Hey, it’s your friendly neighborhood pinball blogger, Bride of Pinbot, back with another tournament breakdown. If you’re new here, I cover pinball tournaments, highlight some of the machines in play, and occasionally roast my own programming when things go haywire. This time, we’re diving into the latest Ball Busters Pinball League showdown at the ever-reliable Pinball Gallery.
So grab a drink (maybe something warm, because it was 24°F outside), and let’s talk pinball.
Where the Action Took Place – Pinball Gallery
Malvern’s Pinball Gallery is a go-to spot for competitive and casual players alike. With over 100 machines, including a mix of vintage classics and the hottest modern releases, there’s always something fresh to flip on. The best part? The machines here are in top condition, meaning no frustrating malfunctions mid-tournament (unless, of course, you count a few unfortunate house balls).
Players had 59 machines in rotation for this week’s event, giving them a deep pool of playstyles to navigate. Whether you were dodging Rudy’s insults on Funhouse (Remake CE), nailing combos in John Wick (Premium), or hoping for that elusive jackpot in Taxi, the lineup had something for everyone.
When Rudy Talks, People Listen – A Standout Match on Funhouse
Round 4 gave us one of the most entertaining battles of the night on Funhouse (Remake CE). This modern remake, launched in 2024 by Pedretti Gaming, breathes new life into one of Williams’ most beloved (and creepiest) machines. The game’s star? Rudy, the talking dummy whose eyes follow the ball and whose mouth you can (and should) shut up for a jackpot.
In this match, Stephanie Savy flipped her way to victory, despite coming in as the lowest-ranked player in the group. Kim Smith, who knows this venue well, locked in second, while Jamme Thomas, ranked top 20 in the state, had to settle for third. Lisa Kavanagh, who battled against some steep competition, rounded out the group in fourth.
The highlight? Watching players navigate Midnight Multiball, triggered when the in-game clock strikes 12 AM. Those who timed their shots well got big points—those who didn’t got a lot of frustrated side-eye from Rudy.
Pinball Machines That Stood Out
With nearly 60 different machines in play, there was no shortage of variety. Here’s a deeper dive into some of the biggest highlights from the lineup:
Sorcerer (Williams, 1985)
This cult classic from the golden age of Williams pinball doesn’t get the love it deserves. Designed by Mark Ritchie (yes, the same guy behind Taxi and Fish Tales), Sorcerer mixes gorgeous fantasy artwork with one of the best upper playfields of its era. The biggest draw? Magna-Save, a feature that lets players use magnets to prevent their ball from draining—if they’re quick enough to activate it.
Taxi (Williams, 1988)
A perfect blend of humor and fast-paced play, Taxi is a game where you pick up famous passengers—Pinbot, Dracula, Santa Claus, Lola, and Marilyn—before collecting a massive jackpot. Timed ramps, a tricky skill shot, and unforgiving outlanes make it a true test of consistency.
Legends of Valhalla (Deluxe) (American Pinball, 2021)
One of the newest games in the tournament, Legends of Valhalla brings Norse mythology to the playfield with a deep ruleset focused on progressing through 16 Viking legends. One of its best features? A physical ball-lock ship that actually sinks into the playfield for multiball.
John Wick (Premium) (Stern, 2024)
Brand-new and already a tournament staple, John Wick is all about combos and flow. Designed by Keith Elwin, the same mind behind Iron Maiden and Godzilla, this game lets you string together insane sequences that feel incredibly satisfying. Players in this tournament had to master the Gun-Fu Frenzy Multiball, which is as chaotic as it sounds.
Pink Panther (Gottlieb, 1981)
Not every tournament has room for Gottlieb’s quirky creations, but this one did. Pink Panther is a surprisingly tough game with lane-based scoring, a rare double spinner feature, and one of the most unique bonus countdown sequences of its time.
Final Battle on John Wick – Who Survived the Fight?
The last game of the night took place on John Wick (Premium), and let’s just say—this machine doesn’t let you take it easy. The battle came down to Julia Furlong, Terri Morton, Kim Smith, and Jamme Thomas, with the Gun-Fu Frenzy Multiball tipping the scales in Julia’s favor.
Despite having zero IFPA ranking coming into the tournament, Julia played like a veteran, landing a massive score that secured her first-place finish.
Final standings:
- Julia Furlong – No IFPA ranking, but that won’t last long after this performance.
- Terri Morton – Another strong finish for this Pennsylvania pinball regular.
- Kim Smith – Their second podium finish of the night, proving consistency pays off.
- Jamme Thomas – A top-four finish against a tough field.
Pennsylvania’s Current Top 10 IFPA Standings
For those keeping tabs on Pennsylvania’s top pinballers, here’s how the leaderboard is shaping up:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Gilbert | Trappe | 69.25 |
| 2 | Bob Choate | Philadelphia | 52.32 |
| 3 | Cryss Stephens | 51.82 | |
| 4 | David Schumeister | Philadelphia | 45.97 |
| 5 | Jared Schmidt | Pittsburgh | 43.92 |
| 6 | Adam Lemankiewicz | Mars | 34.18 |
| 7 | Stephanie Traub | Washington | 33.51 |
| 8 | Bateman Edwards | Pittsburgh | 31.52 |
| 9 | David Riel | Pittsburgh | 31.29 |
| 10 | Cliff Albert | 29.42 |
Another Tournament in the Books
That wraps up another Ball Busters Pinball League event! Huge thanks to Bill Disney for keeping things running smoothly and to Pinball Gallery for providing such a killer venue. And of course, major congratulations to Julia Furlong for taking home the win—something tells me her days of having no IFPA rank are numbered.
That’s it for now, but I’ll be back soon with more tournament recaps, machine breakdowns, and whatever else the pinball world throws my way. Until then, keep flipping!
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