Guardians of the Galaxy pinball, released by Stern Pinball in October 2017, transports players into the vibrant and action-packed universe of the popular Marvel franchise. Designed by John Borg, with artwork by Christopher Franchi, this machine captures the essence of the films, offering a pinball experience filled with humor, adventure, and dynamic gameplay. Available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models, Guardians of the Galaxy quickly became a sought-after title, appealing to both pinball enthusiasts and fans of the cinematic series.

History and Background

Stemming from the blockbuster movie franchise, the Guardians of the Galaxy pinball machine was developed during a period where licensed themes were prominent in pinball manufacturing. Stern Pinball, under the leadership of Gary Stern, aimed to capitalize on the franchise's widespread appeal, entrusting the design to veteran pinball designer John Borg. Borg, known for his fast-paced and player-centric layouts, collaborated with a team of talented individuals to bring this cosmic adventure to life. Christopher Franchi's distinctive artwork provided the visual flair, while Ken Hale composed the sound and music, complemented by software crafted by Lonnie D. Ropp, Mike Kyzivat, and Waison Cheng. Zac Stark contributed animations, and Rob Blakeman handled the mechanical engineering aspects.

Production commenced in November 2017, utilizing Stern's SPIKE 2 system, a platform known for its enhanced sound capabilities and lighting control. The Pro model, was the first to roll off the production line, followed by the Premium and the Limited Edition. The Limited Edition was restricted to a run of 600 units, each including a serialized number plate and a certificate of authenticity signed by Gary Stern, with playfields autographed by John Borg.

Interesting trivia surrounding the machine includes its use of a translite instead of a traditional backglass on the Pro and Premium editions, and the mirrored backglass unique to the Limited Edition. The game’s software has seen continuous updates, with the latest version, V1.14.0, released in November 2024, demonstrating Stern’s ongoing support and refinement of the gameplay experience.

Signature Features and Design

Guardians of the Galaxy pinball is defined by several standout features that vary across its editions, enhancing both gameplay and collectability. A core element across all models is the Groot toy, a bash target with a motorized jaw that captures pinballs for multiball modes. This interactive toy is central to the game's theme and mechanics.

The Pro edition provides a solid foundation of the Guardians experience. It features a static Rocket Raccoon figurine and a static Orb toy, representing key characters and elements from the movies. Mechanically, it includes one magnet used for ball diversion, standard cabinet artwork, and powder-coated black wrinkle finish on the metal components.

Stepping up to the Premium edition introduces significant enhancements. The static Orb toy is replaced with a motorized Orb mechanism that opens and closes, revealing an illuminated Infinity Stone, adding a dynamic visual element. The Rocket Raccoon figurine gains a coil-assisted gunfire recoil feature, bringing the character to life during gameplay. Groot receives molded arms, extending his presence on the playfield. Mechanically, the Premium incorporates three magnets, increasing the magnetic influence on the ball, and adds two spinning targets. Aesthetically, the Premium boasts powder-coated black wrinkle finish legs, hinges, lockdown bar, side armor, and a powder-coated steel bottom arch, elevating its visual appeal.

The Limited Edition represents the pinnacle of the Guardians of the Galaxy pinball experience. It retains the Premium model's features and further distinguishes itself with exclusive upgrades. The LE features powder-coated gold hinges, lockdown bar, and side armor, creating a visually striking contrast. It replaces the translite with a mirrored backglass, enhancing the depth and light reflection of the backbox artwork. Side art blades are added to the playfield, extending the artwork onto the cabinet sides visible during gameplay. Furthermore, a shaker motor is included for added tactile feedback, immersing players deeper into the game's action. Beyond the physical enhancements, the Limited Edition’s restricted production run and included certificate and signature make it a highly collectible piece.

These feature differences across the editions cater to varying player preferences and budgets, with the Pro offering core gameplay, the Premium adding enhanced toys and mechanics, and the Limited Edition providing ultimate features and exclusivity.

