Kids Take the Lead at Starfighters Arcade Pinball Tournament

The Starfighters Kids Monthly tournament, held on January 11, 2025, at 11:30 AM, brought together 34 awesome young players for a fast-paced and fun-filled competition. With 4 rounds of action and one game per round, the tournament wrapped up in 40 minutes—perfect for kids who want to jump in and out of the game without too much wait. Shoutout to Kevin Curtis for organizing such a great event at Starfighters Arcade, the place where nostalgia and pinball magic collide. The weather was on point with clear skies and a cool 52°F—just right for some arcade action!

Location: Step into Nostalgia at Starfighters Arcade

Located at 4840 E Jasmine St #102, Mesa, AZ 85205, Starfighters Arcade is the ultimate spot for anyone who loves retro games and pinball! It’s like stepping into the past with retro movie posters, old-school arcade games, and pinball machines galore. From the iconic Hydro Thunder racing game to classic Dance Dance Revolution, there’s something for everyone. With affordable entry prices (just $12 for an all-night pass), it’s the perfect place for kids and families to have fun. Starfighters Arcade is all about bringing people together to enjoy games, so check out their site here for more info on future events!

Game Spotlight: Guns N’ Roses – A Rockin’ Round 1

In Round 1, the action heated up on Guns N’ Roses (CE), a super cool pinball machine that lets players rock out to some of the band’s biggest hits. Jersey Jack Pinball made sure to pack this game with awesome features like animated band members and the exciting Rocker Bonus Multiplier. For those who were lucky enough to unlock it, the multiball chaos made the game even more fun and rewarding!

Here’s how the players did in this rockin’ round:

• 1st – Nathan H. (Unranked)
• 2nd – Kenny F. (IFPA rank 9593)
• 3rd – Michael W. (IFPA rank 26978)
• 4th – Alice K. (Unranked)

Despite being unranked, Nathan showed off some serious skills to clinch 1st place, while Kenny, ranked 9593, gave it his all but couldn’t quite catch up. Michael and Alice also played hard, making it a tight match for everyone involved!

Pinball Machines: A Tournament Full of Classics

The Starfighters Kids Monthly tournament had 12 machines, each offering its own unique challenge. Here are a few highlights from the lineup:

• The Addams Family (Bally, 1992): The classic pinball adventure where players try to open the golden door and unlock some major bonuses!
• The Getaway: High Speed II (Williams, 1992): This one’s all about speed, with its supercharger ramp and crazy racing modes—perfect for those who love a fast-paced game.
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Williams, 1991): Players go head-to-head with robots in this action-packed game, aiming to hit the right targets and score big.
• Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally, 1992): This one’s perfect for anyone who loves monster movies! The multiball modes and spooky features will keep you on your toes.
• Jurassic Park (Premium) (Stern, 2019): Roar like a T-Rex and use your quick reflexes to outsmart the dinosaurs in this exciting pinball game.

Overall Tournament Winners: Big Congratulations!

Let’s give a huge round of applause to the Starfighters Kids Monthly champions! Everyone gave it their best, but these four stood out:

• 1st – Michael K. (Unranked)
• 2nd – Sabastian D. (Unranked)
• 3rd – Mollie M. (IFPA rank 42480, 6 events)
• 4th – Jackson S. (Unranked)

It was a tough battle, but Michael and Sabastian, both unranked, showed that anyone can take the top spot with great gameplay. Mollie came in strong, landing 3rd place in her 6th IFPA event, while Jackson kept up the pressure for 4th.

Arizona IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Here’s a look at the current Arizona IFPA Pinball Top 10 standings:

A Big Thanks to Starfighters Arcade!

Big thanks to Kevin Curtis for organizing this awesome tournament and to Starfighters Arcade for hosting it. It’s the perfect place for kids to dive into the world of pinball and have a blast with friends and family. Make sure to check them out for more great events. And if you’re ever in Mesa, you can’t miss it—especially with cool spots like Red Mountain Park just a short drive away. Keep an eye out for more pinball tournament updates, and see you at the next one!