Grey Godzilla: Stern Announces Black & White 70th Anniversary Godzilla Pinball Machine
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Godzilla 70th Anniversary Launch Details
Stern Pinball made official today what has long been rumored in the pinball enthusiast community: a new black, white (and red) edition of their best-selling Godzilla pinball machine, in honor of the famed Kaiju's 70th anniversary (the original film was released in 1954).
This color-stripped Premium edition game contains new playfield and cabinet artwork throughout including special foil treated cabinet decals and appropriately stylized playfield toys and plastics.
Alongside the new physical goodies come new digital bits as well. New game code will include a special "King of the Monsters" challenge mode (same rules as the current wizard mode) and a new B&W display splash screen. The code updates will be available for all existing models of the game, so look for those changes soon!
Perhaps best of all, Stern is offering this new edition of Godzilla at the existing premium price level of $9,699.
Quick Hit Thoughts on the New Godzilla Release
Godzilla 70th Anniversary follows in a long pattern of Stern Pinball capitalizing on the popularity of successful releases with a variant game release (most recently done with the Elvira House of Horrors Blood Red Kiss game (itself using a color-stripped art package).
While the Elvira release sparked some controversy among Limited Edition buyers with its approach to numbered production counts and new art package, this launch is clearly meant to provide an alternative model option at the mid-tier level, and is being produced to demand.
I also see this as a soft price cut for what is an aging (though popular) title in Stern's catalog of games. The changes give it fresh legs in the market and may serve as welcome news for those looking for a reason to buy a game for the first time, upgrade from the Pro trim, or make a swap for a preferred artwork package.
It reminds me of when I purchased my first new-in-box game, the Catwoman edition of Batman 66. The original game was at a similar point in its lifecycle and the tweaks, small as they were, provided enough incentive for me to make the purchase. For those in a similar position, this execution of a familiar sales and marketing playbook is far more sophisticated and interesting, however.
I really like the look of the package from the photos and video that have been released today, and look forward to seeing it in person soon!
