Pinball Hype Index

Back to the Future is a long wished-for pinball theme. Fans want an update of the 1990 Data East game from a company like Stern.

Pinball fans obsess over the possibility of a Pokémon themed pinball machine, hoping it will connect with younger pinball fans and bring a revenue boost to location operators.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a pinball theme that's frequently requested by fans and has been associated with Stern rumors for years.

Harry Potter is a beloved franchise noted for its books, movies, and world-building.

Beetlejuice has been an in-demand dream theme for some time, thanks to it's lasting popularity and ingrained place in pop culture.

The pinball community has long requested an Evil Dead themed machine, particularly by noted boutique producer, Spooky Pinball.

The Goonies is a much requested pinball theme and was once the code name for Stern's Stranger Things game.

Although Tron was produced by Stern this century, it's a frequent target of Vault rumors.

Frequently mentioned alongside his band Black Sabbath, pinball fans would love an Ozzy Osbourne pin in some form.

Stern Pinball fans have often discussed their wishes for a Black Sabbath themed pinball machine.

The Matrix films top the list of most wanted pinball themes, and rumors have circulated about a game for the franchise for years.

Following the success of Top Gun: Maverick, the Top Gun license will be difficult to obtain. But, whoever does obtain it would likely have a massive hit on their hands.

Van Halen is frequently mentioned as a candidate for a music themed pinball machine, however most fans realize the licensing for said theme would be difficult or even impossible.

The original Lord of the Rings pinball machine helped catalyze a strong turnaround for Stern Pinball, and fans have long wanted to see it vaulted with a more modern take.

Ok ok, it's an internet joke. No one in their right minds would make a Lawrence Welk themed pinball machine. But Lawrence Welk gets discussed a lot by pinball fans, so it makes the buzz list.

Army of Darkness is an extremely popular cult classic movie, often requested by fans of boutique manufacturer Spooky Pinball.

Pinball fans are eager for a Pink Floyd-themed machine, particularly after the releases of themes based on contemporaries like Led Zepplin.

Big Trouble in Little China may not be as relevant as it once was, but nostalgic fans often mention the 80s action / adventure romp as good inspiration for a pinball machine.

Friday the 13th is another popular horror franchise that's often mentioned as a desirable pinball machine theme.

Indiana Jones already has two tables, but fans want to take a mulligan on the last release by Stern, and want to see the classic table remade by Chicago Gaming Company, or a new table made in the universe that lives up to the original.

We have several pins based on The Simpsons, so why not Futurama?

Metallica is a pioneering heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. Known for their aggressive musicianship and complex song structures, they have become one of the most influential and commercially successful bands of all time, with iconic albums like "Master of Puppets" and "The Black Album" under their belt.

Nightmare on Elm Street is an all-time classic horror film franchise and although it has been produced once, fans would like to see a modern take on this classic theme.

When pinball fans think of classic 80's and 90's era childhood themes for new dream pins, the Bill & Ted franchise is at the top of the list.

The Beastie Boys are frequently one of the first bands mentioned when fans discuss possibilities for a modern band pin, or the first rap focused theme.

One of the most iconic video game characters of all time, people would love to see an updated Mario themed machine from a modern pinball manufacturer.

A popular metal band in the vein of AC/DC, Metallica and Guns n' Roses that fans would like to see incorporated into a pinball machine.

Sherlock Holmes is a classic literary character with many popular movie and film franchise adaptations. Pinball fans would love to see a Sherlock Holmes themed machine.

Tony Hawk is a professional skateboarder who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest skateboarders of all time. He is also the namesake of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game franchise, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and is credited with popularizing skateboarding culture and video games.

Dune occupies a similar mindspace as other sci-fi themes like Blade Runner. Dune has gained steam in recent years alongside the latest theatrical adaptation of the story.

One of the most popular cult sci-fi films of all time, Blade Runner and its sequel are mentioned often when fans speculate about the next pinball machine theme.

Pinball players would love to see a pinball machine based in the Mad Max universe, either based on the original movies or the latest release (Fury Road).

Children of the 1980s and 1990s are very nostalgic for this childhood cartoon staple, and would like to see G.I. Joe adapted to a pinball machine.

Cobra Kai is a popular YouTube / Netflix show based on The Karate Kid franchise. Fans would love to see a pin made that fits in this universe.

Thanks in part to a popular homebrew pin by Ryan McQuaid, fans would love to see an official pinball machine based on Sega's Sonic character.

Mötley Crüe fits alongside other contemporary and related bands that have already been turned into pinball machines.

Godzilla has been a massive hit for Stern, and given the recent success of the King Kong film franchise, fans would love to see a film based on the storied creature.

Mortal Kombat is an evergreen IP when fans discuss what they'd like to see produced as a new pinball machine.

The Gremlins is another 80s classic that pinball fans would love to see turned into a pin.

The popular cult horror film The Thing is mentioned as a dream pinball theme by many.

Given how large and long lasting the Fast & the Furious franchise is, it's not surprising that pinball fans would want to see it brought to the world of pinball.

While Transformers has been adapted into a pinball machine before, fans would like to see a new version based on the G1 toys and cartoons from the 1980s and 1990s.

We got an Avatar machine after the first film, but that was over a decade ago, and pinball fans are excited to revisit the universe with a new pin based on the 2nd film in the franchise.

While their cultural relevance may be declining, that doesn't stop pinball fans from speculating about a Muppets themed pin at some point in the future.

Alongside Mario and other Nintendo properties, Legend of Zelda is a popular request when discussing new ideas for pinball machines.

Journey occupies similar headspace as other contemporary bands of the era, so they are frequently mentioned as a dream pinball theme.

1980s kids would love to see a pinball machine set in the universe of Pee-Wee's Playhouse.

