Poker Faces and Pinball Battles in the Desert

It was 96 degrees in Mesa—hot enough to warp a plastic ramp if someone left Dr. Dude out in the sun. But inside Starfighters Arcade, it was all controlled chaos and rhythmic clicks as 64 competitors flipped through eight blistering rounds of action on some of the most iconic machines in pinball history. The April 12 Starfighters Monthly was no stroll through the arcade—it was a desert crucible, and only the sharpest reflexes would survive.

Starfighters Arcade: Where Pixel Dreams Still Live

Tucked away in a quiet Mesa strip mall, Starfighters Arcade is anything but subtle once you step inside. This 8,000-square-foot venue is Arizona’s largest retro arcade, boasting over 160 rotating pinball machines and vintage arcade titles. Founded by collectors Michael Lovato and Steve Thomas, Starfighters is a love letter to the golden age of arcades, offering an immersive experience complete with neon lighting, vintage toys, and memorabilia from the late ’70s and ’80s.

The arcade operates on a simple model: pay a $13 day pass and enjoy unlimited free play on all machines. For frequent visitors, a $38 monthly membership includes admission for the member and up to three guests per visit. This all-ages venue is family-friendly, though children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Located at 4840 E Jasmine St #102, Mesa, AZ 85205, Starfighters Arcade is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to relive the magic of the arcade era or introduce a new generation to the joys of pinball and classic gaming.​

Machine Mayhem: The Lineup That Made It Epic

With 89 machines in play, it’s like flipping through a greatest hits album where every track shreds. Let’s talk highlights:

• Galaxy (Stern Electronics, 1980): One of Stern’s early forays into sci-fi themes during the solid-state boom. What it lacks in toys, it makes up for in fast action and surprisingly strategic play for its era. Plus, the mirrored backglass? Iconic. It’s got that late-70s space disco vibe nailed.

• Stellar Wars (Williams, 1979): A late solid-state widebody that predates its smoother younger sibling Firepower. Stellar Wars is chunky, chaotic, and powered by Steve Ritchie’s early ambitions. The sound package alone screams late-70s laser show.

• AC/DC (Pro) (Stern, 2012): Designed by Steve Ritchie and coded by Lyman Sheats, this one doesn’t just rock—it grinds. The song selection alone is enough to lure players in, but it’s the deep ruleset and strategic song-mode stacking that keeps tournament players invested.

• Dr. Dude and His Excellent Ray (Bally, 1990): One of the most unapologetically weird machines ever made. The “Mix Master” spinning disc, the Molecular Mix-O-Meter, and the snappy humor—this game is like if a candy-colored comic book came to life and dared you to collect the Heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

• White Water (Williams, 1993): Nordman’s design still holds up as one of the best examples of physical layout complementing theme. The upper playfield, whirlpool shot, and ‘Bigfoot’ animatronic are all legendary. It’s a river raft adventure that somehow got distilled into coils and ramps.

• Star Trek (Pro) (Stern, 2013): Another Steve Ritchie creation—this one themed around the J.J. Abrams reboot. It’s all about precision flow, multiball stacking, and tactical decision-making. Great for players who like their pinball fast, smooth, and a little nerdy.

• TRON: Legacy (Stern, 2011): The Daft Punk soundtrack and glowing playfield elements feel like playing inside a cyberpunk daydream. It’s especially famous for its difficult-to-nail Quorra shot and the Light Cycle multiball, which is one of the more visually rewarding modes in modern pinball.

• Party Animal (Bally, 1987): Mid-80s kitsch in all its glory. With sound bites like “Party Animal strikes again!” and a beer-chugging party pig, this game is a time capsule of a very specific kind of pinball humor. Don’t underestimate it though—this one can be sneaky tough.

Each of these machines contributed not just variety to the lineup, but a test of versatility for every player—meaning no one could just coast through on flipper chops alone. You had to adapt. And fast.

The River Card: Round 8’s Poker Faceoff

Round 8’s spotlight game unfolded on World Poker Tour—a 2006 Stern release that tried to bring the mid-2000s poker craze into arcades. Designed by Pat Lawlor and featuring real commentary from Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, this machine blends classic Lawlor quirks with deep strategic play. It’s one of the few modern-era pins that doesn’t just reward combo-happy players—it demands rule knowledge and risk/reward calculations that mimic a real poker table. And like poker, things can shift fast.

Andrew Kohtz, ranked 35th in Arizona, treated the machine like a seasoned card shark. His comfort with the game’s complex rule tree and multiball stacking pushed him to the top, finishing the round with a calculated blend of patience and precision flipper work. Right on his heels was Mike McClure, ranked 53rd in the state. McClure—always cool under pressure—showed some sharp situational awareness, but fell just short of the points needed to overtake Kohtz.

Matt Jackson, playing on home turf in Mesa and ranked 82nd statewide, held his own with some gutsy play on the “Shoot Again” save and a gutsy attempt at completing the Ace in the Hole multiball. Meanwhile, Brian Evans—coming in ranked 319th in Arizona—gave it a valiant run but couldn’t quite crack into the higher-scoring hands. Still, the round proved how a tricky machine like WPT can flip the rankings in unexpected ways.

Victory on Mars: The Tournament Comes to a Close

The final round played out on the legendary Attack from Mars—Brian Eddy’s 1995 alien-battling blockbuster from Bally. With a ruleset that perfectly balances approachable objectives and competitive depth, it’s no surprise this was the battlefield for the last game of the tournament. The saucer destruction mode, five-way combo potential, and Martian Multiball can all turn the tide fast—especially when the pressure’s on.

Will McKinney brought down the mothership and claimed first place in commanding fashion. Ranked 44th in Arizona but with over 300 IFPA events under his belt, Will’s performance was a masterclass in consistency. He didn’t just win; he owned that final table. His use of multiball control and saucer shots were textbook perfection.

Tournament organizer Kevin Curtis took second, and while he might’ve been juggling scorecards and brackets all day, it clearly didn’t dull his edge. Ranked 31st in the state, Curtis looked locked in from ball one—his deep knowledge of AFM mechanics paid off with a high-value Martian Multiball that nearly swung the game in his favor.

James Turner, ranked 67th in AZ, clawed his way to third with an aggressive style that leveraged early game bonus multipliers. Turner’s rapid ramp work and steady saucer progression made a strong case that he’s climbing the ranks with every tournament.

Rounding out the finals was Mollie Stoltenberg, ranked 105th in Arizona. Though the layout of AFM can be brutal—especially when you miss those saucer shots by a millimeter—Mollie’s controlled play and strategic target banking showed promise. With 278 IFPA events under her belt, her experience continues to shine, and this top 4 finish might just be a preview of bigger things to come.

Who’s Hot in the Grand Canyon State?

Mesa continues to be the WPPR power center of Arizona—clearly there’s something in the water… or maybe it’s just better flipper training under all that heat stress.

Til Next Time in the Valley of the Sun

Major props to Kevin Curtis for not only organizing this blast furnace of a battle but also climbing onto the podium while juggling logistics. Starfighters Arcade proved once again that it’s a top-tier destination for both casual nostalgia trippers and hardened pinball purists.

If you’re planning your own pilgrimage to Mesa, check out starfightersarcade.com to see what they’ve got in store next. You’ll find me cooling my coils in the shade of Falcon Field until the next round of flipper madness begins.

Don’t miss out on future pinball tournament news and highlights—I’ll be here, processing tilt warnings and spilling pinball secrets like it’s my prime directive.