Flipping Through the Ranks: Starfighters Monthly Knockout

The Starfighters Monthly tournament delivered a day of intense pinball competition, with 70 players going head-to-head in a Group Knockout format. Players faced off over 14 rounds, battling to avoid three strikes and elimination. This wasn’t just a friendly pinball match — each game was a fight to stay alive in the tournament. Under the blazing Arizona sun and clear 96°F skies, the competition inside Starfighters Arcade was even hotter.

With six and a half hours of non-stop action, it was a tournament to remember. Let’s dive into the standout moments, the fierce matchups, and those killer machines that brought the drama!

Starfighters Arcade: A Pinball Paradise

If you haven’t visited Starfighters Arcade in Mesa, you’re missing out. Found on Jasmine Street, this place is a retro gamer’s dream come true. Picture walls lined with pinball machines, plus a whole bunch of classic arcade games from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. It’s open on weekends, and for around $12, you can play to your heart’s content for hours. Not bad for an all-night pass, right?

What makes Starfighters so special isn’t just the variety (though with shooters, racers, and even Dance Dance Revolution, there’s no shortage of options) — it’s the mix of people. You’ll find die-hard pinballers competing on the latest Stern machines, right next to kids mastering their first game of Pac-Man. It’s a place where every generation finds their groove, and that’s what makes it so rad.

Deadpool Takes the Spotlight in Round 1

The standout match of the day? That happened in Round 1 on Deadpool (Pro) by Stern, where Randy Moore snagged the win. Deadpool is no stranger to high-energy action, and players got tangled up in the Mercenary Multiball mode, battling it out to take down the most targets. Randy, ranked 159th in the state, played like someone ready to upset the odds, keeping his calm through tough shots and precision play.

Will McKinney, fresh off a solid run, took second place. For someone ranked 17th in the state, it wasn’t shocking to see him pushing hard, but it was Randy’s day. Third place went to Henry Hanshaw, another top competitor with a strong showing in the early rounds. But things got tough for Mark Pearson, state rank 3rd, who faced the challenge of a relentless playfield and ended up in fourth. It just goes to show that even the top-ranked players can have a rough day when Deadpool’s in the mix.

A Lineup of Pinball Legends

No pinball tournament would be complete without an awesome lineup of machines, and Starfighters Monthly brought out the best of the best. Here’s a peek at a few of the fan favorites:

• Elvira and the Party Monsters by Bally (1989): This iconic game combines humor with spooky thrills, featuring Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark, in a fun, Halloween-themed adventure. The Party Monsters mode is a must-play, offering players a chance to rack up big points with ghoulish charm.
• Fathom (Mermaid) by Haggis Pinball (2022): A beautifully crafted game, the Mermaid edition of Fathom pays homage to the classic underwater-themed pin. It’s all about collecting pearls and unlocking the hidden treasures beneath the waves, creating intense strategic play.
• Disney TRON: Legacy by Stern (2011): With its neon lights and killer soundtrack, this machine pulls you straight into the digital world of TRON. The Quorra Multiball mode really kicks things up a notch, making it one of the most exciting machines on the floor.
• Creature from the Black Lagoon by Bally (1992): A tribute to 1950s drive-in horror flicks, this game is full of fun features, including a holographic creature that rises from the depths. Hitting the Snack Bar and collecting those retro film reels are the keys to big scores here.
• Whirlwind by Williams (1990): True to its name, Whirlwind is all about weathering the storm. Complete the spinner shots, trigger the fan on top, and get ready for the whirlwind to really shake things up.

Celebrating the Tournament Winners

The competition was fierce, but in the end, Will McKinney took home the top prize. Ranked 17th in the state and 151st in the nation, Will’s performance was a testament to his consistent skills across 298 IFPA events. Congratulations on claiming first place, Will!

Second place went to John Shopple from Mesa, who boasts an impressive state rank of 2nd and a national rank of 96th. John’s record of 417 IFPA events speaks to his experience, but he’ll surely be back aiming for the top spot next time.

Rounding out the top three was Brad Vogus, a Phoenix local, whose 19th state rank and 622nd IFPA rank show that he’s a player to keep an eye on. His strong finish proves he’s capable of climbing the ranks even further.

Finally, a big shout-out to Brian Pinney for clinching fourth place. Brian might have fewer tournaments under his belt (just 15 IFPA events), but his state rank of 39th is nothing to scoff at. With more tournaments in his future, expect him to be a serious contender!

Arizona IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping Up the Action

The Starfighters Monthly tournament was a whirlwind of excitement (pun intended), with top-notch competition, awesome pinball machines, and incredible play from all participants. A huge thank you to Kevin Curtis for organizing such a stellar event, and to Starfighters Arcade for hosting the tournament and keeping the pinball spirit alive.

Congrats again to Will McKinney for taking first place! Keep your eyes on the blog for the latest in pinball news, tournament recaps, and more. Until next time, flip on!