March Madness Hits the Flippers in Denton

When the Texas sky stays clear and the mercury settles at a cozy 78°F, you know it’s a good night for pinball. On Monday, March 17, 13 players gathered for a fast-paced four-round battle at Free Play Denton. The tournament ran just over two hours, zipping through single-game rounds under the watchful eye of organizer Chris Delp. With a lineup featuring some of the most technically rich modern machines on the scene, it was a night where precision, patience, and panic saves all played a role.

A Denton Arcade with Character (and DDR)

Free Play Arcade Denton, perched right off the courthouse square at 101 West Hickory Street, isn’t your average retro hangout. With two floors of nonstop nostalgia and a pay-one-price model, it’s become a magnet for serious players and casual button mashers alike. The lineup isn’t just deep—it’s curated. It’s the kind of place where you might grab a pint, bash through a few Godzilla multiballs, and then challenge your friend to DDR while you’re waiting for the next round to start. Basically, a flipper-friendly funhouse with room to breathe.

A Showdown in the Cactus Canyon

Round 1 kicked things off with a bang on Cactus Canyon (Remake LE) by Chicago Gaming Company. The original Bally version from 1998 was one of the last Williams/Bally games before the end of WMS pinball production—only 903 units were made before pinball went dark for a bit. Fast forward to 2021, and Chicago Gaming resurrected this cowboy classic with enhanced code, dazzling LED displays, and the long-promised “continued” modes that never made it into the original.

In this saloon-style standoff, Ken Kemp—ranked 504 nationally—channeled his inner sheriff and lassoed first place. Chuck Hill from Arlington, despite being ranked far lower, kept up the pace and proved Cactus Canyon rewards smart shooting over stats. Chris Delp, no stranger to the rodeo with 3786 national rank and years of local organizing, corralled a third-place finish. And Brad Britton, who’s still breaking into the scene, gamely rounded out the group.

The Machines That Lit Up the Night

Godzilla (Pro) – Stern’s modern masterpiece from 2021, designed by the legendary Keith Elwin. This isn’t just a player’s game—it’s a love letter to kinetic chaos. With building collapses, a pop bumper hidden behind a bridge, and rules that reward both casual bashers and tournament tacticians, it’s no wonder Godzilla has topped the charts since release. Also, it’s the only machine where Tokyo destruction is just part of your path to wizard mode.

Led Zeppelin (Pro) – Released in 2020 and designed by Steve Ritchie, this game puts you right in the middle of a Zep concert. While the layout gets mixed reviews from some tournament players, the expression lighting and song modes make it a unique sensory ride. Fun fact: it uses the same upper flipper configuration as Star Trek (2013), but wrapped in a whole lotta love.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro) – One of the newest Stern offerings, dropping in January 2025, this one hit the scene like a Fireball spell. The centerpiece is a spinning Beholder head that interacts with your shots, and the dungeon modes are shaped like branching D&D campaigns. It’s also the first Stern to heavily lean into spell-casting themes, making use of “mana” as a mechanic for mode control. Early feedback? Deep code and high replay value.

Jurassic Park (Premium) – Elwin’s first game for Stern, released in 2019, and still a tournament staple. The Premium version includes a moving T. rex that chomps the ball, a helicopter spinner, and a wildly dynamic playfield that never lets up. This game helped solidify Elwin as Stern’s secret weapon—and it’s no surprise to see it still making the rounds in competitive circuits.

John Wick (Pro) – The May 2024 release that had the hype machine in overdrive. Designed with brutal difficulty and tight shot geometry, this game leans into combos, timed kill shots, and a multiball strategy that feels as punishing as the movies themselves. It’s also one of the rare pins with choreography that mirrors cinematic action beats—each ramp hit feels like a well-placed takedown.

Champions of the Night

Lynn Lyons from Denton took first place with cool-headed consistency. Ranked 2216 nationally and with over 150 events under his belt, he brought veteran savvy to his hometown win, showing that deep experience can absolutely outmatch higher-ranked competitors on any given night.

Michael Hew, ranked 8th in Texas and 1077 nationally, locked in second with a polished performance that reflects his growing dominance in the state. He’s been steadily climbing and this finish shows he’s keeping the pressure on.

Ken Kemp, ranked 24th in Texas and 504 nationally, rode the momentum from his Round 1 heroics to a strong third-place podium finish.

Rick Miller, ranked 33rd in Texas and 616 in the national standings, showed up with quiet confidence and left with fourth place after navigating a tight field and challenging machines.

The Texas Top 10 Is Still Heating Up

Here’s how the state leaderboard stacks up right now:

Wrapping Up the Night

With a clear sky, a lively crowd, and a lineup full of machines that represent some of the best modern pinball design out there, this Monday night at Free Play Denton delivered both thrills and chills. Whether it was battling Beholders, slaying kaiju, or surviving the T. rex paddock, players were tested—and Lynn Lyons rose to the top.

Want in on the next round of silverball mayhem? Check out the official event page for upcoming tournaments and more. Follow along for more pinball news and exciting events—because flipping under the Texas stars is always worth the extra quarter.