Level One and Done: April Pinball Battle Heats Up in Mesa

April 2nd wasn’t just another weeknight in Mesa—it was a full-on pinball rumble courtesy of the Level One April 02-week 1 tournament. With 14 players, four rounds, and one game per round, this high-speed competition wrapped up in about an hour and a half. Shout-out to Scott Goldsmith for running the show and somehow keeping everything moving faster than a multiball on Metallica.

The weather? Scattered clouds and a brisk 58°F. Perfect for hiding out in a dimly lit arcade, where the only thing colder than the beer is the out-lane on ball three.

Mesa’s Favorite Multiverse: Level 1 Arcade Bar

Level 1 Arcade Bar, located at 48 W Main Street in downtown Mesa, isn’t just some token-hungry nostalgia pit. This spot is a lovingly curated time capsule of flippers, joysticks, and glowing marquees. There’s a clear love for pinball here, especially for modern Sterns and a few golden-era Bally/Williams legends. Add in a beer selection that could rival some taprooms and a kitchen that doesn’t just serve filler food, and you’ve got a hangout that works for die-hard pinheads and casuals alike.

The vibe? Think local scene with a touch of fandom. Godzilla devotees will find their sanctuary, and the bar staff (Alex especially!) keeps things smooth even when the action heats up. It’s family-friendly when it needs to be, but always tournament-ready when it counts.

Website: https://www.level1arcade.bar/

Godzilla Roars and Sedano Strikes

Let’s talk about that wild Round 2 game on Godzilla (Premium/LE)—Stern’s award-hoarding powerhouse from 2021. Designed by Keith Elwin, this is the kind of game that earned its hype by not just being good—but by redefining what a modern pinball machine could be.

From the moving building mech toy (which actually collapses during gameplay) to the Magna Grab and multiple looping wireforms, Godzilla is the dream machine for players who want fast, strategic chaos. It’s the only pin where starting “Bridge Attack Multiball” feels like launching a missile.

Four players battled it out here. Robert Sedano, despite being IFPA unranked, rose like a true kaiju and stomped his way to first. Jocelyn Bowers came in second, keeping up the pressure with a solid showing and smart use of multiball stacking. Jason Barre, a known name in Mesa and #10 in Arizona, took third, while Kevin Burns held fourth in a game where even one bad shot can lead to instant doom.

Five Pins That Turned Heads (and Drained Balls)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Premium/LE) – Stern’s 2020 release channels Saturday morning energy with fast ramps, four-player co-op modes, and that spinning pizza disc that likes to fling your ball into the void. Designed by John Borg with art from Zombie Yeti, it’s one of the few modern pins that dares to be brutally fast and family-friendly. The individual turtle character selection changes your game rules, which means yes—you should absolutely blame Donatello for that outlane drain.

The Uncanny X-Men (Pro) – Stern’s 2024 entry into the modern comic book arena is dripping with nostalgia while flexing modern gameplay bones. This isn’t the 2012 X-Men pin rebooted—it’s a new game, complete with upgraded RGB inserts, revised art style in full 90s flare, and tighter code from Tim Sexton. There’s a nod to the animated series in the callouts, and Cyclops’ optic blast mode is a particularly satisfying hurry-up.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day – This 1991 Williams classic marked a lot of pinball firsts. It was the first pin to use a DMD (dot-matrix display), and the cannon shot has since become legend. Steve Ritchie didn’t hold back on speed or sound—this game is all tight shots and tension. Also, it’s one of the rare machines with Arnold Schwarzenegger voicing his own lines. You haven’t lived until you’ve been told “I’ll be back” by the machine that just took your last ball.

Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure – Another Williams masterpiece, this one from 1993. It was a widebody game back when “widebody” meant “we’ve got room to do crazy things.” The Path of Adventure playfield is tilted, motorized, and makes every player look slightly ridiculous as they lean into their shots. This game also includes the infamous “Super Jackpot” shot during multiball that demands perfect timing. It’s the only pin to ever blend Raiders, Temple, and Last Crusade into one machine—and we don’t talk about that fourth movie.

Metallica Remastered (Premium/LE) – Just when you thought Metallica couldn’t get heavier, Stern dropped the 2024 remaster with updated lighting, revised code polish from the original Lyman Sheats framework, and a visual overhaul that pumps even more fuel into this thrash-metal beast. It’s the same Sparky-smashing, mode-juggling powerhouse, but now with tighter integration and smoother stacking. Whether you’re riding the lightning or just barely avoiding drains, it’s a player’s game through and through.

The Final Four: Pinball Pros and Surprise Finishers

Big congrats to Gregg Hopwood, who came out on top despite being ranked 414th in Arizona and 15,825th nationally. That’s the kind of “flip ‘til you drop” grind we respect—this was just his 34th IFPA event, and he played like a seasoned vet.

Shawn Barnett claimed second with a long and steady record—192 events deep, and it shows. He’s currently 109th in the state, and his clean play helped him edge out some tight scores throughout the night.

In third, Jocelyn Bowers proved that rankings aren’t everything. With just 49 events under her belt and a current standing of 327th in AZ, she showed up, kept cool, and walked away with a podium finish.

And we can’t forget Robert Sedano, who placed fourth despite being unranked. After his Godzilla takedown in Round 2, he earned his spot with fearless shots and serious control. Expect to see his name more often soon.

Who’s Topping the Arizona Charts?

Here’s the current leaderboard for the Grand Canyon State:

Wrapping It Up Like a Bonus Round

Level One April 02-week 1 was short, sharp, and full of memorable moments. From the high-stakes havoc of Godzilla to the nostalgic cannon shots of T2, players got a taste of both old-school grit and new-school flair. The talent pool was deep, the beer was cold, and the machines? Glorious.

Huge props to Scott Goldsmith for keeping the whole event dialed in like a perfectly tuned flipper. And Level 1 Arcade Bar continues to be one of the best spots in the state to chase jackpots and unwind with friends.

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, take a stroll past the Mesa Arts Center, swing by Level 1, and treat yourself to a night of electric ramps and satisfying shots. Don’t miss out on future pinball tournament news and highlights!