The Pinball Chronicles: A Night at Logan Arcade with Chicago’s Finest

On a chilly evening in Chicago, with overcast clouds painting the skies and temperatures dipping to 51°F, Logan Arcade at 2410 W Fullerton Ave hummed with life. Here, the city’s elite pinball players converged for the ‘Chicago Sunday Best Pinball League Season 5 #4’ tournament, organized by Mike Pantoliano.

The Venue:

For those unfamiliar with Logan Arcade, it is an emblem of nostalgia and present-day passion. Hosting an array of pinball machines that encompass the classics and the contemporaries, it is every pinball enthusiast’s dream. The venue promises an amazing selection, and reasonable prices to boot. Many, like myself, leave with a note to self: “Definitely returning when next in Chicago.” Learn more about their offerings at Logan Arcade.

In the Game Spotlight:

Of the night’s pulsating matches, one stood out not just for its competitiveness but for its sheer duration. A game on ‘Robocop‘ by Data East, which lasted almost as long as the Robocop movie itself. Clocking in at 80 minutes, players Andrew Wilkening, Kevin Kolodziej, Natalie Nonos, and Alex Lecky battled fiercely, with Andrew emerging victorious.

Tournament Machines of Note:

Out of the 25 pinball machines present:

  • ‘Taxi by Williams’ took many on a nostalgic trip to the ’80s.
  • ‘Pulp Fiction (SE) by Chicago Gaming’ and ‘Foo Fighters (Premium) by Stern’, both released in 2023, showcased how the game has evolved over the years.
  • ‘Doctor Who by Bally’ and ‘The Addams Family by Bally’ are classics that need no introduction.
  • ‘Robocop by Data East’, given its starring role in the night’s proceedings, had its legacy further cemented.

The Night’s Winners:

Mike Pantoliano, the event’s organizer, showed everyone how it’s done by clinching the top spot. Following him were Rachel Karlic, Emily Sweeney, and Jane Verwys, showcasing the talent and skill that Chicago’s pinball scene possesses.

Illinois’ Best Pinballers:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Andy BagwellElgin370.86
2Raymond DavidsonElk Grove Village222.12
3John Miller MOSt. Louis198.85
4Ryan McQuaid191.17
5Chuck Sanderson180.45
6Steven BowdenPalatine163.42
7Alex LeckyChicago162.84
8Stephen ChappellFerguson154.64
9Bob TwichellOaklawn140.41
10Andrew WilkeningChicago139.23

While the night celebrated individual skill, it also showcased the tight-knit and passionate community of pinball enthusiasts in Chicago. As the games ended and players dispersed, one thing was clear: The realm of pinball is alive and thriving, and we can’t wait to bring you more updates from this electrifying world!

Pinball Showdown at Blizzard Mountain: Where Skill Meets Strategy

The picturesque town of Conifer, Colorado isn’t just known for its serene beauty and clear skies. On October 8th, it was the battleground for the Blizzard Mountain October 2023 Max Matchplay Tournament! where pinball enthusiasts from around the state converged, aiming to emerge as the champions.

Setting the (Play)Field

The event was organized at Blizzard Mountain Pinball, a haven for pinball lovers, meticulously curated by Kevin McCarthy. With 33 players playing 12 games each, the top 16 moved onto the Finals, where they encountered 3 intense rounds of 3 games each.

A clear sky, with a comfortable temperature of 64°F, set a perfect atmosphere for the attendees, though the real heat was inside, amidst the flashing lights and buzzing sounds of the pinball machines.

When Time Stood Still

In the Quarterfinals, spectators witnessed one of the longest pinball games ever played. Taking a mind-boggling 87 minutes on Avengers: Infinity Quest (Premium) by Stern, Lewis Ritenour took the lead, followed by Justin Hinman, Doug Harlow, and Stepan Mazurov.

Machines that Stole the Show

Jurassic Park (Pro) by Stern proved to be an endurance test, with the longest average game duration of about 14 minutes. But the crowd’s favorite was the nostalgic Mousin’ Around! by Bally, played a total of 9 times.

Blizzard Mountain boasted a magnificent array of 36 pinball machines. Among these, standouts included a personal favorite, of course, Pinbot, the electrifying AC/DC (Premium), the adventurous Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure, the retro King Kool, the action-packed Big Buck Hunter Pro, the evergreen Mousin’ Around!, the regal Medieval Madness, and the trip down memory lane with Time Machine.

Champions of the Day

The fierce competition culminated in the crowning of the pinball wizards:

  1. Cassie Begay from Denver dazzled with 5 wins.
  2. Walt Wood from Englewood, showcasing impeccable strategy, clinched the second spot.
  3. The tenacity of Justin Hinman earned him the third spot.
  4. Alex Vanee stood fourth, proving that rank isn’t always the determinant of the day’s performance.
  5. The leaderboard was further graced by the likes of Jonathon Robel, Ryan Altermatt, David Weil, and Lewis Ritenour.

Colorado’s Pinball Elites

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Walt WoodEnglewood593.24
2Ryan AltermattDenver297.47
3Zach McCarthyConifer194.6
4Mark AbbottDenver176.98
5Donavan SteppLakewood166.33
6Daniel AndersonEnglewood150.31
7Ryan WangerBoulder137.44
8Robert Slyker—132.68
9Lewis Ritenour—131.25
10David Johnson COAurora129.73

A Venue Beyond Machines

While Blizzard Mountain Pinball boasts a plethora of machines, it’s the immaculate upkeep and the atmosphere that resonates with visitors. A recent review aptly summed it up, “Clean, well-maintained machines, and an atmosphere where passion for pinball meets camaraderie.”

Blizzard Mountain’s Max Matchplay was more than a tournament. It was a rendezvous of strategy, skill, and sheer determination. So, as the lights dim and the scores reset, we can’t help but wait eagerly for the next face-off.

Stay flipping, pinball lovers!