Star Wars (Comic Art Premium)

The Star Wars (Comic Art Premium) pinball machine, designed by Steve Ritchie, was released by Stern Pinball in October 2019 as a reissue of Stern's 2017 'Star Wars (Premium),' featuring entirely new backglass, playfield, and cabinet artwork done in a "comic book" style by Randy Martinez. Per the manufacturer, everything else about the game -- including the factory illumination, mechanics, and rules -- carries over unchanged from the 2017 original.

One of the standout aspects of this machine is its immersive gameplay experience, which challenges players with various objectives and rewards them with stunning visuals and engaging sound effects. Key features include nine Multiball Modes, one Wizard Mode, and up to six balls in simultaneous play, making for a thrilling ride that caters to both casual and experienced pinball enthusiasts. The inclusion of speech, stereo sound, and a color LCD backbox display further enhances the overall experience. Additionally, the machine's design showcases intricate details such as chrome metal ramps, wire habitrails, and a "jump ramp" that raises from under the playfield to load balls into the Death Star for multiball action.

The comic-book-style art gives the cabinet, playfield, and translite a distinctive look, with vibrant colors and detailed illustrations replacing the original 2017 game's artwork. A notable aspect is the absence of a traditional backglass; instead a translite is used, mounted in a powder-coated steel and plywood backbox. The powder-coated wrinkle finish on the legs, side armor, hinges, and lockdown bar completes the premium look. Overall, this machine offers hours of entertainment for fans of the Star Wars franchise, especially those drawn to its fresh comic-inspired visual take on a proven ruleset.