In the mid-2010's moviegoers were introduced to the world of John Wick. Starring Keanu Reeves, the movie became an overnight hit. Sequels and a full-blooded franchise would follow, and in the ten years since the first movie made its debut, John Wick has become a fixture in the pop culture hemisphere. Many consider the movies some of the best action films to date. It only makes sense that Stern would release a pinball machine that is just as exciting as the movies.
Stern's John Wick pinball comes in a premium, pro, and limited edition. The playfield on all three mimics the dark, neon-highlighted world John Wick is set in, and the cabinet artwork by Randy Martines leans more toward a neo-noir look than a cartoon version of the movies. The limited edition version deserves a special nod of its own -- the stained glass artwork on the head of the machine is beautiful. Wick himself is front and center on all three editions of the game, with his more notable allies and foes making appearances as well. This machine introduced Stern's AI combat system, adding a depth of excitement to this new era of machines. The AI is able to control lights, whereas, in the past, the players were the ones dictating how a machine would react. This machine vs human gameplay is terrific, and I hope becomes the norm with new pinball machines going forward.
I was able to play the pro and premium editions at Game Exchange Colorado. Both were engaging and energetic, with enough toys to keep even the most casual player entertained for hours. While I do lean more towards the premium version, both the pro and premium are a good time. The playfield's three ramps remind me a bit of Stern's now classic Spider-Man game, but that's not a bad thing. Pulling from one of the most celebrated games is to be expected. The AI system proved to be a welcome challenge - the game didn't feel like a one-and-done game. It was fairly easy to get multiball, but keeping multiple pinballs on the playfield was an actual challenge.
This is a fast-paced game and will push players of any skill level. As Game Exchange's showroom mimics an arcade, it was hard to hear all the callouts and music. However, I do believe pinball is best enjoyed in a busy arcade setting as it adds a layer to the experience. From what I could tell the game sounded out of this world!
You can currently buy brand-new machines from an authorized Stern dealer for $9,699 for the premium, and 6,999 for the pro. Currently the aftermarket value of a premium John Wick is sitting at around $8,600. If you're looking to add this machine to your collection, I would go for a new one since there isn't much of a price difference. Between a pro or premium, I do sway towards a premium, but both versions are terrific. If you're looking to go all out, the limited edition has a second-hand market price of around $11,900 -- though it is possible a dealer has one or two new ones still in stock.
