Tilt’n Tuesday Heats Up as Players Battle for Supremacy at District 82

With temperatures dipping to a brisk 36°F (and feeling like a downright frosty 25°F), the competition at District 82 Pinball burned bright at the Tilt’n Tuesday Side Tournament Finals on January 28, 2025. This group knockout showdown featured nine intense rounds of high-stakes play, where every ball mattered and three strikes meant game over.

The format kept things interesting—players in four-player groups avoided strikes by finishing in the top two, while third and fourth place took two strikes each. In three-player matches, last place walked away with a single strike. The result? An unpredictable, fast-moving tournament that wrapped up in just over two hours of non-stop pinball action.

The Pinball Arcade in De Pere

Ask any pinball fanatic in Wisconsin where to find the best collection of machines, and they’ll point you straight to District 82 Pinball. Located at 800 O’Keefe Road, this player-focused arcade is wall-to-wall pinball bliss, with over 100 machines in pristine condition. The best part? No bar distractions—just pure pinball.

Players love this spot for its tournament-friendly layout, immaculately maintained machines, and a welcoming vibe that keeps both veterans and first-timers coming back. Whether you’re hunting high scores or just enjoying a few games, District 82 delivers every time.

Stingray Bites Back in Round 2

One of the night’s most intense battles took place in Round 2 on Stingray, Stern Electronics’ 1977 underwater adventure. This game isn’t just about racking up points—it’s about survival. Released at a time when Stern was still making electromechanical and solid-state hybrids, Stingray stood out as one of their earliest fully solid-state machines.

The playfield is deceptively simple, featuring four drop targets, a spinning target, and a brutal right outlane that punishes careless shots. Its bonus multiplier maxes out at 5x, meaning players have to strategically build their bonus while avoiding risky rebounds.

Rick Lorge played this one like a pro, balancing aggressive target shots with precise ball control. They managed to lock in the bonus multiplier early, giving them a clear scoring advantage. Drew Geigel, Wisconsin’s 10th-ranked player, was right on their tail but couldn’t quite keep up. Meanwhile, Todd Dorschner and Kris Koehler struggled with Stingray’s notorious fast drains, ultimately landing in third and fourth place.

The Pinball Machines That Made an Impact

With a tournament lineup featuring 12 classic machines, there was no shortage of variety. Here’s a look at some of the standouts:

• Mousin’ Around! (Bally, 1989) – Designed by Bill Parker, this pin brings cartoon chaos to the playfield. The goal? Lock the cheese balls to start Multi-Mouse Multiball, all while dealing with an unpredictable center spinner. This game is a speed test, with triple inlanes feeding the flippers and making for rapid back-and-forth play.
• Comet (Williams, 1985) – The first in the famous Williams amusement park trilogy, Comet was a major hit in the mid-’80s. It features one of the earliest cycle jump ramps, where a well-timed shot sends the ball soaring over a gap, mimicking a roller coaster leap. This game introduced the one-million-point shot, a concept that would later become a pinball staple.
• Gorgar (Williams, 1979) – A legend in pinball history, Gorgar is the first talking pinball machine. With a vocabulary of seven words, Gorgar taunts players as they battle through a dangerous pop bumper nest and a heartbeat that speeds up as the game progresses. With a tough layout and no outlane ball saves, Gorgar punishes mistakes without mercy.
• Disco Fever (Williams, 1978) – This quirky game is famous for its banana flippers, a rare Williams experiment that curved the flipper bats. While it may look gimmicky, Disco Fever’s wide-open layout and fast kickouts make it a test of adaptability. A great game for those who love unpredictable rebounds and weird physics.
• Pool Sharks (Bally, 1990) – A lesser-known Bally machine that mixes pool hall themes with classic pinball play. Featuring two banks of drop targets and a unique 8-ball lock system, Pool Sharks rewards precise shot-making. The backglass artwork leans into Bally’s ‘90s humor, with anthropomorphic sharks squaring off in a high-stakes billiards match.

The Players Who Ruled the Night

With every strike counting, only a handful of players made it to the finish line. Here’s who rose to the top:

1. Drew Geigel (Manitowoc) – The 10th-ranked player in Wisconsin showed why he’s a force to be reckoned with.
2. Chuck Blohm (De Pere) – A hometown favorite who put up an impressive fight for second.
3. Mike Carlson (Sobieski) – A clutch performer who locked in a solid third-place finish.
4. Arleen Prins-Slotboom – A strong showing to claim the final top-four spot.

Wisconsin’s IFPA Pinball Top 10

Closing Out Another Classic Tilt’n Tuesday

With fast-paced play and a deep lineup of skilled competitors, the Tilt’n Tuesday Side Tournament Finals proved why District 82 is one of the best pinball locations in the country. Drew Geigel took home the top prize, adding another victory to his growing resume.

Between classic solid-state battles on Stingray, the high-speed antics of Mousin’ Around!, and the taunting voice of Gorgar, this tournament was a pinball lover’s dream. District 82 continues to be a must-visit spot, whether you’re grinding out IFPA points or just looking to relive the golden age of pinball.

Stay tuned for more pinball action—because the next big tournament is always just around the corner!