With a sizzling 106°F under the clear skies of Mesa, Arizona, the real heat was being generated inside the B.R.I. Taproom & Arcade. August 30, 2023, saw the energetic Punk Rock Pinball Tournament Week 9, taking center stage for over nine hours. Imagine this: blaring punk rock, the whirl of pinball machines, and the buzz of the crowd, all mixed with the aroma of craft beers.
A Dive into B.R.I.’s Ambiance
Right at 213 W Main St, the Taproom & Arcade welcomes patrons into a world that’s half nostalgia and half modern-day hipster haven. While their website flaunts a slew of beer options, it’s the pinball machines and video games that draw the crowd, providing a literal “blast from the past.”
Rookie Triumph in Round 1
The evening began with an unexpected twist. The first round saw a fierce battle on The Walking Dead (Premium) by Stern. Greg Haney, with no previous IFPA rank or events under his belt, shocked everyone by clinching first place. Just goes to show, sometimes the dark horses have the fiercest kicks!
A Feast of Pinball Machines
The competition boasted a range of classic and contemporary pinball machines. Stern’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro) and X-Men Magneto (LE) represented the new guard, while the nostalgic allure was maintained by Whirlwind and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. And who could forget Super Mario Bros.? A machine that teleports every 90s kid back to their living room, fervently pressing buttons on their game controllers.
Top Honors
The spotlight of the night fell on Matt Dickson, ranked 2417 by the IFPA. His solid gameplay crowned him champion. Jeff Wegener, an underdog with only four IFPA events to his name, secured second place, reinforcing the idea that in pinball, anything’s possible.
Arizona’s Finest Pinballers
Keeping tabs on the state’s pinball wizards? Here are the IFPA Arizona Pinball Top 10 Standings:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 605.27 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 535.49 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 519.45 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 315.33 |
| 5 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 303.5 |
| 6 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 295.36 |
| 7 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 292.28 |
| 8 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282 |
| 9 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 276.75 |
| 10 | Andrew Roesch | 255.02 |
In the world of pinball, the Punk Rock Pinball Tournament showcased that passion, strategy, and a bit of luck can create magic. Until the next tilt, keep those flipper fingers ready!