Amidst the buzz and clatter of flippers, a mid-summer’s tournament took the stage on August 6, 2023. The Pinfield Meta Games Matchplay pinball contest, a masterful creation of Josh Noble, reverberated through the vast space of Meta Games Unlimited, situated gracefully on East Sunshine Street, Springfield, MO.
Venue Vibes: A Blend of Retro and Recent
First impressions? Three out of the nine pinball machines took a day off, but the ones in action didn’t disappoint! Favorites like Monster Bash and Iron Man were in prime condition, receiving adulation from seasoned players and newcomers alike. The venue wasn’t just about pinball – with ample space dedicated to tabletop games and a vast collection waiting to be bought, it’s safe to say the pictures do only 20% justice to what the venue truly offers.
Pinball Picks: From Prospector to The Mandalorian
Highlighting some of the machines at play, we had:
- Super-Flite by Williams, a classic from 1974, invoking nostalgia with every flip.
- Stern’s Star Trek (Pro) from 2013, taking players on an interstellar journey.
- The rhythmic and iconic The Beatles from 2018, making every game a Yellow Submarine ride.
- The Wild West-themed Cactus Canyon (Remake Special/LE) by Chicago Gaming from 2021, letting players duel in a digital desert.
- And the freshly released The Mandalorian (Pro) by Stern from May 2021, an ode to the Star Wars universe, inviting players to side with Mando.
The Godzilla Grapple
One of the pinnacle moments was in Round 11 on the Godzilla (Pro) machine by Stern. Josh Noble, proving his mettle as not just an organizer but a formidable player, secured the top position. Following him were Christen Moore, Brandon Pennington, and Stacee LaFrieda. Noble’s strategic maneuvering and intense concentration on this machine were truly sights to behold.
Tournament Titans
The tournament culminated with John Dozier claiming the throne, closely trailed by Josh Noble, Aaron Pennington, and Shane Yozzo. It’s noteworthy that Shane, with an IFPA rank of 1167, has participated in a whopping 385 events!
Missouri’s Pinball Maestros
Here’s a peek into the cream of Missouri’s pinball crop:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Miller MO | St. Louis | 305.51 |
| 2 | Kendell Holder | St. Louis | 214.19 |
| 3 | Brennan Sullivan | St. Louis | 196.55 |
| 4 | Adam McKinnie | Columbia | 183.5 |
| 5 | Steve Rolsing | St. Louis | 169.11 |
| 6 | Chris Ward | St. Louis | 165.23 |
| 7 | Jacob Fischer | St. Louis | 155.67 |
| 8 | Mike Howard | St. Louis | 119.67 |
| 9 | Travis Murie | Oklahoma City | 117.02 |
| 10 | Steve Hill MO | Kansas City | 113.17 |
To the pinball aficionados and the simply curious, stay plugged in as we bring more electric updates from the ever-spinning, ever-thrilling realm of pinball!