Tilted but Victorious: The Biggest Moments from the Atomic Age Modern Tournament

On a clear, warm evening in Mesa, Arizona, pinball players gathered for the Atomic Age Modern Group Match Play tournament. Hosted at Atomic Age Modern on February 7, 2025, this event saw 32 competitors battle through six rounds in a fast-paced, nearly four-hour contest. Organized by Bob Kennedy, the tournament showcased a variety of machines, thrilling matchups, and a few upsets that kept everyone on edge.

Where Pinball Meets Vintage Cool

Nestled in downtown Mesa at 140 W Main St, Atomic Age Modern is more than just a pinball venue—it’s a retro paradise. This shop specializes in carefully curated vintage furniture, with a selection that’s as stylish as it is nostalgic. But for pinball fans, the real draw is the impeccably maintained pinball lineup, with machines both for sale and play. Tournaments are a regular weekend event, and with a convenient change machine on-site, it’s always easy to get in a few extra flips. Whether you’re here to play, shop, or just soak in the mid-century atmosphere, this spot is a must-visit.

The Mutant Multiball Showdown

The most intense game of the night went down in Round 6 on Stern’s The Uncanny X-Men (Pro), released in September 2024. This game, inspired by Marvel’s legendary comic book team, features fast-paced, combo-heavy gameplay, with an emphasis on stacking modes and hitting key shots to activate Mutant Multiball. Players must strategically utilize character-specific perks to maximize their scoring potential.

Robert Kennedy, a local competitor familiar with Atomic Age Modern’s lineup, played an exceptional game, taking advantage of his deep knowledge of the machine’s risky but high-reward shots. Though not the highest-ranked player in the match, his ability to consistently activate multiball modes allowed him to dominate the final minutes of the game. Conrad Betti, a player with more tournament experience, stayed competitive with his steady control and sharp shooting but couldn’t quite overcome Kennedy’s aggressive strategy. Geoff Bennett, who has seen success in larger tournaments, struggled with ball control early on but managed to lock in third place with a strong final round. John Magyar, one of the top-ranked players in the state, had an uncharacteristically tough match, missing crucial shots that cost him the podium. Just goes to show—sometimes, local knowledge beats the rankings.

A Stellar Lineup of Pinball Machines

With 21 machines in rotation, the tournament had no shortage of variety. Here are a few standout pins:

• Dolly Parton (Bally, 1978) – Designed by George Christian with artwork by Dave Christensen, this early solid-state game features a charming country music theme and was one of the first licensed pins. Its classic Bally layout includes drop targets, spinners, and a challenging bonus multiplier, making it deceptively tough despite its friendly theme.
• The Party Zone (Bally, 1991) – This Dennis Nordman design is a wild mash-up of Bally’s past hits, including Dr. Dude, Elvira and the Party Monsters, and Party Animal. With its hilarious callouts, dancing robot DJ, and an unusual layout, this game is a fan-favorite for its personality and chaotic gameplay.
• Foo Fighters (Premium) (Stern, 2023) – One of the most beloved modern games, designed by Jack Danger, this machine boasts fast, flowing shots with a unique upper playfield and an original sci-fi storyline. The band’s music drives the rhythm of gameplay, making it one of the most engaging experiences in competitive play.
• Deadpool (Pro) (Stern, 2018) – Designed by George Gomez, Deadpool brings sharp humor, high-speed action, and a fantastic katana-ramp combo. The game features fun, interactive toys like the Lil’ Deadpool bash toy, as well as brutally fast shots, rewarding accuracy and timing.
• Black Knight (Williams, 1980) & Firepower (Williams, 1980) – A Steve Ritchie double feature! Black Knight introduced the first-ever two-level playfield, complete with magna-save to help players recover their ball. Meanwhile, Firepower was groundbreaking for being one of the first games to incorporate multiball and lane change features, setting a new standard for pinball innovation.
• Evel Knievel (Bally, 1977) – This classic Bally design pays homage to the legendary stunt performer. It features symmetrical playfield design, inline drop targets, and a challenging spinner shot, making it a tough but rewarding game.
• Metallica Remastered (Premium) (Stern, 2024) – The remastered version of Stern’s iconic Metallica pin includes updated art and lighting, plus a few new features while retaining the high-energy gameplay and brutal shot difficulty of the original.
• Cactus Canyon (Remake Special) (Chicago Gaming, 2021) – This remake of the 1998 Bally classic brings back the hilarious Wild West theme and adds modernized features, including an improved interactive shootout mode.

Who Took Home the Trophy?

A big congratulations to the top four competitors who battled their way through the field:

• 🥇 Paul Hoeprich, who has steadily climbed the Arizona pinball ranks, showed consistency and focus to take first place. Despite not being the highest-ranked player in the field, his ability to capitalize on opportunities and avoid costly mistakes made the difference in the final rounds.
• 🥈 Russ Wonnacott, an unknown in the competitive pinball world, made an incredible debut performance. Coming in without any prior IFPA tournament history, he turned heads by keeping pace with seasoned players, proving that raw talent can go a long way.
• 🥉 Robert Kennedy, the tournament organizer, played impressively throughout the night, leveraging his deep understanding of the machines to edge out tougher competition. His ability to handle pressure and read each machine’s quirks earned him a well-deserved third-place finish.
• 🏅 Mark Lindbergh, a veteran competitor with extensive tournament experience, fought his way into the top four. Though he didn’t clinch a podium spot, his steady playstyle and adaptability ensured a strong finish.

Wrapping It Up

The Atomic Age Modern Group Match Play was a fantastic event, bringing together players of all skill levels for a night of competitive fun. A big thanks to Bob Kennedy for running a seamless tournament and to Atomic Age Modern for hosting in their stellar venue. Congratulations to Paul Hoeprich for the big win!

Want to get in on the action? Keep an eye on upcoming events at Atomic Age Modern by visiting https://www.atomicagemodern.com/pinball.

Stay tuned for more pinball tournament coverage, machine highlights, and all things silverball!