LED ZEPPELIN PINBALL DEEP DIVE! In Depth Overview of the Machine, Features, Rules, and More!

Led Zeppelin is the newest creation from Stern Pinball!  Below is an in-depth overview of the machine, and a dive into the features and rules – check it out!

Designer: Steve Ritchie

Rules Design and Software: Tim Sexton

Lead Mechanical Engineer: John Rotharmel

Mechanical Engineering Support: Robb Blakeman, Elliot Eismin

Lead Artist: Stephen Jensen

Display Leads: Kitti Neko, Chuck Ernst

Sound Lead: Bob Baffy

Software Support: Dean Grover, Raymond Davidson, Corey Stup, Mark Guidarelli, Tanio Klyce, Mike Vinikour

Voiceover: Brendon Small

Art Director: Greg Freres

Art Support: Steven Martin Justin Frait

Display Art Team: Marc Raneses, Mark Galvez, Tom Kyzivat, Olivia Jensen, Alex Borre, David Liskovic, Mimi Ernst, Larry Wotman, Eric Drucker

Electrical Team: Chuck Bleich, Jim Shird, Reyna Cortes, Simon Sunblade, Andrew Pines

Engineering Lab Technician: Dave Cadieux

Bill of Materials: Gaby Alvarez, Leticia Ramirez

Executive Producer: Mark Weyna

Program Manager: Danielle Siebert

Director of Licensing: Jody Dankberg

Game Testing: Nick Weyna

‍

Pro Model MSRP: $6,199

Premium Model MSRP: $7,799

Limited Edition Model MSRP: $9,199

‍

ALL MODELS

• 10 player selectable iconic song choices at the start of every ball:
  • Good Times Bad Times
  • Whole Lotta Love
  • The Song Remains the Same
  • Rock and Roll
  • Trampled Under Foot
  • Ramble On
  • Kashmir
  • Immigrant Song
  • Black Dog
  • Communication Breakdown

• Six pinballs
• Three flippers

• Three pop bumpers

• Adjustable dimming backbox lighting
• Exclusive Brendon Small character speech
• All-new software controlled 10 band graphic equalizer (Tune the sound to your liking!)
• Left orbit Icarus spinning target with RGB LED lighting

• Two eject pockets hold balls to select features, lock balls and collect an extra ball award
• Three bank Z-E-P drop targets

• Four bank R-O-C-K standup targets

• Custom molded 13 inch Hindenburg Zeppelin toy scores Speed Locks when lit on the player’s musical journey to Zeppelin multiball

• Swan Song Records trademark Icarus custom sculpted leaper toy flies into the air when smashed by a chaotic pinball

‍

PRO MODEL

• Song List on back panel

• 13 RGB software controlled LEDs
• Hermit Stand-Up target

• Three all metal stainless steel and chrome wire ramps

‍

PREMIUM/LE MODELS

• Interactive Electric Magic device rises up from the playfield to become a physical spinner, magnetic physical ball lock and ball capture with features including Multiball, Frenzy, and Rock Out

• Expression Lighting System^TM – 96 intelligent RGB LEDs enables full color spectrum control; synchronized and adjustable, responsive to game events
  • Positioned in pockets cut into the cabinet sides to provide color themed full playfield illumination, this integrated playfield lighting system is synchronized to custom light shows specifically designed for every song.

• LED Light-Up Song List on back panel informs player of songs completed and remaining songs to play

• 68 RGB software controlled LEDs
• Hot Shot reversing combo custom metal chrome wire ramp, connecting to the right flipper return via wire ramp for constant pinball action

• Four all metal stainless steel and chrome wire ramps

‍

LE MODEL

• Production limited to 500 machines
• Certificate of Authenticity signed by Gary Stern
• Designer Autographed collectible featuring signature of game designer Steve Ritchie

• Sequentially numbered plate

• Limited Edition mirrored backglass with stunning and distinctive high definition artwork designed by Stephen Jensen

• Limited Edition exclusive Icarus themed full color high definition decal cabinet artwork designed by Stephen Jensen
• Upgraded speaker system with 3-channel amplifier
• Anti-reflection playfield glass
• Shaker motor installed
• Custom high gloss metallic Paradise Shimmer Blue powder-coated and clear-coated side armor, hinges, front molding and legs

GAME TRAILER

PRO FEATURES

PREMIUM/LE FEATURES

ACCESSORIES TRAILER

‍

NOTE: Subject to change.

Song Select

Choose your song at the beginning of each ball.

Each song has its own set of arrow shots that score points. As the song progresses, different shots become available to the player.

Song Progression

Your progress through songs is something unique and something never done in a music game. Each song is divided into “sections” (verse, chorus, solo, bridge, etc.) and each of those sections have their own rules to show which shots are available.  If you “finish” a song, it will automatically transition to the next song.

You choose which song you want on each ball, then it plays the songs in the order of the list on the back panel.

Each song has a threshold of completing it, up to “Platinum”. Completing a song at the Platinum threshold is approximately twice as difficult as completing the game at the easiest threshold.

Tour Modes

Shoot the right ramp to light Tour Modes. Shoot the left eject to start the tour.

Tour Multiballs

There are four (?) Tours in the game:

• UK Tour 1971
• USA 1975
• Earl’s Court
• USA 1977

Each Tour has its own set of objectives to complete on the Tour Checklist. Complete Tour Objectives to lock balls for Tour Multiball.

Each Tour has its own unique Tour Multiball.

