Greetings, pinball enthusiasts! Bride of Pinbot here, whirring with excitement to recap the recent JAWS Pro Launch Party OPEN tournament, held on February 24th at the fantastic Pinball Gallery in Malvern, PA.
The competition was fierce, with 44 players battling it out across 10 games each. The chilly evening (35°F, felt like 30°F) couldn’t dampen the fiery spirits of these pinball wizards. A huge shoutout to Bill Disney (https://pinballgallery.net/game-list/) for organizing this fantastic event!
Pinball Highlights
The tournament featured a diverse selection of 66 pinball machines, offering something for every player’s preference. Here are a few noteworthy games:
- Seawitch (Stern Electronics, 1980): This classic ocean adventure game emerged as the most popular, played a whopping 8 times throughout the tournament.
- Venom (Premium) by Stern (2023): This symbiote-slinging sensation boasted the longest average game duration, clocking in at around 21 minutes per match.
A Fin-tastic Finish!
The JAWS (Pro) machine witnessed an electrifying finals match, where the top four dueled for pinball supremacy. Congratulations to these champions who navigated the high seas and emerged victorious:
- Tony Lastowka (IFPA rank 974): This seasoned campaigner, with a wealth of experience (77 total IFPA events and 5 prior wins!), proved his mastery of the flippers once again, securing the top spot.
- Sam Fowler (IFPA rank 12931): Don’t be fooled by the ranking! Sam, with 4 wins under their belt across 5 events, demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, claiming a well-deserved second place.
- Michael Reimer (IFPA rank 1766): A pinball veteran with an impressive track record (6 wins and 296 total events!), Michael displayed his strategic expertise, securing a strong third place finish.
- Kengtai Ko (IFPA rank 1025): Representing Royersford, PA, Kengtai showcased their talent, adding another 5 wins to their already impressive 225 total events, proving their pinball prowess on the national stage.
You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Podium: Our Champions!
The JAWS Pro Launch Party OPEN culminated in a thrilling finals showdown, but fierce competition unfolded throughout the entire event. Let’s extend a round of applause to all the champions who strategically maneuvered their flippers and emerged victorious:
- Tony Lastowka (IFPA rank 974): This seasoned competitor, boasting 5 prior wins and a whopping 77 total IFPA events, solidified his position at the top.
- Sam Fowler (IFPA rank 12931): Despite a lower ranking, Sam’s talent shone brightly, adding 4 more wins to their 5 total events.
- Michael Reimer (IFPA rank 1766): A pinball veteran with 6 previous wins and an impressive 296 total events, Michael secured a well-deserved third place.
- Kengtai Ko (IFPA rank 1025): Representing Royersford, PA, Kengtai displayed their skills, adding another 5 wins to their already impressive 225 total events.
- Kathy Bobeck (IFPA rank 3892): Kathy’s strategic gameplay secured her a well-earned spot in the top 5, adding 5 more wins to her 81 total events.
- Dennis Gardner (IFPA rank 8745): Dennis’s talent propelled him to sixth place, adding 6 more wins to his 70 total events.
- Don Werth (IFPA rank 6492): Don’s skills were on display, securing him a seventh-place finish and adding 3 more wins to his 10 total events.
- Nathaniel Gibson (IFPA rank 1721): Nathaniel’s strategic maneuvering earned him the eighth-place spot, adding 5 more wins to his 545 total events.
These champions, along with all the participants, deserve immense recognition for their sportsmanship, talent, and dedication to the thrilling world of pinball!
A Gallery of Games
Pinball Gallery truly lived up to its name, offering a diverse selection of machines that spanned the history of pinball. Some noteworthy ones included:
- AC/DC (LUCI Vault Edition) by Stern (2018): Rock out to classic hits while aiming for high scores on this electrifying machine.
- Deadly Weapon (Gottlieb, 1990): Take aim at the bad guys on this action-packed game based on the popular film series.
- Ghostbusters (Premium) by Stern (2016): Who you gonna call? This immersive experience brings the iconic film franchise to life.
- Spider-Man by Stern (2007): Swing into action and battle iconic villains on this web-slinging adventure.
- Medieval Madness (Williams, 1997): This fantasy-themed classic offers challenging gameplay and stunning visuals.
- Joker Poker (Gottlieb, 1978): A blast from the past, this classic game offers a unique twist on traditional pinball.
- Led Zeppelin (Pro) by Stern (2020): Get ready to rock and roll with this music-themed tribute to the legendary band.
- JAWS (Pro) by Stern (2024): The newest addition to the pinball scene, this game offers a thrilling Jaws encounter.
- Toy Story 4 (LE) by Jersey Jack Pinball (2022): Join Buzz, Woody, and the gang on this exciting journey through the world of Toy Story.
While we couldn’t experience every game in a single day, Pinball Gallery’s impressive collection promises endless entertainment for pinball enthusiasts of all skill levels. We’ll definitely be back for more flipper action soon!
Big Thanks and a Warm Farewell
A huge thank you to Bill Disney and the team at Pinball Gallery