Stern Pinball today revealed their latest game, The Walking Dead Remastered. This is the second ‘Remastered’ title, coming almost exactly one year after the first, Metallica Remastered, and, as with that first game, John Borg heads up the design team.
The ‘Remastered’ series takes a SAM-based dot-matrix game and upgrades many aspects, including the addition of an LCD panel, improved audio quality, RGB LED lighting replacing incandescent lamps, and more robust playfield mechanisms.
The Walking Dead Remastered is only available as Premium and Limited Edition models, with the Limited Edition restricted to a maximum of 500 units. Pricing is the same as Stern’s cornerstone titles, meaning the Premium costs $9,699 and the Limited Edition $3,300 more, coming in at $12,999.
Let’s take a look at the exterior of the two models.
Premium
Limited Edition
The artwork for the Remastered editions comes from fantasy, horror and sci-fi artist, Robert Laskey. As you can see, both models feature vibrant red, orange and blue colours in stark contrast to the much more muted browns and greens of the original The Walking Dead game.
Here’s a reminder of how the SAM-based The Walking Dead game looked when it was first announced on 9th September, 2014, compared with the equivalent models from today’s reveal:
For those interested in prices, the original The Walking Dead from eleven years ago cost $7,595 (vs $9,699 for the Remastered) for the Premium and $8,595 (vs $12,999 for the Remastered) for the Limited Edition. Back in September 2014, only the Pro and Limited Edition models were released at launch. The Premium model came a full three months later following some doubt about whether a mid-tier version would be produced at all.
The Walking Dead Remastered runs on the new SPIKE 3 board system, giving full HD graphics, improved sound quality, better Wi-Fi stability and the potential for using wireless Bluetooth headphones. The newer system also adds Insider Connected which wasn’t available for the original release.
Also added to the Remastered are new voice calls from actors Michael Rooker and Danai Gurira who play the characters Merle and Michonne respectively.
The Limited Edition model includes special laser-cut side rails with Expression Lighting on both the inside and outside, as well as the Expression Speaker Lighting system. So far there is no information on any topper.
Playfield
So, let’s dive inside to look at the playfield. Both models have the same playfield toys and artwork, with the Expression Lighting being the main differentiator.
By subtracting the Premium model’s playfield from the Limited Edition’s, we are left with just the differences between them which, as you can see below, are really just the cabinet’s Expression Lighting and the bottom apron’s left side artwork.
We’ll mostly look at the Limited Edition as that includes the art blades on the interior cabinet sides.
The two slingshots have now gained sculpted heads, although they appear to be static models.
Some of the playfield mechanisms have been redesigned.
The Well Walker is now solenoid controlled rather than relying on the impact of the ball to create movement. The magnet is also more pronounced and robust.
The crossbow toy, not originally included in the Pro model, is now driven by a stepper motor, so its speed and position are both more controllable.
The original The Walking Dead game saw the welcome return of star rollovers in the shot leading to the top lanes. These have been redesigned in the Remastered edition to become button rollovers instead.
The Cell Block C model looks largely unchanged from the original design.
Also largely unchanged is the Governor’s fish tank, containing the three Walkers’ heads, though the green lighting does appear more intense.
The Bicycle Girl lift ramp on the left looks pretty much as before, though it does appear to have gained a rather unsightly plastic sign mounted above it.
Let’s finish with a few more shots of the Remastered playfield.
Adding the new 18.5″ LCD panel to The Walking Dead Remastered obvious requires a whole new set of display animations to be created along with a new user interface to show scores, credits, ball count and other game information.
Details of these are limited, but some are shown in this promo video created by Stern.
Here’s Stern’s feature matrix comparing the Premium and Limited Edition models, showing what is included in each.
There are also flyers for both models.
