Zero to Hero: Jeff Lepine Shocks at the Pinball Lounge

The Pinball Lounge – Bonanza 4-1-25 lit up the lanes of the Oviedo Bowling Center with a 26-player scramble through six fast-paced rounds of single-game duels. With just under three hours of high-stakes flipper action, players battled it out in classic and modern machines alike—all while dodging the very real threat of Florida’s favorite prank: overcast skies and a sultry 86 degrees. No joke, April 1st brought serious gameplay, and this crowd wasn’t playing for laughs.

The Oviedo Bowling Center: Where Pins Meet… More Pins

You might come for the glow bowling or to try out UNREAL Bowling (yes, it projects actual animations onto the lanes), but The Pinball Lounge tucked inside the Oviedo Bowling Center is where the real magic happens. Located on East Broadway Street in Oviedo, FL, this place has become a go-to for locals chasing high scores and solid machine upkeep. The reviews hype the accessibility, great food, and family-friendly vibe, but don’t miss that one very specific shout-out to their “exceptional” pinball room—because when a self-declared weird old guy gives a thumbs-up, it’s probably legit.

Round 3 Mayhem: Michela Shines on the Black Lagoon

Things got cinematic in Round 3 when four players faced off on Creature from the Black Lagoon—Bally’s 1992 drive-in tribute that’s as much a mood as it is a game. Designed by John Trudeau, this machine has a killer combo of classic 1950s theming, clever rule layering, and the infamous “FILM” mode. That’s where players shoot specific shots to spell out F-I-L-M and rescue the girl from the creature. It’s all about control and patience—flailing gets you nowhere here.

Michela Phillabaum took full advantage of that, showing sharp instincts and cool-headedness that let her walk away with the win. James Blackford held strong for second, while Jeff Welch and Luis Guzman rounded out the group. With a playfield that punishes missed shots and a multiball that requires real setup, Creature was a great equalizer—and Michela handled it with finesse.

Five Pins That Made the Room Roar

Cactus Canyon (Remake Special/LE) – Chicago Gaming, 2021

Originally an unfinished Bally/Williams design from 1998, Cactus Canyon was one of the last games developed before Williams pulled out of the pinball market entirely. Chicago Gaming’s 2021 remake finally gave it the polish and depth it always deserved. With new full animations, callouts, and expanded code, the Special/LE edition includes showdown modes, saloon brawls, and train heists that were never fully implemented in the original. It’s a spaghetti Western with a multiball—what’s not to love?

Gorgar – Williams, 1979

Ah, Gorgar—the first pinball machine to talk. Williams gave us a demon heart, thumping heartbeat audio, and seven spoken words (“Me got you” being the crowd favorite). Designed by Barry Oursler, this machine marked a huge moment in pinball evolution. No ramps, no multiballs—just raw early solid-state brutality. The magnetic snake pit in the center can be your best friend or worst enemy. Playing well on Gorgar means your fundamentals are solid.

Stranger Things (Premium) – Stern, 2019

This one’s loaded with gimmicks—and that’s part of the fun. From UV-reactive ink that lights up during “Upside Down” mode to a literal projector displaying animations on the center ramp, the Stranger Things Premium is a tribute to 1980s horror-meets-nostalgia-meets-shot-mapping. The Demogorgon bash toy is infamous for rejecting shots unless hit just right, making this game a favorite for players who love precision under pressure. It also features a rare triple-up multiball stacking system that’s as rewarding as it is risky.

KISS (Pro) – Stern, 2015

You might think it’s just a music pin, but the 2015 KISS Pro is secretly packed with tight rules and combo-friendly geometry. Designed by John Borg with art by the legendary Kevin O’Connor (who also worked on Flash Gordon, Medusa, The Addams Family), this machine gives players a blend of modern scoring strategies and old-school fan layout thrills. The game rewards fast decision-making and benefits from Stern’s famously smooth flow—if you don’t like the music, well… play better and drown it out.

Mata Hari – Bally, 1977

A wide release for Bally with one of the most distinctive backglasses in pinball. The game is named after the infamous WWI spy who was executed for espionage—pretty wild subject matter for a silverball machine, huh? Mata Hari is all drop targets and nudging finesse, with a symmetrical layout that rewards consistency. Its popularity helped pave the way for more mature themes in late ‘70s pinball, and it still holds up as a brutally honest player’s game. No frills, no second chances.

Honorable mentions go to The Addams Family (the most produced pinball machine in history), Spanish Eyes with its funky pop bumper layout and “zipper flippers,” and Jurassic Park Premium, which brought Keith Elwin’s signature combo-laden rules to a modern dino-flavored classic. You couldn’t turn around at this tournament without bumping into a legend.

From Zero to Hero: The Final Four

With 26 players in the mix and only six games to prove themselves, making the top four at Bonanza 4-1-25 was no easy feat. While seasoned vets were sprinkled throughout the field, the final standings had a surprise in store:

1. Jeff Lepine – Somehow, with zero IFPA events on record, Jeff walked into the room and walked out a winner. Beginner’s luck? Hidden skills? Clone of a top player? We may never know.
2. Garrett Smoke – With nearly a hundred events under his belt, Garrett’s second place was no fluke. Ranked 99th in the state, he’s clearly climbing.
3. Jason Phillabaum – Flying in from the 302nd state slot, Jason snagged third, reminding everyone that rankings are just numbers—sometimes even unlucky ones.
4. John Moschella – The highest-ranked player of the top four (30th in Florida), John from Winter Springs held his own all night and rounded things out with a strong fourth-place finish.

Florida’s Finest: The Current Top 10

Shannon Stafford still reigns supreme, but the middle of the pack is getting tighter. Between veterans holding on and newcomers like Garrett Smoke rising, Florida’s pinball scene is anything but static.

Final Thoughts from the Flipper Files

The Pinball Lounge – Bonanza 4-1-25 was a perfect mix of nostalgia, surprises, and solid gameplay. With machines spanning nearly five decades—from the EM quirks of Spanish Eyes to the code-complex madness of Jurassic Park Premium—this was a lineup built to test every style of player. Huge shout-out to Kurt van Zyl for organizing the chaos and to the Oviedo Bowling Center for continuing to be a real player’s destination.

And congrats again to Jeff Lepine, who may have just pulled off the stealthiest debut victory we’ve seen all year.

Stay tuned for more tournament recaps, deep dives into classic pins, and behind-the-scenes looks at the machines that make competitive pinball such a wild ride. The Bride of Pinbot is always watching… just don’t tilt.