Short Shifts and Burnouts: Mustang Leads the Pack at District 82

The April 4th, 2025 qualifier at District 82 Pinball may have kicked off under a brisk 46°F sky, but inside the arcade, things were running warm with flipper fever. With 19 players and a tight 2.5-hour schedule, the event packed four rounds and eight games into an early evening marathon of precision and tilt management. Organized by the ever-dedicated Erik Thoren, this Friday night showdown balanced serious gameplay with that small-town Wisconsin charm.

A Spot That Loves Pinball as Much as You Do

District 82 Pinball isn’t just a venue—it’s a pilgrimage site for flipper fanatics. Tucked into De Pere, Wisconsin, this all-ages arcade is serious about its machines. With over 100 games in stunning condition and a staff that actually seems happy to see you (a rare combo), it’s no surprise visitors keep coming back—even when they live two hours away. The venue isn’t cluttered with distractions; it’s wall-to-wall pinball, ranging from early Bally EMs to the latest Sterns. It’s pinball in its purest form, with a side of Wisconsin hospitality. Check them out at district82.com.

Mustang Madness: Round 2 Revs Up

Celebrating its 11th birthday this month, Mustang (Pro) by Stern brought roaring speed and clever mechanics to Round 2. Designed by John Trudeau—whose pinball fingerprints include Creature from the Black Lagoon and Judge Dredd—this 2014 release was part of Stern’s push to capitalize on licensed themes with wide appeal. The standout here is the Gear Shift Multiball, which mimics real driving with manual “gear shifts” controlled by the flippers. It’s a gimmick, sure—but it’s a fun one.

Rowan Walters-Giblin didn’t need horsepower rankings to edge out the competition, finishing first despite a state rank of 74th. Jordan Cappaert, who’s been a consistent top-20 player in Wisconsin, kept the pedal down for a second-place finish. Meanwhile, Appleton locals Robert Wendricks and Paul Reilly revved up their own scores, with Robert edging Paul for third. If you’re going to lose, you might as well do it in a ’65 Fastback.

Pins That Popped: The Machines Behind the Madness

Let’s talk about the machines that turned heads and tested reflexes—because these weren’t just any pins. They’re part of pinball’s evolving story.

• Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (Williams, 1993)
  This is peak ‘90s Bally/Williams, and Mark Ritchie hit all the high notes with this widebody beast. Four film modes, a tilting “Path of Adventure,” and one of the best sound packages ever assembled—complete with John Williams score. Rumor has it that the team nearly had to cut features due to licensing delays, but in the end, it became a true “pin-grail.”

• Lost World (Bally, 1978)
  Not to be confused with the Jurassic version. This is a fantasy-themed widebody designed by Gary Gayton, with artwork by Paul Faris that—get this—was the first pinball machine to use a photographic backglass. It’s also notable for having symmetrical playfield design, which you don’t see often post-’80s.

• Hi-Deal (Bally, 1975)
  Another Paul Faris piece of work, though this one is a bit more under-the-radar. Hi-Deal leans into card-game aesthetics, which were all the rage in the EM era, and features some clever lane scoring that rewards cautious nudging. You either love it for its simplicity or curse it for its drain angles.

• WWF Royal Rumble (Data East, 1994)
  Ah yes, the chaos machine. Designed by Tim Seckel, this game has an absurd number of flippers (up to six, depending on the model) and includes 9-ball multiball. The game shipped right as the WWF was in its “New Generation” transition—which explains why you’ll see Yokozuna and Bret Hart, but no Hulk. It’s loud, wild, and totally of its time.

• Pool Sharks (Bally, 1990)
  Don’t let the cartoony art fool you—Greg Freres put some serious charm into this design. One of the last Bally games before the Williams-Bally branding became more unified, it’s a solid single-level game with a smooth flow and an addictive center ramp. You’re not just playing pool—you’re being hustled by sharks in sunglasses.

• Jack•Bot (Williams, 1995)
  She’s back! The third entry in the Pin-Bot series takes all the casino flair of The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot and dials it up with betting mechanics, bonus multipliers, and the return of the visor multiball. Designed by Barry Oursler and Ted Estes, Jack•Bot was part of the final Williams wave before they pivoted to Pinball 2000. It’s smart, it’s fast, and it still winks at you.

• Sky Kings (Bally, 1974)
  A single-player EM with challenging top arch lanes and classic mid-‘70s artwork. If you’re good at controlled nudging, this is your canvas. Bally was cranking out these simple-but-deceptively-tough EMs at the time, competing with Gottlieb’s more puzzle-like designs.

• Godzilla (Pro) (Stern, 2021)
  Designed by Keith Elwin, who apparently doesn’t sleep. Godzilla set a new standard for flow, depth, and code density. That right ramp shot? Pure butter. And with Tim Sexton’s deep code keeping the game fresh, it’s no wonder this one’s practically a tournament mainstay just a few years after release.

• Monster Bash (Remake Special) (Chicago Gaming, 2018)
  Originally designed by George Gomez for Williams in ‘98, the remake brought updated lighting, crisp LCD animations, and polished sound to a game already lauded for its balance of fun and depth. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Frankenstein jam out under a disco lightshow.

Podium Finishers: Who Ruled the Night?

These four players rose above the rest in a flurry of multiballs, skill shots, and last-second saves:

1. Mike Carlson (he/him) from Sobieski, WI — With 86 IFPA events under his belt and a 7th-place state ranking, Mike made sure this wasn’t just another Friday night. His performance was a reminder that sometimes the quiet ones from Little Suamico can play loudest.

2. Adam VanDynHoven (he/him) from Appleton, WI — Nearing 200 events and playing like every game is a playoff final, Adam showed that consistency and calm under pressure can carry you far.

3. Mike Weyenberg, representing Manitowoc — With 313 events under his belt, Mike brought veteran poise to the night’s chaos. The man could probably play Indiana Jones in his sleep.

4. Peter Goeben (they/them) from De Pere, WI — Representing the home crowd, Peter delivered a solid showing with polished play and local pride. Four hundred events in and still rising.

Wisconsin IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping Up: Cool Night, Hot Scores

April’s cool air might have kept jackets zipped up outside, but inside District 82, the pinball action was on fire. A huge thanks to organizer Erik Thoren and the District 82 crew for maintaining one of the best playfields in the Midwest. Congrats again to Mike Carlson for taking the top spot—proving that solid play and a good read of the ball can still win the day.

Until next time, keep those flippers warm and your outlanes merciful. Look forward to more exciting pinball updates and stories!