Stern pinball has smartly hired the same artist from the original 1978 game Kevin O'Conner to work his magic and bring that old school feel to the game insuring that fans of the original will be attracted to this new game. This was a smart move on Stern's part as the game captures the look of the original with a new playing experience provided by the game's designer John Borg.
Gameplay is yet to be seen but from the looks of its hand drawn art, playfield layout and throw back bumper caps so far the game looks like it will match up to it's classic counterpart in pinball history and one that rock fans will be sure to want to add to their pinball lineup.
Good news for pinball fans with ears. The new SPIKE system's audio capabilities should prove a much needed upgrade to this music themed pinball as the sound on previous Stern games has been less than dismal. The game is built on Stern’s new SPIKE pinball platform, which includes an upgraded high-fidelity three-channel audio system over three times more powerful than previous generation pinball audio system. Now if we could get some backwards compatibility on AC/DC and Metallica we would really be rockin'.
KISS Pinball includes an amazing array of modern and retro features to appeal to players of all skill levels:
- 10 famous KISS hit songs: Deuce, Hotter Than Hell, Lick It Up, Shout It Out Loud, Detroit Rock City, Calling Dr. Love, Rock & Roll All Night, Love Gun, Love It Loud and Black Diamond
- Custom speech from Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons
- Full-color high-intensity animated LED music lights
- High-fidelity stereo sound effects and music
- Original Gene Simmons/Demon head molded toy
- K-I-S-S spell-out Drop Targets
- Blood-Spitting Demon Bass Solo player experience
- Fire-Breathing Demon “God of Thunder” Multiball Event
- Flying Starchild “Love Gun” Multiball Event
There will be three models available from the start which include:
Pro Model: $5,995 MSRP
Premium Model: $7,595 MSRP
Limited Edition Model: $8,795 MSRP
These prices are typically not the street price so check your favorite distributor(s) for the best price available.
Stern Pinball Joins The KISS Army With Its Release Of KISS Pinball
World’s Leading Maker of Arcade-Quality Pinball Games and KISS’ Global Brand Management Firm Epic Rights Announce Newest Addition to Rock Collection
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – May 6, 2015 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines, and Epic Rights, KISS’ global licensing agent, jointly announced today the availability of a new line of Pro, Premium and Limited Edition KISS pinball machines, honoring one of the most influential and iconic rock bands of all time.
Formed in 1973, KISS is recognized for unique face paint, stage outfits and cornerstone personas known as: “Starchild,” “the Demon,” “Catman,” and “Spaceman.” KISS rose to popularity in the mid-1970s with their elaborate live performances and theatrics, including fire breathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics. KISS is highly regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time with worldwide album sales exceeding 100 million records. KISS has an unprecedented 28 gold albums to date, the most of any American rock band.
Stern Pinball’s KISS pinball machines reflect the energy, excitement and experience of a live KISS concert. Players will experience 10 famous KISS hits in the concert arena playfield and embark on an exhilarating experience ultimately becoming elite members of the KISS Army. Players score points and finish game objectives to fuel the audience’s energy and excitement. Higher scores amp the experience – the higher the energy level, the bigger and louder the show – resulting in a KISS concert experience like none other. Players are awarded for completing game goals with a variety of in-game front row seats, backstage VIP access and fun multi-ball modes that thrill players of all skill levels.
The game is built on Stern’s new SPIKE pinball platform, which includes an upgraded high-fidelity three-channel audio system over three times more powerful than previous generation pinball audio system. KISS Pinball includes an amazing array of modern and retro features to appeal to players of all skill levels:
- 10 famous KISS hit songs: Deuce, Hotter Than Hell, Lick It Up, Shout It Out Loud, Detroit Rock City, Calling Dr. Love, Rock & Roll All Night, Love Gun, Love It Loud and Black Diamond
- Custom speech from Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons
- Full-color high-intensity animated LED music lights
- High-fidelity stereo sound effects and music
- Original Gene Simmons/Demon head molded toy
- K-I-S-S spell-out Drop Targets
- Blood-Spitting Demon Bass Solo player experience
- Fire-Breathing Demon “God of Thunder” Multiball Event
- Flying Starchild “Love Gun” Multiball Event
“Partnering with rock royalty like KISS is a natural for us,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball. “The KISS legacy is admired generation after generation by fans worldwide – KISS’ legendary songs and performances will create an extraordinary pinball experience for players of all skill levels.”
“We are always seeking avenues to expand the KISS brand experience and the new line of KISS pinballs from Stern are an ideal extension of the brand, providing an immersive KISS experience for consumers of all ages,” said Lisa Streff, Executive Vice President, Global Licensing, of Epic Rights.
Pricing and Availability:
Pro Model: $5,995 MSRP
Premium Model: $7,595 MSRP
Limited Edition Model: $8,795 MSRP
KISS Pinball is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.
About Stern Pinball, Inc.
Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern titles include WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. A broad range of players enjoy Stern’s games from professional pinball players that compete in high-stakes international competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.
About Epic Rights:
Epic Rights is a full service global branding, licensing and rights management company dedicated to building celebrities and entertainment brands via its broad global network of retailers, licensees and agents. Working with a roster of top clients and brands, Epic Rights’ services includes licensing/branding, music merchandising, social media management, VIP ticketing and fan clubs. Epic Rights also oversees sponsorships and endorsements, digital archiving of all creative/photos/media assets and manages worldwide e-commerce for its clients in addition to providing in-house legal resources for trademark registration and audit management. Epic Rights is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit: www.epicrights.com.
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