Pinball & Punk Rock: B.R.I. Taproom’s Ultimate Showdown!

Mesa, Arizona came alive with the sound of pinball bells and buzzers on the evening of September 27, 2023. At precisely 6:30 PM, amidst a clear sky with a warm temperature of 95°F, B.R.I. Taproom & Arcade transformed into a battleground for the ‘Punk Rock Pinball Tournament Week 13’.

Fast Flips and Frenzied Fingers

With Matt Trethewey orchestrating the event, the tournament saw 10 players going head-to-head, playing 10 games each. The goal? Simple: Rack up those points and reign supreme.

Creature’s Call and Walking Dead’s Thrall

Two machines drew significant attention:

  • Creature from the Black Lagoon by Bally, a classic from December 1992, saw its flippers flipped a whopping 7 times.
  • The Walking Dead (Premium) by Stern, kept players enthralled, boasting the longest average game duration at about 10 minutes. Zombies, as it turns out, make for slow but intense gameplay!

Masters of the Machine

As the dust settled and the scores tallied:

  • 🥇 Jeff Wegener showcased his knack for the game, leading with 5 wins despite having only 8 events under his belt.
  • 🥈 Paul Pickett, with a total of 6 wins, gave a tough competition to all.
  • 🥉 Mahina Hayashi showed her pinball prowess with 4 impressive wins.
  • 🏅 Jim Smith AZ from Phoenix, despite having a whopping 454 events experience, finished fourth but showcased some mesmerizing gameplay.

Arcade’s Arsenal

The venue boasted a stellar lineup of pinball machines. The tournament highlights included:

  1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – A gothic challenge for players.
  2. Creature from the Black Lagoon – The undeniable favorite of the evening.
  3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro) – A recent addition but a sure-fire hit.
  4. Junk Yard – Reminding players of the good old days.
  5. Whirlwind – A gusty challenge for all.

Beers, Ballers, and B.R.I.

B.R.I. Taproom & Arcade, with its official website, isn’t just a haven for pinball players. It’s a place where vintage video games meet a tantalizing variety of beers. And while they don’t serve food, patrons are welcome to bring their own or enjoy meals from the occasional food truck outside.

Arizona’s Pinball Elite

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Roland Nadeau672.28
2Mark PearsonPhoenix589.29
3John ShoppleMesa570.08
4John MagyarGilbert352.82
5Adam HortonPhoenix331.5
6Kevan CarterTempe321.39
7Jason BarreMesa312.26
8Joey RioSurprise309.24
9Paul BlancoChandler306.34
10Walter DonyPhoenix281.4

With another successful event in the books, pinball enthusiasts left B.R.I. Taproom with both nostalgia for the games of yesteryears and anticipation for future showdowns. In the realm of pinball, the game never truly ends; it just waits for the next coin drop.

A Night of Fierce Competition at the Space City Pinball Tournament

Under the twinkling lights of pinball machines, enthusiasts gathered at Low’s Sound Lab in Houston on the evening of September 27th, 2023. The pinball aficionados came together for the “Space City Pinball: Belles and Chimes League at the LOWer Level #3” tournament, promising an evening of thrill, strategies, and of course, the sweet sound of the silver ball bouncing off bumpers.

An Electric Atmosphere

While the exact decor and ambiance details of Low’s Sound Lab remain a mystery (as the location is undisclosed), the energy and passion of the participants filled the space with excitement. The echoing sounds of pinball machines, laughter, and occasional groans of a missed shot created a symphony unique to such events.

One For The Records

Perhaps the most jaw-dropping moment of the tournament was during the first round on the AC/DC (Pro) machine. A machine known for its challenging play and thunderous soundtracks saw a game that lasted an unbelievable 62 minutes! As the iconic lyric goes, “Thunderstruck!” And indeed, the audience was. Dawn Hayes, with her focused gameplay, secured the top spot, leaving Elizabeth Dronet, Maritza Chirichigno, and Dawn Freedkin “shaking at the knees” as they secured the following places respectively. It’s games like these that become the stuff of legends in the pinball community.

Champions of the Night

While every player showcased commendable skill, a few stood out and earned the top spots:

  • 1st: Emily Hoffman with an impressive IFPA rank of 2775.
  • 2nd: Space City’s own, Elizabeth Dronet.
  • 3rd: Gina Low, proving that she’s not just any player with her rank of 2569.
  • 4th: The talented Leslie Speights.

A Night of Machines

The evening was graced by 19 iconic pinball machines, with a few worth a special mention:

Top Players in Texas

Pinball isn’t just a game; it’s a sport with its own stars. A look at the current Texas Pinball Top 10 reveals some familiar and some rising names:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Jack RevnewThe Woodlands501.14
2Garrett ShahanDenton442.72
3Phil GrimaldiHouston338.48
4Wesley JohnsonCollege Station327.55
5Fred RevnewThe Woodlands255.08
6Lee BalusekConroe254.5
7Brian KrivonakCorpus Christi246.12
8Collier WhitefieldSan Antonio227.24
9Gilbert HerreraSan Antonio212.67
10Kevin RodriguezDenton210.54

As the lights dimmed on another successful tournament, one thing was clear: The passion for pinball is alive and thriving. We can’t wait for the next gathering of pinball wizards. Stay with us for more news, tricks, and flicks from the vibrant world of pinball!

Stern Army 2023 Monthly Pinball Tournament at the I/O Arcade Bar September

In the heart of Madison, beneath the overcast skies and amidst the gentle murmur of evening chatter, pinball enthusiasts descended upon the I/O Arcade Bar on September 27, 2023. The event? The much-anticipated Stern Army 2023 Monthly Pinball Tournament!

