Pinball Pros and Underdogs Face Off at Atomic Age Modern

On January 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM, 22 pinball wizards gathered at Atomic Age Modern in Mesa, Arizona, for another round of Flippin’ Friday at Atomic. The format was simple: six rounds, one game per round, with the top eight players advancing to a finals showdown of two rounds, three games each. With a cool 58°F temperature and overcast skies, the evening was set for a battle of skill, patience, and a little bit of tilt finesse. The whole tournament wrapped up in about three hours—though if you ask the players stuck on Strikes and Spares, it probably felt like an eternity.

Stepping into Atomic Age Modern

Atomic Age Modern is part vintage store, part pinball paradise, and entirely a place you don’t just “drop by”—you experience it. Located at 140 W Main St, Mesa, AZ, this shop blends mid-century treasures with some of the best-maintained pinball machines in Arizona. It’s not just a place to play; it’s a place where history sits right next to the flipper buttons. Whether you’re there to compete or just soak in the nostalgia, Atomic Age Modern delivers. You can check them out at atomicagemodern.com.

The 79-Minute Showdown on Strikes and Spares

The semifinals served up a match that defied time itself, stretching to a whopping 79 minutes on Strikes and Spares, a 1978 Bally release that combines classic pinball play with a bowling alley aesthetic. This machine was designed by Jim Patla, the mastermind behind Harlem Globetrotters On Tour and Mata Hari, and it features a smooth-flowing playfield with a strong emphasis on bonus multipliers and lane shots.

The match featured four players locked in an intense battle:

• Kevin Burns (1st place, AZ Rank #14, IFPA Rank #1887) showed why experience matters, patiently racking up points and securing the win.
• Casey Halley (2nd place, AZ Rank #118, IFPA Rank #5944) punched well above his ranking weight, proving that pinball is about skill, not just statistics.
• John Magyar (3rd place, AZ Rank #5, IFPA Rank #359) fought hard but couldn’t quite knock down enough strikes to take the lead.
• Jason Barre (4th place, AZ Rank #23, IFPA Rank #328) rounded out the group, leaving it all on the playfield.

With Strikes and Spares, patience is key. The lack of pop bumpers forces players to rely on controlled shots, and once those drop targets are down, bonus multipliers make or break the game. The longer the ball stays in play, the higher the stakes—and in this case, nearly an hour and twenty minutes of endurance pinball left everyone questioning the space-time continuum.

The Machines That Defined the Tournament

With 21 different machines in the mix, there was no shortage of variety. But a few standout games added an extra layer of drama to the night.

• Rush (Pro) by Stern (2022): Designed by John Borg, this machine is a prog-rock lover’s dream. With time-traveling scoop shots, an intricate upper flipper layout, and a song selection spanning Rush’s discography, this game challenges players to lock in their setlist while battling fast ramps and multi-ball chaos.
• John Wick (Pro) by Stern (2024): One of the newest titles on the scene, John Wick captures the relentless action of the movies with fast-flowing orbits, brutal skill shots, and a bounty system that keeps players engaged. Whether you’re flipping for vengeance or just trying to keep the Continental safe, this machine is as intense as the films.
• Firepower by Williams (1980): The first solid-state multi-ball game, Firepower changed pinball forever. Designed by Steve Ritchie, the “King of Flow,” it introduced lane-change mechanics, speech synthesis, and high-speed action. This is the kind of game where missed shots mean instant punishment—no ball save, no second chances.
• Godzilla (Pro) by Stern (2021): Keith Elwin’s magnum opus, Godzilla has innovative magnetic ball movement, destructible buildings, and one of the deepest rule sets in modern pinball. It’s no surprise that every tournament player wants to master this game—it rewards skill and punishes hesitation.
• Elvira’s House of Horrors (LE) by Stern (2019): Dennis Nordman, the legend behind White Water, brought us this horror-comedy masterpiece. The game features campy callouts, an interactive crypt, and enough film references to keep cult movie fans entertained for hours. It’s a game that rewards controlled play and a love of the macabre.
• Evel Knievel by Bally (1977): If you love old-school pinball, Evel Knievel is the perfect mix of risk and reward—just like the man himself. A balanced layout with center drop targets, stand-ups, and the potential for brutal drains makes this game a high-stakes ride.

The Night’s Top Performers

The finals put the best players to the test, and the results proved that ranking doesn’t always determine destiny.

1. John Magyar (AZ Rank #5, IFPA Rank #359) – With 315 IFPA events under his belt, John’s experience led him to victory.
2. Kevin Burns (AZ Rank #14, IFPA Rank #1887) – Kevin put up a fight, proving that consistency and controlled play go a long way.
3. JJ Horner (AZ Rank #46, IFPA Rank #2266) – A dark horse who’s only played 16 IFPA events but landed a solid third-place finish.
4. Mollie Stoltenberg (AZ Rank #31, IFPA Rank #1669) – With 264 events, Mollie’s gameplay showed why she’s always a contender.
5. Dave Halley (AZ Rank #19, IFPA Rank #725) – A veteran of 512 events, Dave’s pinball instincts kept him in the fight.
6. Bob Kennedy (AZ Rank #24, IFPA Rank #707) – The tournament organizer himself, proving he can hold his own on the flippers.
7. Jason Barre (AZ Rank #23, IFPA Rank #328) – Another Mesa local, Jason played strong throughout the night.
8. Casey Halley (AZ Rank #118, IFPA Rank #5944) – A Cinderella story of the night, Casey played above expectations and left an impression.

Arizona’s Top Pinball Players

The Final Flip

A huge thanks to Bob Kennedy for putting together a fantastic tournament and to Atomic Age Modern for keeping their games in tournament-ready shape. Congrats to John Magyar for taking home the win and to all the competitors who made this event one to remember.

Stay tuned—because in the world of pinball, there’s always another game to be played.