Kaiju Battles and Carnage Modes at Einstein’s Pub

Hey flipper fiends—Bride of Pinbot here, still emotionally recovering from a botched multiball last night, but fully capable of reporting on someone else’s tournament greatness. This week I’m recapping the Space City Pinball: PhysXXX Spring Semester Q2 bash over at Einstein’s Pub. With 28 games, a stacked final, and a round on Godzilla that nearly melted the building, it was a mid-March Tuesday well spent.

Einstein’s: Where Beer, Balls, and Karaoke Collide

The tournament went down at Einstein’s Pub in Katy, TX. This isn’t your quiet corner bar—it’s more like the kind of place where your high score on Iron Man might get you a celebratory karaoke rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’.” With solid drink prices, decent pub grub, and entertainment options ranging from virtual beer pong to pool tables, Einstein’s walks the line between neighborhood dive and gaming playground. The vibe is relaxed, the staff is on point, and the one notable knock? Indoor smoking. So if your flipper fingers are sensitive to secondhand smoke, you’ve been warned.

Still, with a wide mix of arcade and bar activities, it’s an easy place to spend an evening chasing jackpots or chasing your friends off the mic during Thursday night karaoke.

When Godzilla Stomps… and Jim Triumphs

The monster mash of the night happened in Round 3 on Godzilla (Pro) by Stern, released in September 2021. This was Stern’s first Keith Elwin design to fully embrace wide fan layout freedom with dynamic flow and deep strategy. And yes, that means it’s as brutal as it is brilliant.

Godzilla was also the debut title for Stern’s new Insider Connected platform, a landmark shift that brought achievements, leaderboards, and location tracking to the pinball mainstream. This game packs city destruction, bridge collapses, a Mechagodzilla toy, and an almost absurd number of multiball modes—all soundtracked by the old Toho monster mayhem aesthetic.

In this four-player stomp-fest, Jim Mueller proved he could dance with monsters and come out on top. While Robert Cothran made some solid moves, and Don Dura and Gina Low had their moments, Jim’s control over the chaos was what sealed the deal. He leaned into the destruction jackpots and kept Mechagodzilla under control, climbing his way to the top of Tokyo without even singeing his flippers.

So Many Machines, So Little Time: The Tournament Lineup

Space City brought the heat with 28 pinball machines ranging from rock ‘n roll royalty to science fiction fever dreams. Here are some standouts worth flipping over:

• Rick and Morty (SE) – Released by Spooky Pinball in 2019, this Scott Danesi-designed table is pure madness in pinball form. With custom voice work from Justin Roiland and deep references to the show’s wildest episodes, it’s loaded with chaotic shot paths, Danesi locks, and “Nerve Center” modes that require sharp focus. Not for the faint of heart or the rulebook-averse.

• Foo Fighters (Pro) – Jack Danger’s first cornerstone title for Stern in 2023 showed that streaming pinball nerds could indeed become elite designers. Foo Fighters mixes smooth loops, creative modes, and one of the most fun upper playfields in recent memory. The alien invasion theme was surprisingly deep and integrated perfectly with the band’s high-energy vibe. Stern even introduced new animation techniques for this title, setting a new benchmark for modern visuals.

• JAWS (Pro) – Stern’s 2024 offering was no small fish. Designed by Keith Elwin, JAWS features a thrilling mix of underwater hunting, beach rescues, and that glorious great white mech toy. The game’s tension builds through clever lighting and sound, with rule depth already earning it praise just a few months after release. It’s a newer entry, but the machine was already pulling big crowds at this tournament.

• Iron Man (2010) – The Steve Ritchie-designed classic from Stern’s early Spike system days, Iron Man was one of the leanest, fastest pins of its era. With no major ramps to slow things down, it plays lightning fast—and the Iron Monger rising from the playfield still holds up as one of Stern’s most satisfying toy gimmicks. At the time, this release helped keep Stern afloat during the post-2008 economic dip, proving stripped-down gameplay could still captivate serious players.

• Avengers: Infinity Quest (LE) – Another Keith Elwin design (is anyone surprised?), this 2020 table took a dense, Marvel-heavy theme and translated it into a deeply strategic, shot-rich experience. The LE version played at this event featured buttery smooth combos and artwork by Zombie Yeti, making it not just a player’s dream but also a visual standout.

• Jurassic Park (LE) – Released in 2019, this fan-favorite Stern title marked a high point for modern pinball coding. With software by Dwight Sullivan and one of the best “narrative” rule integrations in recent years, it’s a thrilling game with flowing ramps and a moving T-Rex head that snatches balls like a prehistoric goalie.

• Rush (Pro) – Music pinball doesn’t always hit the mark, but this 2022 release surprised everyone with how fun it was to shoot. With code by Tim Sexton and Rayday, Rush managed to marry complex song modes with creative layout features like the time machine scoop. And for longtime fans of the band? A lyrical love letter.

• James Bond 007 (60th Anniversary LE) – Designed by the legendary Keith Elwin (again!) and released in 2022, this stripped-down, single-level shooter was a tribute to the classic Steve Ritchie-era designs of the early 1980s. No ramps. Just pure flow. A risky but nostalgic design move that made it a rare collector favorite.

• The Beatles – This 2018 game was built using the Sea Witch layout as a throwback to early solid-state pinball, but wrapped in a glossier, Beatlemania-filled package. Love it or hate it, the machine is light on depth but heavy on charm, with pop bumpers, spinners, and one of the best-sounding vinyl-era playlists ever crammed into a backglass.

This was one of the most well-rounded lineups in Texas this spring. Players went from fast-and-brutal to flowy and strategic without leaving the room.

Final Four Bring the Heat on Venom

The last game of the night was fought on Venom (Pro), Stern’s 2023 entry into the Marvel universe designed by Brian Eddy—yes, that Brian Eddy, of Medieval Madness and Attack from Mars fame. The game’s twist? You’re not just playing modes; you’re leveling up characters like Eddie Brock or Flash Thompson over time, RPG-style.

In tournament settings, however, it’s a straight-up race for the biggest damage and combos. The multiball modes, particularly “Carnage Chaos,” offer huge scoring—if you can control the ball long enough to cash in.

The final four made it a nail-biter, but when the goo settled:

1. Joshua Mitchell – Houston’s own showed he had the chops to ride the symbiote into first place. He played smart, knew when to switch hosts, and delivered the hits when they mattered.

2. Jim Mueller – From Godzilla champ to second overall, Jim put together a clean, strategic run that nearly earned him top honors.

3. Don Dura – Solid, consistent, and clearly unflappable, Don continues to climb the ranks with another top-three finish.

4. David Dronet – He’s been quietly grinding tournaments, and his fourth-place finish proves he’s more than just a regular bracket filler.

Texas IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings:

These rankings continue to show that Texas is stacked. Whether it’s the big dogs from Southlake or the hungry climbers from Houston and Austin, the competition’s only getting sharper.

That’s a Wrap from Katy

Space City Pinball delivered a sharp, fast-paced tournament with one of the most exciting game mixes we’ve seen in a while. Einstein’s Pub played the perfect host, blending good vibes with deep flipper action. Congrats again to Joshua Mitchell for taking the win—and hats off to the whole crew for another memorable night of Texas pinball.

Catch you next time—until then, keep those hands on the flippers and your eyes on the jackpots. Stay tuned for the latest pinball machines and tournament updates!