Spiderman

“Spider-Man” is a pinball machine produced by Stern Pinball in 2007, designed by the renowned pinball designer Steve Ritchie. The game is based on the popular Marvel Comics character Spider-Man and incorporates elements from the “Spider-Man” film trilogy directed by Sam Raimi. The gameplay involves players battling against Spider-Man’s most infamous enemies, including the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and Venom. The machine features a vibrant playfield with dynamic artwork, engaging sound effects, and a variety of mechanical features such as ramps, magnets, and interactive toys that bring the superhero’s world to life.

The development of “Spider-Man” by Stern Pinball began in the mid-2000s, aiming to capitalize on the superhero’s immense popularity due to the success of the Sam Raimi film series. Steve Ritchie, known for his innovative designs and successful pinball games like “Black Knight” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” led the project. The design team worked closely with Marvel to ensure that the game’s aesthetics and mechanics faithfully represented the Spider-Man universe. The machine debuted in 2007, featuring voice clips from the movie actors and a score composed to enhance the immersive experience.

Upon release, “Spider-Man” was met with critical acclaim from both casual players and pinball enthusiasts. It was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging yet rewarding objectives, and high-quality production values. The machine’s ability to capture the essence of Spider-Man through its design and audio-visual elements was particularly highlighted. It has since become a beloved title in the pinball community, frequently cited in discussions about the best modern pinball machines.

Stern Pinball produced multiple versions of “Spider-Man,” including a standard model and a special “Black Suit” Limited Edition (LE) version. The Black Suit LE features unique artwork, a black cabinet, and additional gameplay elements. In 2016, Stern released a reimagined version called “Spider-Man Vault Edition,” which included updated artwork, a redesigned playfield, and improved LED lighting. This edition also featured new sound clips and a refined rule set, maintaining the core mechanics that made the original a success while providing a fresh experience.

The original 2007 “Spider-Man” pinball machine is considered moderately rare, especially the Black Suit Limited Edition, which had a limited production run. It is estimated that Stern produced around 3,600 units of the standard model and approximately 500 units of the Black Suit LE. As of recent years, the value of these machines has appreciated, with standard models typically selling for $6,000 to $8,000 and the Black Suit LE fetching prices upwards of $10,000, depending on condition and provenance.

Hardware Specifications and Parts List
“Spider-Man” by Stern Pinball boasts a robust hardware setup designed to ensure smooth and engaging gameplay. The machine includes the following key components:

CPU/Sound Board: Stern Whitestar system
Display: Dot Matrix Display (DMD)
Power Supply: Standard Stern power driver board
Flippers: 4 flippers (two main, two upper)
Ramps: Multiple plastic and wireform ramps
Magnets: Used for ball interaction and special effects
Toys: Green Goblin hovercraft, Doc Ock magnet, Sandman target bank, Venom ramp
Playfield: Printed with vibrant artwork and equipped with various targets, bumpers, and lanes
For repairs, the following parts may be necessary:

Flipper rebuild kits
Rubber ring kits
Replacement bulbs and LEDs
Transistor replacement kits for the power driver board
Plunger and link assemblies
Ramp protectors and replacement ramps
Dot Matrix Display (DMD) replacements
Maintaining these components ensures that “Spider-Man” remains in optimal working condition, preserving its thrilling gameplay experience for future generations of players.