Elton John Rocks the D&D Launch Party at The Pinball Gallery

Under a crystal-clear March sky and a cozy 65°F breeze, 25 players squared off at the D&D Premium Launch Party OPEN Tournament on March 20th, 2025. The battleground? The always-buzzing Pinball Gallery in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Ten head-to-head games per player, two and a half hours of furious flipper action, and a collection of machines that ranged from rockstar glam to mythological madness—this wasn’t just a tournament, it was a full-tilt celebration of pinball.

Flipping Out in Malvern: A Look at Pinball Gallery

This expansive arcade boasts over 80 pinball machines and 20 classic arcade video games, offering a nostalgic journey through the golden age of gaming. Most machines are set to “free-play” with paid admission, allowing visitors to enjoy endless games without the hassle of quarters. 

The Gallery’s diverse collection spans decades, featuring both vintage classics and modern marvels. Regular patrons appreciate the ever-changing lineup, ensuring that each visit offers a fresh experience. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with both seasoned players and newcomers. ​

Beyond casual play, Pinball Gallery is a hub for the competitive pinball scene, hosting leagues and tournaments that draw players from across the region. The venue also offers private party bookings, making it an ideal spot for celebrations and corporate events. For those looking to bring the arcade experience home, the Gallery provides sales and service of pinball machines and arcade games. More info on this wonderland: www.pinballgallery.net

Sorry D&D, You’ll Have to Wait Your Turn

We know, we know—this was the Dungeons & Dragons Premium Launch Party. We were supposed to gush about the dragons, dice, and dungeons that Stern just dropped on us. But then Elton John rolled in, cranked the volume to eleven, and kicked the dungeon door down in a rhinestone cape. What can we say? The crowd spoke—with their flippers—and five games on Elton made it the breakout hit of the night.

This machine, released by Jersey Jack Pinball in October 2023, is Steve Ritchie’s flashy grand entrance after moving over from Stern, and boy, does it show. You’ve got 16 Elton tracks, RGB lighting that’s more choreographed than a Vegas revue, and a piano-shaped upper playfield that is not just for show.

Here’s how to play it like a pinball wizard—or at least like someone who knows the difference between a mode and a multiball:

1. Choose Your Song Wisely: At the start of each ball, you pick an Elton John song to “perform.” Each song is essentially a mode, with unique shot paths and objectives. Some songs are easier to complete than others—“Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” are good warm-ups. Advanced players will time their song selections to line up with their multiball opportunities.
2. Light Up the Stage: The heart of the game is the giant concert stage in the center. You’ll be shooting into it via the right orbit and left ramp to light stage inserts. Completing stage shots builds your performance meter and starts mode-based scoring.
3. Lock Balls for Multiball: There are two multiball launchers—one under the stage and one to the right. Hitting ramp shots and building stage progress gives access to Encore Multiball, which can be stacked with song modes. Bonus points for anyone who can stack two multiballs with an active song and keep all that chaos under control.
4. Use the Piano Playfield: That upper-left piano-shaped mini playfield is more than eye candy. It’s a jackpot generator—nail the shots in sequence and you’ll rake in points fast. Control is key here; it’s easy to miss and lose out on song completion bonuses.
5. Combo Like a Rockstar: This is a Steve Ritchie design, so flow is everything. Chaining ramps and orbits boosts your combo meter and opens up Encore Bonus opportunities. And remember, keeping the ball alive long enough to string these together is half the battle.

Pro Tip: If you’re in tournament mode, avoid picking long-winded modes unless you’re confident in your endurance and accuracy. Quick song completions and efficient stacking are the path to leaderboard glory.

So yes, D&D Premium, we see you over there with your Spellbook locks and ramp loops. Your time in the spotlight is coming. But for one glitter-drenched night, it was Elton John who stole the show—and nobody even needed a charisma check.

Not Just One-Hit Wonders: Machines That Made This Tournament Sing

Mustang (Premium) – Stern released this one in January 2014, and it’s got V8 muscle all over it. Designed by George Gomez (the guy behind Monster Bash and Deadpool), it offers a racing mode structure where players “shift” through gears and unlock Ford models from the 1965 Fastback to the 2015 GT. The Premium version includes the “Drag Strip” mini playfield, giving players a nitro-boosted challenge that the Pro model lacks. Strategy-wise, looping the ramps to shift gears and chaining combos to reach races like “Drift” or “Go Pro” can put you in scoring overdrive.

