On a clear and brisk evening, with temperatures hovering around 55°F, the Pinball Gallery on Lancaster Avenue was abuzz. While most might snuggle up indoors in such weather, for the pinball community, the atmosphere was heated with fierce competition and palpable excitement.
The Venue – More Than Just Pinball
The Pinball Gallery offers more than a retreat for pinball enthusiasts. For 80s kids, it’s a nostalgic journey. One visitor recalled playing Super Mario Brothers on a vintage television, stating, “It was like muscle memory – I beat the first world like it was nothing and my 12-year-old was in awe.” From vintage board games to the PacMan video game and pinball machine combo, there’s an arcade treasure at every corner. Not to mention the super friendly staff adding to the charm of the place.
Of Knights, Wizards, and Galactic Battles
The event showcased 72 pinball machines, with some making their mark more than others.
- Black Knight 2000 by Williams saw the maximum action, with 5 games played.
- The longest play time? That was on Excalibur by Gottlieb, with an average game stretching to 27 minutes.
- Legends of Valhalla and Galactic Tank Force, both from American Pinball, reflected the industry’s newest innovations, while classics like Sorcerer and Blackout took players on a nostalgic trip.
- Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast and Aerosmith (Premium) by Stern rocked the players with their musical themes.
Quarterfinal Quake
Amid the flurry of flippers and flashing lights, the game on “The Addams Family” by Bally stood out. Tony Lastowka, with an impressive IFPA rank of 1302, bagged the first position. He was closely followed by Michael Reimer, Jamme Thomas, and Sam Fowler, making it a game to remember.
Pennsylvania’s Pinball Titans
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cryss Stephens | 191.32 | |
| 2 | Jared Schmidt | Pittsburgh | 156.6 |
| 3 | Lewis Bevans | Pittsburgh | 141.79 |
| 4 | Aleksander Kaczmarczyk | 136.8 | |
| 5 | Bob Choate | Philadelphia | 115.15 |
| 6 | Stephen Le | Chesterbrook | 110.04 |
| 7 | Corey Hulse | Schwenksville | 100.8 |
| 8 | Matt Gusler | Philadelphia | 95.64 |
| 9 | Tony Makowski | Lansdale | 88.05 |
| 10 | Raymond Davidson | Elk Grove Village | 74.72 |
Celebrating the Champions
At the end of nearly 5 hours, Bob Choate from Delco, PA, emerged victorious. Not far behind were Michael Reimer and Tony Lastowka, securing the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively. What’s notable is Billy Gianakopoulos’s performance, reaching 5th place despite it being his first IFPA event!
To all the players, attendees, and pinball enthusiasts, here’s to many more flippin’ fantastic tournaments. Keep those scores high, and spirits higher! Stay tuned for more updates from the enthralling realm of pinball.