Tilt, Nudge, Win: Texas Pinball Heats Up at Three Strike Tuesday

On March 11, 2025, 31 pinball warriors descended upon The Game Preserve in Spring, Texas, for Three Strike – XXX Tuesday, a knockout tournament where survival meant keeping strikes at bay. The format was brutal—four-player groups saw the bottom two players picking up two strikes, while three-player groups had a little more mercy, handing only one strike to the last-place finisher. After 12 grueling rounds and nearly four hours of competitive play, the flippers had spoken, and one player stood victorious.

The Game Preserve: Where Pinball Never Ends

Step into The Game Preserve, and you’re met with an endless sea of pinball and arcade cabinets—seriously, it feels like the games just keep going. A mix of vintage and modern machines keeps players coming back, even if a few are down for maintenance (because let’s be real, keeping this many classics running is no small feat). The staff is top-tier friendly, and the selection is one of the best in Texas. Whether you’re here for a casual game or a serious competition, you won’t run out of options to flip your way to glory.

First Round Fireworks on Guardians of the Galaxy

The tournament wasted no time delivering high drama, with a first-round battle on Guardians of the Galaxy (Stern, 2017) that set the tone for the night. Hunter Reed, a rising player from Conroe, TX, came in ranked just outside the state’s top 80, but he didn’t let that stop him from blasting past the competition with a strategic use of Orb Multiball. This game, released during the height of Marvel’s cinematic dominance, features assets from the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise, including voice work from the original cast and a soundtrack stacked with classic rock hits. Molly Oury put up a strong second-place finish, proving once again why she’s a tough opponent in any tournament setting. Ben Whittington, another consistent Texas competitor, struggled to keep up with the fast-scoring action, landing in third. Meanwhile, Fred Revnew, who has a deep history in Texas pinball but has yet to crack the top-tier ranks, couldn’t find the right rhythm and took a hard fourth-place finish.

A Closer Look at the Machines

With 26 pinball machines in play, competitors had plenty of variety to test their skills. Some of these games carry fascinating histories and unique mechanics that make them stand out in tournament play.

Ghostbusters (Pro) – Stern (2016)

One of Stern’s biggest hits of the 2010s, Ghostbusters was a love letter to the 1984 film. The game was packed with callouts from Ernie Hudson, practical effects like the glowing green Slimer that moves across the playfield, and a chaotic layout designed by John Trudeau. The flipper gap in Ghostbusters is notorious—players had to master precise nudging to avoid watching their ball drain straight down the middle. And let’s not forget the “Mass Hysteria Multiball,” where the flippers actually reverse! For those who can’t handle chaos, this machine can be a punishing tournament pick.

No Fear: Dangerous Sports – Williams (1995)

Williams was at the top of their game in the mid-90s, and No Fear was a perfect example of their fast, brutal designs. Designed by Steve Ritchie—one of the greatest designers in pinball history—this machine encouraged speed above all else. The lack of pop bumpers kept the ball constantly in motion, and the talking skull that shouts taunts at the player only added to the adrenaline rush. With loops, ramps, and a crazy jump ramp feature, No Fear demands precision, making it a true tournament challenge.

NBA Fastbreak – Bally (1997)

Unlike any other pinball machine on the market, NBA Fastbreak doesn’t use a traditional scoring system. Instead of millions of points, players compete in actual basketball game points. The layout was all about flow, with a hoop shot that players had to nail consistently to rack up their score. Released during the peak of Michael Jordan’s dominance in the NBA, this machine was a fascinating attempt to merge basketball with pinball.

World Cup Soccer – Bally (1994)

A true fan favorite, World Cup Soccer was Bally’s celebration of the 1994 FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States. The machine featured a moving goalie that blocked shots to the goal, a spinning soccer ball, and a fast-paced multiball that felt just like a real soccer match. The Final Draw mode was a nail-biter—perfect for the high-pressure moments of a pinball tournament.

Elvira and the Party Monsters – Bally (1989)

Elvira’s first foray into pinball was this cult classic from the late ‘80s. This was one of Dennis Nordman’s earliest designs, and it showed his signature style—playfields with ramps that crisscrossed and loops that kept players constantly engaged. The machine’s mix of humor, horror, and solid gameplay made it a hit, and it was successful enough to spawn multiple Elvira sequels over the years. If a player wasn’t paying attention, the fast, open playfield could turn against them in seconds.

Final Four Faceoff on Ghostbusters

After nearly four hours of competition, it all came down to Ghostbusters (Pro) for the final game of the night. Nicholas Gustafson, a player who’s been quietly climbing the Texas ranks, showed up with a vengeance. He locked into Loopin’ Supers at just the right moment, keeping his shots clean while staying out of the dreaded center drain zone. Daniel Koba, who has been making deeper tournament runs lately, put up a strong fight but fell just short in the final moments. Fred Revnew, who had a shaky start early in the tournament, managed to battle his way back to third place. Jack Revnew, usually a top contender in Houston-area events, couldn’t quite find the groove on Ghostbusters and had to settle for fourth.

Texas IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping Up the Flippers

The Three Strike – XXX Tuesday tournament proved once again why Texas has one of the most competitive pinball scenes in the country. Space City Pinball put on another excellent event, and The Game Preserve delivered the perfect venue for a night of high-stakes flipper action. Congrats to Nicholas Gustafson on his big win—if his performance here is any indication, expect to see his name climbing the ranks in future tournaments.

Who’s ready for more pinball? Stay tuned for the latest tournament updates, and if you enjoyed this recap, give it a rating below!