Sparks Fly in Mesa: Dungeons, Drag Strips, and Desert Duels

On a cool Arizona evening—one of those rare, no-jacket-needed nights at a crisp 65°F—forty players squared off in six intense rounds of Group Match Play at Atomic Age Modern in downtown Mesa. The event kicked off April 4th at 6:30 PM and wrapped up just before 9:30 PM, with organizer Bob Kennedy running a tight, flipper-flipping ship. With a solid format of one game per round, there was no room for error, no time for warmups—just straight-up battles between humans and machines.

Vintage dreams and modern scenes: Atomic Age Modern

Found in the heart of downtown Mesa, Atomic Age Modern is more than just a pinball venue—it’s a curated experience blending vintage aesthetics with arcade excitement. Owned and operated by the passionate duo, Bob and Amanda, this family-run establishment offers a meticulously restored selection of mid-century modern furniture, eclectic décor, and a treasure trove of vinyl records. 

But the real heartbeat of the place? A stellar lineup of 23 pinball machines, ranging from timeless classics like Eight Ball Deluxe and Mata Hari to contemporary favorites such as John Wick and Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye. Whether you’re a seasoned flipper or a curious newcomer, the machines are set to accommodate all skill levels, with play costs ranging from $0.50 to $1.00.

Beyond casual play, Atomic Age Modern fosters a vibrant pinball community, hosting regular tournaments that welcome both novices and pros. These events are more than competitions—they’re social gatherings where enthusiasts share tips, celebrate high scores, and revel in the nostalgic ambiance.

Clash of Champions in the Tyrant’s Lair

One of the most spellbinding matches of the night unfolded in Round 4 on Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Premium), Stern’s fresh January 2025 release. This game has been turning heads in the tournament scene for good reason—it’s a modern integration of high fantasy into pinball, something rarely done well. Thankfully, this machine does it well, with a flowy layout, impressive ruleset, and that stunning interactive Beholder toy guarding the central playfield like a mythic mini-boss.

The Premium model ups the ante with dynamic lighting effects for spellcasting and an additional upper playfield area representing different planes of the Forgotten Realms. Each player chooses a character class—yes, it’s got real D&D mechanics—and progresses through missions that escalate in difficulty. It’s deep, strategic, and brutal if you’re not paying attention.

In this match, Paul Blanco took the role of dungeon master—figuratively and literally—as he locked in multiball at the perfect moment and strategically leveled up his character to access high-value bonus modes. His precision play made it look easy, even though we all know it’s not. Stephen Shufran was hot on his heels, managing to light “The Tyrant’s Eye” mode but falling just short of the final wizard mode. Chris Peseri and Luke Hulsey were caught in the labyrinth, unable to land consistent combos under pressure. Paul’s victory here was a momentum shift that would echo all the way into the finals.

The Machines That Lit Up the Atomic Age

Let’s dig into a few of the machines that brought the heat during this tournament—some new, some old, and all full of flipper fury.

Metallica Remastered (Premium) – Stern, Sept 2024
A remaster of Stern’s 2013 hard rock hit, this Premium edition turned things up to eleven with enhanced animations, RGB lighting synced to iconic tracks, and upgraded code for smoother progression through “Seek & Destroy” and “Fade to Black.” Metallica was one of the early hits of the SPIKE era, and the 2024 remaster reminded everyone just how addictively brutal this layout is. You’ll find Sparky still sitting there, ready to fry your ball in style.

Eight Ball Deluxe (1984 edition) – Bally, Jan 1984
This machine is the poster child for early 80s strategy pinball. Originally released in 1981, the 1984 run came after Bally’s massive success and became one of the most collected solid-state pins of all time. It’s famous for its callouts (“Stop talkin’ and start chalkin’!”) and for being an unforgiving test of aim and patience. In a world of modern multiball madness, Eight Ball Deluxe is all about control, control, control.

John Wick (Pro) – Stern, May 2024
Stern didn’t hold back with this kinetic tribute to everyone’s favorite dog-avenging assassin. Fast loops, brutal drops, and combo-building madness define the play. With ramps named after New York safehouses and modes pulled from the Continental’s most dramatic showdowns, this machine is all about quick reactions and flow. It also marked Stern’s continued success in tapping into modern action franchises without sacrificing gameplay depth.