An Electric Venue with Vintage Vibes

The I/O Arcade Bar, with its glowing neon, vast selection of games, and the unmistakable buzz of flippers and bells, is arguably Madison’s best-kept gaming secret. It’s a retro gamer’s dream come true, boasting an array of pinball machines that beckon even the most casual player. And if you’ve spent hours there like I have, you’d know that the bar staff is just as amazing as the games themselves, ensuring a perfect gaming environment paired with delightful drinks.

An Array of Pinball Machines – From Classic to Contemporary

Among the 18 machines that glittered and beckoned, some notable ones include:

  • Game Of Thrones (Pro) by Stern: Delve into Westeros and navigate the houses in this 2015 release.
  • Venom (Pro) by Stern: Released in 2023, this game brings the thrilling world of the symbiotic anti-hero to life.
  • Stranger Things (Pro) by Stern: Dive into the Upside Down in this game from 2019.
  • Scooby-Doo (CE) by Spooky Pinball: Released in 2023, hop into the Mystery Machine and solve some spooky mysteries!
  • Godzilla (Premium) by Stern: Battle monsters and save the city in this 2021 game!

The Game that Stole the Show

Jungle Queen by Gottlieb, a classic from 1977, witnessed a fierce competition during Round 2. Jeff Skelly topped the charts, with Mary Owen taking second place. Wyatt Capener and Karl Luhrs finished in third and fourth positions, respectively. It’s worth noting that for a game of such vintage, the competition was intensely modern.

The Cream of the Pinball Crop

When the final ball had been shot and scores tallied, here stood the champions:

  1. Wyatt Capener: Hailing from Wisconsin, Wyatt’s dedication to the game has seen him participate in 75 IFPA Events.
  2. Jeff Skelly: A close second with a whopping 92 IFPA Events under his belt.
  3. Karl Luhrs: His consistency in the game earned him a respectable third place.
  4. Mary Owen: A dark horse, with this being her debut IFPA Event!

Wisconsin’s Elite Pinballers

The IFPA Wisconsin standings post the event are:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Luke NahorniakLonsdale1265.29
2Jared AugustWest Bloomfield Township1165.2
3Neil GrafAppleton1143.62
4Escher Lefkoff1050.05
5Steven BowdenPalatine998.74
6Erik ThorenDe Pere741.01
7Jason WerdrickPark Ridge737.43
8Zach McCarthyConifer737.24
9David DalugaMilwaukee728.59
10Jordan Dechaine683.86

Until Next Flip

With memories of the night still fresh, the pinball community eagerly awaits the next showdown. Madison, with its fusion of classic and contemporary, is truly the place to be for pinball aficionados. Keep those flippers ready, and stay in the loop for more pinball tales and tournaments!

Pinball Passion & Competitive Thrills: The Ball Busters Pinball League Tournament Recap

In the world of pinball, every flicker of light, every bounce of the ball, and every tilt warning can spell victory or defeat. On September 27th, 2023, enthusiasts and competitors gathered under a clear sky with a temperature of a pleasant 60°F, at the Pinball Gallery in Malvern, PA, to test their skills in the Ball Busters Pinball League – 2023 Season #5 Week 4 tournament.

Diving Into the Action

With Bill Disney at the helm as the organizer, the tournament saw 18 players diving deep into intense battles, spread across 5 enthralling rounds. Each round, with its intense moments, defined the skill, strategy, and sometimes, the sheer luck of the player.

The Galactic Battle

A moment worth the spotlight was the Round 3 face-off on the “Galactic Tank Force (Deluxe)” by American Pinball. This machine, a recent marvel from 2023, became the stage for a fierce battle. Anita Thallmayer, with her IFPA rank of 2330, showcased stellar gameplay to secure the top spot, followed by Kim Smith, Barb Britt, and Tina Kirby.

Celebrating the Champions

As the flippers settled and the scores were tallied, the victors emerged:

  • 1st – Terri Morton, a seasoned player with a rank of 2570 and a history of 108 IFPA events.
  • 2nd – Anita Thallmayer, proving her mettle once again with a rank of 2330.
  • 3rd – Stephanie Savy from Media, Pa, a passionate player with a rank of 5477.
  • 4th – Kim Smith, showcasing her skills with an IFPA rank of 5082.

The Machines That Made The Magic

From retro classics to modern masterpieces, the tournament flaunted an impressive array of 11 pinball machines. Some machines that caught everyone’s attention included:

The Venue – Pinball Gallery

The Pinball Gallery was abuzz with energy. As one attendee gushed, “I went to my friend’s birthday party that was being held here and I had soo much fun!! The bad cats pinball was my favorite! Def recommend”

Shining a Light on Pennsylvania’s Best

Lastly, it’s crucial to highlight the top pinball wizards in Pennsylvania:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Cryss Stephens180.56
2Jared SchmidtPittsburgh152.25
3Lewis BevansPittsburgh141.78
4Aleksander Kaczmarczyk136.81
5Stephen LeChesterbrook110.04
6Bob ChoatePhiladelphia98.16
7Matt GuslerPhiladelphia94.96
8Tony MakowskiLansdale78.75
9Raymond DavidsonElk Grove Village74.72
10Jay Robinson70.23

With that, we wrap up our coverage of the Ball Busters Pinball League tournament. Stay flipped, and keep those balls bouncing, because in the realm of pinball, the game is always on!