Flippers Fly and Champions Rise in Seaside Showdown

Greetings, pinball pilgrims! Bride of Pinbot here, bearing witness to another electrifying clash in the competitive silver ball arena. This time, we venture west to the sun-kissed shores of California for the electrifying MFStrikes!!! tournament held at Lynn’s Arcade in Seaside. Get ready for high scores, nail-biting duels, and a deep dive into the vibrant pinball community.

Knockout Action Under California Skies

On February 15th, beneath a cerulean canvas, 9 intrepid players descended upon Lynn’s Arcade for a Basic Knockout Tournament. With 37 pinball machines at their fingertips, the energy crackled like a million flippers firing in unison. Organized by the ever-effervescent Cary Carmichael, the format ensured quick-fire battles, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

Deadpool Duel: A Match for the Ages

Round 4 witnessed a legendary clash on the ever-popular Deadpool (Premium) machine. Harry Franklin (IFPA rank 2147) faced off against Nikki Carmichael (IFPA rank 2949) in a nail-biting match. Both players displayed masterful control, maneuvering the silver ball with precision and cunning. In the end, Harry emerged victorious, but Nikki’s performance earned her a well-deserved second place.

Champions Ascend!: A Podium Filled with Grit and Grace

The tournament culminated in a thrilling finale, where the top players showcased their incredible skills. A huge congratulations to our champions:

  1. Harry Franklin (IFPA rank 2147): This seasoned veteran, with 54 IFPA events under his belt, proved his pinball prowess once again.
  2. Nikki Carmichael (IFPA rank 2949): Despite her relatively new ranking, Nikki’s impressive performance (and 155 total IFPA events) solidified her place as a rising star.
  3. Philip Priddy (IFPA rank 1178): With 120 IFPA events to his name, Philip brought years of experience to the table, securing a well-earned third place.
  4. Cary Carmichael (IFPA rank 1237): Local hero Cary (they/them) put on a fantastic show, demonstrating their hometown advantage and passion for the game.

A Pinball Paradise at Lynn’s Arcade

The vibrant atmosphere at Lynn’s Arcade added an extra layer of excitement to the tournament. With pinball machines lining the walls, refreshing beers on tap, and even custom beer can holders adorning the games, it was a true haven for pinball aficionados.

Here are some of the iconic machines that graced the tournament floor:

  • Pabst Can Crusher: This 2016 Stern release pays homage to the classic Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, offering a refreshing blend of nostalgia and modern pinball mechanics.
  • Dolly Parton: Travel back in time with this 1978 Bally gem, celebrating the Queen of Country herself with catchy tunes and playful artwork.
  • Dirty Harry: Feel the heat with this 1995 Williams classic, inspired by the legendary Clint Eastwood film.
  • Dragonfist: Journey to a mythical realm with this 1982 Stern Electronics masterpiece, featuring challenging gameplay and captivating fantasy elements.

And the Beat Goes On…

A huge thank you to Cary Carmichael for organizing this fantastic tournament and to Lynn’s Arcade for providing the perfect pinball paradise. Stay tuned, fellow enthusiasts, for more thrilling tournament updates and exciting pinball adventures!

Remember, whether you’re a seasoned champion or just starting your pinball journey, the silver ball awaits! Keep flipping, keep scoring, and keep the pinball love alive!

Unveiling the Thrills of the League Super Awesome Pinball Tournament

A Spectacular Evening (and maybe Morning) of Pinball Mastery

On the chilly evening of February 15, 2024, Heart State Brewing in Columbus became the epicenter of a pinball marathon that blurred the lines between night and day. The League Super Awesome Season 31 Week 6 tournament stretched over an epic 16 hours—yes, you read that right! It seems even pinball machines need their caffeine fix to pull an all-nighter.

The Legendary Avengers Saga: A Glitch in the Matrix?

In a plot twist worthy of a comic book, the Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro) game clocked in at an astonishing 921 minutes. Before you check your calculators, we’ll save you the math: that’s over 15 hours! We’re starting to wonder if there was a bug in our blog software—or perhaps the Avengers themselves decided to bend the fabric of time. Either way, kudos to Taylor Schaar and the gang for what might just be the longest game in pinball history, or a heroic feat of endurance gaming.

Champions Who Defied Time

As dawn broke, the champions emerged, not just victorious but also probably in need of a good nap. Here are the valiant warriors who topped the leaderboard:

  1. Taylor Schaar – With an IFPA rank of 9826, Taylor not only led the marathon game on Avengers but also clinched the top spot in the tournament.
  2. Mike Skelton – Despite being IFPA Unranked, Mike’s skillful play secured him the second place, proving that ranks are just numbers.
  3. Jack Nebraska – Known for his strategic gameplay, Jack, with an IFPA rank of 401, landed the third spot, adding to his impressive pinball resume.
  4. Beau Pendleton – With a wealth of experience from 189 IFPA events and a rank of 661, Beau rounded out the top four with his consistent performance.

A Showcase of Pinball’s Finest

The tournament featured an eclectic array of 16 pinball machines, each with its own story and charm. Notable mentions include Stern’s Deadpool (Pro) and James Bond 007 (Pro), providing players with immersive and challenging playfields. The classic Attack from Mars by Bally offered a nostalgic trip with its timeless appeal, while newer entrants like the Foo Fighters (Premium) and Venom (Premium) by Stern brought fresh excitement and innovative gameplay to the arena.

Heart State Brewing: The Unsung Hero

A big shout-out to Heart State Brewing, not just for their excellent brews and atmosphere, but for being the stage to what might go down in history as the longest day in pinball. We’re pretty sure they didn’t expect their venue to turn into a 24-hour pinball haven, but they played the perfect host to our pinball odyssey.

Signing Off with a Smile

As we finally sign off (and maybe catch some Z’s), we extend our heartfelt thanks to John Geiger for orchestrating this timeless event, and to Heart State Brewing for their unmatched hospitality. To our pinball warriors, we salute your endurance and passion. Remember, in the world of pinball, even a 921-minute game is just part of the fun—or a curious glitch we’ll chuckle about for tournaments to come.

Stay tuned for more pinball tales, where the only thing longer than the games are the stories we share!