Stingray

Stern Electronics' 'Stingray' pinball machine emerged during a pivotal transition period in pinball history, released just before the industry's shift to solid-state electronics. The marine-themed machine captured the growing public fascination with underwater adventure, coming in the wake of popular ocean-themed media like 'Jaws' and Jacques Cousteau's documentaries.

The machine's playfield design featured an aquatic motif centered around its namesake stingray, with art depicting underwater scenes and marine life. As one of the later electro-mechanical machines, it incorporated sophisticated mechanical systems while maintaining the classic chime sounds and relay-based scoring that characterized the era. The gameplay emphasized precision shooting with multiple drop targets and pop bumpers arranged to simulate the movement of marine life.

While not as widely distributed as some of its contemporaries, 'Stingray' represented one of the final examples of pure electro-mechanical pinball engineering before the solid-state revolution. Its timing at the end of the EM era makes it particularly interesting to collectors and historians, as it showcases the peak of mechanical pinball technology just before the digital transformation of the industry.

Production numbers for 'Stingray' were relatively limited, though exact figures remain uncertain. The machine's release coincided with Stern Electronics' efforts to establish itself as a major player in the pinball market, following the company's acquisition of Chicago Coin's pinball division.