2025 | GamingShogun

Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the largest manufacturer of pinball games in the world, in collaboration with Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast division, revealed DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye – a new collection of pinball games featuring the legendary and beloved franchise, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D). In celebration of 50 years of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game, Stern Pinball players worldwide will be brought on an epic and thrilling journey as they adventure into the Forgotten Realms, featuring iconic enemies, including a red dragon, gelatinous cube, mimic, Sammaster the lich, Xanathar the beholder, an owlbear, and locations including those in Faerûn such as Arabel and Westgate. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models and feature artwork by prolific artist Vincent Proce, music from world-renowned composer Cris Velasco, and voiced by a talented cast including Michael Dorn, Kevin Smith, Luke Gygax, Chris Prynoski, Brendon Small, Gerard Way, Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Marisha Ray, Anthony Carboni, and Mica Burton.

In Stern’s DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball games, players are chosen members of the Dragonshield Guild, trying to defeat the dragon queen Tiamat, who is hatching a plan to rise again, triggering the War of Dragons, with Xanathar, Balinor and Sammaster all fighting for power. Players will experience the game’s fantasy world under the glass, fusing pinball with the iconic franchise like never before.

Battle Rath the Relentless, the red dragon, the most advanced animatronic mech in pinball, intelligently reacts to player action with multi-axis motion and features omnidirectional impact sensing technology. Voiced by the iconic Michael Dorn, players will attempt to defeat Rath the Relentless with pinballs and by hitting the 3-bank target, steal its treasure. When Rath the Relentless breathes his magnificent fire, multiple pinballs shoot from its mouth but be prepared. Players can activate a metal shield between the flippers to not only defend against attacks but also assist with playfield shots.

Enjoy mysterious and exciting features by navigating through hidden passageways, experience an electromagnet-powered gelatinous cube that freezes the pinball, and explore dynamic dungeon levels that are accessed through a disappearing playfield trap door. Other features include Fizmo’s store that allows players to acquire unique items, a treasure chest that unleashes mimic monsters, and more secrets to uncover.

Roll the dice with randomness as players unlock where shots and choices control the path of the game’s campaign, driving toward different story endings. Each path is different for players, spanning from characters to trinkets to weekly items and more; once the game campaign has concluded, additional characters will be unlocked.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye is in a beautiful package with Stern’s ever-expanding Insider Connected™ platform, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in multiple ways, including ongoing code updates from Stern Pinball to extend and improve the experience over time. Through Insider Connected, players can choose to pick up where they left off with Stern’s new PinSave System, including character experience points, inventory items, and game campaign progress. For a more traditional pinball experience, players can start each game without saved progress. Players can also play cooperatively, sharing game progress together along their pinball adventure. Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/ or in the Insider Connected App. Download it today on iOS and Android.

To honor the original release of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D) from 1974, the Limited Edition model will be limited to 740 games globally. This highly collectible model includes the Speaker Expression Lighting System with D&D-themed game effects, a full-color Dragon-inspired mirrored backglass, full-color reflective foil Tiamat and Xanathar high-definition cabinet decals with hand-drawn artwork by Vincent Proce, exclusive custom D&D “Dragon Red” powder-coated 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’re so excited for players to experience one of the most iconic and beloved franchises that is perfect for pinball,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “Get ready to roll through a D&D adventure like never before.”

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world found here or via request for availability on the game information page here. Accessories will be available at a future date. Stay current by following Stern Pinball on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.

Pro Edition: $US 6,999

Premium Edition: $US 9,699

Limited Edition: $US 12,999

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball games feature Stern’s best-in-class commercial quality reliability, now backed by a one-year warranty.

Railroads Online, developed by Stefan Kelnberger and published by Astragon Entertainment, is a train simulation game that attempts to capture the allure of classic locomotives and the intricate world of railroad management. Set against the backdrop of the American Midwest during the golden age of steam, it promises a sandbox experience where players can build their dream railroad empires and transport goods across sprawling landscapes. While the game delivers on its promise of freedom and intricate train mechanics, it’s hampered by a frustrating user interface, technical issues, and a steep learning curve that may leave some players feeling derailed.

The game’s greatest strength lies in its open-ended nature. You’re given the tools to lay tracks across expansive maps, design elaborate rail networks, and connect various industries to facilitate the transportation of goods. This creative freedom is immensely satisfying, allowing you to shape the landscape and watch your railroad empire grow. The attention to detail in the locomotives themselves is also commendable. From meticulously rendered exteriors to interactive controls in the driver’s cab, the game provides a deep dive into the mechanics of steam engines, offering a truly immersive experience for train enthusiasts.

However, this freedom comes at a price. Railroads Online is not a game you can simply pick up and play. It demands patience, a willingness to learn, and a tolerance for occasional frustration. The tutorial, while offering a basic introduction, doesn’t do enough to prepare you for the complexities of managing resources like water, fuel, and sand, all of which are crucial for keeping your locomotives running. The sheer number of controls can also be overwhelming, leading to accidental actions and setbacks, especially in the early hours of gameplay.

While the game boasts impressive graphics, particularly on PC, technical issues persist. Performance can be uneven, with occasional stuttering and frame rate drops, even on powerful systems. Some players have reported encountering bugs and glitches, though the frequency and severity seem to vary. The most consistent complaint, however, is directed at the user interface. It’s clunky, unintuitive, and lacks essential quality-of-life features like remote control of turnouts and the ability to quickly teleport between locations. This makes simple tasks feel unnecessarily tedious and disrupts the flow of gameplay.

Online multiplayer offers the potential for collaborative railroad building and shared experiences with friends and fellow train enthusiasts. However, this aspect is also hampered by technical limitations, such as “popcorning” (objects appearing and disappearing erratically) and rubber banding, particularly when multiple trains are active on the map. Despite these issues, many players have praised the online community for its welcoming atmosphere and shared passion for trains, offering a sense of camaraderie that enhances the overall experience.

Another point of contention is the game’s progression system. Unlocking new locomotives and features requires significant time and effort, which may feel like a grind for some players. While the developers have added pre-laid maps to offer a more accessible entry point, the core gameplay loop still revolves around building and expanding your railroad empire, which can be a slow and demanding process.

Railroads Online is a game of contrasts. It offers a captivating sandbox experience with intricately detailed locomotives, a strong sense of historical authenticity, and a passionate online community. However, it’s held back by a poorly designed user interface, technical shortcomings, and a steep learning curve that may alienate less dedicated players. It’s a game that’s easier to recommend to those with a deep love for trains and a willingness to overlook its flaws. For more casual players or those seeking a more polished and accessible experience, it may be worth waiting for further updates or considering alternative train simulators.

In conclusion, Railroads Online is a promising but flawed experience. It captures the essence of classic railroading and offers a unique sandbox experience for those willing to invest the time and effort to master its intricacies. However, its technical issues, frustrating user interface, and demanding gameplay may limit its appeal to a wider audience. With further refinement and polish, Railroads Online could become a truly exceptional train simulation game. As it stands, it remains a niche title that caters primarily to dedicated train enthusiasts.

Archive - 2025

Stern Pinball Launches Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye Pinball Machine

Railroads Online Review: A Flawed But Promising Train Simulator

Overall Score: 3 out of 5