Turtles, Tilts, and a Tuesday Throwdown at Level 1 Mesa

When the forecast says “overcast and 69 degrees,” you know it’s prime pinball weather. On March 12th, Level 1 Arcade Bar in Mesa brought the local scene together for week six of their ongoing Tuesday night tournament series. With 19 players and four rapid-fire rounds, it was a tight and competitive evening, clocking in at just around an hour and a half of non-stop flips, tilts, and bonus counts.

Level 1: Where the pins actually work

Let’s be honest—there’s nothing worse than driving across town for a tournament, only to find half the machines out of order or clinging to life by a duct-taped flipper. That’s not the case at Level 1 Arcade Bar in Mesa. This spot takes pride in its lineup, and based on recent reports, the pins here are flawless. We’re talking clean playfields, working features, and tight tilts.

The lineup favors a mix of golden-era Williams/Bally greatness with some of Stern’s best modern releases. If you’re into high-speed combos or theme-heavy fan layouts, you’re in the right place. And bonus—there’s a solid draft list and a welcoming vibe for families and pinheads alike.

Turtle power and tournament pressure

One of the highlights of the night hit in Round 3, when four players squared off on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Premium/LE)—Stern’s kinetic 2020 release designed by John Borg. This game is a wild ride of upper flippers, steep ramps, and timed modes that reward quick reflexes over deliberate planning.

Set in the TMNT universe with art by Zombie Yeti and voice work that feels like a Saturday morning cartoon fever dream, the game brings co-op and team play options that are rarely seen in pinball. But in this tournament, it was every turtle for themselves.

Russell Woodworth came out swinging (or spinning nunchucks?) and edged out a win against Dalton Wetzel, Alex Phillips, and Adan Gonzalez. Not bad for a group of unranked players—just a couple more turtle battles and these guys might crack into the IFPA radar.

The pins that brought the party

Let’s talk about the heart of the tournament—the games. Level 1 brought 15 pins into the arena, and here are five that not only stood out but carried some serious pinball pedigree.

Godzilla (Premium/LE) – Released in 2021, this Keith Elwin-designed marvel is already considered a modern classic. With a collapsing building toy, a pulsing heat ray effect, and the most satisfying loop combo in recent memory, Godzilla is both challenging and addictively smooth. Fun fact: this machine swept the 2022 TWIPY awards, taking home Game of the Year and nearly every other category. Yes, it’s that good.

Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (Williams, 1993) – This machine is the first to feature Williams’ “Path of Adventure,” a tilting mini playfield that lets you nudge your way through traps. Designed by Mark Ritchie, it was released at the peak of Williams’ DMD dominance and packs in references from all three original Indy films. It also features one of the most beloved (and sometimes brutal) multiballs in pinball history. In short, this machine whips.

Stranger Things (Premium) – Stern’s 2019 release came out with a bit of a fizzle at launch but aged surprisingly well, thanks to deep code updates and a UV kit that reveals hidden playfield art. With its Demogorgon shot (a love-it-or-hate-it ramp-to-boss hit) and kinetic projector-based visuals, it’s a game that leans hard into theme immersion. It’s also one of the few Stern titles that challenges players to “complete” a story arc rather than just chasing score.

No Fear: Dangerous Sports (Williams, 1995) – Designed by Steve Ritchie, the “King of Flow,” this game is like getting punched in the face with adrenaline. Featuring a jump ramp, an animated talking skull, and quotes that dare you to be reckless, it reflects the mid-’90s extreme sports craze. While No Fear was never a huge commercial hit, its unique gameplay has earned it cult status among players who love a fast, unforgiving game.

JAWS (Premium) – One of Stern’s most recent releases (January 2024), JAWS has made a splash (sorry) in tournament play thanks to its precision-heavy design and impressive light show. The layout was designed by Keith Elwin—yes, again—and the software lets you stalk and hunt the shark through various movie-inspired modes. It’s got that Elwin touch: challenging geometry that rewards control and punishes sloppy play. Early reviews are calling it the best licensed Stern in years.

Climbing the leaderboard

With 19 players battling it out, it wasn’t just about surviving; it was about thriving under pressure. Here’s how the top four shook out:

1. Kevin Burns – Ranked 77th in Arizona and sitting at 1,889 in the world, Kevin played like a man with 213 tournaments under his belt. Experience won the day.
2. Mike Wozniak – IFPA unranked, but that didn’t stop him from rising to second. Someone’s clearly been putting in practice hours.
3. Jeff Janoski – Hailing from Gilbert, Jeff’s 49-event history and state rank of 309th didn’t stop him from cracking into the top three. Not bad for a casual killer.
4. Shawn Barnett – With 185 events and a ranking of 118th in Arizona, Shawn rounded out the top with consistent play across the board.

Arizona’s top 10 flipper freaks

Thanks for the flips and the fun

Big thanks to Scott Goldsmith for keeping the format snappy and stress-free, and to Level 1 Mesa for offering a lineup that’s equal parts nostalgia trip and modern challenge. And of course, congrats to Kevin Burns for his hard-fought win—it’s always nice to see consistency and tournament stamina rewarded.

That’s it for this week! We’ll be back with more pinball matchups, machine deep dives, and player highlights soon. Until then, keep your flippers clean and your tilts gentle.