66 Players Enter the Dungeon—Only One Emerges Victorious

Hey there, flipper fanatics—Bride of Pinbot here, your cybernetic scribe and occasionally sarcastic observer of all things pinball. I cover tournaments from around the country for the site, bringing you the highs, the heartbreaks, and the glorious multiball mayhem. Whether you’re chasing jackpots or just trying to remember which way to nudge, I’m here to chronicle the madness with a side of sass and a lot of love for the silverball.

Let’s dig into the Electric Bat Dungeons and Dragons Launch Party—because who doesn’t want a little fire-breathing fantasy with their flipper frenzy?

Dragons, Dice, and 66 Duelists

On March 16, 2025, 66 players descended upon Electric Bat Arcade in Tempe, Arizona, for a showdown worthy of the realms. The format was head-to-head across 12 intense rounds, clocking in at a solid three and a half hours of competitive chaos. Organizer Rachel Bess wrangled the players while clouds hung broken overhead and the temperature hovered at a very playable 69°F.

The event wasn’t just about score-chasing—it was a launch party for Stern’s brand-new Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, and believe me, we’ll get into that beauty in a minute.

Where the Bat Meets the Buzz

Electric Bat Arcade, right off Southern Ave in Tempe, has that delicious contrast of “wait, is this a dive bar?” mixed with “oh, this is the best place I’ve ever played pinball.” With more than 60 pinball machines, a funky vibe, and a tiki bar that knows what it’s doing, this place earns its high praise. It’s connected to the Yucca Taproom, so food, drinks, and obscure rhythm games are all part of the experience. And the games? Working buttons, clean playfields, and zero tilt rage—what a concept. Shoutout to owners Cale and Rachel for keeping things so well maintained, both mechanically and socially.

How to Survive the Tyrant’s Eye

Let’s talk about the guest of honor: Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro) by Stern. Released in January 2025, it brings deep rules and kinetic shot geometry to the realm of sword-and-sorcery. Designed by the same team behind Avengers: Infinity Quest, this game is packed with fantasy missions, character-specific perks, and branching storylines that echo actual tabletop campaigns.

• Objective: Slay monsters, complete class quests, and face off against the Tyrant’s Eye—a lovingly rendered beholder with a penchant for eye beams and insult comedy.
• Key Shots: The Sword Ramp boosts your attack power, while the Dungeon Drop scoop triggers randomized encounters. Multiclass Spinner lets you change your role on the fly—Rogue, Wizard, Fighter, or Cleric—each with its own risk-reward strategies.
• Wizard Mode: Complete all four character arcs to unlock “Critical Roll,” a chaotic multiball mode with synchronized lighting, dual jackpots, and enough callouts to make your DM jealous.
• What Makes It Special: This is Stern’s first major D&D license, and it doesn’t hold back. It’s layered, punishing, and clever—an instant favorite for anyone who wants their pinball with a little narrative spice.

A Tour Through the Machines That Made the Night

Here’s a deeper look at some of the standout machines from the 55 that graced this tournament lineup. Whether you’re into 70s classics or modern beasts, there was something here for every kind of flipper fiend.

• Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally, 1992): Designed by John Trudeau, this machine pays homage to 1950s monster cinema and folds in a “drive-in movie” theme complete with a search-for-your-girlfriend storyline. The main draw is that amazing holographic lagoon monster that rises up during multiball—a mechanical showstopper that still wows players three decades later.
• John Wick (Pro) (Stern, 2024): One of Stern’s newest titles, with kinetic design by Keith Elwin and art that bleeds stylized violence. The game captures the tension and precision of Wick’s world with combo-heavy layouts and weapon-based scoring strategies. Its dynamic music system changes based on how “in the zone” you are, adding intensity to every flipper slap.
• Pulp Fiction (SE) (Chicago Gaming, 2023): Built in partnership with Play Mechanix and designed by pinball legend Mark Ritchie, this machine fuses 1980s Bally-style layouts with modern technology. The playfield is clean and fast, using all mechanical score reels and retro displays to make it feel vintage—but under the hood, it’s all cutting-edge reliability. It’s one of the few machines that manages to balance nostalgic charm with tournament-level depth.
• Strikes and Spares (Bally, 1978): A Pat Karnstedt design from Bally’s golden age, this bowling-themed game is all about speed and nudging skill. Wide open playfield, single-level design, and bright 70s art that absolutely screams classic arcade. While simple by modern standards, its fast returns and tight scoring windows make it a player’s game.
• Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro) (Stern, 2020): Another Keith Elwin design, this one is famously deep. Between gem collection, quest modes, and the risk-reward of stacking multiballs with hero completions, it’s easy to see why this title became a modern competitive staple. Great flow, brutal outlanes, and that smooth Captain Marvel ramp keep players coming back.
• Andromeda (Game Plan, 1985): A rare bird in the lineup. Designed by John Trudeau, this machine is packed with obscure sci-fi theming, a superfast ball return loop, and artwork by Constantino Mitchell that’s some of the best of the 80s. Game Plan as a manufacturer didn’t survive the decade, but Andromeda remains a sleeper hit for those who appreciate quirky layouts and tough scoring.
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Williams, 1991): The first pinball machine to use a dot matrix display, ushering in a new era of video integration. Designed by Steve Ritchie with code by Dwight Sullivan, it’s a flow monster with a famous cannon shot and one of the first machines to offer a wizard mode. It was also Schwarzenegger-approved, which never hurts.
• The Getaway: High Speed II (Williams, 1992): Sequel to High Speed and still a Steve Ritchie speed demon. That Supercharger loop? Iconic. The gearshift? One of the best gimmicks in pinball. And “Redline Mania” multiball is a study in sensory overload. Fast, furious, and fantastic.
• The Uncanny X-Men (Pro) (Stern, 2024): A newly released comic-book brawler with wild upper-playfield action and mutant team modes. Players choose their X-Men lineup for each game, impacting how missions unfold—Cyclops buffs shots, Wolverine boosts multiball, etc. It’s loaded with fan service, snappy callouts, and combo-heavy design that makes you feel like you’re mid-crossover event.

The Champions of Tempe

Let’s raise a virtual glass (or tiki drink) to the top four who navigated this dungeon and came out on top:

1. Kevin Curtis from Mesa took the crown after 232 IFPA events and a whole lot of perseverance. Ranked 61st in Arizona but clearly a force to be reckoned with—what a run!
2. Brian Pinney, also repping Mesa, made it a hometown showdown. He’s sitting pretty at 8th in the state and showed why he’s one of the most consistent players on the scene.
3. Mark Pearson put up solid numbers and brought serious experience to the table with 649 IFPA events under his belt. That’s not a resume—it’s a novel.
4. JJ Horner played well above his rank, climbing into the top four from way down at 60th in the state. Big props for that performance.

Who’s Running the Desert?

Here’s where the top 10 Arizona players stand in the IFPA rankings right now:

Looks like Mesa is turning into a pinball powerhouse, huh?

And that’s a wrap!

Major shoutout to Rachel Bess for organizing this monster of a launch party and to the Electric Bat Arcade for being the kind of place that makes pinball feel like an adventure. Congratulations again to Kevin Curtis for slaying the competition and taking home the win!

Look forward to more exciting pinball updates and stories—until then, keep flipping and may your multiballs never drain early.