EinStein’s Earns Its Stripes with Space City Spring Showdown

Under clear skies and with a balmy 76°F outside, the real storm was brewing inside EinStein’s Pub on April 15, where 23 players squared off in the second quarterly installment of the Space City Pinball: PhysXXX Spring Semester series. Three rounds, two games per round, and one classic venue played host to an evening that blended sharp flipper skills with sharp drinks. Oh, and plenty of Stern engineering, past and present.

EinStein’s Pub: Dive Bar Vibes, World-Class Games

Tucked into a strip mall off South Mason Road, EinStein’s Pub is the kind of place that doesn’t need to dress up to impress. Yeah, it’s got that dive bar patina—but the pinball lineup is pure platinum. With over 25 machines humming and clacking at any given time, this is arguably the densest collection of playable pins in the Katy area.

Inside, you’ll find an expansive space with a full bar, rotating beer taps, a kitchen that does the pub grub essentials, and pool tables for anyone somehow not mesmerized by the blinking backglasses. But make no mistake—this is a grown-up’s arcade, with a strict 21+ policy and no shortage of quarter-fed competition.

Round 1 Showstopper: JAWS (Pro) Bites Back

Round 1 had players diving straight into deep water with Stern’s JAWS (Pro)—the most recent beast in Stern’s shark tank, released January 2024. Designed by Keith Elwin, this title combines his signature shot geometry with a cleverly layered ruleset that feels as relentless as Bruce the Shark himself.

In this group, Gina Low proved to be the true apex predator, putting up a commanding performance against a field that included local regulars Matt Katsarelis and Ramon Martínez, as well as top-100 state player Darrin Schonefeld. Gina picked her modes well and survived the harrowing Boat Chase multiball to claim first. That’s no small feat on a fresh title where risk-reward decisions come as fast as the chum-scented callouts.

Fun Fact: JAWS marks Stern’s return to a Spielberg property, and it’s loaded with original film footage and John Williams’ iconic score—arguably the best sound integration in a Stern since Jurassic Park.

Deep Dive on the Pinball Machines

Out of the 27 machines available, five stood out not just for gameplay, but for what they represent in the Stern lineage:

• Led Zeppelin (LE) – Love it or tilt at it, this Steve Ritchie design from 2020 is a tribute to classic rock and classic flow. The spinner combo on the upper left is pure Ritchie, while the electric magic toy in the center adds just enough weirdness to make things interesting. A surprisingly technical game under its flashy art package.

• Deadpool (Premium) – Probably the most personality-packed pin since Attack from Mars. Designed by George Gomez, this 2018 release plays like a comic book brawl. The katana ramp and team-up multiballs keep players engaged, while the callouts and animations are just as fourth-wall-breaking as you’d hope. Bonus: Ryan Reynolds-approved? Unconfirmed.

• James Bond 007 (60th Anniversary LE) – Keith Elwin again, but in minimalist mode. This one was a tribute to the early days of Bond and the very early days of pinball. No ramps, no multiball—just fast loops, tight rules, and woodrail-era vibes with a high-gloss finish. Only 500 made, so seeing one in Katy? That’s a flex.

• Black Knight: Sword of Rage (LE) – Stern tried to reboot its classic villain in 2019 with a Brian Eddy design that blended brutal flow with a talking Black Knight helmet. This game has a love-it-or-leave-it following thanks to its punishing upper playfield and long ball times. If you like being insulted mid-game by your machine, this one’s for you.

• Guardians of the Galaxy (LE) – Born in the Marvel craze of 2017, GOTG combines music, magnets, and mission stacking that feels like chaos until you crack the code. Groot’s big head swallows balls for multiball, and the soundtrack includes Blue Swede, which is reason enough to start a game.

There was also Batman 66, Beatles, and a couple versions of Bond 007—more on that in a future post when we rank every Stern James Bond playfield by MI6 gadget density.

Tournament Champions: Venom Strikes in the Final Round

The last battle of the night unfolded on Venom (Pro), Stern’s 2023 plunge into Marvel’s shadowy side, and one of the most unusual games in their lineup. Designed by Brian Eddy, the game flips traditional structure on its head with player-selectable hosts, a branching progression tree, and a co-op mode (though not in this cutthroat finals round). The real draw, though, is its speed—Venom is relentless, with fast returns, target-rich mode stacking, and an evolving playfield that rewards precision under pressure.

And that’s exactly where Jim Mueller thrived. With 165 IFPA events behind him, Jim knew exactly when to trigger Carnage multiball and when to cash out Knull for max value. He played like someone who’s studied the playfield map—and perhaps even written the syllabus. Jim finished with a commanding lead, adding another win to his already impressive résumé and reminding the field why he sits inside the Texas top 30.

Elizabeth Dronet wasn’t far behind. Representing Space City with over 450 career events, she played a smart, deliberate game, staying alive through some of the most punishing returns Venom could throw. Her second-place finish was well-earned and came on the back of several solid rounds earlier in the night.

Tiffany Simmons, who came in third, leaned into the game’s chaos with creative shot selection and clutch saves—hallmarks of a player who’s logged nearly 200 events and knows how to stay on their feet in a fast-paced final.

And rounding out the top four was Joshua Mitchell, whose quick-thinking play and calculated risks kept him alive late into the match. Ranked 45th in Texas, Joshua showed why he’s climbing fast, even if Venom’s symbiote modes didn’t quite bond with him this time.

Texas IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings:

Closing Thoughts from the Pub

The PhysXXX Spring Q2 event was proof that you don’t need neon lights and boutique décor to host a killer tournament—just good people, cold drinks, and a lineup of pins that spans decades of design evolution. EinStein’s Pub might be low on polish, but it’s high on playability.

Congratulations again to Jim Mueller for taking home top honors. The competition was fierce, the flippers were hot, and the games were glorious. Follow along here for more IFPA updates, tournament recaps, and the occasional dive into pinball design rabbit holes you didn’t know you needed.