After reading the article on the upcoming Stern "Elvis" machine, I felt compelled to write my own article concerning my opinions on its potential.

Elvis, the Terminator, and Fads

First of all, I think that just because the Elvis machine is being marketed in the same style as the Terminator 3 machine will not lock it to the same fate. Here's why.

Obviously, pinball has been in severe decline over the past few years. Therefore, it does seem somewhat foolhardy to believe that one pinball machine could bring it all back. But we never know.

I believe that a strong central theme is vital to any successful pinball machine. The fact that Stern produced 5000 The Simpsons machines shows that there is still some sort of demand for pins in the market, and that a great driving theme will help sell them.

Terminator 3 seemed like a good theme for a pinball machine. There was certainly plenty of hype built up around the movie, and it only made sense to create a pinball machine for it, particularly because many pins are in movie theatres.

Unfortunately, the movie sucked. I think, that in this case, the failure of the movie strongly influenced the failure of the machine.

There was also the case of RollerCoaster Tycoon, which was ridiculously popular for a couple years and then dropped off into near-total obscurity. Unfortunately, the machine came out just as the game peaked, right before the franchise slammed to the ground.

On the other hand, Elvis is a cultural icon. He is much better-known than any movie, and his success does not depend on how well something new does, because he's dead and it's his legacy that lives on.

In that respect, the Elvis machine has much greater potential than many other machines, which are based around current happenings, companies, athletes, movies, or fads. The King is timeless, period.

From the Gameplay Standpoint

For this machine, Stern has recruited Steve Ritchie. Ritchie was the genius behind the classic Star Trek TNG machine, as any pinball aficionado could tell you.

I personally would have liked to see Pat Lawlor on this project. But that's just me, I'm rather biased toward Lawlor games, as my ratings will tell you. ;) Then again, there still is a possibility that Lawlor may team up with Ritchie again.

With Steve Ritchie in tow and many others on Stern's roster, this game certainly has a chance to be great as a pinball machine. They'll probably get John Youssi back for some more great art, which will add eye-popping appeal to the casual arcade-going guy.

Certainly, I'm not worried about whether or not the gameplay itself will be good. Stern has a host of spectacular designers on their team, and they have made magic before. With a tremendous opportunity like this machine, they will not disappoint.

Will it Make Pinball Great Again?

There is no clear answer in sight for Stern. Being an optimist, I want to say that, because pinball has been on decline for years, a theme as universally popular as Elvis can bring it back.

I crossed my fingers that Monopoly could do it. I hoped that RollerCoaster Tycoon could make it happen. I was sure that the Bally/Williams Pinball 2000 machines would do the trick, and cried when Bally/Williams folded.

But from all these, Elvis is by far better-known, appreciated, and loved. Will The King get the pinball market "all shook up" again? My prediction is this.

One machine cannot bring back a legacy. But the Elvis Presley machine will renew popularity for the game of pinball. Coin-op video game companies will form pinball branches, new companies which produce parts for the game will start up.

Pinside and other similar websites will provide a focus point for the game's new popularity. Pinball machines will pop up in arcades, where video games dominated before.

It's not really fair to say that Pac-Man was the reason for the popularity of video games. It was one factor in a big picture. I think the same will happen with the Elvis machine.

We can hope.