High-Speed Battles at District 82’s Tilt’n Tuesday Tournament

The latest Tilt’n Tuesday at District 82 brought 66 players into the fray, kicking off on January 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. For nearly three hours, flippers snapped, bumpers flashed, and skill shots were tested as competitors navigated a four-round, two-game-per-round gauntlet. With clear skies and a crisp 38°F temperature (feeling like 27°F), it was the kind of night where the only thing colder than the Wisconsin air was a drained ball at the worst possible moment.

The Legendary District 82 Pinball Arcade

Located at 800 O’Keefe Road in De Pere, Wisconsin, District 82 is a pinball powerhouse that draws competitors from all over the country. Players don’t just come for the high-level competition—they come for one of the best-maintained collections of tournament-ready machines in the country. Erik Thoren, the mastermind behind the venue, ensures that every event runs like clockwork. Whether you’re a seasoned IFPA warrior or a newcomer just testing the waters, District 82 delivers an unforgettable experience.

Smashing Through Round 1 on Demolition Man

With Demolition Man celebrating its 31st anniversary this February, it made the perfect opening challenge for Round 1. Designed by Dennis Nordman and released by Williams in 1994, this widebody pin features fast-flowing ramps, multiple flipper options, and one of the most unique control setups in pinball.

Unlike most pins, Demolition Man allows players to use cabinet-mounted gun handles instead of standard flipper buttons. This alters gameplay significantly, as using the handles doubles the combo bonus. However, in a tournament setting, many players stick to the standard flippers for better precision and shot accuracy.

The key to putting up a strong score on Demolition Man comes down to two main strategies:

1. Stacking Combos for Big Points – The game heavily rewards combo shots, which means keeping the ball moving smoothly between ramps and orbits. The left and right ramps are essential for building score quickly, and skilled players will try to chain multiple shots together to maximize bonuses.
2. Choosing the Right Multiball – There are four different multiball modes, but the easiest and highest-scoring option is activated through the Cryo-Claw. When a player gets control of the claw, selecting Prison Break lights all three multiball locks at once, creating a massive scoring opportunity.

In Round 1 of Tilt’n Tuesday, Joe Schoenebeck executed a strong game plan, maintaining consistent combos and managing multiball effectively to take the win. Joe Reynolds, Arleen Prins-Slotboom, and Jeff Kowalchuk followed close behind, each navigating the Demolition Man challenge in their own way.

For players looking to sharpen their skills on Demolition Man, the biggest lesson from this match is clear: keep your combo game strong, select your multiball wisely, and don’t be afraid to experiment with the handles if it fits your playstyle.

Classic Pins That Stood Out in the Lineup

With 112 different machines in play, a few standout titles drew attention:

• Gorgar (Williams, 1979) – The first talking pinball machine, Gorgar is famous for its seven-word vocabulary, pulsing heartbeat sound, and brutally simple gameplay. No ball saves, no mercy—just pure, punishing early solid-state action.
• The Shadow (Bally, 1994) – Featuring player-controlled diverters, a highly challenging upper playfield, and a lock-stealing feature that can turn the tide of a match, The Shadow forces players to think ahead rather than just flip away.
• Lectronamo (Stern Electronics, 1978) – A pure bonus-building game where precision on drop targets is key. Miss your shots, and the ball finds its way to the outlanes before you can even blink.
• Iron Man Vault (Stern, 2014) – This game is all about survival. Between the relentless Iron Monger and brutal magnet traps, it’s a fast, dangerous tournament machine that punishes hesitation.
• WWF Royal Rumble (Data East, 1994) – A game that lives up to the chaos of a real Royal Rumble match. With slam ramps, timed tag-ins, and a packed playfield, it’s an exciting but unpredictable tournament game.
• Fish Tales (Williams, 1992) – Fast, demanding, and merciless. Players need to hit ramps efficiently while avoiding the risky center shots that send the ball screaming toward the outlanes.

A High-Speed Finish on F-14 Tomcat

As the final match arrived, the last battle was fought on F-14 Tomcat (Williams, 1987)—a blazing-fast, multiball-heavy machine that forces players into high-speed decisions. With red, white, and blue flashers lighting up the playfield and one of the most intense multiball sequences ever designed, F-14 makes for a thrilling but unforgiving tournament closer.

Kassidy Milanowski, ranked second in the state, put her experience to work by mastering the rapid loop shots and controlling multiball chaos, securing the win. Erik Thoren, the mastermind behind District 82, held strong in second place, while Rick Petit took third, and Ryan Eggers landed in fourth.

Wisconsin IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Closing Out Another Thrilling Tilt’n Tuesday

Tilt’n Tuesday once again delivered a night of intense competition, skilled play, and dramatic finishes at District 82. Huge congratulations to Kassidy Milanowski, whose victory cements her as one of Wisconsin’s top competitors. And a big shout-out to Erik Thoren for not only finishing second place but for also running one of the best tournament venues in the country.

Want to test your skills at the next Tilt’n Tuesday? Check out District 82 Pinball for upcoming events and tournament schedules!