Future Pinball Pros Shine at Starfighters Kids Monthly

Under the clear skies of Mesa, Arizona, with a crisp 57°F breeze setting the stage, Starfighters Arcade buzzed with youthful energy on March 8, 2025. The occasion? The Starfighters Kids Monthly pinball tournament—a vibrant gathering where 23 young flipper enthusiasts showcased their burgeoning talents. The tournament format was fast and furious: four rounds, one game per round, meaning each match carried serious weight. With a mix of classic and modern pinball machines ready to test their skills, these young competitors left it all on the playfield.

Stepping into a Retro Wonderland

Located at 4840 E Jasmine St #102, Starfighters Arcade is a treasure trove for both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. Boasting Arizona’s largest retro arcade and pinball collection, the venue offers over 160 rotating vintage arcade and pinball machines, all set to free play after admission.

The experience is more than just flipping steel balls—this place is a museum of gaming history. The walls are lined with classic memorabilia, and hidden among the machines are collectibles that any arcade lover would appreciate. While from the outside, the location may seem unassuming, inside, it’s a labyrinth of gaming nostalgia. Whether you’re here to play legendary pinball titles or just soak in the ambiance of a bygone era, Starfighters delivers.

High Seas Drama: Round 1 on Pirates of the Caribbean

The tournament’s opening round featured a thrilling match on Stern’s Pirates of the Caribbean (2006), one of the standout licensed pins from the mid-2000s. This game, inspired by the blockbuster Disney franchise, offers six different multiballs, a spinning pirate ship, and a chest that locks balls magnetically for one of the most satisfying multiball starts in pinball.

In this round, Dash D. took control early, sinking ships and battling the Kraken with precise shots, earning jackpots and progressing towards the wizard mode, “Dead Man’s Chest.” His mastery of stacking multiballs gave him a lead that the other players couldn’t quite overcome. Jason C., despite his ranking experience, struggled to navigate Tortuga’s tricky ramps and settled for second. Camden R. and Zymeir C., both unranked, had solid moments but couldn’t match Dash’s dominance. A first-round victory set the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.

A Flippin’ Great Lineup: Standout Pinball Machines

With 12 different machines used in competition, the tournament showcased an impressive selection of classic Bally/Williams designs, modern Stern hits, and a few underappreciated gems. Here’s a look at some of the standouts and their place in pinball history:

White Water (Williams, 1993)

One of Williams’ most unique widebody designs, White Water immerses players in a white-knuckle rafting adventure. Designed by Dennis Nordman, the game features one of the best upper playfields in pinball, mimicking treacherous river rapids that must be navigated for big points. Players can shoot ramps to advance through the river, culminating in a dramatic shot for the “Vacation Jackpot”—one of the hardest to achieve in all of pinball.

JAWS (Premium) (Stern, 2024)

A fresh addition to the pinball world, JAWS is Stern’s latest thriller, capturing the tension of Spielberg’s legendary 1975 film. Featuring an interactive mechanized shark toy, a moving boat ramp, and thrilling sound bites from the movie, JAWS stands as one of the most immersive experiences Stern has produced in recent years. It’s already being compared to Stern’s Jurassic Park as a top-tier modern adventure pin.

Harlem Globetrotters On Tour (Bally, 1978)

A reminder of Bally’s golden era, Harlem Globetrotters is a classic solid-state pin that brings the magic of the world-famous basketball team into the arcade. The game’s drop targets and bonus multipliers make for a straightforward yet addictive challenge. This pin is also historically significant as one of Bally’s best-selling games from the 1970s, proving that basketball and pinball make a great team.

Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (Williams, 1993)

Widely regarded as one of the best adventure-themed pins of all time, Indiana Jones features four modes based on the original trilogy, a Path of Adventure tilting mini-playfield, and one of the most famous golden idols in pinball history. Designed by Mark Ritchie, this game was part of Williams’ legendary DCS sound system era, meaning it delivered some of the best-quality audio of its time.

Indianapolis 500 (Bally, 1995)

A speed-fueled pinball machine that perfectly captures the spirit of the Indy 500 race, this machine features a turbo boost ramp, a loop-the-loop track, and a gear-shifting skill shot. Designed by Dennis Nordman, this game has fast, flowing shots that demand precise timing—just like real open-wheel racing.

Robocop (Data East, 1989)

Data East was the scrappy underdog of the late ’80s pinball industry, often taking on major film licenses to compete with Bally/Williams. Robocop features a digital soundboard that recreates the gritty, dystopian world of Detroit, along with classic “shoot the bad guy” objectives. While Data East pins never had the same build quality as Williams or Bally, their dedication to bringing blockbuster themes to life kept them relevant throughout the ‘90s.

The Addams Family (Bally, 1992)

One of the most famous pinball machines of all time, The Addams Family holds the title for best-selling pinball machine ever with over 20,000 units produced. Featuring a magnetized Power playfield, a moving “Thing” hand, and a deep rule set for its time, this machine remains a favorite among competitive players and collectors alike.

Rising Stars Shine Bright

The tournament concluded with a celebration of young talent:

• 1st Place: Lauren P.—an unranked player who showcased remarkable skill, adapting to both classic and modern pinball machines with ease.
• 2nd Place: Jason C.—his 39 IFPA events of experience helped him navigate the competition, but he couldn’t quite claim the top spot.
• 3rd Place: Camden R.—another unranked player who proved that raw talent can take you far.
• 4th Place: Luke L.—put up a strong performance and showed real promise in the pinball scene.

Arizona’s Pinball Elite: Top 10 Standings

End of the Line for This One

The Starfighters Kids Monthly tournament was another fantastic event, proving once again that the next generation of pinball wizards is alive and flipping. With an incredible lineup of machines and an arcade that’s packed with hidden treasures, Starfighters Arcade continues to be a top-tier destination for pinball in Arizona.

For more upcoming events and to check out their legendary collection, visit starfightersarcade.com.

‘Til next time—keep flipping!