Dustin Goldbarg Takes the Crown at Slingshot Monthly

On a pleasantly mild Sunday, March 9, 2025, with temperatures hovering around 68°F and just a few clouds dotting the San Jose sky, pinball players gathered for the Slingshot Monthly Tournament – March. Hosted by Blame It On The Drain Pinball, this five-round battle featured 45 players, each tackling a single game per round over nearly four hours of non-stop flipper action.

Game On Pinball: Where Machines Shine and Players Compete

Tucked into the corner of a complex at 460 Lincoln Ave #70 in San Jose, Game On Pinball isn’t just a venue—it’s a carefully curated pinball paradise. Featuring an ever-rotating selection of classics and modern machines, it’s the go-to spot for South Bay players. The lineup here is known for being meticulously maintained, with everything playing as smoothly as the day it rolled off the production line.

For those who like to mix their flippers with a cold pint, Hapa Brewing is right next door, making this the perfect pre-tournament pit stop.

Round 4 Spotlight: Led Zeppelin and the Flippers That Rocked

Round 4 brought one of the day’s most intense battles as players squared off on Led Zeppelin (Premium/LE), Stern’s 2020 tribute to the legendary rock band. This machine stands out for its pure, no-frills pinball action, a throwback to fast-flowing designs reminiscent of Steve Ritchie’s classic works. While modern Stern machines often feature deep rule sets with extensive objectives, Led Zeppelin is all about speed and shot execution.

The game’s Electric Magic Spinner—a central toy that raises and lowers to change gameplay—proved to be a key factor in this round. Tim Hansen managed to time his shots perfectly, racking up major points during “Whole Lotta Love” Multiball and using the spinner’s ability to lock in massive jackpots. Dustin Goldbarg, never one to shy away from aggressive play, stayed in the race by chaining together song modes with razor-sharp accuracy but fell just short in the end. Meanwhile, Brandon DuBois surprised everyone by keeping pace with higher-ranked players, showcasing the importance of adaptability on a machine that punishes hesitation.

Pinball Machines That Stole the Spotlight

With 40 machines in the tournament lineup, players had a mix of fan-favorite modern machines and historically significant titles to test their skills on. Here’s a deeper dive into the ones that stood out.

The Munsters (Pro) – Stern (2019)

A nostalgic trip back to 1313 Mockingbird Lane, this game pays homage to the classic 1960s sitcom. Designed by John Borg, it features a unique lower playfield that represents Grandpa Munster’s laboratory. While the game was initially met with mixed reactions—some players wanted a deeper rule set—it has since gained a cult following thanks to its fast gameplay and stunning hand-drawn artwork by Christopher Franchi.

Avengers: Infinity Quest (Premium/LE) – Stern (2020)

One of Stern’s more strategic, mode-based games, Avengers: Infinity Quest challenges players to collect the six Infinity Stones across different battles. Designed by Keith Elwin—who, by the way, was a legendary competitive pinball player before turning to game design—this machine is packed with tight ramp shots, a complex portal lock system, and a spinning disc that alters gameplay. The depth of this game rewards players who plan their shots, which is why it continues to be a mainstay in competitive play.

Pirates of the Caribbean – Jersey Jack Pinball (2018)

When Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) announced Pirates of the Caribbean, expectations were sky-high. Designed by Eric Meunier, the game featured an incredibly ambitious layout, with a moving pirate ship, multiple playfields, and 22 different character-based play styles that change how the game plays. However, it also had a rocky production history—JJP ended up producing fewer units than anticipated, making it one of the rarest modern machines. Despite that, it remains one of the most mechanically innovative games of the last decade.

Batman 66 (Premium) – Stern (2016)

A quirky and colorful tribute to Adam West’s Batman, this was Stern’s first game to feature their new LCD display system, replacing the dot-matrix animations of previous games. The game itself was a reworking of 1991’s Batman: The Dark Knight, with new rules, deeper gameplay, and an episodic mode structure.

Deadpool (Pro) – Stern (2018)

If there was an award for most entertaining pinball callouts, Deadpool would win. Featuring custom voice work by Nolan North, the game combines humor with classic pinball action. Designed by George Gomez, Deadpool was heavily inspired by classic Bally/Williams-style layouts, featuring tight orbit shots, a katana ball lock, and a satisfying combo system.

Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Premium) – Stern (2019)

The Black Knight returned with vengeance in 2019, bringing Steve Ritchie’s legendary character back to life. Known for its brutally fast gameplay and the return of the Magna-Save, this game challenges even the most experienced players. Ritchie, who also designed the original Black Knight (1980) and Black Knight 2000 (1989), made sure this version stayed true to its high-speed, punishing roots.

JAWS (Premium) – Stern (2024)

One of Stern’s newest machines, JAWS captures the suspense and terror of the 1975 film. It features a shark fin toy that moves across the playfield, dramatic lighting effects, and a series of challenges that recreate key moments from the movie. Expect this game to be a tournament favorite as players begin to explore its deep rule set.

The Final Showdown: The Mandalorian Decides a Champion

The tournament reached its climax on The Mandalorian (Premium/LE), a machine that puts players in the boots of Din Djarin, the titular bounty hunter. The rotating Encounter playfield was a game-changer in the final match, requiring tight flipper control and precise shot execution.

Dustin Goldbarg played a near-flawless game, using the Razor Crest Multiball to rack up major points and secure his first major tournament win. Tim Hansen, who had been dominant throughout the day, fell just short, proving that even the most seasoned competitors can be challenged when the game demands pinpoint accuracy. Tony Lavigna, a player who has steadily improved over the last few months, had his best tournament finish yet with a third-place showing. Meanwhile, Peach Ruiz, making his first deep run in a high-level event, put on an impressive performance, solidifying his status as a player to watch.

California IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

A Rocking Tournament with More to Come

The Slingshot Monthly Tournament – March was a thrilling ride from start to finish, with Game On Pinball providing the perfect battleground for players to showcase their skills. Dustin Goldbarg’s victory was a testament to his perseverance and ability to capitalize when it mattered most. A huge shoutout to Blame It On The Drain Pinball for organizing another stellar event.

For those looking to test their skills in the next showdown, check out their upcoming events here: Slingshot Monthly Tournament Events. Stay tuned for more pinball tournament recaps, machine highlights, and gameplay deep dives—because the silverball never sleeps!