Sibling Rivalries and Saucer Attacks: July Bonanza

Oviedo, FL – July 29, 2025 — Some nights, pinball tournaments are just about points. Others? They’re about stories—and this one had plenty. The Bonanza matchplay tournament at The Pinball Lounge @ Oviedo Bowling Center delivered not only heat (literally—it was 91°F and climbing) but six rounds of memorable matchups, milestone machines, and more DeRazzas than you can shake a plunger at.

The Brayden vs. Nick saga reaches a fever pitch

Let’s talk about the headline rivalry: Brayden DeRazza vs. Nick Smith FL. Two of Florida’s top players, both seasoned, both battle-tested, found themselves drawn into an accidental four-round rivalry that felt like destiny (or, more likely, the matchplay algorithm’s sense of humor).

These two clashed on multiple machines, but none more defining than Round 5 on KISS (Pro)—a game known for its chaotic multiball stacking and brutally punishing drains. Nick had been playing steady all night, but Brayden matched him flip for flip until the final countdown, where Nick edged out the victory. Fast forward to Round 6, and they met again, joined by Al Neumann and Garrett Smoke for one of the strongest groupings of the night. Nick took 1st, Brayden 2nd, cementing a tournament win but keeping their head-to-head margin razor thin.

Turns out this wasn’t just a four-game mini-rivalry at the Bonanza—it’s a continuation of a growing competitive history. Brayden and Nick have now gone head-to-head at least four times across different games in this single tournament alone, including:

• KISS (Round 5) – Brayden took 3rd, Nick 4th.
• Pulp Fiction (SE) – Brayden edged Nick with a 1st place to his 2nd.
• Bobby Orr’s Power Play – Another matchup on a throwback classic.
• And an early match logged under “Unknown Machine”—we’ll assume neither of them want to talk about that one (though it was probably a bug in my code).

Despite trading wins, Nick clinched the title with a critical 1st-place finish in the final round. But Brayden isn’t going away anytime soon, and this might be Florida’s next must-watch rivalry.

Spotlight match: Deadpool, family edition

Round 1 set the tone with what might be the most emotionally charged match of the evening. The machine? Deadpool (Pro)—a fast-shooting 2018 Stern title with snappy animations and a left spinner that kicks off Disco Multiball. The match? A four-player melee that included Brayden DeRazza and Justin Derazza, plus Sheri Lewis and Steve Reining for good measure.

Now, Deadpool isn’t exactly known for sibling harmony, and neither were the DeRazzas. Brayden emerged victorious, landing 1st in the group and setting his sights high for the rest of the event. But Justin didn’t fade quietly—he placed just one rung behind Brayden in final standings, making it all the more interesting if you’re keeping track of holiday dinner bragging rights.

And let’s not forget: Deadpool was celebrating its 6th anniversary this week, which makes its spotlight status all the more fitting. Between secret skill shots and a perfectly timed Snikt multiplier, this game had it all—anniversary vibes, family drama, and a foreshadowing of the tournament to come.

Birthday Bash: Iconic Machines Still Making Noise

The Bonanza tournament’s lineup featured machines spanning nearly five decades, but five titles stood out for their anniversaries—games either celebrating milestone birthdays or making their tournament debut. These weren’t just museum pieces or novelties; they played a real role in shaping the outcome.

• Firepower (1980) – 45 years old
  One of the first games to introduce lane change, multiball, and speech—all in a fast, brutal package. In Round 2, Al Neumann showed how it’s done, topping the group with classic control on this early Steve Ritchie beast. Still fast, still mean, still fire.
• Attack from Mars (1995) – 30 years old
  It’s the original Martian invasion: fast flow, open layout, and one of the most satisfying center shots in pinball. Brayden DeRazza used it to launch his momentum with a 1st-place finish in Round 3, blowing up the saucer like it was 1995 all over again.
• KISS (Pro) (2015) – 10 years old
  Part fan-service, part chaos engine, KISS (Pro) combines multiball-heavy rules with unpredictable ball paths. Round 5 featured Brayden vs. Nick again, but neither walked away happy—3rd and 4th place finishes here made this game a rare dud for both players in their otherwise stellar runs.
• Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (2025) – brand new this year
  Stern’s latest fantasy-themed adventure, complete with layered quests, spell-locked modes, and a drop target puzzle in the middle of the playfield. Tony Reining proved a quick study in Round 4, taking 1st on the dragon’s debut.
• King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (2025) – also new in 2025
  This one brings cinematic scale—double ramps, beast modes, and a swinging bridge toy that looks better than it plays (but hey, still fun). Though no big upsets happened here, players praised its risky layout and visual polish. Keep an eye on this one as it finds its tournament groove.

The mix of eras tested every player’s versatility. One moment you’re combo-stacking with a wizard mode on a modern LCD behemoth, the next you’re nudging your way through chimes and drop targets like it’s a barcade in 1982.

The Lounge delivers—again

Let’s give flowers to The Pinball Lounge, the venue that made it all happen. Tucked inside the Oviedo Bowling Center, this isn’t your average backroom collection. With stellar machine maintenance, a rotating lineup of classics and new titles, and that sweet sweet $10 unlimited Friday night deal, it’s a favorite among Florida flippers for a reason.

More than one player mentioned how good the machines felt—snappy flippers, clean playfields, and no frustrating tilt sensitivities. Combine that with great food, cold drinks, and regular league nights, and you’ve got the kind of environment where high-level pinball thrives.

Bonus points for air conditioning that held up under tournament stress. (Florida in July is no joke.)

Andrew Gribbons levels up

Lost in the top table tension was one of the most dramatic stat lines of the night: Andrew Gribbons, who shot up 37,245 spots in the IFPA world rankings recently. That’s not a typo. Whether this was his first sanctioned event or just a long-overdue breakthrough, that number tells us one thing: he showed up and delivered.

No, he didn’t crack the top 10. But if you were watching group rotations, you saw a player putting in the work and catching fire. If he sticks around, this might just be the beginning.

Florida’s Finest

While this event didn’t pull in top-10 state heavyweights like Vince Gelormine or Eric Stone, it’s worth noting how fierce the local field is. Several competitors—like Nick, Brayden, and Garrett Smoke—are climbing the ranks and could crack this leaderboard soon:

Florida IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings:

Final Take: Rivalries, Ramps, and a Roadmap to What’s Next

The Pinball Lounge Bonanza wasn’t just a tournament—it was a convergence of eras, personalities, and pinball pedigree. On the surface, it delivered what you’d expect: six rounds, 27 players, and one name etched at the top. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find the real story pulsing through every flipper flip.

Brayden and Nick’s rivalry? That’s not done. Four matchups this time, but you get the feeling we’re only halfway through this saga—and both players walked away with wins, losses, and motivation to burn.
The machine lineup? A living museum. New blood like King Kong stood alongside warhorses like Firepower, and they all mattered. These weren’t filler games—they were pivotal battlefields that changed standings and tested muscle memory across decades of design.
Andrew Gribbons’ leap up the rankings? That’s the kind of underdog moment that keeps local tournaments fresh. He may not be a household name (yet), but everyone in that room saw a shift happening.

And let’s not forget The Pinball Lounge—a venue that doesn’t just host competition, it fosters it. Players knew the games, trusted the setups, and played like it counted. Because here? It does count.

This wasn’t just another Tuesday night tournament. This was pinball in its purest form: competitive, chaotic, and deeply personal. And if you weren’t paying attention?

You missed a hell of a multiball.