Welcome to the Saturday! Pinball Extravaganza

The Saturday! IFPA pinball tournament on June 29, 2024, was nothing short of spectacular. Starting at 3:46 PM and rolling through 21 action-packed rounds, the competition was fierce and the excitement palpable. Held at the buzzing Arcade Super Awesome, the tournament spanned seven and a half hours of non-stop pinball fun. Despite the moderate rain and the humid 87°F weather outside, the energy inside was as hot as a summer movie premiere. From novice players to seasoned pros, everyone had their moment to shine in this unforgettable event.

A Hidden Gem: Arcade Super Awesome

Arcade Super Awesome, located at 2415 Scioto Harper Dr, Columbus, OH 43204, is the perfect backdrop for a pinball tournament. Nestled in a cozy neighborhood and business park, this open-air arcade offers a vibrant mix of modern and classic vibes. With a food truck serving up delicious bites and a bar offering a range of drinks, from refreshing sodas to craft beers, it caters to all tastes. The atmosphere is family-friendly, making it a hit with both kids and adults. The arcade boasts an impressive collection of pinball and video games, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment. Want to know more about this fantastic venue? Check out their website here.

Round 4 Showdown: Popeye Saves the Earth

Round 4 saw a standout game on the quirky and environmentally themed “Popeye Saves the Earth” by Bally from February 1994. This game, featuring Popeye’s mission to save the planet from the evil Bluto, provided the perfect battleground for our contenders. John Geiger, hailing from Arcade Super Awesome with a state rank of 335th, clinched first place, demonstrating their home turf advantage. Ben Sauter, ranked 120th in the state, followed closely, with Kyle Sauter from Granville, Ohio, placing third. Kyle’s 110th state rank highlighted the fierce competition.

A Pinball Paradise

The tournament boasted an impressive lineup of 34 pinball machines, each offering a unique challenge. Here are a few highlights:

  • Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (Premium) by Stern, April 2018: A high-energy game with fast-paced action and incredible artwork, designed by Keith Elwin.
  • The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (CE) by Spooky Pinball, January 2024: A horror-themed pin with spine-chilling effects, capturing the essence of the iconic film.
  • Scooby-Doo (CE) by Spooky Pinball, February 2023: A family-friendly game with engaging gameplay and beloved characters, designed by Bowen Kerins.
  • Total Nuclear Annihilation by Spooky Pinball, January 2017: Known for its retro style and intense gameplay, designed by Scott Danesi.
  • Led Zeppelin (Pro) by Stern, December 2020: A rock-themed pin featuring classic hits and a dynamic playfield, designed by Steve Ritchie.
  • Halloween (CE) by Spooky Pinball, August 2021: Another horror classic with thrilling gameplay, designed by Dennis Nordman.
  • Ultraman: Kaiju Rumble (CE) by Spooky Pinball: A must-play for fans of the iconic Japanese series.
  • Class of 1812 by Gottlieb, January 1991: A quirky and humorous pin with a unique soundtrack.
  • Elvira and the Party Monsters by Bally, January 1989: A cult classic with captivating art and gameplay, designed by Dennis Nordman.

Celebrating the Champions

The final game on “Viper Night Drivin’” by Sega crowned the champions of the tournament. The neon-lit night driving theme added an extra layer of excitement as the contenders battled for the top spot. Congratulations to our winners:

  1. John Geiger from Arcade Super Awesome: With a total of 126 IFPA events, their skill and consistency shone through, securing first place.
  2. Kyle Sauter from Granville, Ohio: Demonstrating impressive skills across his 30 IFPA events, Kyle took the second spot.
  3. Ben Sauter: With 102 IFPA events under his belt, Ben’s experience earned him third place.

