are there any surprises in store? Which game will steal the spotlight: Jersey Jack’s Avatar, Stern’s Uncanny X-Men, or Dutch Pinball’s Alice in Wonderland? We also discuss the intriguing buzz about a $1,000 pinball machine—could it actually be a reality? Who's behind this project, and is i...

In this episode, I’m covering a bit of everything! We’ll dive into how Stern continues to release exciting new modes for its games, with a focus on the latest "Shark is Broken" mode for JAWS. I'll also share my first impressions of Avatar after finally getting some playtime in. We’ll talk a little about tournament play, my refusal to quit even if I’m not the best, and I’ll respond to some of Kaned...

In this episode, we go to Electric Bat to visit Cale Hernandez. Cale just returned from Chicago, where he played Avatar from Jersey Jack and X-Men from Stern Pinball. Let's get his reaction and talk about it!