As the sun set on October 2, 2023, with clear skies and a warm ambiance of 85°F, the buzzing town of Arlington, Texas, witnessed yet another thrilling evening of pinball at Free Play Arlington. At 7 PM sharp, the crowd gathered, the flippers were readied, and the silver balls were set in motion.
Stepping Inside Free Play Arlington
For anyone stepping into Free Play Arcade for the first time, the sheer energy and nostalgia are tangible. “Best place ever!” claimed one visitor, praising the summer reading program and the venue’s cleanliness. With games ranging from the classics to the new-age pinball machines, the place is a paradise for gaming enthusiasts. Add to that, the warmth and efficiency of the staff, and it becomes an experience you’d want to relive.
A Glimpse of the Intense Semifinal
At the heart of the evening was the tense game on Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro). The game, which took the semifinalists a nail-biting 69 minutes, saw Greg Gibson from Plano, TX, clinching the top spot. Closely following him was Clark McCoy from Denton, TX, and the organizer Chris Delp from North Texas, with Garrett Shahan wrapping up the top four.
Saluting the Pinball Maestros
The tournament’s top contenders showcased a display of sheer skill, strategy, and passion. Emerging as the champion of the evening was Boss Hernandez from Corpus Christi, TX, followed by Clark McCoy. Duane Fair from Fort Worth secured the third spot, while Greg Gibson finished fourth. The evening also witnessed commendable performances from Steven McMullin, Chris Delp, Andrew Ortega, and Garrett Shahan.
The Machines that Made the Night
Among the 25 pinball machines, some garnered more attention than others:
- Iron Man (Vault): An exciting experience from 2014.
- Firepower: A classic from the 1980 era.
- Monster Bash (Remake): Bringing the monsters to life.
- Metallica (Pro): A rocking rendition from 2013.
- Attack from Mars: A space adventure from 1995.
- The Walking Dead (Pro): A thrilling zombie escape.
- Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends: A dive into the animated world from 1993.
- Rollergames: A high-speed challenge from 1990.
Top Pinballers in Texas
The current standings in Texas showcase a tight competition:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Revnew | The Woodlands | 501.1 |
| 2 | Garrett Shahan | Denton | 442.74 |
| 3 | Phil Grimaldi | Houston | 338.48 |
| 4 | Wesley Johnson | College Station | 327.53 |
| 5 | Fred Revnew | The Woodlands | 255.07 |
| 6 | Lee Balusek | Conroe | 254.5 |
| 7 | Brian Krivonak | Corpus Christi | 246.12 |
| 8 | Collier Whitefield | San Antonio | 227.23 |
| 9 | Kevin Rodriguez | Denton | 223.02 |
| 10 | Jim Mueller | Houston | 222.34 |
As the echoes of the flippers fade and the lights dim until the next showdown, the world of pinball remains as vibrant and dynamic as ever. Until next time, keep the ball rolling and the scores soaring!