Metallica

Stern's Metallica pinball machine, released in 2013, stands as one of the most successful and sought-after modern pinball machines, perfectly capturing the energy and intensity of the legendary metal band. The game was designed by John Borg and features artwork by dirty Donny Gillies, known for his distinctive rock and metal artwork style. The machine was released in three editions: Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE), with only 500 LE units produced.

The game's design incorporates numerous innovative features including a snake-themed electric chair that launches balls, a coffin-style ball lock, and a custom-shaped hammer that serves as a captive ball mechanism. The playfield includes multiple Grammy Award sculptures as targets, and a cemetery-themed upper playfield section. The soundtrack features 12 classic Metallica songs that players can choose from, all re-recorded specifically for the pinball machine's audio system.

Gameplay is renowned for its fast-paced, intense nature, featuring numerous multiball modes and complex shot combinations that mirror the technical complexity of Metallica's music. The 'Spark the Electric Chair' multiball, 'Fade to Black' wizard mode, and the unique 'Band Scoring' mechanism where players can accumulate points as if they were different band members, have all become iconic features in modern pinball design.

The machine's commercial and critical success helped cement Stern's position as the leading manufacturer of modern pinball machines, while also demonstrating the continued viability of licensed themes in pinball. It remains highly valued in the collector market and is considered one of the definitive examples of modern pinball design, successfully bridging classic mechanical pinball elements with contemporary technology and licensed theme integration.