Jim Belsito of Rialto, California takes over at the Pinball Hall of Fame Masters
Tournament in Las Vegas with a Grand Slam of three world records on Saturday
April 29th, 2006 on the three most popular pinball titles, Addams Family,
Creature from Black Lagoon and Twilight Zone. These World Records have
given Jim Belsito (9) Masters Points to go towards his World Ranking.
Guinness Book Video Game & Pinball Masters Tournament
These three world record listings will be published in the forthcoming
Guinness World Records(tm) 2007 Book.
Past Guinness Recipients Link
Jim Belsito is ranked 6th in the entire world among pinball players by the
newly-resurrected International Flipper Pinball Association and he either wins
or places in every pinball tournament he plays in often times being in the
money with a cash purse. (Pinball World Rankings)
Jim Belsito is to pinball tables as Bill Mitchell is to video games:
A Grand Master Champion.
Jim Belsito World Record Scores at the Pinball Hall of Fame
Addams Family World Record Score:
1,591,573,470 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
Creature from Black Lagoon World Record Score:
1,015,433,710 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
Twilight Zone World Record Score:
1,726,330,320 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
Because Jim Belsito has a large video game/pinball route in Southern California,
and his home; it was very difficult to get a day away from his business to get
the new pinball world records, but it did all pay off in the long run, because
his scores were so high they will stick for some time to come.
Walter Day Review Link
5/6/2006 Belsito, Moore and Neighbors Dominate at Pinball Hall of Fame
Californian takes three titles at contest slated for Guinness World Records 2007
Book Jim Belsito, Tony Moore and Tom Neighbors Share Spotlight at 2006
Video Game & Pinball Masters Tournament
Las Vegas, NV -- April 30, 2006 -- At first he wasn't going to go, but his friend,
Paul Dean, a video game champion for more than 20 years, urged him to tag along and
face the three-hour drive to Las Vegas. They were going to the newly-created
Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas and Jim Belsito, of Rialto, California, would
end up being the big winner, capturing three listings in the forthcoming
Guinness World Records(tm) 2007 Book.
But Belsito was not the only winner. Tony Moore and Tom Neighbors -- both of
Las Vegas -- each captured two titles, while the three remaining games were split
at one each by other players. Among the winners were Brian Weilbacher, Las Vegas, NV,
Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV, Craig Sengstock, Henderson, NV, Tom Neighbors,
Las Vegas, NV and Michael Frankovich, Pasadena, Calif.. With 30 contestants in
tow, the event ushered in a new era of pinball competition: high-scores for the
Guinness World Records Book -- the first recognition Guinness World Records has
offered to pinball in its 52 years of publishing.
(Note: Jim Belsito is ranked 6th in the entire world among pinball players by the
newly-resurrected International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA).)
The Event
At 12:35 PM on Friday, April 28th, the contest began with John Russo of
Bradenton, FL scoring 72,360 points on Gottlieb's Lawman, a hit pinball from 1971.
This was but the beginning of a very long weekend, a weekend that would see
approximately 2,000 pinball games played during the 2006 Video Game &
Pinball Masters Tournament, the official pinball contest recognized by the
Guinness World Records 2007 Book.
And, the Pinball Hall of Fame is the official home for this event, tentatively
planned for two annual editions, probably Spring and Fall. But what makes this
contest extra special is the fact that everybody has to play the same exact machines
year after year. In other words, the exact Lawman machine that was used in this
contest will be used in all future years, and so on...
The ten games, chosen by Tim Arnold, founder and director of the Pinball Hall of Fame
in Las Vegas, were selected to represent many eras of pinball evolution, from the
electro-mechanical Lawman manufactured in 1971, to the software-driven South Park
put out by SEGA in 1998. Each of the ten games was placed on difficulty settings
selected by Tim Arnold for the event. The machines were worked on for weeks prior
to the event so that they would be as close as possible to "perfect" condition."
See News Release about the rules and game settings.
Though it was billed as a "Video Game & Pinball Masters Tournament," the players in
attendance were primarily focused on pinball with little interest directed towards
the dozen video games on location. However, of special note is the enthusiasm displayed
for the older coin-op novelty games that pre-dated the video game era. Titles like
Ambush, Twin Rifle, Funland, Road Runner and Speed Way attracted lots of play and
recorded their first world records for Twin Galaxies' Official Video Game &
Pinball Book of World Records.
