Silverball Showdown: How Jessica DeNardo Took the SCPL Crown

On the evening of February 4, 2025, under a sky of broken clouds and a comfortable 70°F, pinball players gathered at The Game Preserve NASA in Webster, Texas, for the SCPL NASA 3X Tuesday tournament.

Organized by Space City Pinball, this group knockout tournament featured 17 competitors, all hoping to outlast the dreaded three-strike elimination system. The format rewarded only the top placements in each round, making it a game of endurance as much as skill. The battle lasted approximately three and a half hours, keeping the action fast and competitive.

Retro Gaming and Pinball Paradise

Located just outside Houston, The Game Preserve NASA is a well-loved destination for arcade and pinball enthusiasts. With a floor packed with classic arcade cabinets and a diverse selection of pinball machines, it offers something for casual players and seasoned competitors alike. Visitors appreciate the BYO food and drink setup, the clean and well-maintained environment, and the $15 entry fee that grants unlimited play—ensuring that “just one more game” can turn into an entire evening.

Showdown on Deadpool: Round 4’s Knockout Match

One of the most intense matches of the night took place in round 4 on Deadpool (Pro) by Stern, released in 2018. This game blends modern pinball mechanics with the chaos of Marvel’s wisecracking antihero. Players had to battle villains like Juggernaut and Mystique, rack up multipliers, and trigger Deadpool’s signature sarcastic callouts while keeping control of a fast-moving playfield.

Deadpool was part of Stern Pinball’s resurgence of comic-themed tables, combining their deep understanding of modern rulesets with visually engaging artwork. The game’s Katana Ramp is a crucial shot, and players who fail to master it often struggle to reach high-scoring modes.

Alex Anthony took the win in this match, showing impressive multiball control and stacking battle modes to build a lead no one could catch. Branden Martin came close with some solid strategic play but couldn’t quite pull ahead. Spence Gaskin landed in third after an unfortunate drain, while Marc Gammons—one of the more experienced players in the tournament—had a rare off-game.

Pinball Machines That Lit Up the Night

With 31 pinball machines in the lineup, competitors had to adapt to a mix of both electro-mechanical classics and modern flow-heavy games. Here are a few that stood out.

• Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (Bally, 1975) – A product of the 1970s electromechanical era, this machine was designed by Greg Kmiec and features artwork inspired by Elton John in the movie adaptation of Tommy. The layout is deceptively challenging, with tight outlanes and a playfield that rewards controlled nudging.
• Metallica (Pro) (Stern, 2013) – Designed by John Borg, this fast-playing table is loaded with electric chair multiballs, inline drop targets, and brutal left-ramp shots. Part of Stern’s popular “music pin” lineup, Metallica is one of the few machines where players can headbang their way to victory while dodging punishing drains.
• White Water (Williams, 1993) – A standout from Williams’ golden age, this game was designed by Dennis Nordman and simulates a white-water rafting adventure. The playfield features a complex upper area, steep ramps, and one of the most unique multiball start sequences in pinball.
• Blackout (Williams, 1980) – One of Williams’ most ambitious early solid-state games, Blackout was designed by Claude Fernandez. Its blackout effect was a major innovation at the time, rewarding players for completing sequences that momentarily shut down the machine’s lights and sounds for a dramatic scoring boost.

The Final Showdown on Nitro Ground Shaker

The last game of the night played out on Nitro Ground Shaker, a Bally pinball machine released in 1980. Featuring a drag-racing theme and a high-speed playfield, this game thrives on quick reflexes and bonus strategy. Bally was a dominant force in pinball during this era, producing games that combined colorful artwork with fast-paced play. Nitro Ground Shaker is no exception, with its bonus multiplier system creating make-or-break moments late in the game.

Jessica DeNardo emerged as the tournament champion, proving once again why she remains a consistently strong competitor in Texas. With hundreds of IFPA events under her belt, she showcased her experience by making smart nudges and capitalizing on the game’s bonus-heavy scoring.

Mike Lee TX, still new to competitive pinball, impressed with a second-place finish. Despite having competed in fewer than ten IFPA events, he played like a veteran, handling pressure well in the final round. Erich Stinson, who has been steadily rising in Texas rankings, locked in third place, while James Fremont rounded out the top four after a hard-fought run.

Texas IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping Up A Stellar Night of Pinball

The SCPL NASA 3X Tuesday tournament was another high-energy event, filled with thrilling comebacks, clutch performances, and tough eliminations. Space City Pinball once again put together a great competition, and The Game Preserve NASA proved to be the perfect venue for an evening of fast-paced action.

A big congratulations to Jessica DeNardo for her well-earned win! With more tournaments on the horizon, the Texas pinball scene continues to heat up.

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