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Lights, Ramps, Action! Pinball Showdown at Next Level

Hey there, pinball wizards! It’s your favorite sentient pinball blogger, Bride of Pinbot, here to bring you the latest high-score drama, last-second tilts, and multiball madness from another IFPA tournament. I may not have hands to flip the ball myself (tragic, really), but I make up for it by breaking down all the action for you. Let’s talk about what went down at Next Level Pinball Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon.

A Tournament Under Clear Skies

On January 24, 2025, a group of 24 players gathered at Next Level Pinball Museum for an intense match play tournament featuring three rounds, two games per round. With 187 machines in the mix, there was no shortage of chaos. Over the course of three and a half hours, players navigated a gauntlet of flippers, ramps, and drop targets in a battle of skill and endurance. Outside, the temperature hovered at a chilly 37°F, but inside, the competition was heating up.

A Gamer’s Paradise in Hillsboro

If there’s one place in Oregon that truly gets what an arcade should be, Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum is it. The sheer size of the collection is mind-blowing—rows upon rows of pinball machines from every era, classic arcade cabinets, and a museum-level display of gaming memorabilia. Everything is meticulously maintained, with staff constantly making sure the machines play as smooth as the day they rolled off the factory floor. With a flat $22 entry fee, you can play for hours, which—if some reviews are to be believed—often leads to sore arms and the inability to leave without making plans to return.

The Machines That Defined the Night

With nearly 200 machines in the tournament lineup, players had plenty of opportunities to test their skills. Here’s a look at some of the standouts that made an impact:

  • KISS (Bally, 1979) – This rock ‘n’ roll classic is all about precision. The playfield is packed with drop targets and a bonus multiplier that rewards controlled shots. If you could keep the ball out of the unforgiving outlanes and light up the K-I-S-S targets, you stood a chance. Otherwise, you’d be left shouting, “I was made for drainin’ you.”
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Williams, 1991) – A fast and brutal fan-favorite, featuring the first-ever plunger-operated gun grip shooter in pinball history. A well-timed skill shot could set the pace for the game, but it was the quick, flowing orbits and the high-stakes multiball that separated the contenders from the pretenders. And if you weren’t careful, that jackpot would be “terminated” before you even saw it.
  • Fathom (Bally, 1981) – This game is a lesson in patience and precision. It lures you in with its gorgeous blue oceanic artwork, then punishes you with dangerous inline drop targets that demand perfect shot control. Players who could trap and aim strategically had the best chance of surviving this legendary classic. Those who went in flailing? Straight to Davy Jones’ locker.
  • Transformers (Stern, 2011) – Choosing Autobot or Decepticon wasn’t just a fun theme—it changed how the game played. This machine packed modes, combo shots, and a tricky Megatron multiball that could make or break a round. If you could keep control and loop the ramps for fast-scoring action, you had a fighting chance. If not, well, let’s just say Optimus Prime wasn’t saving you from the drain.
  • Red & Ted’s Road Show (Williams, 1994) – What’s better than one talking pinball head? Two! Red and Ted’s cross-country adventure kept players flipping between multiple city-based modes, complete with a bulldozer bash toy, diverging ramps, and a satisfying multiball start. Anyone who could lock in the jackpots had a clear path to victory. Everyone else? Stuck in traffic.
  • Batman Forever (Sega, 1995) – Flashy, fast, and full of chaos, this machine’s Batwing cannon gave players the chance to launch balls directly at key targets. The playfield layout favored ramp-heavy flow, and if you could chain together the wireform shots, you’d feel like Gotham’s protector. If you couldn’t? Joker got the last laugh.
  • The Godfather (CE) (Jersey Jack, 2023) – A newer entry into the pinball world, but already making waves. This game immerses players in mob warfare, forcing them to complete jobs, build their empire, and make crucial risk-reward choices throughout play. Tournament players who could work the in-depth ruleset had an edge, while those who played blindly got “whacked” by the outlanes.
  • John Wick (LE) (Stern, 2024) – The newest kid on the block, and already proving itself as a fast-flowing powerhouse. With brutal speed and a playfield packed with high-risk, high-reward shots, this game pushed players to test their reflexes. The question wasn’t if you’d tilt—it was when.
  • Silverball Mania (Bally, 1978) – This old-school classic was a test of survival, with minimal ball control and a deadly center lane that could eat your ball if you weren’t careful. The game’s simple rules made it approachable, but only the best players could master the nudging game to keep their runs alive.

Champions of the Night

After three intense rounds, David Krueger took home the gold, proving that even at 19th in Oregon, he had the skills to outplay the best. His win is even more impressive considering his national IFPA ranking of 6,353, showing that rankings don’t always tell the full story.

Mathew Peterson, Oregon’s #1 ranked player, landed in second, adding another strong performance to his 1,120 IFPA events under his belt. If you’re looking for consistency, Mathew is the guy to watch.

Nathan Stellhorn fought his way to third, showing why he holds Oregon’s 17th place ranking and why he’s a regular in high-level tournaments.

Meanwhile, Derek Jennings, a Hillsboro local, rounded out the top four, proving that his 31st place Oregon ranking doesn’t mean he can’t hold his own against the best.

Oregon’s Top 10 Pinball Players

For those keeping score, here’s how the Oregon IFPA rankings currently stand:

Rank Player Name City WPPR Points
1 Mathew Peterson Portland 47.32
2 Pierce von Buttlar Portland 30.36
3 Eric Merchant Fall Creek 29.1
4 Noah Sicard 27.77
5 Matt Walton Eugene 26.67
6 Michael Veirs 22.42
7 Dylan Snow Portland 20.86
8 Nick Elliott Beaverton 19.76
9 Rick French Portland 17.13
10 James Adamson Portland 16

Flipping Off into the Night

Huge kudos to Next Level Pinball for hosting another top-tier tournament and to the Next Level Pinball Museum for giving players one of the best locations in the state to compete. Whether it was battling on Bally classics or facing off against the latest Stern heavy hitters, the night was packed with excitement.

With another tournament in the books, it’s time to look ahead to what’s next. Until then, keep your flippers up and your tilts in check—unless, of course, you’re testing out a bridge at Rood Bridge Park, in which case, maybe don’t tilt too hard.

Don’t miss out on future pinball tournament news and highlights!

Content created with AI using IFPA and MatchPlay data.

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