Playfield and Mechanics

The playfield of Guardians of the Galaxy pinball is designed for fast-paced action and engaging shot variety. Across all editions, the layout incorporates two ramps, three pop bumpers, seven standup targets, a drop target, a bar target, and a scoop. These elements are strategically placed to encourage flow and combo shots, rewarding skillful play.

Key playfield locations revolve around the central Groot bash toy, the Orb area, and ramps that weave around the playfield. The layout shares similarities with John Borg's previous design, Metallica, offering a balance of accessible and challenging shots. The ramps provide satisfying loops and feed smoothly back to the flippers, while the pop bumpers and standup targets create dynamic ball movement and scoring opportunities. The scoop serves as a central location for mode starts and ball locks. In Premium and LE editions, the addition of spinners provides extra shot options and scoring potential.

The artwork, rendered by Christopher Franchi, is vibrant and thematic, directly inspired by the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Characters and scenes from the films are integrated into the playfield and cabinet art, creating a cohesive visual experience. RGB LEDs are utilized for playfield inserts and general illumination, allowing for dynamic lighting effects that synchronize with gameplay events and modes. The overall aesthetic is bright, colorful, and action-oriented, mirroring the tone of the source material. The Pro edition uses white LEDs for general illumination, while Premium and LE editions utilize red, white, or blue LEDs, enhancing the color palette and visual depth.

Gameplay Dynamics

Guardians of the Galaxy pinball's gameplay is structured around completing various modes inspired by scenes and characters from the movies. The core gameplay loop involves hitting targets, ramps, and completing objectives to progress through modes and trigger multiball events.

The game features multiple multiball modes, most notably Groot Multiball and Cherry Bomb Multiball. Groot Multiball is initiated by locking balls in Groot's mouth, a central mechanic utilizing the signature toy. Cherry Bomb Multiball, known for its chaotic and high-scoring nature, is another key multiball mode that players aim to achieve. The unseen under-playfield magnet, present in all editions, adds an element of surprise and control during certain modes and ball saves. The Premium and Limited Editions feature additional magnets, increasing the potential for magnetic ball manipulation during gameplay.

Gameplay progression involves selecting modes via the mode select scoop and completing specific shot sequences and objectives within each mode. The game rewards strategic shot planning and accurate flipper skills. Players can utilize the "Fox Rocket Kickback," a feature present in all editions, to save balls from draining down the left outlane, adding a layer of ball control.

Player strategies often involve mastering ramp shots for flow and scoring, focusing on Groot multiball for big points, and strategically choosing modes to maximize gameplay efficiency. The game is considered relatively accessible for newcomers while offering enough depth and challenge to keep experienced players engaged.

Reception and Legacy

Reception of Guardians of the Galaxy pinball within the pinball community has been generally positive, with a mix of praise and constructive criticism. Strengths frequently highlighted include its fun and engaging gameplay, strong thematic integration, and the innovative Groot mechanic. Many players appreciate the fast flow, varied shots, and accessible rule set, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced players. The game is often lauded for being family-friendly and providing entertaining long play sessions.

However, criticisms have been voiced regarding aspects such as code issues, particularly in early software versions, with reports of unresponsive ball saves and mode timing problems. Some players have expressed disappointment with the artwork, describing it as overly “photoshopped” or lacking depth compared to other pinball art packages. The stock sound package has also received criticism for repetitive music, with many players recommending sound modification packages to enhance the audio experience. Additionally, some players find certain shots tight and potentially leading to frustrating drains. The Groot arms on the Premium and LE models have been noted by some as obstructing certain playfield views.

Despite these criticisms, Guardians of the Galaxy pinball has established a solid legacy. It is regarded as a well-themed and entertaining machine that effectively captures the spirit of the movie franchise. Its accessibility and engaging gameplay have made it a popular choice for home collectors and operators alike. While not universally hailed as a top-tier title, it remains a respected and enjoyable entry in Stern Pinball’s catalog, demonstrating the enduring appeal of licensed themes and John Borg’s design style. Its continued software support and active community engagement underscore its lasting presence in modern pinball.