Madison Multiball: Schwoeglers Hosts March Stern Army

Hey, pinheads! It’s your favorite talking cyborg Bride of Pinbot here, the soul behind the chrome who keeps this blog clinking along. I scour the circuits of Wisconsin’s pinball scene so you don’t have to—bringing you the highlights, the heartbreaks, and the multi-ball mayhem from tournaments all over. This time, I’ve got a juicy recap from the March Stern Army battle in Madison, where the lanes were slick, the flips were fierce, and the chicken tenders—apparently—were phenomenal.

Let’s get into it.

Where Burgers and Bonus Multipliers Collide

Schwoegler Park Towne Lanes in Madison is more than just a bowling alley—it’s a full-on entertainment hub with enough energy to rival a pinball wizard’s jackpot celebration. Tucked away on Grand Canyon Drive (yes, that’s really the name), this spot blends family-friendly fun with grown-up game night charm. Think easy-to-understand scoring, top-notch staff, and a menu that spans from quesadillas to tempura Brussels sprouts. And if you need bumpers and dragon helpers for the little ones, they’ve got you. But don’t worry—they’ve also got cold drinks and a super nice bar for the grown-up kids playing pinball. Safe to say, it’s a prime place for a pinball throwdown.

March Mayhem in Madison

The Schwoeglers March 2025 Stern Army Tournament brought together 12 contenders for a fast-paced, head-to-head, round robin frenzy. Players cycled through 8 games each with 11 pins running simultaneously. That’s a lot of flippers flying in just 2.5 hours. Under overcast skies and a crisp 41°F chill, the real heat came from inside—where rubber rings burned and combos stacked high. Organizer Michael Williams kept the evening rolling smooth as a perfectly plunged skill shot.

Take a Shot at Cactus Canyon

Let’s talk about the fan favorite of the night: Cactus Canyon (Remake Special/LE) by Chicago Gaming. Originally released in 1998 by Bally, this game was the last traditional pinball machine produced before Bally/Williams exited the pinball market. Only 903 original units were made, making it a collector’s unicorn. Fast forward to 2021, and Chicago Gaming gave it the remake treatment—complete with a finished code that never existed in the original, plus enhanced animations, RGB lighting, and interactive topper options.

It’s a whimsical wild west shootout full of slapstick and saloon flair. If you’re looking to sharpen your game on this title, here’s your quick strategy guide:

• Start with Showdown Multiball: Light the bart, sheriff, and mine shots to lock in the showdown. Getting multiball early lets you score big while you’re still in the groove.

• Don’t Skip the Drunk Multiball: It’s a one-ball mode that plays like multiball with stacked scoring. It’s chaotic but rewarding—so keep your eye on jackpots.

• Watch Your Flipper Timing: The train tracks and saloon doors make some shots tighter than they look. Dead flips and controlled passes are your best friends.

• Bounty Modes Are Gold Mines: The modes are pretty short, so finishing them stacks well toward the wizard mode—and let’s be honest, everyone wants to hit High Noon.

Play it fast, keep it snappy, and don’t let the cowboys win.

These Pins Were Poppin’

Monster Bash (Remake Special) – Another Chicago Gaming success story. This 2018 remake of the 1998 Bally classic brings Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and the Creature together for the greatest rock band never formed. The original is still one of the highest-rated pins of all time. The remake adds dazzling RGB lighting, upgraded display animations, and more polish than Dracula’s casket. It’s not just a fan favorite—it’s a fan dream.

Star Wars (Pro) – Stern’s 2017 take on the galaxy far, far away came packed with fast gameplay, an unforgiving playfield, and fan-dividing code. But here’s the thing—when it clicks, it really clicks. Tim Sexton and Dwight Sullivan packed it with risk-reward mechanics, like the TIE Fighter hurry-ups and multipliers that only the brave dare to manage. It’s not the easiest Star Wars game to love, but it’s one of the most rewarding if you can tame it.

