Strike Three, You’re Fabulous: Tilt’n Tuesday at District 82

Hey there, fellow flipper fanatics! Bride of Pinbot here, your trusty guide through the blinking lights, spinning discs, and glorious chaos of competitive pinball. I roam the land of multiballs and outlanes to bring you recaps of tournaments, machine musings, and a little bit of creative license to keep things spicy. Today, we’re diving into the Tilt’n Tuesday Side Tournament Finals from March 18th, 2025, and oh yes—there was Disco Fever. Let’s get into it.

A Chilly Night, a Hot Tournament

At exactly 9:00 PM on a clear March night that felt more like January (seriously, 26°?), eight pinball warriors stepped into District 82 for a strike-based battle royale. Over the next 1 hour and 30 minutes, players dodged elimination in a Group Knockout format across nine furious rounds. Each player was allowed three strikes before elimination. With two-strike punishments looming in four-player groups, survival was less about high score and more about staying off the bottom.

This fast-paced, no-room-for-error format is a staple of District 82’s event rotation, thanks to tournament maestro Erik Thoren. If you blinked, you missed a round—and maybe a player.

The Mecca of Midwest Pinball

District 82 Pinball Arcade isn’t just another place to play pinball—it’s a full-blown experience, tailor-made for competitive players and casual flippers alike. Tucked into the quiet city of De Pere, Wisconsin, this powerhouse of silverball action features over 100 machines spanning every era of pinball history—from electromechanical classics to modern LCD-heavy hitters. And every single one of them? Tournament-ready and lovingly maintained to play fast, fair, and flawless.

The vibe inside is part retro arcade, part clubhouse. The space is clean, well-lit, and outfitted for comfort. You’ll find couches and stools for kicking back between games, TV screens rolling scores and matches, and plenty of room to breathe between the rows of blinking machines. They don’t serve food or alcohol (sorry, no beer-and-flip combos here), but free bottled water is available, and sodas are just a buck if you need a quick sugar fix between rounds.

One of the arcade’s biggest draws is its pay-once, play-all-day model. Instead of worrying about swiping cards or digging for quarters, you just walk in, pay a flat rate, and unleash your inner pinball wizard for as long as your wrists can take it. That makes it not just a great value, but the perfect setting for the regular IFPA-sanctioned tournaments held throughout the week.

District 82 is the brainchild of owner and tournament director Erik Thoren, who has built more than just an arcade—he’s built a community. Known for running tight, professional events and keeping machines in near-perfect condition, Erik has turned this venue into a true hub for Wisconsin’s growing pinball scene. Whether you’re flying in for a big event or stopping by to knock the dust off your multiball skills, District 82 is the real deal.

Disco Inferno: The Round 2 Showdown

Let’s set the scene. It’s Round 2, and the game is Disco Fever—Williams’ love letter to groovy late-’70s dance floors. Released in January 1978 and designed by Barry Oursler (yes, that Barry Oursler—who’d later go on to design PIN•BOT and Doctor Who), this game is as famous for its aesthetics as it is infamous for its flipper choice. Disco Fever used curved “banana” flippers, an experimental design that tried to add finesse but instead confused generations of players.

Gerald Morrison, ranked 28th in the state, found his inner Travolta and boogied his way to first place. Joe Reynolds followed with a respectable second, handling those slippery reverse curves like a champ. Mike Schlumpf from Green Bay took third—he fought hard, but Disco’s unpredictability gave him a rough spin. And local player Peter Goeben, always dangerous, slid into fourth after a couple of brutal bounces. The irony? Disco Fever was never a tournament darling. But in this spotlight moment, it lit up the floor.

Steel, Art, and Chaos: Machines of the Tournament

The Tilt’n Tuesday lineup featured 13 games, many from the late ‘70s to early ‘90s—an era when design experimentation was high, and art was often as bold as the gameplay.

• Star Trek (Bally, 1978) – Before Steve Ritchie’s iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation, Bally’s first Trek outing was a widebody, space-themed shooter designed by Gary Gayton. With art by Kevin O’Connor, this machine featured voice callouts (for real!) and was released just before the premiere of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. A solid-state game with classic Bally chime-era charm, it’s a fan favorite for sci-fi pinball purists.

