Brewskis League Launch: Monsters, Multiballs and Underdogs

The first event of the 2025 San Diego Pinball League at Brewskis Bar & Arcade launched under a picture-perfect 57°F sky—cool air, warm competition. Thirty players descended on this classic arcade-meets-cocktail-bar hybrid for five fast-paced rounds of single-game showdowns. With a runtime clocking in just under 3.5 hours, it was a brisk night both in weather and gameplay. Organizer Mark Schulz kept the flippers flipping and the rounds rolling, kicking off the season with the kind of energy only a March evening in San Diego can bring.

Where the Burgers Are Hot and the Pins Are Even Hotter

Brewskis Bar & Arcade isn’t just some casual stop-in with a jukebox and a dusty Pac-Man in the corner. This place means pinball. Located at 8670 Miramar Rd, it’s an arcade bar where the food is full-on meal-mode (we’re talking legit kabob plates) and the cocktails are no afterthought. The games? Maintained like collector’s items. The owner’s love for pinball is obvious in the lineup alone, with pristine machines spanning eras and genres. Bonus points for bar staff who can pour a drink and chat about your last ball drain without missing a beat. Website

Blood in the Water: A Showdown on JAWS (Premium)

Round 5 got deadly serious on JAWS (Premium)—Stern’s cinematic blockbuster from January 2024 and the long-anticipated pairing of designer Keith Elwin and one of the most iconic films of all time. Built with atmosphere in mind, the game leans into its horror roots with a suspenseful audio package, moody underwater lighting, and screen-quality animations that actually make you flinch between flipper flips.

But it’s the toys and layout that steal the show: a harpoon ball lock mechanism, the moving shark fin that tracks across the playfield, and a tight center shot that mimics the final showdown aboard the Orca. The code encourages narrative progress—players aren’t just bashing shots; they’re surviving.

Mark Maleko Schulz handled Quint’s Hunt with surgical precision, stringing together combo shots while keeping multiball under control. Mark Brown kept pace, leaning into safer modes but never letting the pressure shake him. Meanwhile, Derek Price—despite his significantly higher ranking—got caught in the undertow and never fully recovered. And let’s give props to Laryssa Drummond: ranked way lower than her opponents, she showed that guts and timing sometimes matter more than rank when the shark’s coming for you.

The Machines That Ruled the Night

Let’s show some love to the other six battle-tested machines that helped shape this tournament:

John Wick (Premium) is barely out of its box, having dropped in May 2024. Designed for high-speed tactical play, the game features “contract kill” modes, a layered underworld map, and John’s own Mustang as a ball lock device. It’s got a rare blend of flow and brutality—miss a shot and you’ll feel it fast.

Deadpool (Pro) has been a tournament darling since its 2018 debut, and for good reason. It combines snappy, satisfying shots with Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking commentary. Players love the team-up modes where you can call in Colossus, Wolverine, or Dazzler—assuming you don’t drain while trying to hit that tight Katana ramp.

Metallica Remastered (Premium) is a 2024 reissue of the 2013 metalhead classic, now with RGB inserts and minor code updates. The sparky electric chair, coffin ball lock, and snake jaw still deliver top-tier physicality, while the updated lightshow brings it up to modern standards.

The Uncanny X-Men (Pro) was a bit of a surprise release in 2024, not because of the license, but because it leans into the ‘90s animated series with bold comic-style art and a villain ladder reminiscent of the old Monster Bash rule structure. It’s fast and unforgiving—great for testing shot accuracy under pressure.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro) brings the world of RPGs into the arcade with its spell-selection mechanics and variable class modes. Released in January 2025, it features a spinning “Eye” mech that not only adds chaos to the playfield but also modifies scoring conditions depending on your class—kind of like choosing between wizard glass cannon and paladin tank, but with flippers.

Elton John (CE) from Jersey Jack is the flashiest machine in the room. With its piano-key flippers, glimmering inserts, and a playlist that moves between disco and glam rock ballads, it’s a concert in a box. Designer Steve Ritchie’s signature style is alive and well in the game’s stage-like layout and fast orbit flow.

The Fire-Breathing Finish on Godzilla (Pro)

The final round was a boss battle on Godzilla (Pro), Stern’s critically acclaimed 2021 release that has dominated both home collections and tournament scenes since its debut. Designed—once again—by Keith Elwin (because apparently he’s allergic to bad layouts), Godzilla features a third flipper, layered multiballs, and a city destruction mechanic that turns every shot into a tactical choice.

The Bridge Attack Multiball was the game changer in this finals. Mike Calcagno timed it perfectly, loading his powerups and wrecking the city while others were still meandering through Tokyo. The collapsible bridge toy and moving heat ray magnet offered both chaos and opportunity, and Mike rode the wave all the way to the top.

1. Mike Calcagno – With a state rank of 484th, Mike came in as a dark horse and left with the crown, using strategic multiball stacking and killer ball control to take the win.
2. Mark Maleko Schulz – Sharp shooting all night, and a near-miss in the final doesn’t dull a strong second-place finish.
3. Mark Bandong – Smart play across diverse machines gave him the edge to clinch third.
4. Derek Price – One of California’s best, but even the top dogs have to deal with the wrath of Mechagodzilla sometimes.

California IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings:

That’s a Wrap from the Sunny Side of the Flippers

With crystal-clear skies overhead and red-hot competition under the glass, the first Brewskis Spring 2025 league night set the bar high—like, rooftop multiball high. Thanks to organizer Mark Schulz for keeping it tight and competitive, and to Brewskis Bar & Arcade for the food, flippers, and fine-tuned fun. Big congrats again to Mike Calcagno for the win—he came in cold but played like a heatwave.

Stay tuned for more California pinball updates and tales from the tournament trail.