In the picturesque town of Malvern, PA, where the night air was crisp at 66°F under a clear sky, pinball enthusiasts gathered in animated huddles. The reason? The eagerly anticipated Pinball Gallery Monthly Tournament, slated for September 19, 2023.
Venue Vibes: Pinball Gallery, Malvern
Nestled snugly at 81 Lancaster Ave, the Pinball Gallery reverberated with the nostalgic pings and clangs of 68 resplendent machines, each offering its unique adventures. As one wandered through the maze of gleaming tables, the ‘Guns ‘n Roses’ machine caught many an eye. Nearby, ’80s kids were teleported back to their childhood, mastering Super Mario Brothers on a vintage television, much to the amazement of the younger generation. If someone wanted a reprieve from the pinball frenzy, board games were at hand. But what really stole the show? The PacMan video game-pinball machine combo. The cherry on the top: an amiable staff member, brimming with stories and facts about these mechanical marvels.
A Semifinal to Remember
The tournament, diligently orchestrated by Bill Disney, saw 29 players dueling over 10 games. Among these, a pulsating game on ‘The Getaway: High Speed II‘ emerged as the showstopper during the Semifinals. Phoenixville’s Daniel Piombino raced ahead, closely tailed by Malvern’s pinball prodigy, Tessa Morton. Not too far behind were John Bowman, a fresh face with no IFPA rank to his name, and the seasoned Nick Hislop.
The Night’s Best: Pinball Champions Steal the Show
- Tessa Morton (Malvern, PA) – Defying her IFPA rank of 1999, Tessa emerged as the undeniable champion of the night, bagging a staggering 6 wins.
- Daniel Piombino (Phoenixville, PA) – Trailing close behind, Daniel showcased some impeccable skills, bagging 5 wins against his name.
- Tony Makowski (Lansdale, PA) – Sporting an IFPA rank of 773, Tony’s vast experience in the realm of pinball shone brightly as he too clinched 5 wins.
- Dave Runk (PA) – Dave, coming from the underdog rank of 6224, surprised many by matching the top players with 6 wins.
- John Bowman – The dark horse of the tournament. With no prior IFPA rank or events, John showcased natural talent, securing 5 impressive wins.
- Jamme Thomas (PA) – Another formidable competitor, Jamme played fiercely, marking the scoreboard with 5 wins against his IFPA rank of 3433.
- Nick Hislop – With nearly a century of IFPA events under his belt, Nick lived up to expectations by adding another 5 wins to his legacy.
- Stephen Le (Chesterbrook, PA) – Stephen, ranking 1177, might’ve clinched 3 wins, but his performance throughout the night was nothing short of remarkable.
For a detailed view of the pinball elite:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cryss Stephens | – | 180.56 |
| 2 | Jared Schmidt | Pittsburgh | 152.25 |
| 3 | Lewis Bevans | Pittsburgh | 141.78 |
| 4 | Aleksander Kaczmarczyk | – | 136.81 |
| 5 | Stephen Le | Chesterbrook | 109.02 |
| 6 | Bob Choate | Philadelphia | 98.16 |
| 7 | Matt Gusler | Philadelphia | 94.96 |
| 8 | Tony Makowski | Lansdale | 76.73 |
| 9 | Raymond Davidson | Elk Grove Village | 74.72 |
| 10 | Jay Robinson | – | 70.23 |
In the Glare of the Neon: Pinball Machines that Defined the Tournament
A slew of machines, old and new, served as the battleground. ‘Deadpool (Pro)‘, from 2018, drew players into its vortex with an average game time of 22 minutes. Meanwhile, the popular ‘The Getaway: High Speed II‘, with 6 games played, witnessed the most action.
- Rush (LE) by Stern (2022) – The newest on the block, it dazzled with its sharp graphics and adrenaline-pumping gameplay, reminiscent of the legendary rock band it’s named after.
- Mars God of War by Gottlieb (1981) – A vintage delight, it reminded players of a time when pinball was the king of arcades.
- Fish Tales by Williams (1992) – With its aquatic theme and catchy sound effects, this machine had many a player hooked!
- Genesis by Gottlieb (1986) – A nostalgic trip down memory lane, with its retro graphics and sounds, Genesis remains a fan favorite.
- Space Station by Williams (1987) – Promising an interstellar experience, this machine’s gravitational pull was irresistible to many.
The Final Flippers
In a world where mechanical precision meets human skill, the Pinball Gallery Monthly Tournament was more than just a game—it was an experience. As the evening drew to a close, one thing was evident: the world of pinball, with its blend of nostalgia and innovation, is very much alive and flippin’.
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