Flipping Into Season 15: Electric Bat Tourney Kicks Off with a Bang!

Not every pinball tournament gets the luxury of perfect weather, but the first event of Electric Bat Arcade’s Season 15 felt like it was meant to be. With clear skies and a comfortable 76°F breeze, players poured into Tempe’s favorite arcade to kick off another season of competitive pinball. The evening was a whirlwind of flippers, tilts, and narrow victories, with 128 players battling across five rounds for ultimate supremacy.

Electric Bat Arcade: Where Pinball Never Sleeps

Electric Bat Arcade isn’t just another place to flip some silver. It’s a pinball paradise woven into the heart of Tempe, attached to the equally iconic Yucca Tap Room. If you like your pinball with a side of live music and drinks that flow well into the night (and morning), this is the spot. What it lacks in curb appeal, it more than makes up for with an eclectic, well-maintained selection. The Bat doesn’t just host tournaments—it’s a hub for the Arizona pinball community, bringing together players of all skill levels with weekly events. Whether you’re a local regular or a first-time visitor who walked in wondering if you were in the right place, the warm, welcoming vibe (and fully functional machines) will keep you coming back.

A Duel of Swords: Round 2 Brings the Fury

One of the night’s most thrilling battles took place in Round 2 on Swords of Fury, a 1988 Williams gem designed by Steve Kirk with artwork by Doug Watson. This machine is pure ’80s fantasy—think heavy metal album covers mixed with arcade game aesthetics. The centerpiece is the booming voice of Lionman, a warrior who commands players to prove their skill on a playfield packed with fast-flowing shots, an upper mini-playfield, and a brutal multiball setup.

The upper playfield isn’t just for show—it’s an integral part of scoring, rewarding players who can consistently make the right-side ramp to feed the mini-playfield and rack up extra points. Meanwhile, Swords of Fury’s lightning-fast left orbit and dangerously narrow right outlane keep players on edge, forcing them to master ball control or risk a quick drain.

Serge Sicular rose to the challenge, expertly managing the multiball chaos and keeping his flipper reflexes razor-sharp. Jeff Wegener was close behind, but Serge’s ability to lock in upper playfield points and capitalize on ramp combos made the difference. It was a battle worthy of the Lionman himself, and Serge walked away with a well-earned victory.

A Stacked Lineup: Machines That Defined the Night

With 64 machines in play, the tournament had no shortage of variety. From classics to modern powerhouses, players had to adjust their strategies on the fly. Here’s a look at some of the machines that stood out:

• Night Rider (Bally, 1976) – Designed by Greg Kmiec with artwork by Paul Faris, Night Rider was released right at the crossroads of pinball history. Bally produced both an electro-mechanical (EM) version in 1976 and a solid-state (SS) version in early 1977, making it one of the last games to straddle the two eras. The version played at Electric Bat was the EM release, meaning players got the full experience of mechanical chimes, clicking score reels, and relay-driven gameplay. While the playfield is simple by modern standards, its drop targets and bonus-building mechanics still demand precision, proving that great design holds up across decades—even as pinball technology charges ahead.

• The Addams Family (Bally, 1992) – Designed by Pat Lawlor with artwork by John Youssi, this is the best-selling pinball machine of all time. Featuring unique playfield toys like The Power (a magnet that messes with your ball movement) and the ever-satisfying chair scoop, Addams Family remains a tournament staple. Players had to master the “Bear Kicks” and perfectly time their Mansion rewards to maximize their scores.

• Whirlwind (Williams, 1990) – Another Pat Lawlor design, this game is a storm chaser’s dream, with spinning discs that alter ball paths and a literal fan on top of the backbox. Players needed to control the chaos and nail their left ramp shots to keep the bonus multipliers rolling. Precision was key—anything less and you’d be sent straight into the wind.

• Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally, 1992) – A Dennis Nordman classic, Creature pays tribute to 1950s drive-in culture while challenging players to build their jackpot through a unique combination of ramp shots and a tough-as-nails multiball sequence. The holographic “Creature” reveal in the playfield window remains one of the coolest gimmicks in pinball.

• Freefall (Stern Electronics, 1981) – A lesser-known title that challenges players with a unique double drop-target setup and unpredictable outlane drains. Designed by Harry Williams himself, this game has an unusual flow that forces players to rethink their shot strategy.

• Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (Stern, 2018) – Keith Elwin’s debut design for Stern quickly became a modern tournament staple. Featuring four flippers, fast ramps, and deep rules, this machine rewards risk-takers who aren’t afraid to push for extra balls and multipliers. Players had to master the loop shots and manage their Trooper Multi-ball to rack up serious points.

• The Walking Dead (Pro) (Stern, 2014) – A brutal machine designed by John Borg, Walking Dead is all about survival. The layout forces players into risky shots, and those who couldn’t control their nudging found themselves at the mercy of the notorious outlanes. Choosing the right mode strategy was the key to victory, as those who blindly flailed quickly met their doom.

One Last Battle: Who Ruled the Playboy Mansion?

In a fittingly high-stakes finale, the last game of the night took place on Playboy (Bally, 1978), a machine that might look lighthearted on the surface but is an absolute shark in competitive play. Designed by Greg Kmiec, this machine was released during Bally’s golden age and is a masterclass in risk-reward gameplay.

The layout is deceptively simple, but the key to success is understanding the bonus multiplier system. The Playboy logo targets at the top of the playfield set the stage for massive scoring potential, while the saucer shot in the center provides a chance to collect awards—but mistime it, and you risk losing control. Precision drop target shooting is essential, and if you don’t manage your nudging on those brutal outlanes, you’ll find yourself out of the game faster than you can say “Hugh Hefner.”

John Shopple, Arizona’s top-ranked player, showed exactly why he holds that title, playing with calculated precision and maximizing every bonus opportunity. His controlled, methodical play kept him ahead of the pack, while Jason Barre pushed hard to catch up. Fae Ashley delivered an impressive performance, navigating Playboy’s punishing layout to secure third place. Jeff Wegener, no stranger to high-pressure games, locked in a strong fourth-place finish.

Arizona IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

A Flippin’ Fantastic Night at Electric Bat

With clear skies above and fierce competition below, Electric Bat Arcade delivered another unforgettable night of pinball. Huge thanks to Rachel Bess for organizing such a smooth and exciting event, and to the entire team at Electric Bat Arcade for keeping the machines in top shape. Congratulations again to John Shopple for taking the top spot—Arizona’s pinball throne remains firmly in his hands (for now).

Stay tuned for more tournament coverage and deep dives into the best pinball machines around!