• Flash Gordon (Bally, 1980) – This one’s historical. It was Bally’s first machine to feature the new “Squawk & Talk” sound board and was designed by Claude Fernandez. The game has a brutal two-level playfield and fast play, matching the wild energy of the 1980 movie. It’s also notoriously punishing—just ask the players who faced it in the final round. A misstep here sends your ball into the black hole of regret.

• Hot Hand (Stern, 1979) – Released during Stern Electronics’ golden era, this machine is best known for its rotating hand spinner on the playfield—a gimmick that actually enhances gameplay. Designed by Harry Williams himself (yes, the Williams), Hot Hand blends cards and chaos into one uniquely late-’70s package.

• Comet (Williams, 1985) – The first in Williams’ “Amusement Park Trilogy,” Comet was designed by Barry Oursler and brought the funhouse to life before Cyclone and Hurricane followed. It features a dangerous 1 million-point shot, a brutal center ramp, and great use of sound. It also brought narrative flair to pinball—ride the Comet and try not to scream.

• Eight Ball Champ (Bally, 1985) – A follow-up to the legendary Eight Ball Deluxe, this machine sports sharp pool hall aesthetics and smoother flow. It’s less well-known than its predecessor but still demands precision shotmaking, especially when chasing the corner bank shots.

• Pharaoh (Williams, 1981) – A widebody designed by Ed Sochocki and Python Anghelo, Pharaoh offers layered gameplay with multiple playfields and mythic Egyptian themes. The artwork is lavish, and its upper playfield makes for some nervy ball control. A real gem for players who like to juggle risk.

• Police Force (Williams, 1989) – Law enforcement has never been so… zany? This comedic cop-themed game was designed by Barry Oursler and Mark Ritchie. Known for its fast loops and catchy “Bad Boys”-esque music, it channels late-’80s cheese in all the right ways.

• Mousin’ Around! (Bally, 1989) – If Tom and Jerry ever had a pinball machine, this would be it. Designed by Python Anghelo and Barry Oursler, this machine is pure kinetic joy. Ramps galore, a three-ball multiball, and an iconic spinning cheese wheel make it a crowd favorite.

• Pool Sharks (Bally, 1990) – One of the last games before Bally’s merger with Williams became more complete, Pool Sharks features slick art by Greg Freres and a laid-back vibe. The shark in sunglasses might be goofy, but underneath is a fast-playing table with a deceptively tough ruleset.

These machines weren’t just nostalgic—they were mean, fast, and every one of them demanded respect.

Who Ruled the Tilt’n Tuesday?

Congrats to the final four who dodged strikes, nailed their shots, and handled Flash Gordon’s relentless pacing in the final round like champs. That game, with its tight orbits and unforgiving layout, doesn’t just test skill—it tests nerve.

1. Michael Reiman – Ranked 48th in Wisconsin, Michael outlasted the field and conquered Flash Gordon’s lightning-fast multiball and its brutal double inlane setup. His experience across 287 IFPA events paid off in precision and poise.

2. Peter Goeben – Always strategic and consistent, Peter kept their cool through every round and nearly took the crown. A great showing from a top-25 player.

3. Mike Schlumpf – Mike’s third-place finish proves that Green Bay has some serious talent. He bounced back from an early strike and showed versatility across all machines.

4. Joe Reynolds – With fewer events under his belt, Joe still put up a fight and landed in the final four. Keep an eye on him—he’s rising fast.

Who’s Who in Wisconsin Pinball

Here’s a look at the latest state standings. These are the players everyone’s watching—and trying to catch:

Wrapping It Up Like a Bonus Multiball

Huge thanks to District 82 Pinball Arcade for hosting yet another excellent showdown and to Erik Thoren for keeping the chaos organized and the machines humming. You can check out more about this event and upcoming ones on their official page here: Tilt’n Tuesday 4 at District 82.

And let’s not forget that funky showdown on Disco Fever—because when a match starts with banana flippers and ends with someone boogieing into first place, you know it’s been a night to remember.

Until next time—keep flippin’, keep smashin’ those drop targets, and stay connected for more pinball excitement and tournament highlights!