Zach Sharpe is highly skilled in pinball. Standing in Pinball Alley, a secure area within Stern Pinball’s headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, he is joined by a visitor experiencing Stern’s latest game, “King Kong: Myth of Terror Island.” This game is available in Pro, Premium, and 932 Limited Edition models, with prices starting at $6,999.
The game’s release had been anticipated by vigilant followers on platforms like Reddit and arcade bloggers who track trademark filings. Stern also teased the game on social media, and hands-on reviews indicate it is a favorite release since 2021.
The visitor was introduced to pinball at CES in 2020, initially playing Stern’s Stranger Things game. An encounter with Gary Stern, Stern Pinball’s founder, spurred a deeper interest in the game, which led to participation in pinball leagues and tournaments, developing a strong passion for the game.
During a factory tour, Sharpe shared his favorite pinball games, namely “Cyclopes,” designed by his father and pinball historian Roger Sharpe, and “Godzilla,” a common favorite among Stern team members, including King Kong’s lead designer and art director, Keith Elwin and Jeremy Packer. Rick Naegele, the lead software engineer, slightly diverged, preferring “Iron Maiden.”
Stern Pinball is notable as one of the industry’s oldest manufacturers, and fans of their machines will find the quality and excitement they expect in King Kong. The game evokes similar enjoyment as other beloved titles like “Godzilla,” “Iron Maiden,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Avengers: Infinity Quest.” The King Kong pinball machine features a vibrant playfield, numerous flippers, a secret path, a diverter, and various interconnected rails, including a helix-shaped ramp with a biplane. It also contains a distinctive gong bash target on the playfield, challenging players to avoid draining balls while aiming skillfully.
Photographs accompanying the article capture the new game and are credited to Louryn Strampe and Stern.