Stern Drops X-Men, Florida Flips at The Pinball Lounge

It was the kind of day where the sky couldn’t quite decide if it was planning a sunburn or a storm—classic Florida. Under a dome of broken clouds and a toasty 82 degrees, 17 players gathered on March 16, 2025, at The Pinball Lounge inside the Oviedo Bowling Center for a fast-paced Group Matchplay showdown and the launch of Stern’s The Uncanny X-Men (Premium). With 6 rounds and 2 games per round packed into just under four hours, the competition was as electric as a lightning bolt over I-4.

More Than Just Bowling and Beer

Tucked inside the Oviedo Bowling Center at 376 E Broadway Street, The Pinball Lounge is one of those “how did I not know about this?” spots. It’s clean, friendly, and delightfully unpretentious. The bar staff serves up drinks with a smile, and the food—yes, the bowling alley food—goes above and beyond. Crinkle fries and sweet potato waffle fries both have loyal fanbases, and let’s just say they make the perfect fuel for a pinball marathon. The machine lineup? A delicious mix of new releases and vintage classics, each one maintained with obvious care. Whether you’re chasing jackpots or just soaking in that classic Bally chime, there’s something for every flipper fanatic.

Magneto, Mutants, and Matchplay Madness

What better way to celebrate the launch of The Uncanny X-Men (Premium) than to throw it right into the heart of a heated Group Matchplay tournament? Stern’s newest title made its official launch party debut at The Pinball Lounge, and it did not disappoint. Players got their first real tournament taste of Brian Eddy’s latest creation, a game packed with kinetic energy, bold layout design, and just enough superhero swagger to keep you flipping until your wrists give out.

With three flippers, a kinetic Magneto ball lock, and an orbit spinner that screams when Wolverine’s in charge, this machine is a love letter to the golden era of Marvel’s mutant saga. Every detail—from the glow of Cerebro in the center of the playfield to the intense multiball choreography—feels tuned for both flow and flair. And the launch party energy? Off the charts.

Round 4 brought the game into the spotlight with a fierce four-player match that looked like a training session straight out of Xavier’s School for Gifted Flippers. Fallyn Widdis took command, threading risky combos through the left ramp and capitalizing on an early Magneto Multiball. Shannon Parsons stayed close behind with careful mode play, using the team selection feature to chase bonus multipliers through Cyclops and Storm. Jenn Marino and Dani Pollock fought valiantly—Dani even triggering a well-timed Dark Phoenix hurry-up—but Fallyn’s momentum was too strong. It was a showcase match, worthy of its launch party stage, and a great first look at how Uncanny X-Men will shake up tournament play.

With one official Stern launch party now in the books, the mutants have landed—and they’re already making noise.

Silverball Icons and Heavy Metal Highlights

A few machines really stood out during the tournament, not just for their gameplay, but for their pedigree. Here’s a deeper dive into the lineup:

Eight Ball Deluxe (Bally, 1981)
You can’t talk about early-’80s Bally without mentioning this one. Designed by George Christian, Eight Ball Deluxe is the pool hall’s answer to The Godfather. The original version from 1980 was such a hit that Bally released this updated deluxe model just a year later. Voice callouts like “Quit talking and start chalking!” were cutting-edge at the time, and its drop-target-centric ruleset remains a benchmark for precision shooting.

Medieval Madness (Remake) (2016)
Originally released by Williams in 1997 and designed by Brian Eddy (again!), Medieval Madness is one of the most celebrated games in pinball history. This Chicago Gaming remake does it justice with modern electronics, RGB lighting, and deeper code while staying true to its slapstick-fantasy charm. Destroying the castle never gets old—and in a tournament setting, watching someone lock in Royal Madness is like watching a knight land a perfect joust.

Metallica Remastered (Premium) (2024)
Not just a rerelease—this is Stern’s way of turning it up to 11. The 2024 version of Metallica features refined lighting, smoother software, and minor layout tweaks while keeping the iconic Sparky electro-chair, fuel targets, and Coffin Multiball. Originally designed by John Borg, it’s a modern-era classic with rules by Lyman Sheats (RIP) that still challenge even the most seasoned players. The newer version adds a little extra polish without softening the brutality.

Spanish Eyes (Williams, 1972)
A gorgeous EM oddity designed by Christian Marche. The artwork is peak early-’70s kitsch, and the gameplay is famously quirky thanks to the pop bumper stuck right in the middle of the playfield. It’s a love-it-or-tilt-it kind of game. In a tournament, this one separates the control players from the chaos wranglers.

Nitro Ground Shaker (Bally, 1980)
A drag racing-themed masterpiece that feels like the spiritual sibling to Harlem Globetrotters On Tour. Paul Faris’s art is full of hot rods, explosions, and attitude. The sound package simulates revving engines, and the playfield features two lanes of fast, tight shots. It’s pure adrenaline—no modes, no wizard multiballs, just fast hands and high risk.

Gorgar (Williams, 1979)
Let’s talk history. Gorgar was the first talking pinball machine ever released. It only had a vocabulary of seven words—“Me Gorgar. Me hurt you.”—but it blew players’ minds at the time. Steve Kordek and Barry Oursler teamed up on this one, and it remains a touchstone of early solid-state innovation. The heartbeat sound that increases as you get closer to danger? Still creepy, still brilliant.

Mata Hari (Bally, 1977)
Not played in the spotlight, but worth noting. One of the most artistically striking machines of the EM-to-solid-state transition. It was one of the last Bally titles to ship in both EM and SS formats and features a backglass that’s either tame or scandalous depending on which version you’re looking at.

Taking Home the Glory

The top four brought skill, style, and stamina to the table. Here’s how it all shook out:

1. Jenn Marino – Coming out of her 69th IFPA event swinging, Jenn climbed the ranks game after game for a well-earned win.

2. Shannon Parsons – She showed off a consistent touch all day long, backing up her strong state ranking with impressive ball control.

3. Michela Phillabaum – From Celebration, FL, Michela lived up to her hometown’s name by celebrating a third-place finish with confident play throughout the event.

4. Stacey Stafford – A battle-hardened competitor from Orange Park with nearly 300 events under her belt, Stacey rounded out the top four like a true veteran.

Florida’s Finest: March 2025 IFPA Top 10

Wrapping It Up Under Cloudy Skies

Hats off to Kurt van Zyl for keeping the rounds running smooth and the vibe relaxed, even with the pressure of a launch party on top of a matchplay grind. And huge thanks to The Pinball Lounge and the Oviedo Bowling Center for hosting with style (and delicious fries). The mix of machines—from historic firsts like Gorgar to Stern’s fresh take on X-Men—gave players a true tour of pinball past and present.

That Round 4 battle on Uncanny X-Men will go down as one for the books, proving once again that great pinball isn’t just about high scores—it’s about those moments when the whole room stops to watch.

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