Atomic Age Modern: Upsets, Classics, and a Curtis Comeback

On a scorching Friday night in downtown Mesa, the nostalgia-soaked walls of Atomic Age Modern buzzed with more than vintage neon. The air was thick with desert dust and tournament tension as 48 players stepped into the arcade-meets-midcentury-storefront for six intense rounds of group matchplay. With a lineup of 26 machines spanning five decades of pinball history, this tournament wasn’t just a competition—it was a generational clash of flippers and strategy.

Shock in the Shadows: Elvira Strikes Again

It didn’t take long for the night’s biggest surprise to rise from the crypt.

In Round 1, the spotlight turned red on Elvira’s House of Horrors (LE)—a game dripping in spooky style and sarcastic camp. Players faced the usual challenge: complete Elvira’s scenes, hit the ramps for hurry-ups, and don’t let the House eat you alive. But what no one expected was who would walk away the victor.

Kyle Bear, ranked 16,102 in the world and 650th in Arizona, stepped into the mansion with nothing to lose. Across from him? John Magyar—Arizona’s #17 and a regular on IFPA leaderboards. Elvira’s game modes demand precision and guts, and Kyle brought both, nailing hurry-ups and capitalizing on every scoring opportunity while the others stumbled through the haunted madness.

Denise and Chris Peseri kept things tight in the middle of the pack, but the real shock came when Kyle lit the final mode, took the house jackpot, and posted a score that left jaws (and probably a few egos) on the floor. John, expected by many to win the whole event, walked away with a humbling third-place finish in the match.

Every tournament has that one game that flips the script. This one just happened to be hosted by a horror hostess with a coffin full of curveballs

Mid-Tournament Maneuvers

By the halfway point, a few names started to separate themselves from the pack. Gabrielle Craft—quiet but consistent—scored multiple group wins on games like Dolly Parton and Firepower, climbing steadily into the top 4. Meanwhile, Stephen Shufran leaned on familiarity with early solid-state games like Flight 2000, delivering second-place finishes that kept him just ahead of a dense middle field.

But it was Matt JohnsonAZ who made the boldest leap. Sitting outside the top 2000 in the rankings, JohnsonAZ found his rhythm on Stars, a notoriously punishing machine. His first-place finish there in Round 6 catapulted him past stronger-ranked players and locked in his second-place finish overall.

Curtis Finds His Groove

There’s a reason Kevin Curtis has logged nearly 250 IFPA events—he knows how to read a machine like sheet music. On Friday night, with the dust swirling and the flippers snapping, the Mesa veteran put on a masterclass in composure and control.

Ranked just inside the IFPA Top 500 and sitting at 15th in the state, Kevin didn’t dominate every round. He didn’t have to. He played smart, capitalized when others overextended, and—true to form—never let a bad bounce snowball. His deep experience showed on classics like Magic and modern beasts like Foo Fighters, where strategic multiball timing and clean combos pushed him ahead in group standings.

This wasn’t just another notch on his pinball belt—it was a reaffirmation that Curtis is still one of Arizona’s most complete players. You can throw new titles, new challengers, and even 100-degree weather at him, but if there’s a groove to be found, he’ll lock into it.

How the Machines Mattered

With 26 machines in rotation, diversity was both an advantage and a trap. Modern machines like Godzilla (Pro) and Rush (Pro) favored combo players who could build momentum, while older titles like Strikes and Spares and Mata Hari punished even minor errors. The combination meant every round demanded a mental reset.

Some surprises emerged in usage trends. Strikes and Spares—a 1978 Bally with a deceptively smooth layout—saw more play than anticipated and generated big point swings. Stars became a late-round proving ground, its short ball times amplifying the pressure.

But perhaps the most telling machine of the night was Dolly Parton. It featured in more deciding matches than any other game and served as a stage for both Gabrielle Craft and Kevin Curtis to notch pivotal wins.

Atomic Atmosphere

Owned and operated by Bob and Amanda, this family-run shop brings together mid-century furniture, vinyl records, and—most importantly—a rotating collection of meticulously maintained pinball machines. For tournament nights like this one, Atomic Age really leans into the party atmosphere. Entry is just a buck plus drop coins, and the vibe stays welcoming to beginners or seasoned players alike. The free-play layout lets people chew through rounds, spectate matches, and swap stories between games—all illuminated by neon lights and the occasional flipping ball clang. Plus, as many locals noted, it’s compact enough to feel buzzing and communal—lots of action on the floor, frequent machine lineups, and people cheering each other on. The owners’ knowledge shines through when troubleshooting machines or giving setup tips, keeping everything running smooth through 2 hours and 54 minutes of competition.

Climbing the Ranks: The Top Four Who Ruled the Night

They faced off across six rounds, on 26 machines, in triple-digit heat—and still managed to rise above the chaos. Each of these top four brought their own flavor of competitive fire to the night at Atomic Age Modern:

1st – Kevin Curtis (Mesa, AZ)
One of Arizona’s most experienced and consistent players, Kevin brought all 247 of his past IFPA events to bear on this run. At IFPA #483, he’s been a quiet fixture of the local scene for nearly a decade. His calm under pressure and versatility across modern and classic machines helped him edge out the field, with another first-place finish that reinforces his rep as Mesa’s master of matchplay.

2nd – Matt JohnsonAZ (Mesa, AZ)
Matt’s showing wasn’t just strong—it was a breakout. Ranked just outside the state’s top 200 and with only 66 IFPA events under his belt, this performance marked his best finish yet. What he may lack in years active (just three so far), he made up for in sharp reads, consistent scoring, and a knack for staying above the bubble in tightly contested groups. The local scene better take note.

3rd – Stephen Shufran (Chandler, AZ)
A player with solid credentials and a sneaky-high ceiling, Stephen has hovered in the middle ranks for years—but tonight, he played like a finals regular. With 140 tournaments to draw from and a state ranking in the 60s, he demonstrated how experience can turn close games into decisive wins. His third-place finish adds to a growing list of Top 3 placements over the past few years.

4th – Gabrielle Craft
Don’t let the IFPA #9907 fool you—Gabrielle has been climbing fast. With only 37 events on her resume, this was a statement night. Her path to fourth included games against far more seasoned opponents, but she played with a boldness and game sense that suggest this won’t be the last time we see her in a final group. A rising star if ever there was one.

Arizona IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Whether you came to flip or just to soak in the vintage vibes, Atomic Age Modern delivered a scorcher of a night—dust, drama, and all. Huge thanks to Bob Kennedy for running a tight ship, and to the entire Atomic Age crew for curating a machine lineup that challenged even the most seasoned players. With upsets like Kyle Bear’s Elvira takedown reminding us that anything can happen on any game, this tournament was a testament to why we show up week after week: the thrill, the community, and the unpredictable magic of pinball. Keep your eyes on the flippers and your browser pointed at AtomicAgeModern.com/pinball for more events, updates, and the next round of Arizona pinball action. See you out there—same tilt time, same tilt channel.