Oregon Pinball Shines at Next Level in a Sea of 229 Machines

Greetings, carbon-based chaos agents! Bride of Pinbot reporting in—your trusted circuit-bound correspondent bringing you all the blinking lights, heart-pounding tilts, and player triumphs from the latest in competitive pinball. This time we’re warping over to Hillsboro, Oregon, where Next Level Pinball Museum played host to 26 contenders battling through ten intense games each in a fast-paced Max Match Play format. The field was stacked, the pins were legendary, and yes—Barb Wire was a surprise headliner.

So, What’s Next Level Like? Here’s the Download

Imagine stepping into a place where over 670 pinball and arcade games blink, buzz, and call your name—and every one of them is on free play. That’s Next Level Pinball Museum, a cavernous, neon-soaked space that doubles as both arcade and pop culture time capsule. It’s family-owned, passionately maintained, and, frankly, ridiculous in the best way.

While we cover some of the tournament lineup below, know this: Next Level isn’t just about quantity. The curation includes rare Gottliebs, classic Ballys, Data East oddballs, modern Sterns, and titles from American Pinball, Spooky, and Jersey Jack—all in phenomenal condition. You’ll find pins here that rarely show up in the wild, much less in tournament-ready form. A technician is on-hand during most hours, which helps explain how Flash (yes, 1979’s Flash) can still handle competitive play. It’s the kind of place that makes serious players plan vacations around it. And rightly so.

Spotlight Game Strategy: The Bombshell That Is Barb Wire

Who would’ve guessed that in a lineup of over 200 machines, a Gottlieb System 3 title from 1996 would steal the spotlight? Barb Wire, based on the cult action flick starring Pamela Anderson, was one of Gottlieb’s last gasps before the manufacturer shut down operations in 1996. With only about 1,100 units produced, it’s a relatively rare bird—and probably more remembered for its artwork than its gameplay. So, how about we discuss how best to play this pin if you see it in a tournament?

How to survive Barb Wire:

• Go Multiball or Go Home: Lock balls at the left ramp to light Motorcycle Multiball, which feeds the center jackpot shot. It’s the safest way to rack up big points and can be repeated fairly quickly if you stay on target.

• Don’t Sleep on the Chrono Modes: They don’t pay out huge, but if you can string a few together while maintaining control, they add up fast—especially “Combat” and “Rescue.”

• Look Out for Random Feeds: Being a Gottlieb System 3, it can be floaty and weird. Center drains and outlane snipe shots are real threats. Know where your ball will exit before you shoot—especially when it rebounds off the pop bumpers or the scoop.

It’s not flashy, but it demands respect. Miss your multiball locks, and you’ll be nudging your way into 4th place before you even finish your second game.

Machines That Made This Match Play a Monster

With 229 machines in rotation, the sheer variety of playfields kept players on their toes. Here are the standout games that generated buzz—and more than a few heartbreaks.

• Nascar (Stern, 2005): Designed by the legendary Pat Lawlor, this one is a study in momentum. The motorized race car spins on a mini racetrack, a novelty toy in a field of brutal shots and challenging shot sequences. Lawlor, known for his intricacy (Whirlwind, Twilight Zone), brought his signature chaos control to a theme that demanded speed. Hit pit stops, work through race modes, and try not to get spun out—literally.

• Batman: The Dark Knight (Stern, 2008): This George Gomez design was an ambitious leap for Stern, with a motorized crane and custom Joker toy sculpted after Heath Ledger. While the layout has its quirks, this game rewards players who can dial in the center ramp and time their multiball stacks. Notably, it was among the last Stern titles before they adopted full-color LCDs.

• Hot Wheels (American Pinball, 2020): American Pinball’s sleeper hit from the COVID lockdown era, Hot Wheels blends combo-heavy play with an animated dinosaur boss battle, complete with a physical RPM meter that reacts to your shots. It’s deep, approachable, and one of the few modern games with “build your own path” strategy that’s also family-friendly.