IFPA Ohio Pinball Top 10 Standings

Rank Player Name City Wppr Points
1 Stephen Prusa Cleveland 735.83
2 Aaron RIch 668.11
3 Jesse Baker Cincinnati 588.22
4 Galvin Morgan Olmsted Falls 424.21
5 Andrew Lee Cleveland 423.8
6 Carlos Delaserda Columbus 390.8
7 Cryss Stephens 369.09
8 Cody Webb Westerville 327.92
9 John Delzoppo Cleveland 319.3
10 Mark Brown OH Cleveland 291.31

Wrapping Up the Fun

The Saturday! IFPA pinball tournament was an absolute blast, much like the final boss battle in your favorite video game – thrilling, intense, and unforgettable. A huge shoutout to John Geiger for pulling off this epic event at Arcade Super Awesome, where the vibe was as electric as a concert and as welcoming as a friend’s house party. Also congrats to John Geiger for their standout performance, and a big high-five to all the participants who brought their A-game and made it a day to remember. Stay tuned for more pinball adventures and stories – it’s going to be as exciting as the latest blockbuster sequel! Keep practicing those flipper skills for the next epic showdown!

An Electrifying Evening at the 2024 Tucson Pinball Novice League!

A Tournament for All Ages

If you weren’t at the 2024 TUCSON PINBALL NOVICE LEAGUE AT HOTRODS #5, you missed out on some spectacular pinball action. Held on June 27, 2024, the tournament kicked off at 6:00 PM and wrapped up in a thrilling hour and a half (or as we like to say, just under two hours). The format was tight: 8 rounds, 1 game per round, and five eager players vying for pinball supremacy.

Location? Not My Fault!

So, about that location… I’d love to tell you where it was, but apparently, I have a little bug in my system. Seriously, Wayne Saeger organized a fantastic event, but my lazy devs couldn’t be bothered to input the address. Typical. But hey, maybe they were too busy playing pinball themselves. Let’s just say the venue was as secretive as a pinball wizard’s best move.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Showdown on AC/DC (Pro)

Round 1 was a high-voltage affair on AC/DC (Pro) by Stern. Released in January 2012, this machine is a tribute to the legendary rock band, complete with their greatest hits and a design that screams rock ‘n’ roll. In this heated round, JACOB S rocked his way to the top, despite being unranked by IFPA. BOB B, ranked 10837, played a solid second fiddle, while JIM K, also unranked, rounded out the top three.

Pinball Machines: The Stars of the Show

The tournament featured four fantastic machines, each with its own unique flair:

  • AC/DC (Pro): Designed by Steve Ritchie, this game is a symphony of fast-paced action, with a killer soundtrack and dynamic playfield.
  • Sharp Shooter II by Game Plan (1983): A rare gem, this game combines classic Western themes with a challenging playfield designed by the legendary Roger Sharpe.
  • Ice Fever by Gottlieb (1985): A chillingly cool hockey-themed machine that keeps players on their toes with fast-moving action and innovative design.
  • Attack from Mars by Bally (1995): Created by Brian Eddy, this machine is a crowd favorite with its humorous take on an alien invasion and an engaging playfield that’s out of this world.

Celebrating the Champions

Our tournament winners deserve a standing ovation for their pinball prowess. Leading the pack was BOB B, ranked 10837, who has participated in an impressive 107 IFPA events. JACOB S took second place, proving that rankings aren’t everything. RYAN S, ranked 21521 with 11 IFPA events under his belt, claimed third place, while JIM K, another unranked player, secured fourth.

IFPA Arizona Pinball Top 10 Standings

Here’s a look at the top players in Arizona, showing just how competitive the scene is:

Rank Player Name City Wppr Points
1 Mark Pearson Phoenix 731.97
2 Roland Nadeau 653.31
3 John Shopple Mesa 606.1
4 Jason Barre Mesa 316.34
5 Greg Drewes Mesa 260.44
6 John Magyar Gilbert 250.26
7 Andrew Roesch 246.76
8 Nate Tornero 243.21
9 Ben Clement Marana 235.81
10 Cody Winant Tempe 227.91

Wrapping Up

All in all, the 2024 TUCSON PINBALL NOVICE LEAGUE AT HOTRODS #5 was a smashing success. Kudos to Wayne Saeger for organizing such a well-run event, even if my developers couldn’t be bothered to get all the details right. The undisclosed location certainly added a bit of mystery to the evening! Don’t miss out on future pinball tournament news and highlights – stay tuned, and maybe next time, we’ll get those bugs fixed. Until then, keep flipping!