The contest attendees proved to be a very creative lot. John Russo, of Bradenton, FL
owns one of the nation's most well-known Classic Arcade Showrooms -- Apollo Amusements --
which sells vintage coin-op games to the public. Plus, Tony Moore, winner on South Park
and Taxi, is a Marine Biologist in charge of the Aquarium at the Mirage Casino. In the
same vein, Danny Carranza (3rd place on Taxi) works as a poker dealer at Binion's
Horseshoe Club, while John Rhodes is in his 21st year as a Las Vegas dealer, having
worked at numerous casinos during his career. And, the husband-wife pinball team of
Jonathan and Joanne Bradley both work in cashier cages at rival casinos. And,
Richard Jenkins is a NAMCO employee in charge of NAMCO's route of coin-operated
amusement devices located throughout the greater Las Vegas area. And, Craig Sengstock
drives one of those monstrously long stretch limos as his day (or night) job.
On Sunday, Guinness World Records sent a photographer to snap pictures of games and
players, plus close-ups of the final champions holding their awards certificates while
posing in front of the game titles they conquered. Based on our best information, there
will be a photograph of this event published in the Guinness World Records 2007 Book.
The awards certificates, issued by Twin Galaxies, displayed text similar to this example
taken from the Kings and Queens Certificate:
"It is Proclaimed that this gamer will be submitted to Guinness World Records™
for achieving a new world record on the pinball edition of Kings & Queens during the
2006 Video Game & Pinball Masters Tournament event at The Pinball Hall of Fame
as verified by Walter Day in Las Vegas, NV, on April 28, 2006"
The deadline for the Guinness World Records Book has now passed and the scores are
safely in the hands of the Guinness editors. However, there are already plans in the
making for the next edition of this event, for next year's Guinness World Records Book.
And, on top of that, Twin Galaxies hopes to stage later this year an Arcade Novelty
World Championship at the Pinball Hall of Fame that features contest play on pre-video
coin-op games from the 1950-1972 era.
The entire staff of Twin Galaxies and the participating players in the contest extend
their sincere thanks to Tim and Charlotte Arnold and Airman First Class Hippie for
welcoming this event to the Pinball Hall of Fame and for keeping these ancient games
in running condition. We hope all the pinball hobby's top players have a chance to
go to the Pinball Hall of Fame to see the world's largest collection of games made
available for public play.
Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame (Jim Belsito - Grand Champion)
Jim Belsito keeps very busy as the owner/operater of a large video game route
in Southern California as well as being President of the Inland Empire Pinball
League at Lake Alice, Riverside, California. He was the general manager
of Castle Park in Riverside, California in the mid 1980's. He has an Engineering
Degree which helps him in his business with the constant repairs of video and
pinball equipment. He also has a game room with 32 pinballs and 15 classic
video games which he opens up to the public on Halloween Night. Ranked 6th in
the world, he travels to all the big purse pinball contests like the
PAPA (professional amateur pinball association)
Tournament and the California Extreme Tournament usually does quite
well in the overall rankings.
Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame Tournament - April 29, 2006
Shawn Cram, Christian Cram, Perry Rodgers, Paul Dean
The Brother, Sister Cram's were there to put up some very good pinball high scores,
as well as show their skill on the video games. Both have several world records
already. Perry Rodgers, Galaxian and Mario Brothers Champion from the early
1980's, showed up to show off his pinball skills. Perry Rodgers also spoke about going
to Funspot and to finally match up with Gary Whelan, Galaxian Champion from
London, England.
Galaxian Rivalry, (England Vs America)
Gary Whelan Vs Perry Rodgers
Gary Whelan was sick when Perry Rodgers went to England to
play against him in Galaxian, and when Gary Whelan came to Apollo Amusements
this year to play against Perry Rodgers, Perry no-showed because their was
not a dedicated Galaxian at the arcade. Now, with a perfectly running Galaxian
at the Funspot Arcade, the two will finally play the match of destiny to
determine who is better, the Eurpoeans, or the Americans. Good luck Perry!
