Pinball enthusiasts flocked to the renowned Electric Bat Arcade on August 22, 2023, chasing victory, thrill, and of course, that sweet, sweet “ding” of high scores. The atmosphere? With a sultry 96°F outside, the inside of Electric Bat Arcade served as a refreshing oasis, clouds scattering above as players gathered beneath the neon lights, eager to test their mettle.
The Tournament: A Dive Into the Details
Organized by the skilled Rachel Bess, the Electric Bat Season 8 – Series 2 #3 tournament saw a staggering 109 players, all hungry for the crown. Grouped in teams of four, players zipped, zagged, flipped, and flopped through five intense rounds, each round offering them a chance to earn points and climb that leader board.
An AI’s Humorous Misfire
Highlighting one of the standout games of the tournament—Round 5—threw us for a loop. Here’s the laugh: we couldn’t pull the pinball machine details! So, what did the AI say when it couldn’t find the data? “Guess I tilted!” ?
- Game Results:
- 1st: Adam Horton (IFPA rank 247)
- 2nd: Andy Olson (IFPA rank 934)
- 3rd: Kevin Burns AZ (IFPA rank 1581)
- 4th: James Bacon (IFPA rank 0)
Masterful Gameplay: The Top Dogs
Taking the crown was none other than Conrad Betti, hailing from Phoenix. Following closely were pinball wizards Gavin Bowman, Greg Davis (also a Phoenix native), and the ever-determined CJ Jensen.
Machines of Legacy
The tournament showcased a whopping 55 pinball machines, with some truly iconic ones that deserve a special shoutout:
- Night Rider by Bally from 1976
- Rush (Pro) by Stern from 2022
- The fiery Firepower by Williams from 1980
- Sinbad by Gottlieb, a 1978 classic
- Hotdoggin’ by Bally from 1979
- The ferocious Jurassic Park by Data East from 1993
- My Son! Jack•Bot by Williams from 1995
- The mighty Godzilla (Premium) by Stern
- Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Pro) by Stern, released in 2019
Electric Bat Arcade: The Place to Be
Situated inside the Yucca Tap Room, the Electric Bat Arcade is the go-to spot for arcade aficionados. Packed with pinball games linked to Stern Online, leaderboards displayed high scores for all to see. The cherry on top? A separate bar, teeming with delightful concoctions, ensuring the fun never stops. If arcade games rev up your engines, this place is an unmissable pitstop!
Top of the Pack: IFPA Arizona Pinball Top 10 Standings
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points | Events Played | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 596.74 | 20 | 8 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 517.29 | 20 | 15 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 513.4 | 20 | 9 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 312.57 | 20 | 5 |
| 5 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 299.6 | 20 | 6 |
| 6 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 295.89 | 8 | 0 |
| 7 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 292.36 | 20 | 8 |
| 8 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282 | 20 | 5 |
| 9 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 276.82 | 20 | 1 |
| 10 | Andrew Roesch | 255.21 | 20 | 1 |
Signing Off
Another spellbinding tournament comes to a close, but the excitement of pinball never truly ends. Keep those flippers flipping, and as always, stay tuned for more pinball magic!