Foo Fighters Take Center Stage at PinSeekers Stern Army Tournament

On February 6, 2025, pinball competitors braved the Wisconsin chill and gathered at PinSeekers DeForest for the PinSeekers Stern Army February 2025 Tournament. The event kicked off at 6:30 PM and featured an intense, fast-paced format: four players facing off in six head-to-head matches, with four games running at once in an unsupported round robin style. The tournament wrapped up in just an hour and a half, proving that speed and precision were the name of the game.

PinSeekers DeForest: A Standout Venue

Located at 6909 River Road in DeForest, WI, PinSeekers DeForest is a multi-activity entertainment destination. Known primarily for its high-tech driving range with heated bays, it also offers mini bowling, putting courses, and multi-sport simulators. Even in the dead of winter, players stayed comfortable while taking their shots—though whether that applied to their pinball skills is another story. The venue boasts a well-kept atmosphere, helpful staff, and solid food options. If you’re looking for a post-tournament drink, just stick with beer or canned cocktails, as the mixed drinks are reportedly hit or miss.

Foo Fighters (Premium/LE): The Tournament Favorite

Stern’s Foo Fighters (Premium/LE), released in March 2023, emerged as the most played pinball machine of the night, and it’s easy to see why. This game is an exhilarating mix of fast-flowing shots, unique layout, and an immersive storyline that pits the band against the evil “Overlord.” If you’re stepping up to the machine, here’s how to maximize your score and enjoy the ride:

• Start with the Cities: Progress in the game is built around traveling to different cities, represented by the shots on the playfield. Completing a city will unlock new modes and eventually lead to multiball opportunities. Prioritize hitting the flashing shots to make your way through the tour.
• Use the Overdrive for Massive Points: Overdrive mode enhances scoring, but it only lasts a short time. Stack it with a multiball or a high-value mode for maximum impact.
• Target Area 51 Multiball: Lock balls in the Area 51 saucer to trigger this high-scoring multiball mode. Once started, aim for jackpot shots and keep as many balls in play as possible to extend scoring opportunities.
• Focus on Combo Shots: Foo Fighters is built for combo-heavy play, rewarding smooth and precise shooting. Learn the ramps and orbits to chain together high-value shots while keeping the ball moving.
• Defeat the Overlord: The game’s wizard modes are unlocked by completing missions and progressing through the storyline. Defeating the Overlord is the ultimate objective, and completing his mode results in a massive score boost.

This machine rewards skill, control, and strategy. The more you learn its intricacies, the higher you’ll climb in the leaderboard!

Pinball Machines in Play

This tournament’s lineup featured some of Stern’s most beloved and challenging games:

Metallica (Pro) – Stern (April 2013)

If headbanging while flipping is your thing, Metallica (Pro) delivers. With a soundtrack pulled straight from the band’s greatest hits, this game combines music and mayhem. The interactive features include the “Snake,” “Electric Chair,” and “Grave Marker,” each tied to specific objectives that help you progress toward multiball. The “Crank It Up” mode is where the serious scoring happens—choose the right song mode, and you’ll be racking up points in no time.

The Avengers (Premium) – Stern (January 2012)

Superhero fans had a field day with this one. Based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers pinball machine tasks players with assembling the team by completing character-specific shots. Standout features include the “Hulk Smash” ramp, which sends the ball flying unpredictably, and the “Tesseract Cube” spinner that activates special scoring modes. If you’re looking for control and strategy, prioritizing character missions and stacking multiballs is the way to go.

The Uncanny X-Men (Pro) – Stern (September 2024)

The newest game in the lineup, The Uncanny X-Men (Pro), brought fresh energy to the tournament. With players choosing a mutant to align with, each character offers unique advantages in scoring and shot multipliers. The game’s wizard modes center around taking down major X-Men villains, so if you want to score big, focus on completing the hero missions early to unlock the high-stakes battles.

Tournament Standouts: Celebrating the Winners

A huge round of applause to our top four players, who dominated the flippers and emerged victorious:

• 1st Place: Roger Wolkoff (Madison, WI) – With a state rank of 56th and 159 IFPA events under his belt, Roger’s deep experience paid off as he clinched the win.
• 2nd Place: Ryan Bird Thomas – While unranked by the IFPA, Ryan’s strong performance put him ahead of more seasoned competitors.
• 3rd Place: Sean Spindler (Madison, WI) – Ranked 214th in Wisconsin and 4,468th nationally, Sean’s consistency helped him secure a podium finish.
• 4th Place: Nathan Webber – Making his IFPA debut, Nathan’s 4th place finish proves he’s a player to watch in future events.

Wisconsin’s IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Looking Ahead

The PinSeekers Stern Army February 2025 Tournament was a thrilling showcase of skill, strategy, and love for the silver ball. From fast-paced matchups to standout performances, this event kept everyone on their toes. A huge thanks to organizer Michael Williams for coordinating a fantastic competition and to PinSeekers DeForest for hosting a top-tier venue.

Congratulations again to our champion, Roger Wolkoff, and to all the competitors who made this a night to remember. With the pinball season heating up, we’re excited to see what’s next—so keep those flippers ready and stay tuned for more tournament action!