Hello, flipper friends! Let’s dive into the action from the latest tournament at Miniboss in San Jose—the MULTIBALL MONTHLY AUGUST ’24! This one brought together 13 fierce competitors for a whirlwind of flippers, lights, and multiballs. The format was tight, with four rounds of nail-biting pinball leading to an epic final showdown. It all went down on August 27th, with players battling it out for a spot in the top four. And trust me, they gave it their all!
Miniboss Magic: The Perfect Pinball Hangout
Miniboss is where the magic happened. This arcade is tucked right into the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. You might be hesitant about the area, but don’t let that fool you. Once inside, you’re greeted by a vibe that screams “game on.” The bar takes center stage, flanked by rows of arcade games and pinball machines that light up the space. Whether you’re into classic cocktails with a twist or just want to listen to the hum of pinball action, Miniboss has you covered. It’s a spot where the drinks flow and the games never stop.
Want to plan your visit? Check out their website here.
Game Spotlight: Monster Bash Madness
Now, let’s talk about the monster of a game that took center stage—Monster Bash (Remake LE). The first round of the tournament saw Tim Hansen, Dustin Goldbarg, Randy Barrick, and Mani Godinez face off in what turned out to be an absolute marathon on this 2018 Chicago Gaming gem. How long, you ask? 83 minutes! That’s longer than the movies featuring these Monsters, and then some.
The game itself is a love letter to classic monster movies, featuring Dracula, Frankenstein, and the gang all trying to start a rock band. Tim Hansen, the top-ranked player in the state, used his skills to wrangle these creatures into submission, taking first place with precision and a bit of luck. Dustin Goldbarg wasn’t far behind, pushing hard with those tricky multiball modes but ultimately settling for second. Randy Barrick and Mani Godinez put up a good fight, but the sheer endurance needed for a game like this shows just how intense Monster Bash can be, especially when you’ve got the Universal Monsters to contend with.
Dive Into These Pinball Favorites
This tournament had 12 killer pins that kept everyone on their toes. Let’s highlight a few of the stars:
- Star Wars (Pro) by Stern (2017): Designed by Steve Ritchie, this pinball puts you right in the middle of the Star Wars saga. Fast, intense, and full of memorable moments from the films, it’s a rush for any fan.
- Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Pro) by Stern (2019): Another Steve Ritchie creation, this one brings back the Black Knight with a vengeance. The upper playfield and the animated, taunting Black Knight are enough to keep you playing again and again.
- Medieval Madness (Remake) by Chicago Gaming (2016): This classic is all about knocking down castles and saving the kingdom. It’s funny, it’s challenging, and the remake captures everything that made the original a hit.
- Jurassic Park (Premium) by Stern (2019): Designed by Keith Elwin, this game is a dino-packed adventure. The innovative shots and thrilling modes make it a must-play, especially when you’re dodging T-Rex attacks.
- Deadpool (Premium) by Stern (2018): With artwork by Zombie Yeti and a whole lot of sass from the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool is as much fun as it is challenging. It’s a great mix of humor and hardcore pinball action.
Shoutout to the Champions
Big congrats to the winners of this month’s tournament! Dustin Goldbarg took home the crown, showing that his 17th state ranking and 177th IFPA ranking were no fluke. With over 100 IFPA events under his belt, Dustin’s experience really paid off. Tim Hansen, our state’s top-ranked player and 19th in the nation, fought hard and earned second place—no easy feat when you’ve already conquered so many tournaments. Randy Barrick, a rising star with just 10 events in their history, snagged third, proving they’ve got serious potential. And let’s not forget Mani Godinez, who may not be ranked, but made it to the finals and took fourth place—an accomplishment unto its own given the competition!
California IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hansen | Sunnyvale | 951.21 |
| 2 | Arvid Flygare | Lund | 881.53 |
| 3 | Nic Stein | Davis | 818.55 |
| 4 | Escher Lefkoff | 803.84 | |
| 5 | Jason Zahler | 778.2 | |
| 6 | Daniele Celestino Acciari | Rocca di Papa | 713.65 |
| 7 | Viggo Löwgren | Furulund | 667.75 |
| 8 | Germain Mariolle | Redmond | 623.46 |
| 9 | Zach McCarthy | Conifer | 617.17 |
| 10 | Andrei Massenkoff | San Francisco | 592.7 |
Closing Time
What a night at Miniboss! Big thanks to Myriad Pinball for organizing such an awesome event and to Miniboss for being the perfect host. Want to know more about upcoming events like this? Check out the organizer’s page at Myriad Pinball here. The Monster Bash game will definitely go down in tournament history for its epic length and fierce competition. Stay connected for more pinball excitement and recaps!