Mars God of War – Released by Gottlieb in 1981 during their strange-but-fascinating System 80 era, this is a true cult classic. It’s one of the first machines to include speech synthesis (Mars growling “You dare challenge the God of War?!” is peak early-’80s camp), and it features a unique split-level playfield with a big ol’ drop into the lower section. It’s a brutal game with a lot of risk-reward—if you didn’t nudge just right, you probably drained and cursed the pinball gods.

Sinbad – Gottlieb’s 1978 solid-state version of its own EM hit. This was one of the earliest attempts to bridge electromechanical aesthetics with new digital tech. The artwork is straight-up sword-and-sorcery pulp, and the gameplay is punishing in the best way. With asymmetrical flippers and four banks of targets, it rewards aim and consistency. It’s also a favorite among classic players for the satisfying way it builds tension without any gimmicks.

Centaur II – Released in June 1983 by Bally as a reissue of the 1981 original. This game is metal in every sense: black-and-white horror art, motorcycle demons, mechanical sound effects, and multi-ball stacking madness. It was one of the first games to feature inline drop targets and built-in speech, and it still holds up today as a masterpiece of brutal, controlled chaos. In this tournament, players who mastered the orb release sequence and controlled the 5-ball multiball had a serious edge.

Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Pro) – A spiritual sequel 38 years in the making. Stern’s 2019 title brought back Steve Ritchie’s taunting knight with all-new fire and fury. This version strips out the upper playfield found in the Premium/LE but keeps the key elements: RAGE multiball, the Magna Save (Ritchie’s baby since the 1980 original), and a banging metal soundtrack by Scott Ian of Anthrax. In a tournament? You’re aiming for loops and upper targets, while managing the fury meter to hit the RAGE wizard mode.

Deadpool (Pro) – Designed by George Gomez and released by Stern in 2018, this game is pure kinetic comedy. With witty callouts, an ‘80s video game aesthetic, and Marvel’s most meta antihero, Deadpool turns every multiball into a party. The Pro lacks the disco ball found in the Premium but retains all the core strategy: stack quests like Sabretooth or Juggernaut with Lil’ Deadpool multiball and use your Katana ramp to rack up combos. It’s a game that rewards those who can laugh and shoot straight at the same time.

Venom (Premium) – One of Stern’s newest entries, launched in July 2023. Designed by Brian Eddy and Dwight Sullivan, this game is packed with DNA—literally. You choose your host (Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, etc.), which changes how the game unfolds. The Premium version includes a motorized Carnage figure, a 3-bank drop target, and a special spinning disk. Gameplay is fast, branching, and relies on progressing through upgrades and evolving your symbiote abilities. Tournament players had to choose their host wisely—Flash for multiball-heavy play, or Peter Parker for control and stacking.

Black Knight (1980) – And then there’s the original. The OG. Released by Williams in January 1980, Black Knight introduced two things that changed pinball forever: Magna Save and the two-level playfield. Steve Ritchie again, because of course. Players today still love it for its snappy shots and aggressive upper playfield battles. In this tournament, old-school players had the upper hand—anyone who grew up battling the Black Knight knew how to time those drop target hits and use Magna Save like a Jedi.

Big Scores, Bigger Surprises: Tournament Standings

1. Geoff Warke stormed into first place, reminding everyone that rankings are just numbers, and pinball is the great equalizer. Despite sitting at 200th in the state and 4944th nationwide, Geoff brought home the win in style. This was only his 47th IFPA event, and what a time to peak.
2. Kathy Bobeck gave him a serious run for the title, finishing second. With 120 events under her belt and a state ranking of 87th, she showed serious consistency and some serious game.
3. Rounding out the top three was Tony Makowski, who’s no stranger to pressure. Ranked 5th in Pennsylvania and 1087th nationwide, Tony held strong through a packed field of competitors.
4. And in fourth, Jason Patterson of Pennsylvania, showing his upward trajectory with just 16 total events and a solid 71st in-state rank. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Pennsylvania’s Finest: IFPA State Top 10

That’s a Wrap from Malvern

The D&D Premium Launch Party OPEN Tournament was a perfect storm of competition, community, and killer machines. Massive props to Geoff Warke for flipping his way to the top, and hats off to every player who made the night one to remember. Whether you’re chasing rankings or just love the sound of a spinner ripping, this was a night where pinball truly shined.

Huge thanks to Bill Disney and the Pinball Gallery team for hosting such a smooth, welcoming event. Want to relive the magic or plan your own visit? Dive into the details here: https://pinballgallery.net/dd-launch-party/

Follow along for more pinball news and events—because the ball is always live somewhere.