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:
- Wyatt Capener: Hailing from Wisconsin, Wyatt’s dedication to the game has seen him participate in 75 IFPA Events.
- Jeff Skelly: A close second with a whopping 92 IFPA Events under his belt.
- Karl Luhrs: His consistency in the game earned him a respectable third place.
- Mary Owen: A dark horse, with this being her debut IFPA Event!
Wisconsin’s Elite Pinballers
The IFPA Wisconsin standings post the event are:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Nahorniak | Lonsdale | 1265.29 |
| 2 | Jared August | West Bloomfield Township | 1165.2 |
| 3 | Neil Graf | Appleton | 1143.62 |
| 4 | Escher Lefkoff | 1050.05 | |
| 5 | Steven Bowden | Palatine | 998.74 |
| 6 | Erik Thoren | De Pere | 741.01 |
| 7 | Jason Werdrick | Park Ridge | 737.43 |
| 8 | Zach McCarthy | Conifer | 737.24 |
| 9 | David Daluga | Milwaukee | 728.59 |
| 10 | Jordan Dechaine | 683.86 |
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!