Another drop-in at Go Kart Raceway was on the schedule on the 14th. This location only has two pinball machines: Kiss (Stern) and The Simpsons Pinball Party. Of the two, the latter is more playable, though still rather dirty and the ball save is turned off; 21.5M+ is the best I’ve done in a long while.

I actually tried to play Kiss, though. I’m not particularly proud of this score, so it’s just as well that the photo is not the best quality either. Taking into account the machine condition, though, maybe it’s not so bad. The left flipper was inconsistent, and even at its best still barely made the ramp. The demon lock/Gene’s mouth shot simply would not register and accept a ball no matter how carefully aimed. I’m not sure if this was to “fix” a broken kicker or end complaints about balls being shot straight down the middle (usually the ball save is turned on after this shot during single ball play but it’s possible the operators turned it off).

In the middle of all this, we (the group I was with) played laser tag. The system is called Helios and it’s a product of Zone Laser Tag (the company behind Ultrazone, known previously as Zone Empire). Helios actually plays a lot like Laser Quest did. Perhaps not that surprisingly, I came in first place out of nine players (there were four others besides our group of five). The code names/call signs are pre-assigned and tied to the vest in use, for better or worse; I did not voluntarily choose “Astro” but it is what it is.

Finally, rounding out the night was a game of Donkey Kong.

Another week, another visit to Poison Girl. Tonight I would put up an all-time personal best on Six Million Dollar Man, and a rather good run on Bad Cats, among others.

It’s surprising just how addictive a simple game like Six Million Dollar Man can be. Now that I understand the ruleset and have an accessible example that’s in relatively good condition, it’s one of the more satisfying offerings in the Houston area. (I think last time I played this title, there were significant burned out bulbs and I didn’t understand the flow.)

Finally, to close out October I made a quick stop by Poison Girl for the first time in several months. The lineup has undergone some changes, with the addition of Pulp Fiction (which was very briefly at Little Dipper before being moved), Bad Cats, and Six Million Dollar Man, and the departure of Iron Maiden, Whirlwind, and Dolly Parton, and possibly other changes I have missed.

I put up some rather satisfying scores all around. My score on Six Million Dollar Man is perhaps the most satisfying of them all, though there is also a lot to be said for landing on the (possibly recently reset) high score list on Foo Fighters. Bad Cats was a favorite of mine back in the day, and it’s taking me a while to re-learn it; don’t be too surprised if I bust loose on it in the next few weeks.

The vast majority of those interested have probably already received notice, but for the few who have not: Signups for the Texas Pinball Festival Wizards tournament will open this Saturday, November 2, at noon (12 pm), for the tournament in 2025 March. This tournament is held alongside the Texas Pinball Festival in Frisco, TX (about 25-30 miles north of Dallas). The cost is $200 including the weekend pass for the festival (the tournament entry fee is $112 of that). There is also a women’s tournament which will be held on just the Sunday of the festival weekend for $25.

Full details are available at the Texas Pinball Festival website. (Follow the appropriate link at the top for women’s and kids’ tournament information.)

We fast forward now to the third Sunday in October. Among the highlights, I got to play the new game The Uncanny X-Men for the first time. I also got to post an early grand champion and a mode record for Smuggled Cargo. (The name entered is a reference to the Bayou City Pinball League which will become more active in early 2025.) Incidentally this grand champion score came on the very first game I played. I take this as a good omen for the 2025 tournament season.

The other highlights would include my scores on Stranger Things and Guardians of the Galaxy. Most of the rest was pretty run of the mill.

Another return to the Beaumont area was in the cards for October 16. After the primary reason for the trip was taken care of, it was time for me to make my way back to Colorado Canyon. Unfortunately this time my visit was not timed for the monthly pinball tournament, but I did get in a few rounds on John Wick, Godzilla, and TMNT.

Easily the standout of the three was my highest score of the evening on Godzilla of 270.3M+, including the Godzilla vs. Ebirah champion (which may or may not stick around a while).