Slick Pins and Sudden Strikes at the Aero Club / Dyno Bar

Greetings, my chrome-fingered comrades! Bride of Pinbot reporting in with a dispatch from sunny San Diego, where the Aero Club / Dyno Bar Monthly – April 2025 lit up the night with fast flips, fair strikes, and a machine lineup that could make any pinhead weak in the knees. With 27 players battling it out across 9 rounds on a curated mix of modern Sterns and classic Bally bangers, this was the kind of tournament that reminds you why you fell in love with pinball in the first place.

And yes—free popcorn. But that’s just the salty sidekick to the real show: steel balls and brutal drains.

San Diego’s Dyno Bar: A Real Arcade for Real People

If you’ve ever wandered into an “arcade” only to find wall-to-wall claw machines and neon prize counters, Dyno Bar is the antidote. This spot, tucked into the side of the Aero Club, leans hard into the classics. The vibe is pure arcade nostalgia, complete with a lineup that includes not just flashy new releases like Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, but also deep-cut retro champs like Evel Knievel. In a world where most new locations prioritize redemption games, Dyno Bar is one of those rare places that treats pinball machines like the high art they are.

The bar team knows their stuff, and the games are maintained with care. Whether you’re chasing combos on Deadpool or just trying to keep your sanity during Godzilla multiball, Dyno gives the games the respect they deserve.

Evel Knievel’s Death Defying Round

Let’s talk Round 3. The battlefield? Bally’s Evel Knievel, a 1977 time capsule of pre-DMD chaos that features zipper flippers, a chime-driven sound package, and a wide-open layout that punishes indecision like a stern gym teacher. Designed by Jim Patla and art by Paul Faris, the game was a hit during the first wave of solid-state conversions and remains a crowd favorite for its brutal simplicity.

And wouldn’t you know it—Danny Rust, ranked well outside the top 1000 in California, tamed the beast. He outscored not just mid-ranked competitors, but also Tom Isaak, who holds a top-50 state rank and usually slices through older machines like butter. Evel doesn’t care about your resume. Evel just wants your quarters.

Rene Hilbach-Barger managed a smooth second-place finish, showing solid skills despite being more familiar with modern titles. And while Jeffrey Wright may have felt at home in San Diego, Evel wasn’t giving out any hometown advantages.

This match served as a perfect reminder: classic machines demand respect—and maybe a little luck with the center post.

Under the Glass: Five Pins That Ruled the Night

The tournament lineup spanned nearly 50 years of pinball evolution. Here’s a closer look at five standout games that defined the vibe:

James Bond 007 (60th Anniversary LE) – Released in 2022, this Keith Elwin-designed limited edition was a collector’s dream and a shotmaker’s playground. The layout features precision loops, challenging drop targets, and a unique magnetic ball lock—a callback to spy gadgets and vintage Bond tech. Limited to just 500 units, the 60th Anniversary Bond is one of the most exclusive titles Stern has ever released.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro) – As Stern’s first D&D-themed game, this 2025 release brings tabletop mechanics to the arcade world. With branching wizard-mode paths, randomized skill tests, and a snarling Beholder toy that guards multiball, the game invites strategy over brute force. It also marks Stern’s continued partnership with Wizards of the Coast—a move that seems to have unlocked a whole new realm of design creativity.

Metallica Remastered (Premium/LE) – Stern’s 2024 update of the 2013 classic brought enhanced sound, lighting, and rules depth to an already beloved title. Sparky still gets shocked, the Grave Marker bash target is still brutal, and the new RGB inserts bring each mode to life with dazzling clarity. Originally designed by John Borg, Metallica was one of the early Stern games that blended rock licensing with serious tournament-ready gameplay.

Stranger Things (Pro) – Another Borg design, this 2019 release took advantage of UV-reactive lighting kits and drop-target Demogorgons. Recent code updates have improved mode stacking and tightened up the scoring logic, making this a sleeper favorite in competitive circles. The projector gimmick? Still cool. Still haunting.

Deadpool (Pro) – Released in 2018 and designed by George Gomez, Deadpool is a fan favorite thanks to its simple-to-grasp rules, crisp shot layout, and over-the-top humor. Players can battle Juggernaut, Sabretooth, and Mystique while building up chimichanga-fueled multiballs. It’s fun without sacrificing depth—a perfect game for tournament pacing and crowd engagement.

Final Multiball Mayhem on Guardians of the Galaxy

When the dust settled, the final game landed on Guardians of the Galaxy —a 2017 Steve Ritchie classic that demands control and accuracy. It’s got everything: tight ramps, dangerous orbits, and that nasty little scoop that laughs at your hopes and dreams. The Groot bash toy may be friendly in the movies, but here he’s a ruthless gatekeeper to multiball.

Matt Topper, who entered the night as a major underdog (ranked 858th in California), played out of his mind. With just 83 IFPA events under his belt, he showed composure, precision, and maybe a little extra luck when Groot multiball opened the door to victory.

Mark Schulz, the tournament’s organizer and a seasoned San Diego flipper with over 370 events to his name, secured second place with consistency and sharp shot selection. This was no vanity placement—he earned every point.

Mark Brown came in third, grinding through strike after strike with gritty, quiet excellence. And Mike Calcagno, though less seasoned in the tournament scene, held his own through the later rounds with some strong runs.

Who’s Hot in the Golden State? IFPA Rankings Check-In:

No movement into the top 10 from this tournament, but hey—when James Bond 007 is in the mix, it’s less about the points and more about surviving the gadgets.

San Diego’s Got Game

Big thanks to Mark Schulz for putting on a top-tier tournament at Dyno Bar, where the popcorn is complimentary and the competition is anything but. Whether you’re chasing wizard modes or just reliving the glory days of Evel Knievel, this venue and crew deliver every single time.

Congratulations again to Matt Topper on his well-earned win. Look forward to more exciting pinball updates and stories—Bride of Pinbot out.