Elvira’s House of Horrors (LE) – Stern, Oct 2019
A modern classic already, Elvira’s third pinball outing (after 1989’s Elvira and the Party Monsters and 1996’s Scared Stiff) cemented her status as the Queen of Camp. The LE model features a beautifully detailed haunted house toy, fully integrated mini-TV, and tons of Elvira’s signature sass. This game is packed with modes, multiballs, and a killer soundtrack. It’s both approachable and deep—a rare combo these days.

Mata Hari – Bally, Sept 1977
Talk about historical—this machine is named after the infamous WWI spy and was released during one of Bally’s golden years. The game’s design is deceptively simple with just one level, but it punishes sloppy play and rewards calculated shots. One fun fact: early versions came with a backglass featuring Mata Hari holding a dagger inscribed with “Meine Ehre heißt Treue,” a controversial SS motto—later versions dropped that detail.

The Party Zone – Bally, Jan 1991
A mashup of three earlier Bally characters (from Party Animal, Dr. Dude, and Elvira), The Party Zone is like stepping into a late-night cartoon on acid. It’s loud, it’s weird, and it’s one of the most charming games of the early 90s. Between the dancing heads, booming bass, and neon light show, it’s hard to play this one without grinning.

Evel Knievel – Bally, June 1977
Released during the peak of Knievel-mania, this game features some of the most patriotic artwork ever seen on a playfield. It’s not just about looks though—tight shots, fast return lanes, and a killer spinner shot made this one of the standout electro-mechanicals of the era, even though it’s technically solid-state. Pure Americana with a healthy dose of risk.

Desert Duel on Cactus Canyon

The final battle was fought on none other than Cactus Canyon (Remake Special)—a game with one of the most interesting development stories in pinball history. Originally released in 1998 by Bally/Williams during their pinball twilight years, Cactus Canyon was unfinished, with prototype code and only a fraction of its intended modes implemented. The 2021 remake by Chicago Gaming not only polished the art and added RGB lighting, but more importantly—it finished the game. This meant new callouts, completed multiball modes, and an epic Showdown Wizard Mode that finally gave the lawmen and outlaws their day in court.

And that’s exactly the kind of atmosphere that suited a final four match with everything on the line. With saloon doors swinging and quickdraw multiballs lighting up the playfield, Bob Kennedy showed off his mastery of timing by nailing combo shots to start the “Train Robbery” multiball, then sealing his victory with well-timed saloon jackpots. The game’s dynamic playfield features—including a minecart ramp and reactive shootout targets—kept things tense for all four players, but Bob kept his cool and walked away with the big win.

Here’s how the final standings shook out:

1. Bob Kennedy – Mesa, AZ – A seasoned tournament director and competitor, Bob’s win here proves that deep knowledge of code and precision shot-making still rule the desert.
2. Paul Blanco – Chandler, AZ – Backed up his D&D dominance with a strong overall showing. His playstyle combines tactical risk-taking with efficient scoring—a dangerous mix.
3. Greg Drewes – Mesa, AZ – Greg quietly racked up solid finishes throughout the night, staying under the radar until the final showdown.
4. Dave Halley – A true grinder with over 500 IFPA events played, Dave’s endurance and experience helped him climb the ranks in a competitive field.

Arizona IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings:

Wrapping it up with a multiball of good vibes

With six fast-paced rounds, a fresh mix of modern and classic machines, and a perfectly cool Arizona evening, the Atomic Age Modern Group Match Play tournament delivered the kind of pinball night we all chase. Whether it was casting spells on Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, going full tilt on a freshly remastered Metallica, or dueling it out old-west style on Cactus Canyon, this lineup had something for every kind of player—rookie or road-tested.

Congrats again to Bob Kennedy, who not only ran the show but outlasted the entire 40-player field to take home the win. That’s like sinking the 8-ball and calling your next match at the same time. Respect.

And let’s be real—Atomic Age Modern is more than just a tournament stop. It’s a community spot where retro flair meets competitive play, and where your night might include both a killer match on Elvira’s House of Horrors and a vintage end table for your pinball cave. If you haven’t been yet, check out the full pinball lineup and event schedule over at atomicagemodern.com/pinball.

Stay tuned for more pinball news, match recaps, and glorious tales of tilt battles gone right (or horribly wrong). You bring the quarters—we’ll bring the coverage.