Amidst the blistering Arizona heat of 107°F (though a gentle breeze made it feel like 105°F), the pinball enthusiasts of Mesa and beyond converged on Starfighters Arcade for an afternoon of electrifying competition. The very atmosphere of the venue tingled with the promise of dueling flippers and blinking lights.
Setting the Scene at Starfighters
Starfighters Arcade proved to be the haven for pinball and arcade aficionados, maintaining a cool interior oasis that contrasted sharply with the sun-baked landscape outside. The first-timer’s review said it all: “More people need to know about this place!” With its vast array of cabinets and machines, it was no surprise the venue was picked for such an event.
The Tournament Format: Ruthless Knockouts!
With a staggering 73 players signing up, the challenge was on! The Starfighters Monthly followed a Basic Knockout Tournament format, a ruthless yet exhilarating contest where players were paired in two-player games. The stakes? High! After receiving 3 strikes, you’re out! This format kept everyone on their toes, ensuring suspense hung thick in the air until the very end.
From Monsters to Marvels: The Machines of the Day
While the tournament had a whopping 35 pinball machines at the ready, some drew more attention than others. From the classic Xenon by Bally, which transported players back to 1980, to the wild west showdown of Cactus Canyon (Remake Special), released only two years prior, there was something for everyone. Nostalgia bubbled up with Monster Bash and Cirqus Voltaire, while the adventurous spirits gravitated towards Pirates of the Caribbean and Jurassic Park (Premium). And for the Marvel fans? Avengers: Infinity Quest (Premium) was the go-to.
The Godzilla Gauntlet
Round 6 proved to be one for the books with a fierce battle on Godzilla (Premium) by Stern. David Gray Jr., with his rank of 3543, proved the underdog story wasn’t just a myth, clinching the top spot. He was closely followed by Stephanie Turner, Miguel Martinez, and Dave Halley, who all gave commendable performances.
The Crowning Champions
The final whistle had the crowd cheering for:
- John Shopple (Mesa, AZ) – IFPA rank 111, with an impressive 357 IFPA Events under his belt.
- Greg Davis (Phoenix, AZ) – IFPA rank 383, veteran of 153 IFPA Events.
- John Magyar (Gilbert, AZ) – IFPA rank 247, boasting 150 IFPA Events.
- Will McKinney (Phoenix, AZ) – IFPA rank 140, a seasoned player with 275 IFPA Events to his name.
Arizona’s Pinball Pioneers
As the dust settled, here’s a peek at where our winners and other pinball aces of Arizona stood:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 672.29 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 588.58 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 570.07 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 352.81 |
| 5 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 321.37 |
| 6 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 312.27 |
| 7 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 307.64 |
| 8 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 306.32 |
| 9 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282 |
| 10 | Walter Dony | Phoenix | 281.39 |
Kudos to Kevin Curtis for orchestrating a pinball spectacle that will be talked about for months to come. The Starfighters Monthly was not just another tournament—it was an experience. So, fellow pinball lovers, always remember: Stay flippin’ and tuned for more updates from the realm of pinball!