Grogu Judges Us All: Mandalorian Highlights Level 1’s Clash

Bride of Pinbot here, basking in the glow of sun-bleached flippers and LED-lit playfields. When the desert heat fades into a warm Arizona night and the replay knocker’s louder than the jukebox, you know you’re at Level 1 Mesa. With 15 machines locked and loaded and some serious players in the mix, Week 2 of the Level One April tournament brought the kind of action that earns respect on both sides of the coin slot.

Desert digs and multiball bliss: Welcome to Level 1 Mesa

Tucked right on Main Street in Mesa’s buzzing downtown strip, Level 1 Arcade Bar blends the grit of a retro arcade with the polish of a modern hangout. Think neon-lit walls, pixel art murals, and a layout that makes it easy to move from pinball to cocktails without ever losing your score—or your drink. The space isn’t cavernous, but it’s well-organized, with clear sightlines that let you scope out competition across the floor.

The bar itself is a standout feature, not just for its selection of rotating craft beers and cocktails, but for the service. Regulars rave about the staff (shoutout to Alex, apparently everyone’s favorite bartender and unofficial team morale booster). There’s a food menu to keep the game-fueled munchies at bay—nothing fancy, but exactly what you want mid-multiball: crispy, salty, and fast.

Level 1 also knows its audience. You’ll find themed nights, casual league play, and just enough quirky signage to remind you that while you are here to win, you’re also here to have a damn good time. Whether you’re a regular or just wandered in after tacos down the street, it’s the kind of place that feels like home—if your home had beer on tap and a tilt warning system.

This is the Way: The Mandalorian showdown in Round 2

Round 2 brought one of the most intense showdowns of the night as players clashed on The Mandalorian (Premium/LE)—a modern Stern title that’s quickly become a tournament staple for players who like their risk served with a side of multiball. Released in 2021 and designed by Brian Eddy (of Attack from Mars and Medieval Madness fame), Mando looks deceptively friendly but plays with teeth, rewarding precise stacking and fast, confident shotmaking.

The centerpiece of the Premium model is the dynamic upper mini playfield—a rotating disc with two mini-flippers that simulate shootouts in the Star Wars underworld. Players can engage with missions via the scoop, battle through Encounters, and earn bounties with the Razor Crest multiball, all while Grogu watches (and maybe judges) from his perch above the action. The Ambush and Foundry modes add tactical depth, forcing players to make tough choices about when to cash out or double down.

In this match, Henry Hanshaw brought a hunter’s focus. He activated the Encounter modes early, stringing together shots with a consistency that would make Din Djarin proud. Jason Barre gave him a run, deftly using the left ramp to build his playfield multiplier and attempting to stack Razor Crest and Foundry missions—but a failed ambush mode left him with one too many missed shots.

Ben Zura had moments of brilliance, nearly completing the Scope feature for big points, while Russell Woodworth got some traction on the mini playfield before draining out of a promising multiball. The round had everything you want from a competitive Mando game: shot discipline, multiball chaos, and just enough Grogu animations to remind you that even space bounty hunters need a little luck.

Machines that brought the knock—and maybe some PTSD

• The Munsters (Premium/LE) – Often underestimated in modern lineups, this 2019 Stern game offers dual-level playfields and a gorgeous black-and-white LCD package that makes it feel like flipping through a vintage TV episode. Grandpa’s laboratory mini-playfield adds a satisfying twist with its own flippers, and the game’s coding encourages stacking Lily multiball and Spot hurry-ups for big payoffs.
• Creature from the Black Lagoon – A beautiful blend of nostalgia and horror, this game uses a holographic lagoon to reveal the Creature mid-gameplay—a 1990s innovation that still wows players today. Its movie-theater theme is built around collecting the girl, finding the snack bar, and lighting up multiball. Notoriously tricky shots and high drain risks make it a pinball purist’s dream (or nightmare).
• Godzilla (Premium/LE) – Released in September 2021, this Keith Elwin-designed masterpiece is considered by many to be Stern’s modern crown jewel. Between the collapsing bridge, Mechagodzilla spinner magnet, and that city-destroying ramp loop, it’s a playground of chaos. The rules allow for deep strategic paths—go multiball heavy, mode heavy, or grind power-ups and conquer cities. At Level 1, this machine’s been through so many battles it’s practically radioactive.
• John Wick (Pro) – Still new from May 2024, John Wick is proving to be an unforgiving but satisfying player’s game. The upper right flipper setup encourages combo play, and weapon multiballs are built around the same relentless rhythm as the films. Stern leaned into style here, with a slick audio package and brutal precision that matches Keanu’s vibe. The early verdict: get good, or get dogged.
• The Addams Family – The best-selling pinball machine of all time and a masterclass in ’90s Williams design. Pat Lawlor’s layout introduced the “Thing Flips” auto shot, a coded-in left ramp shot that actually learns based on player timing. The magnetic power, the train wreck, the Mansion wizard mode—this game is still a beast three decades later. Watching today’s players battle on this classic is like watching modern drivers race a ‘60s muscle car: flashy, fast, and prone to flipping out.

Climbing the podium: This week’s standout players

1. Henry Hanshaw clinched the win in style, pulling off a clean, composed run across all four rounds. Though his state rank of 94th and IFPA ranking of 1324 might not raise eyebrows nationally, the 324 tournaments under his belt show this isn’t a fluke. He’s got the reps—and now, a win against one of Arizona’s top ten.
2. Jason Barre, one of Mesa’s own, lived up to his rep with a second-place finish. Currently sitting 9th in the state with 542 tournaments logged, he brought his usual steady, calculated style to the night. Jason’s game on Stranger Things—a tilt-free Demogorgon hit into a multiball jackpot—was one for the highlight reel.
3. Jeff Janoski came in under the radar and finished with flair. From Gilbert and sitting outside the top 300 in Arizona, Jeff’s finish shows he’s learning fast. With only 49 events under his belt, this podium finish could mark the start of a breakthrough season.
4. Shawn Barnett played a strong tournament, taking 4th overall. At 192 events and a state ranking of 102nd, he’s a familiar name at Arizona tourneys, and his control play on Creature showed why. He doesn’t force the ball—he waits, he sets, and he punishes.

Arizona IFPA Top 10: Mesa on the map

Mesa players are clearly doing something right—three of them in the top ten, and a home field that includes some of the best-maintained Sterns around doesn’t hurt.

A perfect mix of heat, skill, and flipper finesse

As the last ball drained and players gathered around the bar for post-match toasts and bracket recaps, one thing was clear—Level 1 Arcade Bar delivered yet another night of memorable matchups and flipper finesse. With warm downtown vibes, rock-solid hospitality, and machines tuned for tournament-grade chaos, this was the kind of event that reminds you why local pinball matters.

Huge thanks to Scott Goldsmith for running a smooth, no-fuss tournament and keeping things moving across all four rounds. His steady hand behind the scenes ensured the focus stayed on the flips, not the logistics.

And let’s not forget that Mandalorian game in Round 2—hands down the match of the night. It had everything: clutch saves, risky stacks, and a mid-playfield battle that could’ve gone either way. It was the kind of game that doesn’t just decide standings—it leaves a story behind.

Thanks to everyone who came out, competed, spectated, or just wandered in for a drink and stayed for the bonus round. We’ll be back soon with more coverage from Arizona’s ever-growing pinball scene. Until then, keep flipping, keep practicing, and may your next outlane be merciful.