As the sun began to dip on September 11, 2023, at 6:30 PM, a select group of pinball enthusiasts were drawn to an undisclosed location somewhere in the heart of Arizona. The reason? To partake in the Player 1 Arcade 2023 S3A #5 pinball tournament, a clandestine contest of skill, strategy, and a dash of luck.
Under the Arizona Sky: Where?
Organized by the mysterious Jim Smith, the exact venue remains unknown to the general populace. Perhaps it was a secret underground lair, a cactus grove, or even atop a mesa. One thing’s for sure: next time, we’re hoping Jim updates MatchPlay with the location, so we’re not left in suspense!
The Arcade Lineup: Old Meets New
The machines present at the tournament were a mix of classics and new kids on the block:
- Black Pyramid by Bally: A throwback to 1984, where the pyramids, pharaohs, and ancient deities ruled.
- Guardians of the Galaxy by Stern: Space adventure and superhero drama combined in this 2017 release, also the spotlight of the tourney’s Round 5.
- James Bond 007 (Premium) by Stern: A relatively new game from 2022, filled with espionage and adrenaline-pumping chases.
- Led Zeppelin (Pro) by Stern: An electric ride with one of the world’s most iconic rock bands, from 2020.
- Godzilla (Premium) by Stern: Last but not least, the giant monster unleashed in 2021!
Guardians of the Round 5 Universe
In the standout game of Round 5, it was all about navigating the vastness of the universe on the Guardians of the Galaxy machine. Ryland Knapp took the lead, followed by Kevin Ehlers, and then the event’s very own organizer, Jim Smith AZ from Phoenix. Robert Paluc completed the top four.
Desert Kings and Queens of Pinball
A huge shout-out to the tournament’s pinball prodigies:
- Joey Rio: Surprising the crowds with his stellar gameplay, earning the top spot.
- Mark Pearson: With an experience of 527 IFPA events, he showed why he’s among the best.
- Mary Profeta Scardina: Precision and finesse got her to third place.
- Kevin Ehlers: After his performance in Round 5, he cemented his place in the top four.
Arizona’s Best Pinball Virtuosos
Behold, the IFPA Arizona Pinball Top 10:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 660.87 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 588.61 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 570.08 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 352.83 |
| 5 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 321.39 |
| 6 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 312.27 |
| 7 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 307.65 |
| 8 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 306.34 |
| 9 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282 |
| 10 | Walter dony | Phoenix | 281.41 |
Until We Flip Again
With the balls resting and the lights dimming, another exciting chapter of pinball in Arizona came to a close. Wherever the next hidden location may be, we’re eager to be part of the magic once again.
Keep those fingers nimble and eyes peeled for more pinball news and updates!