Cult film The Warriors is discussed as a popular possibility for a far-fetched dream pinball theme.

"Cuphead" is an indie video game that has captivated players with its 1930s cartoon-inspired graphics and jazz soundtrack.

Slayer is one of fans top picks for a new metal themed machine.

Even though Ghostbusters pinball was a fairly recent release from Stern Pinball, fans have been requesting a fresh vault edition, complete with new LCD display and other quality of life upgrades.

Fans of the Predator movies would like to see a Predator themed pinball machine.

The Lego universe feels rip for a pinball machine, and fans are quick to cite Lego as a theme they'd like to see.

A Die Hard themed pinball machine is tops on the list for fans of pinball and 1980s action movies.

The Fifth Element is a popular cult-classic Sci-Fi and Action film that the pinball community would like to see as a pinball machine theme.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) that was first published in 1974. It has since become one of the most popular and enduring RPGs, inspiring countless other RPGs, video games, and other forms of media.

Another cult classic horror film, fans of the movie and of pinball would love to see what this pinball machine could look like.

Simpsons fans would love to see a new Simpsons pinball machine, particularly one dedicated to the long running Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors annual episodes.

Fans often wonder why Superman hasn't been touched as a theme since the 1970s with Atari's release.

Judas Priest fans would love to see a music pin dedicated to this long running heavy metal band.

Wonder Woman has increased in popularity over the years thanks to the characters involvement in the DCEU films, and fans would like to see a Wonder Woman themed pin.

Jimi Hendrix is a popular fan request for a new music themed pin, particularly those looking to break out of the dad-rock vibes.

Cult classic campy horror film Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a theme many fans would like to see turned into a pin.

"X-Men '97" is an upcoming animated series announced by Disney+ as a continuation of the beloved 1990s "X-Men" animated series.

Pinball fans would love to see a pin based on one of their favorite cult classic action movies, Escape from New York.

For a change of pace, many pinball fans would love to see what a Rocky Horror Picture Show pinball machine could look like.

While his many scandals have dampened Michael Jackson's legacy, fans still speculate what a Michael Jackson pinball machine could look like.

Spaceballs is frequently mentioned as a dream pinball machine, as a sort of counter to the modern popularity of Star Wars.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are frequently mentioned as a desirable theme for a new music pin based on a more modern rock act.

Speaking of Batman, the lasting popularity of Batman The Animated Series has resulted in fans asking for a pinball machine set in this world.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has graced a few popular pins in the past, and fans would like to see a new pin based on his classic 1990s action film, True Lies.

The legendary band Nirvana is frequently mentioned alongside contemporaries like Red Hot Chili Peppers as an idea for a new music pin.

Thanks in part to the success of recent entries to the film franchise, Jumanji is mentioned often by pinball fans dreaming of a new action/adventure theme.

The Eagles are an incredibly popular band with a lot of history so it's no surprise fans want to see the act incorporated into a new pinball machine.

Barbie is a fashion doll created by Mattel, Inc. It was first introduced in March 1959 and is one of the most popular and recognizable dolls in the world.

Even though we got a Tron table, fans would still like to see a dedicated Daft Punk pinball machine.

Popular gaming and movie franchise Resident Evil is frequently requested as a new pinball theme.

Pearl Jam is frequently mentioned as a pinball theme possibility due to their ongoing popularity and cultural staying power.

Eminem is another example of a modern hip hop artist that pinball fans think would make for a good pinball machine.

Halo is a popular modern gaming franchise that fans are interested in seeing brought to the world of pinball.

Fans of the 2003 movie Kill Bill would be incredibly happy to see it used as the theme for a new pinball machine.

Little Shop of Horrors is a popular movie in the pinball community, which fans would really like to see used as the theme for a new machine.

ThunderCats fits alongside contemporaries like G.I. Joe, Transformers, and more, that fans would like to see as a pinball machine.

Def Leppard gets mentioned frequently alongside other musical contemporaries as a dream theme pin.

The popular horror franchise SAW is frequently mentioned when pinball fans discuss horror themes they'd like to see produced.

Castlevania is a classic video game series first debuted in 1986, known for its challenging gameplay, gothic horror atmosphere, and memorable music. The series follows the Belmont family, vampire hunters, as they battle Dracula and his minions. The series includes multiple entries and it's considered a staple of the action-adventure genre.

This one is admittedly a little tongue in cheek, but it can't be denied that My Little Pony has a robust fan base and a pin based on the theme would reach new demographics.

Beavis and Butt-Head is an American adult animated sitcom created by Mike Judge.

Given the success of the Mission Impossible film franchise, the pinball community would love to see a pin themed in this universe.

National Lampoon's Vacation is a 1983 comedy film with multiple sequels.

Fans would love to see more video-game based themes, and Call of Duty is one of the top examples on that list.

Batman is evergreen in the pinball world, and fans frequently discuss creating a new pin in the Batman universe.

A popular pick for a new pinball machine them, particularly when the last movie was released. May be somewhat dampened by the success of the Godzilla pin, as it'd be strange to see a follow-up in this universe released so soon.

Music fans looking for a change of pace music pin would love to see what a Prince themed machine could look like.

Total Recall is a 1990 science fiction film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

One of the most popular metal acts of the 1990s, Tool maintains cultural relevance and a dedicated fan base, who would like to see the band incorporated into a pinball machine.

Metal fans would love to see a Motörhead pin, particularly after the success of pins like Metallica and AC/DC.

80s rockers Bon Jovi are mentioned by many pinball fans when talking about bands they'd like to see incorporated into a pinball machine.

Fans speculate that the character Dracula would make for a good pinball machine theme.

Given the popularity of superhero franchises, it's not surprising to see the Justice League mentioned as a possible dream pinball theme.