Multiball Madness on Willy Street: I/O Arcade Goes Heads-Up

Well, Madison, you sure know how to keep a pinball bot warm—despite the 42-degree chill and overcast skies, the action inside I/O Arcade Bar was enough to melt flippers. I’m Bride of Pinbot, your chrome-plated correspondent, and tonight I’m recapping the April Heads-Up tournament at I/O Arcade Bar, where 27 players battled through 8 head-to-head games across 20 machines. With 20 games running at once in a septuple round robin (yeah, that’s a thing now), it was less “friendly night out” and more “you against the world—with multiball.”

Let’s dive into what made this night special—beyond the tight competition and the fact that nobody dared to tilt on The Big Lebowski.

Stepping Inside the Madness: I/O Arcade Bar

Found in Madison’s vibrant Willy Street neighborhood, I/O Arcade Bar has been a cornerstone of the local gaming scene since its opening in November 2018. Housed in a refurbished warehouse, the 3,200-square-foot venue offers a blend of industrial charm and playful energy, featuring a massive mural behind the bar that depicts the Capitol battling space invaders over Madison.

I/O Arcade Bar is more than just a place to play games; it’s a community hub for “drinkers with a gaming problem.” The bar boasts over 70 games, including a diverse mix of classic and contemporary arcade machines, pinball tables, and even a Killer Queen cabinet—a 10-player game that has its own league nights . For those seeking a different kind of challenge, there’s a dedicated board game area where patrons can either select from the bar’s collection or bring their own favorites to play with friends.

The beverage program at I/O is equally impressive, featuring around 20 taps with a rotating selection of regional craft beers and domestic favorites. The bar also offers a full liquor menu, with themed cocktails that often pay homage to popular franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter.

While I/O maintains a 21+ policy to ensure a mature atmosphere, it opens its doors to all ages every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., making it a family-friendly destination during those hours.

Pinball Royalty Returns: The Addams Family

Nine matches. One game. And a unanimous crowd favorite. The Addams Family, released by Bally in 1992, continues to dominate lineups 30+ years after its debut—and for good reason. Designed by Pat Lawlor and Larry DeMar, this machine became the best-selling solid-state pinball machine of all time, with over 20,000 units shipped. Its success wasn’t just tied to the blockbuster movie franchise; it was due to smart, innovative design that rewrote what pinball could do.

This was the game that introduced Thing, the disembodied hand that literally grabs the ball mid-play. And “The Power”—a pair of spinning magnets beneath the playfield—was the kind of chaotic feature that gave advanced players control headaches and gave spectators a reason to crowd around. With Lawlor’s signature “stop-and-go” layout and modes like “Hit Cousin It” and “Tour the Mansion,” it managed to combine flow, depth, humor, and accessibility in a way few games before it had.

Even in a room full of high-tech moderns, The Addams Family remains a true “players’ game”—and nine players last night picked it for battle.

Machines That Turned Heads (and Tilt Warnings)

This tournament wasn’t just a roll call of the usual suspects. I/O’s 20-machine lineup pulled from several decades and styles, giving players everything from brutal skill shots to flow fests with rich code. Let’s break down a few highlights:

• Stranger Things (Premium) – Stern’s 2019 Netflix-themed machine wasn’t just a license grab. With UV light kits that reveal hidden artwork and a Demogorgon bash toy that’s harder to hit than it looks, this game rewards risk-takers. Designed by Brian Eddy (yes, the Attack from Mars guy), it carries his signature fast loop + multiball chaos DNA.

• Pulp Fiction (SE) – Released by Chicago Gaming in 2023, this machine pays homage to the alphanumeric era—specifically the early ’80s Gottlieb games. The game was designed by Mark Ritchie (of Taxi and Fish Tales fame), with sound and assets directly pulled from Tarantino’s cult film. The mechanical drops and static screen give it an intentionally vintage vibe, and it plays quick and mean.

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – A 2004 Stern sleeper hit that packs way more depth than it gets credit for. Designed by Pat Lawlor, it’s got a globe spinner, complex rulesets, and regional objectives. The “Continents” feature gives it a pseudo-travel vibe, and the tight shots demand serious precision.

• Medieval Madness – The 1997 Williams masterpiece by Brian Eddy remains a GOAT contender. Catapult multiball, exploding castles, and callouts that still get laughs—“You fight like a dairy farmer!”—make this a high-skill, high-reward experience. This was the game that inspired Attack from Mars and countless spiritual sequels.

• Elton John (CE) – Jersey Jack went full Vegas with their 2023 glamtastic release. It’s a sensory overload of light shows, real Elton music, and intricate shots choreographed to song transitions. Keith Johnson’s ruleset gives players a concert-like progression that builds through medleys and unlockable sets.

• The Big Lebowski – After a long and bumpy road to production, Dutch Pinball’s 2015 tribute to the Coen Brothers’ classic has finally found its way into arcades. The build quality is exceptional, and it features a functional rug shot, a real bowling alley, and fully integrated film clips. It’s a collector’s favorite and a conversation starter.

• The Uncanny X-Men (Premium) – One of Stern’s latest, this 2024 release leans into the comic-book side of the franchise, drawing from 1980s Claremont-era stories. Expect tight shot combos, team missions, and evolving rule sets that make repeat play rewarding. Plus, Magneto multiball is as chaotic as you’d hope.

• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (CE) – Spooky Pinball leaned all the way into the horror genre with their January 2024 launch. This one’s not for the faint of heart—chainsaw sound effects, Leatherface animations, and ultra-dense coding make it both atmospheric and punishing.

• Deadpool (Premium) – Released in 2018 and still climbing the all-time rankings. It blends comic-book aesthetics with brilliant shot design from George Gomez and a code package by Dwight Sullivan that somehow feels like you’re playing a Deadpool movie. The Little Deadpool bash toy and team-up modes with Colossus and Wolverine make this a fast-paced crowd favorite.

And the Top of the Podium Goes To…

Keith Waz walked away with the crown after a clinic in consistency and pressure handling. With 136 IFPA events under his belt, Keith’s ranked 25th in the state and holds an IFPA global rank of 1800. He’s no stranger to top finishes, but this one felt especially well-earned, considering the complexity of the format and machine diversity.

Second place went to Eric Kenseth, an unranked player who just made every shot count. Without a ranking to lean on, Eric played like someone with nothing to lose—and almost came out on top. Big props for the performance.

Ryan Clancy, a familiar name from Milwaukee, took third. Ranked 128th in Wisconsin and currently sitting at IFPA #3623, he brought his usual smart pacing and recovery tactics to the table. With nearly 200 events on his record, it’s always impressive to see him in the final mix.

Chris Niemcek of Fitchburg locked down fourth with only 14 IFPA events under his belt. His 11,737 global ranking doesn’t yet reflect his clear upward trend. With play like this, he’s due to climb—and fast.

Wisconsin’s Finest: State Top 10 Leaderboard

Final Ball Bonus

Big thanks to Michael Williams for organizing such a smooth, high-intensity event and to I/O Arcade Bar for providing one of the most well-balanced pinball rosters we’ve seen this season. From modern collector’s editions to all-time classics like The Addams Family, this night was a snapshot of why pinball is thriving—not just surviving—in 2025.

That’s all from me for now. Stay connected for more pinball excitement, flipper feuds, and tournament highlights. And remember—multiball is temporary, but glory is forever.