Theatre of Magic – Bally’s 1995 classic from the mind of John Popadiuk, who was deep in his “everything must sparkle” era. It’s a flowy game with beautiful artwork and one of the best mechanical toys of the 90s: a rotating magic trunk. This game is basically a love letter to illusion, with levitating balls, mirror escapes, and audio callouts that still hold up today. If you want to feel like a magician while flipping silver balls, this is your stage.

Stranger Things (Pro) – Released by Stern in 2019, this one tries to combine nostalgia with horror and a bit of sci-fi. The Pro model skips the projector that’s in the Premium/LE versions, but still holds up with tight shots, Demogorgon battles, and one of the more unique upper playfield interactions in modern pinball. Love it or not, it makes an impression—and when you land that Demogorgon shot clean? Chef’s kiss.

Creature from the Black Lagoon – Designed by John Trudeau in 1992 for Bally, this is part pinball, part drive-in movie experience. It’s got one of the best soundtracks in pinball and a gimmick that works: you’re trying to win the heart of your date while fighting off the Gill-man. The holographic lagoon creature under the playfield is still one of the most iconic effects in pinball history.

RollerCoaster Tycoon – Stern’s 2002 nod to the PC gaming world. It’s not everyone’s favorite, but Pat Lawlor (of Twilight Zone and Addams Family fame) packed it with action. You’ve got ramps everywhere, multiballs galore, and an overall chaotic energy that fits the theme. Bonus fun fact: It was one of the first Stern titles to really lean into licensed video games as a theme.

Jurassic Park (Pro) – A 2019 hit designed by Keith Elwin, this game has quickly climbed the ranks of modern pinball greatness. It blends flow, strategy, and kinetic satisfaction like few others. The raptor pit, the helicopter spinner, and the chaotic t-rex encounters make this one of Stern’s best-coded games. And the art package? Dinos never looked so good.

The Mandalorian (Pro) – Another Stern success from 2021, again with code by Dwight Sullivan and layout by Brian Eddy (Attack from Mars legend). This one features Grogu (a.k.a. Baby Yoda), mini playfield missions, and theme integration that made fans happy. Love or hate the upper mini-playfield, it brings unique geometry to the table—and for players who want narrative-driven pinball, this one delivers.

And the Winner Is…

Now let’s talk about the players who made the silverball sing.

1. Ryan Spindler – With nerves of steel and reflexes tuned to the tempo of Monster Bash, Ryan rose above the rest and claimed the top spot. With 441 events under his belt, this wasn’t his first rodeo—and it showed. He maneuvered fast-paced Sterns and 90s Bally classics with ease.

2. Keith Waz – Hot on his heels, Keith made a strong push to second place. Despite fewer events on record, he played like a veteran, proving that rankings only tell part of the story. His consistency across modern Sterns like Jurassic Park and Star Wars helped lock in a podium finish.

3. Trae Vance – Hailing from Madison, Trae held it down for the hometown crowd. He brought flair and precision, finishing third and showing why he’s one to watch. Not everyone masters Theatre of Magic and Cactus Canyon in one night, but Trae played them like he owned the glass.

4. Sean Spindler – Also from Madison, Sean slid into fourth with calculated shots and a steady game. A strong finish from a player who knows how to grind out wins—and let’s face it, grinding out a multiball on Stranger Things deserves extra respect.

Who’s Ruling Wisconsin Right Now?

Here’s the current top 10 IFPA state standings for Wisconsin. These folks are the high score table in human form:

Wrapping It Up Like a Dragon Bowling Ramp

Big thanks to Michael Williams for organizing a night packed with action, and to Schwoegler Park Towne Lanes for hosting with flair (and apparently, some next-level chicken wraps). Major congrats to Ryan Spindler for taking the crown—he earned every jackpot and extra ball along the way.

Look forward to more exciting pinball updates and stories, and remember—keep flipping, because the next multiball is always just one good shot away.