From the Ferris Wheel to the Infinity Gauntlet: A Night of Pinball at Player 1 Arcade

The Arizona pinball scene fired up once again as Player 1 Arcade welcomed 25 contenders for Player 1 Arcade 2025 Series 2 (#6) on February 17. With a five-round, single-game format, every flip, nudge, and multiball mattered. Under a clear sky and a comfortable 69°F evening, players locked into their battles, vying for top honors in a tournament that wrapped up in about two and a half hours. Tournament organizer Jim Smith kept the action flowing as the competition heated up in the arcade.

A Flashback to the Golden Age at Player 1 Arcade

Tucked away in Surprise, Arizona, Player 1 Arcade is a love letter to the golden era of arcades, where CRT screens glow, joysticks clack, and the unmistakable ding of a free game echoes through the room. Stepping inside feels like a portal to the past, with rows of classic pinball machines, vintage arcade cabinets, and neon-lit nostalgia. Whether you’re here to challenge friends on Street Fighter, battle the silver ball, or just soak in the retro vibes, there’s something for every kind of player.

Unlike many modern arcades, Player 1 still operates on tokens, keeping that old-school feel intact. The bar offers a solid selection of drinks, fueling both the competition and the casual fun. While there’s no kitchen, the real draw is the carefully curated lineup of pinball machines and classic video games, making it a go-to spot for players looking to relive the arcade glory days. For tournament competitors, it was the perfect battleground—where skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck determined who would take home the win.

Superhero Showdown: A Battle for the Infinity Stones

Round 5 brought the kind of high-stakes battle you’d expect from a machine themed around the fate of the universe. Avengers: Infinity Quest (Premium), designed by Keith Elwin and released by Stern in 2020, was the arena for an intense final round where every flip mattered. Unlike many movie-based pins, this machine doesn’t just retell the films—it throws players straight into the action, tasked with assembling the Avengers and stopping Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones. With fast-flowing ramps, a dynamic subway system, and a reality-bending spinning disc, it’s a game that rewards precision and strategy.

The machine’s most defining feature is the quest to collect all six Infinity Stones, each tied to a unique set of objectives that test different skills. The Mind Gem, for example, forces players to execute controlled shots under pressure, while the Time Gem introduces a temporary rewind effect that can bring a ball back from the drain—a rare and exciting twist in modern pinball. Add in a gravity-defying Captain Marvel ramp and a visually striking Doctor Strange spinning disc, and you have a game where multiballs and chaos can erupt at any moment.

In this final round, Del Kyger went into full Avenger mode, stacking multiballs and strategically timing his gem collection to maximize scoring potential. Frankie Estrella and Andrew Kohtz kept pace, with Andrew lighting up the Captain Marvel ramp for an impressive bonus boost. But Del’s use of the Soul Gem’s score multiplier and a well-timed Super Jackpot sealed his victory, giving him the firepower needed to defeat Thanos and his competition.

For tournament play, Avengers: Infinity Quest offers a unique blend of shot-making precision and strategic progression, making it an ideal test of skill. A player can’t just rely on flipper control—they need to know when to chase gems, when to stack modes, and when to unleash the game’s massive scoring potential. This round was a prime example of how deep and rewarding modern pinball design has become, proving once again why Keith Elwin’s games continue to dominate competitive play.

Pinball Machines That Shaped the Tournament

With 16 machines in rotation, the tournament lineup featured everything from modern Stern titles to beloved classics from Williams. Here’s a look at a few of the standout games that players encountered:

• Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (Stern, 2018) – One of the first titles designed by Keith Elwin, this game revolutionized modern pinball with its non-standard orbit shots, unique inner loop, and four flippers that keep players on their toes. It’s also one of Stern’s few machines where the action isn’t tied to a movie, TV show, or comic book—just pure metal mayhem.

• Tales of the Arabian Nights (Williams, 1996) – A storybook adventure packed with spinning lamps, magic carpets, and daring escapes, this machine is a legendary creation from John Popadiuk. Known for his ornate designs and deep themes, this title immerses players in Middle Eastern folklore as they battle the evil genie to rescue the princess.

• Jurassic Park (Pro) (Stern, 2019) – Designed by Elwin, this modern take on Jurassic Park strips away the movies’ storylines and throws players directly into the chaos of a dino outbreak. With an innovative control room decision tree, fast-flowing ramps, and a motorized T-Rex head that actually chomps the ball, it’s one of the most strategic and satisfying modern Stern titles.

• The Uncanny X-Men (LE) (Stern, 2024) – One of the newest machines in the tournament lineup, this Limited Edition Marvel pinball dives deep into X-Men lore, featuring Wolverine, Storm, Magneto, and an array of mutant-powered modes. Players battle through villainous boss fights, Danger Room challenges, and high-speed multiballs to prove they’re worthy of Xavier’s team.

• Cyclone (Williams, 1988) – A true classic of the late ‘80s, Cyclone is a spiritual successor to Comet (1985) and one of Pat Lawlor’s early masterpieces. The game is themed around an amusement park, complete with a big Ferris wheel that transports the ball, a looping roller coaster ramp, and some of the most iconic carnival callouts in pinball history—who doesn’t love “Ride the Ferris Wheel!”?

Each of these machines brought something unique to the tournament, whether it was strategic depth, high-speed shots, or just an iconic theme that kept players immersed.

Climbing the Leaderboard: Tournament Final Standings

With 25 players in the mix, every round was a battle, and reaching the top four was no small feat. By the time the dust settled, Del Kyger emerged victorious, navigating the tournament’s challenges with a steady hand and smart shot selection. While he’s played in his fair share of tournaments, this win was a big statement, proving he can hold his own against some of Arizona’s toughest competition.

Mike McClure made a strong push for first, putting their deep tournament experience to good use. With nearly 200 events under their belt, they know how to adapt to different games and pressure situations, and they were one good ball away from taking the title.

John Stein, visiting from Portland, showed that a change of scenery doesn’t slow him down. He held his own against Arizona’s homegrown talent, finishing on the podium despite not having as many local tournaments under his belt.

Frankie Estrella rounded out the top four, making an impressive run despite having played in far fewer IFPA events than his opponents. His aggressive style paid off in some key moments, especially in the later rounds, but he came up just short of a higher finish.

Each of these players had to fight through a talented field to reach the top, and with the way the competition played out, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some rematches in the next event.

Arizona’s IFPA Top 10: Who’s Leading the State?

The Arizona pinball scene is always shifting, but as of now, these players are at the top of the game:

Til Next Time, Keep Flipping!

Another high-energy tournament is in the books, and Del Kyger walks away victorious after outlasting a talented field. Player 1 Arcade provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of fierce but fun competition, proving once again that Arizona’s pinball scene is alive, thriving, and full of surprises.

Want to experience it for yourself? Check out Player 1 Arcade at p1arcade.com and follow their updates on Facebook. And as always, stay tuned for more pinball tournament coverage—you never know where the next big showdown will take place!