Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Officially Unveiled

Transformers has seen several adaptations over the years, spanning just about every form of media imaginable, but longtime fans will argue that nothing compares to the original G1 animated series from 1984. While Beast Wars is often regarded as one of the franchise's finest and most influential series thanks to its groundbreaking storytelling, and the more modern Transformers: Prime earned widespread praise in its own right, nothing taps into the nostalgia quite like the original cartoon, which introduced Optimus Prime, Megatron, and the Autobots' war against the Decepticons to a generation of fans.

It's been decades now since Transformers first debuted, and despite several blockbuster movie adaptations and countless attempts at revising the formula, it's clear there was something unique and authentic about the original series that may never be replicated in a modern form.

However, if you're looking for an experience that brings back the original series in an authentic way and taps into that 80s nostalgia, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye was just unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, and it might be exactly the Transformers release you've been looking for (via SDCC).

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye is a love letter to the franchise's Gen 1 roots, and is an ideal game for fans who grew up with the original 1984 animated series. Developed by Stern Pinball in partnership with Hasbro, the machine recreates the iconic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons through story-driven missions inspired by the first two seasons of the classic cartoon.

Players join Optimus Prime as he attempts to stop Megatron's conquest of Earth and Cybertron while encountering familiar characters including Soundwave, the Dinobots, and other fan favorite characters with unique mechanics. The table is packed with standout features, including a fully animatronic Megatron whose rotating Fusion Cannon can fire pinballs back at players, a Soundwave cassette deck that locks and releases balls during multiball sequences, and an Optimus Prime bash toy.

Fans can collect Tech Spec cards, store Energon Cubes, unlock challenge modes through Stern's Insider Connected Cyber Coin system, and even experience a special mode celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie, complete with Stan Bush's legendary anthem "The Touch" and newly recorded voice work from Peter Cullen and Frank Welker.

Those eager to try the machine can purchase Pro, Premium, or Limited Edition models through Stern's distributor network, but you definitely don't have to own one to play. The game is available at Stern's Pop-Up Arcade during San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where attendees can book free 30-minute hands-on sessions. Beyond Comic-Con, the machine is expected to roll out to arcades, barcades, family entertainment centers, and other public pinball locations worldwide in the near future.

Whether you're a hardcore Transformers fan looking for a new and immersive way to experience the war against the Decepticons, or are simply a pinball enthusiast looking for an awesome new machine, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye is well worth checking out.