Zeppelin Multiball

Shoot the four R-O-C-K targets to light the Zeppelin ramp for Zeppelin Speed Locks. Launch the Zeppelin phases 1-2-3 to start Zeppelin Multiball.

Electric Magic Multiball

Electric Magic Multiball is available only on the Premium and Limited Edition models. Spell L-E-D and Z-E-P to raise interactive Electric Magic device. Then shoot the optical spinner to charge the Electric Magic magnet. When magnet is charged, shoot the Electric Magic device to lock a ball with the magnet in the device, which will then take the ball under the playfield.

After the ball disappears, it starts a hurry up where you need to lock a ball (or two?) in either of the other ball locks. Then it raises and you can hit it free to begin a three (or four?) ball Electric Magic Multiball.

Lighting the Symbols

Each band member symbol insert has a corresponding set of targets. From left to right:

• Ball saver targets light Jimmy Page’s Symbol
• L-E-D targets light John Paul Jones’s Symbol
• Z-E-P targets light John Bonham’s Symbol
• R-O-C-K targets light Robert Plant’s Symbol

Light all band member symbols and to light the Icarus stand up target.

Icarus X multiplier

Shoot the Icarus when the symbols are lit to start the Icarus X playfield multiplier. Icarus multiplier is the value of your four band member multipliers all multiplied together, which you build from combo-ing into the band members. For example, if you had the four band members at 1.1, 1.5, 1.3, 2.1 your total multiplier would be 1.1 x 1.5 x 1.3 x 2.1 = 4.5X.

Combos

Shooting any of the ramps, orbits, or ejects lights up the Combo inserts for a brief time. Combos score points. Shooting any of the targets while the game is running ends the combo and builds the Icarus X multiplier value.

Light Ball Saver

Shoot the two Ball Saver Stand-Up Targets light Ball Saver at the left outlane drain.

Advance Bonus

Every completion of the R-O-L-L lanes advances bonus X.

Wizard Modes

The inserts at the bottom of the playfield represent wizard modes – Top of the Charts, World Tour, and a Mystery Multiball. These multiball modes range from two to six balls.

• Top of the Charts: This mode is qualified after you’ve played all 10 songs enough to “complete” all of them.
• World Tour: This mode is qualified after you’ve played the four main tours and their multiballs.
• ? Multiball: This mode is qualified if you’ve gone “platinum” in each 10 songs. [Note: You can use Top of the Charts wizard mode to go platinum in songs you missed.]

‍

Led Zeppelin and Stern Pinball Announce New Rock and Roll Pinball Machines

Made with a Whole Lotta Love

CHICAGO, IL – December 15, 2020 – Stern Pinball, Inc., a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball, announced today a new line of pinball machines based on the legendary rock band, Led Zeppelin and its music.  The Led Zeppelin pinball machines will be available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

Formed in London in 1968, Led Zeppelin consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham.  Together they became one of the best-selling bands with estimated record sales of 300 million units worldwide.  In 1995 Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their innovative and influential impact on the entire music industry.

In this high energy rock and roll pinball concert experience, pinball and music are fused together.  Players are transported back to Led Zeppelin’s early days and tour the world from 1968-1980. As if players were members of the band playing its music, their play updates game features at the start of each verse and chorus of ten iconic Led Zeppelin songs:

• Good Times Bad Times
• Whole Lotta Love
• The Song Remains the Same
• Rock and Roll
• Trampled Under Foot
• Ramble On
• Kashmir
• Immigrant Song
• Black Dog
• Communication Breakdown

“There is nothing more energizing and fun than bringing pinball and music together,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.  “Partnering with Led Zeppelin, we created a one-of-a-kind pinball experience.  It’s our dream goal to create a pinball machine with this iconic rock band.”

The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models all feature a custom-molded Hindenburg Zeppelin toy, based on the iconic imagery from the Led Zeppelin I album.  When lit, the Zeppelin toy scores speed locks on the player’s musical journey to Zeppelin multiball.  A custom Swan Song Records trademark Icarus sculpted leaper toy takes flight when smashed by the chaotic pinball.   A 3-bank of drop targets, 3 custom steel ramps, and 3 flippers keep the pinball action rolling.

The Premium and Limited Edition models feature an innovative interactive Electric Magic™ toy.  This device is a unique motorized toy which rises from below the playfield to create different magical pinball experiences.  An optical spinner charges the Electric Magic magnet, capturing and making balls disappear.  The Electric Magic device also converts into a physical pinball bash toy capable of locking a ball or launching a ball around the playfield.  

In true rock concert fashion, the Expression Lighting System™ with 96 intelligent RGB LED’s enables full color spectrum control.  Positioned in pockets cut into the cabinet sides to provide color themed full playfield illumination, this integrated playfield lighting system is synchronized to custom light shows specifically designed for every song and dynamically responsive to game events.  

As an encore, these models have an additional reversing scoop and metal combo ramp, allowing players to keep the hits coming with constant adrenalized pinball action.  A back panel mounted illuminated song status board indicates which Led Zeppelin song is in play.

Only 500 Limited Edition games will be made for sale throughout the world.  This limited version includes an exclusive Icarus themed full color mirrored backglass, exclusive custom themed cabinet artwork, custom high gloss Paradise Shimmer Blue powder-coated armor, a custom autographed bottom arch, exclusive custom art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball glass, a shaker motor, and a sequentially numbered plaque.

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price:

MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                              

Pro Model: $US 6,199

Premium Model: $US 7,799

Limited Edition Model: $US 9,199

Led Zeppelin pinball machines and accessories are available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes 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.

‍