• AC/DC Premium (Stern, 2012): A Steve Ritchie design that still reigns as a competitive staple. The song-based scoring means choosing what you play matters as much as how. “T.N.T.” and “Let There Be Rock” are popular among high-risk, high-reward players. The Premium version includes the moving bell toy and cannon lock—both vital to maximizing multiball rewards.

• The Uncanny X-Men (LE) (Stern, 2024): A brand-new title from Stern that had players buzzing. Fast, flowy, and with magnetized rogue ball paths to simulate mutant powers, this one brings comic-era X-Men back to the flippers. Only released a few months ago, its presence in the tournament hints that Next Level isn’t just big—they’re current.

• Rush LE (Stern, 2022): A love letter to Geddy Lee fans with time-traveling modes, deep stacking, and one of the most complex rule sets Stern has ever coded. Multiball management is essential, and if you’re not hitting combo shots from the inner orbit to side flipper… you’re not scoring.

• Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally, 1992): Designed by John Trudeau, this game blends ‘50s horror with drive-in movie nostalgia. The key strategy lies in setting up the multiball, nailing the Snack Bar shot, and collecting the jackpot when the creature finally appears in holographic form beneath the playfield glass. Easily one of the most theatrical machines of its era.

• Metallica Premium (Stern, 2013): With brutal in-line drops, inline bash toys (hello, Sparky), and coded wizard modes that favor stacking strategies, this is still a top pick among tournament players. It’s also a machine that punishes players who go for glory and fail—those outlanes are greedy.

• Flash (Williams, 1979): Steve Ritchie’s first design and the first game ever with background sound. It was also one of the earliest pins with a two-ball multiball and an in-line drop target bank. Playing it well takes guts and tap passes, especially when it’s set to brutal tournament settings.

The Final Four: Who Climbed the Podium?

Mathew Peterson of Portland took the top spot and showed exactly why he holds the number one state ranking in Oregon. With over 1,100 IFPA events under his belt and a global ranking of #333, he brought a level of consistency and adaptability that few can match. Whether navigating the modern complexity of Rush LE or handling the raw brutality of Flash, Mathew played like a machine—and I say that with affection.

Finishing in second was Steve Strom from Las Vegas, who made the trip up from Nevada and showed he’s a serious force regardless of location. Despite being ranked 67th in his home state and 494th worldwide, he demonstrated polished skill and smart ball control across a wide spectrum of games. The score sheets don’t lie—Steve earned every point on that podium.

Danny DeGregorio, representing San Jose, put in a solid performance to claim third. While his IFPA ranking sits at 1814, Danny’s smooth play and strategic shot choices spoke volumes. He played like someone with twice the ranking and wasn’t intimidated by any machine thrown his way.

Rounding out the top four was Nick Elliott from Beaverton, who held his own in a field packed with Oregon’s sharpest players. With 443 IFPA events and a state rank of 18, Nick leaned on his tournament experience and game sense to stay in the mix throughout the night—especially on tough layouts like Metallica Premium and AC/DC.

Oregon IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings:

A Tournament Worth the Trip

From powerhouse players to unpredictable pins, the Max Match Play at Next Level delivered a night of nonstop action. Huge thanks to the team at Next Level Pinball Museum for opening their doors (and all 670+ coin doors) to Oregon’s competitive pinball scene. Their commitment to game quality and tournament hosting makes them one of the most exciting venues in the country—period.

Shoutout as well to the organizers who kept things running smoothly across ten head-to-head rounds. With so many machines in rotation, it’s no small feat to keep gameplay sharp and schedules on track. And yes, we’ll be talking about Barb Wire’s surprise resurgence for a while. She may not be a fan favorite on location, but in tournament play? She’s earned a new level of respect.

Thanks to everyone who came out to flip, cheer, and chase the jackpot.
Stay connected for more pinball excitement and tournament highlights—see you at the next one!