Lights, Bumpers, Action! The Pinball Lounge Bonanza

Another high-energy night of competitive pinball took over The Pinball Lounge in Oviedo, Florida, as 39 players battled through six rounds at Bonanza 3-11-25. With a quick pace that wrapped up in just under three hours, this event was a showcase of skill, strategy, and the occasional lucky bounce.

Where Pins and Strikes Collide

Found inside the Oviedo Bowling Center, The Pinball Lounge is a hidden gem for pinheads and bowlers alike. While the bowling lanes keep the action rolling, the pinball room is where the real magic happens. Home to an impressive lineup of well-maintained machines spanning multiple eras, it’s a destination for both modern Stern fans and players who appreciate the brutal, unforgiving nature of classic Bally and Williams titles. Add in a solid bar and a friendly staff, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier tournament venue.

A Battle Among the Stars: Round 4 on Star Trek (Vault)

One of the most thrilling matches of the night unfolded on Star Trek (Vault) during Round 4. This Stern 2018 release is based on Steve Ritchie’s 2013 Star Trek game, which in turn borrows heavily from the iconic 1980s design of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Known for its speed and flowing ramps (as you’d expect from a Ritchie design), this game is all about high-energy shot-making.

John Moschella, a regular on the Florida circuit, took full advantage of the machine’s Kobayashi Maru mode—the infamous no-win scenario. Instead of crumbling under the challenge, he worked the shot multipliers and stacked modes effectively, securing a first-place finish.

Michela Phillabaum, a rising player, used her strategic mindset to stay competitive throughout the game. While she didn’t quite pull off the same multiball magic, her ability to control the center shot and complete mission objectives pushed her into second place.

Jason Phillabaum had a respectable game, but the unpredictable nature of the vengeance targets (and their tendency to fire balls straight back at the flippers) made things tough. Still, his ability to recover from tough situations showed that his game is steadily improving.

The Machines That Kept Players on Their Toes

With 35 machines in the lineup, there was no shortage of variety. This wasn’t just a collection of pinball’s greatest hits—it was a showcase of diverse designs, unique rule sets, and games that highlight different eras of the hobby.

• Guardians of the Galaxy (Premium) (2017) – Designed by John Borg, this game took inspiration from Borg’s earlier Metallica layout but ramped up the chaos with Groot’s magnetized multiball locks. The Cherry Bomb Multiball is one of the most satisfying wizard modes in modern pinball, but getting there requires precise shot-making and strategic mode stacking.

• Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (2018) – Keith Elwin’s first design for Stern, and he set the bar impossibly high. This game introduced the industry to Elwin’s signature ultra-flow layout, complete with a challenging Pharaoh Loop and four flippers that keep players constantly engaged. The rules are deep but intuitive—mode progression is key, but multiballs are always tempting.

• The Uncanny X-Men (Pro) (2024) – Stern’s newest comic-book pinball entry made an appearance at the tournament, giving players a taste of its fast-flowing ramps and character-based missions. The design borrows elements from Deadpool while adding a fresh take on strategic stacking.

• Gorgar (1979) – The first-ever talking pinball machine, designed by Barry Oursler, taunted players with its eerie, seven-word vocabulary. The speech might sound primitive now, but at the time, this was a groundbreaking feature. Gorgar’s gameplay is brutal in that classic late-’70s Williams way—no training wheels, no ball save, just you and your ability to control the chaos.

• Batman 66 (Premium) (2016) – A true tribute to the classic TV series, this game was Stern’s first release using their new LCD display technology. Lyman Sheats (one of pinball’s all-time greatest rule designers) crafted an incredibly deep and rewarding game, full of villain battles and mini-wizard modes that tie together in an epic final showdown.

• Star Wars (Premium) (2017) – A Steve Ritchie game with ridiculous speed. The rules (designed by Dwight Sullivan) center around character selection, with each choice offering a different path through the game. The hyperloop shot is one of the best toy integrations in modern pinball, and the combination of film clips and John Williams’ legendary score makes it a true cinematic experience.

• KISS (1979) – Bally’s late-’70s rock pin is a classic, featuring the unmistakable KISS branding and an addictive target-based scoring system. While the gameplay is simple by today’s standards, it was a major success at the time, capitalizing on the band’s explosive popularity.

• Disney TRON: Legacy (2011) – A cult favorite that features one of the most satisfying multi-ball start sequences in all of pinball. The game incorporates elements from Stern’s Spider-Man layout but adds its own personality with disc shots, a fast upper flipper loop, and an electrifying light show.

A Climb to the Top: Tournament Winners

With 39 players battling for victory, getting to the top four was no easy feat.

Brayden DeRazza played a methodical, consistent game all night, navigating both modern and classic machines with equal confidence. His ability to control multiball play was a major factor in securing his victory, particularly on longer-playing games like Iron Maiden.

Garrett Smoke, known for his aggressive playstyle, pushed the boundaries in each match. His risk-taking nearly paid off with a win, but a few untimely drains kept him just short of the top spot. Still, his second-place finish proves that he’s a force to be reckoned with in Florida pinball.

Nick Smith fought hard through each round, showing his versatility across different machine eras. His adaptability was key, especially on a mix of brutal early solid-state machines and deep modern Sterns.

Rounding out the top four was Justin Derazza, who delivered strong performances throughout the night. His ability to bounce back after rough games kept him in the mix, and while he didn’t quite break into the top three, his tournament presence continues to grow.

Florida’s Top 10 Pinball Standings

Here’s where the best of the best in Florida currently stand:

Wrapping Up the Action

The Pinball Lounge continues to be a premier destination for competitive pinball, and Bonanza 3-11-25 was another fantastic tournament in the books. Huge thanks to Kurt van Zyl for organizing the event and to The Pinball Lounge at Oviedo Bowling Center for hosting. And of course, congratulations to Brayden DeRazza for taking home the win!

Whether it’s old-school Bally classics, deep Stern rule sets, or the latest pin releases, there’s always something exciting happening on the tournament scene. Stay tuned for more pinball coverage, strategy breakdowns, and all the latest competitive action!