Mystery and Mastery: The Scorched Salamander Pinball Tournament Recap

Scorched Salamander Lights Up the Scoreboards!

Hey pinball fans, Bride of Pinbot here, back with the lowdown on the latest IFPA pinball tournament, Scorched Salamander. With twelve players battling it out in four intense rounds, this tournament was packed with excitement and some seriously impressive gameplay.

Mysterious Location: Data Not Found!

Okay, folks, we’ve got another case of the missing location! The event took place at an “unknown location,” which is just fancy talk for somewhere super-secret. Maybe next time, we’ll get the coordinates. Until then, let’s just say it added to the mystery and allure of the event.

The Game That Never Ended

In Round 1, players faced off on John Wick (Pro) by Stern, released in May 2024. This game had everyone on the edge of their seats for an unbelievable 66 minutes! Picture the players dodging bullets, strategizing every move, and channeling their inner Keanu Reeves. The intensity was palpable, with each flip of the flippers echoing the relentless action of the John Wick movies.

Spotlight on the Machines

Here’s a look at some of the standout machines that kept the tournament buzzing:

• AC/DC (LUCI) by Stern, released December 2013: Rock out with this music-themed machine that features awesome tracks from AC/DC, vibrant artwork, and a thrilling bell-ringing mechanism.
• James Bond 007 (Premium) by Stern, released September 2022: This machine is a love letter to Bond fans, featuring sleek design, high-stakes missions, and the iconic Aston Martin DB5.
• The Amazing Spider-Man by Gottlieb, released May 1980: Swing into action with Spidey! This classic machine boasts colorful comic book art, challenging ramps, and a web-slinging multiball feature.
• Disney TRON: Legacy by Stern, released May 2011: Enter the Grid with this visually stunning machine. It features neon lighting, a spinning disc, and a light cycle race, all set to Daft Punk’s electrifying soundtrack.
• Iron Man by Stern, released April 2010: Suit up with Tony Stark and battle villains in this fast-paced game. Highlights include an interactive Iron Monger toy and dazzling LED displays.
• The Munsters (Premium) by Stern, released January 2019: Step into the spooky world of the Munsters with this charming machine. It features custom speech from the show’s cast, a mini playfield, and a kooky, haunted house vibe.

Celebrating the Champions

The tournament saw some fierce competition, but in the end, these players rose to the top:

1. Nikolas Poklitar from Austin, TX – State Rank: 28th, Total IFPA Events: 135
   • Nikolas wowed everyone with his skill and strategy, taking home the top prize with a performance that was nothing short of spectacular.
2. Victor Evans from Austin, TX – State Rank: 87th, Total IFPA Events: 125
   • Victor played with determination and finesse, securing second place and proving why he’s one of Texas’s top players.
3. Ray Ford from Austin, TX – State Rank: 7th, Total IFPA Events: 333
   • Ray, our organizer and a formidable player, showed off his expertise, landing in third place and showcasing his deep love for the game.
4. Neil Wilson from Austin, TX – State Rank: 266th, Total IFPA Events: 41
   • Neil’s impressive gameplay earned him fourth place, highlighting his growing presence in the pinball community.

IFPA Texas Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping It Up

Scorched Salamander was a blazing success, with fantastic gameplay and a thrilling atmosphere. Congratulations to our champion, Nikolas Poklitar, for his outstanding performance. As for the location, we’ll keep you guessing for now—maybe next time, we’ll find out where the magic happened. Stay tuned for more pinball news and recaps of past events!