Marathon Madness and Pinball Glory at Next Level

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix the intensity of competitive pinball with a February night cold enough to make you question your life choices, look no further than the Next Level Championship 2024 B Division Finals. With temperatures hovering at 34°F and scattered clouds dotting the sky, it was the perfect setting for a battle of skill, endurance, and—apparently—absurdly long pinball games.

Pinball Paradise in Hillsboro

Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum isn’t just a venue; it’s a pilgrimage site for pinball fans. Tucked away in Hillsboro, Oregon, this place is packed with over 600 games, making it one of the most impressive collections in the country. You pay a flat fee, and it’s all-you-can-flip action for the rest of the day. Whether you’re into classic pinball, arcade fighters, or, oddly enough, vintage Barbie dolls, there’s something for everyone. Plus, the option to bring your own food means you can settle in for a marathon session—exactly what some players seemed to do during this tournament.

Who Could Survive That Long?!

If you thought endurance tests were reserved for Ironman competitions and corporate Zoom meetings, think again. The longest game of the tournament went down in Round 8 on WHO dunnit (Bally, 1995)—a game that lasted a staggering 252 minutes. That’s four hours and 12 minutes of solving pinball crime. We’re still verifying if that’s even humanly possible or if someone just took an extended snack break between multiballs. Either way, Russell Young emerged victorious, outlasting Kurt Deppisch in what we assume was the most exhausting game of their pinball lives.

Standout Machines from the Tournament

With 228 pinball machines available, picking highlights is tough, but here are a few that made an impression:

Playboy (Bally, 1978)

A classic from the golden age of pinball, this machine is as much about nostalgia as it is about gameplay. Featuring iconic artwork and three pop bumpers that keep the ball bouncing, it’s a fast-paced yet approachable game. The drop targets and bonus multiplier keep things competitive, making it a fun addition to any tournament lineup.

Black Rose (Bally, 1992)

For anyone who ever wanted to be a pirate but lacked the seafaring skills, Black Rose delivers. This pin is all about the cannon shot—literally. Players load the cannon and fire at targets for big points, while ramps and a sinkhole add variety. It’s a fast, sometimes brutal game, but one that rewards aggressive play.

Eight Ball Deluxe (Bally, 1981)

If you love classic, no-nonsense pinball, Eight Ball Deluxe is your jam. With a focus on skill shots and bonus multipliers, this table is known for rewarding precision over chaos. The rules are simple but deceptively deep, making it a tournament staple.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro) (Stern, 2020)

This modern pin is a multiball frenzy. With fast ramps, unique character-based features, and one of the best upper playfields in recent memory, TMNT Pro delivers high-speed action. Tournament players love it for its strategy-heavy gameplay—choose your Turtle wisely.

Houdini: Master of Mystery (American Pinball, 2017)

If you enjoy tight shots and theme integration, Houdini is a masterpiece. The game’s layout is tricky, requiring careful precision on nearly every shot, but the combination of magic tricks, locks, and a mesmerizing steampunk aesthetic makes it one of the most unique pins of the modern era.

The Final Four: Legends in the Making

The top four players of the night proved they had the skills to go the distance (and in one case, the patience of a saint).

• Russell Young played with the endurance of a marathon runner and the precision of a surgeon, outlasting the competition to claim first place. Their performance on WHO dunnit alone could qualify as a full-time job, but they didn’t stop there—round after round, they showed why persistence and sharp shot-making pay off.
• Kurt Deppisch put up an incredible fight, making it all the way to second place. With a steady hand and an aggressive play style, he kept the pressure on, even in the final grueling match. If pinball tournaments handed out medals for sheer determination, he’d be leaving with a few extra.
• In third place, Jason Hansen made a statement. With far less tournament experience than many of his competitors, he played like a seasoned pro, proving that rankings mean nothing when you’re locked in and playing your best. Expect to see his name more often in future finals.
• Rounding out the top four, Andrew Waugh showed that consistency is key. Whether he was navigating a brutal classic machine or a feature-packed modern pin, he adapted, stayed in the fight, and secured his spot in the upper ranks. A rock-solid performance all around.

Oregon’s Pinball Power Rankings

Here’s how the state’s best are stacking up:

Wrapping Up a Wild Night

A huge thank you to Next Level Pinball for hosting another unforgettable event—where else can you battle it out on over 200 machines in a single night? And props to Russell Young for taking home the win in a field stacked with talent. We covered the semifinals in a previous article, but this final round was one for the books.

Stay tuned for more pinball stories and tournament action—because as long as there are flippers and a playfield, there will always be another great game to play!