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:
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula – A gothic challenge for players.
- Creature from the Black Lagoon – The undeniable favorite of the evening.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro) – A recent addition but a sure-fire hit.
- Junk Yard – Reminding players of the good old days.
- 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
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 672.28 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 589.29 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 570.08 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 352.82 |
| 5 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 331.5 |
| 6 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 321.39 |
| 7 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 312.26 |
| 8 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 309.24 |
| 9 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 306.34 |
| 10 | Walter Dony | Phoenix | 281.4 |
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.