Premium
Limited Edition
Finally, here’s how Stern Pinball announced their new The Walking Dead Remastered game.
| Fight the Dead, Fear the Living in The Walking Dead Remastered, Stern Pinball’s Newest Pinball Machine Stern Pinball and AMC Networks Invite Pinball Players to Survive The Walking Dead Remastered, Available Now CHICAGO, IL – November 4, 2025 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the largest designer and manufacturer of pinball games in the world, in partnership with AMC Networks revealed and released The Walking Dead Remastered – a technologically advanced version of one of the most beloved pinball games of all time featuring one of the most well-known franchises in the world, AMC’s The Walking Dead. This property has captivated global audiences since its television premiere in 2010. The hit TV series, spin-off shows, video games, merchandise, and more have reshaped the modern landscape of horror storytelling. Powered by Stern’s new SPIKE 3 technology platform, Stern Pinball is excited to bring to life The Walking Dead Remastered to the current generation of pinball players, taking them on an epic journey through legendary moments from the series as they fight to survive the apocalypse. The Walking Dead Remastered pinball game is available now in Premium and Limited Edition (LE) models, along with a full line of accessories available soon. In Stern Pinball’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball game, players will battle walkers and survive key scenes from The Walking Dead in an immersive physical pinball experience like none other. The development team, led by John Borg, the designer of the original game, have created a modern version of the original masterpiece. The playfield features enhanced versions of the “Cell Block C” Prison building, bicycle girl ramp, and an interactive Well Walker toy. The fan-favorite crossbow device that shoots a pinball has been re-engineered and updated for increased precision and flexibility in gameplay. The game also features new RGB lighting and illuminated zombie heads on the slingshots. Extra care and attention to detail have gone into every facet of The Walking Dead Remastered, honoring the original masterpiece by John Borg and Lyman F. Sheats, Jr. The game includes an updated version of the revolutionary ruleset that introduced a new mode structure and risk-reward elements that have stood the test of time. Through the iconic Prison, Well Walker, and Blood Bath multiballs and the depth of each Dead Feature mode (Barn, CDC, Riot, Tunnel, and Arena), players are immersed in a pinball battle that can ultimately leave a “Last Man Standing”… that is, if you’re able to survive the Horde and escape Terminus along your adventure. In The Walking Dead Remastered, players will be introduced to newly developed visuals that blend high-quality video elements with a vibrant painterly art style, both on the cabinet and on the display. Extraordinary care has been taken to ensure the new visuals mirror scenes from the classic game, while also going beyond with additional updates. Software enhancements will introduce additional game rules, including new custom audio call-outs from actors Michael Rooker (Merle) and Danai Gurira (Michonne). Players will also experience Stern’s Insider Connected (IC) system that provides advanced connectivity features, enabling real-time engagement and a more connected experience for all. The Walking Dead Remastered features Stern’s next-generation SPIKE 3 technology platform, which includes a larger 18.5” full HD display with true color depth, along with a more powerful processor, and a new high fidelity immersive audio system. Players will get to experience completely overhauled 3D-rendered graphics and custom animations that pay homage to the dot matrix display from the original pinball machine. SPIKE 3 electronics also feature more efficient power handling, improved Wi-Fi support, and wireless headphone capabilities. This release will also feature an updated cabinet lighting customization system designed to allow for internal and external expression lighting on all versions of the game. Limited to 500 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes the updated Expression Lighting System “The Walking Dead is one of the most memorable and influential pinball games in our time, and we’re proud of the entire Stern team for elevating this iconic game onto our new platform,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “We’re always looking to create new immersive and thrilling gameplay experiences in pinball, and there’s no better way to do that than by bringing The Walking Dead back from the dead and to an entirely new generation of zombie lovers and pinball players.” “The Walking Dead pinball was best-in-class when it debuted ten years ago, and its enduring appeal is a testament both to the game, and the strength of the franchise,” said Clayton Neuman, Head of Games & Franchise at AMC. “This remaster exceeds the original in every conceivable way, and we can’t wait for the next generation of The Walking Dead and pinball fans alike to get their hands on it.” The Walking Dead Remastered is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide. Find out more and contact us for availability in your location on the game information page here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The Walking Dead Remastered pinball games feature Stern’s best-in-class commercial quality reliability backed by a pinball best-in-class one-year warranty. About Insider Connected About Stern Pinball, Inc. About AMC Networks |
and Speaker Expression Lighting System with The Walking Dead-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, exclusive custom The Walking Dead Remastered pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.We’ll have much more about the new The Walking Dead Remastered in the November edition of our monthly Pinball Industry News PINcast produced in collaboration with Pinball Magazine. Check that out when it is published at the start of December.