Funspot Champions to attend the Funspot Event for June 1-4, 2006
Weirs Beach, NH
Champions in Attendance to be the following:
Sandra Lawton, Bob Lawton, Randy Lawton, Steve Lawton, Gary Vincent, Greg Mott,
Paul Drury, Robert Mruczek, Martin Bedard, Tony Temple, Tom Votava, Greg Erway,
Gary Whelan, Donald Hayes, Shawn Cram, Christian Cram, Anna Cram, Jason Cram,
Jennifer Moore, David Nelson, Derek Fonda, Walter Day, Adam Wood, Joel Hedge Richard
Marsh, Abdner Ashman, Cameron Feltner, Pat Laffaye, April Simmonds, Pat Laffaye,
Troy Whelan, Derek Litton, Nik Meeks, Robert Griffin, Tim McIlroy, Kelly Flewin,
Darren Harris, Greg Bond, Bryan Wagner, Nick Ortakales, Todd Rogers, David Cruz,
Perry Rodgers, Dave Demers, Steve Kyriakides, Scootie Ahlers
David Nelson is Team Captain of the New England Chapter of the
U.S. National Video Game Team, dubbed the "Video Warriors". Link
USNVGT: official New England Team Roster
Anna Cram
Christian Cram
Jason Cram
Shawn Cram
Andrew Gardikis
Donald Hayes
Jennifer Moore
David Nelson - team captain
Michael Sao Pedro
Adam Wood
See the Funspot 2005 Results Link
Funspot VIII
British Royal Crown
The British Monarchy Link
British Invasion
Will the British make their Queen proud, with the up and coming invasion
to the Funspot Video Game Classics Competition at Weirs Beach, New Hamphire,
or will it end up like the Boston Tea Party?
Funspot Classics British Gamers Invasion
British Classic Gamers Invasion
The British Classic Gamers Invasion led by Gary Whelan, Galaxian Champion
is coming to the USA on June 1-4, 2006. Funspot Classics Arcade will have
to uphold its tradition of having the best classic gamers in the world,
and keep the British gamers abay. The top British Gamers coming are
Gary Whelan, Galaxian Champion, Tony Temple, Missile Command Champion,
Greg Mott, pinball specialist, Pete Whittle and Paul Drury, from
Retro Gamer Magazine.
Will Perry Rodgers and the others be able to uphold are American Stronghold?
We will see what will happen as this is coming up on June 1, 2006 at Weirs
Beach, New Hamphire.
Perry Rodgers - A Long Term Coin-Operated Classics Gamer
A Early 1980's Classic Gamers story; Perry Rodgers
Perry Rodgers a long time programmer, was working as a Producer of Video Games for
Tangent and is now in transition, and hopefully he will make the next big hit! Maybe
a 3-D Galaxian Sequel? But for now he is practicing for the USA and hoping to
keep Gary Whelan from embarrassing the Americans at Galaxian, the 1979 Namco
Coin Operated video game.
In the early 1980's Perry Rodgers appeared in TV commercials ("When I'm not playing
games in the arcade, I'm . . . ") and competed on the
US National Video Game Team.
A quote from Gameboys about the 1980's video game experience: Link
Video-game lore is rife with tales of players pulling all-nighters, all-dayers,
all-weekers. Bill Mitchell says it took him 47 hours to set his Centipede record
("25 million and one"). Perry Rodgers did 27 hours at a charity event playing
Mario Bros. Rick Fothergill says that in his heyday he'd regularly play 12 to 16 hours
at a stretch. Stephen Krogman, who works in a video arcade ("I play them and fix them"),
recently knocked off his 10-hour shift, only to spend another 10 hours playing.
Robert Mruzak once spent 49 hours playing Star Wars, an experience he describes, with
deadpan understatement, as "draining."
Perry Rodgers High Scores Link
Las Vegas Hall of Fame Tournament
Shawn Cram playing (Kings and Queens Pinball)
Some of the Tournament pins were real classics, like the Kings and Pinball
Shawn Cram was playing most of the day, trying to improve his high score.
Unfortunately he didn't get a world record on this one, but there is always
next year.
Shawn Cram (SJC) Lebanon, ME
He is best known for his Zoo Keeper Video Game World Record of 35,732,870 points on 2/8/04
at the famous spot for world records, Funspot Arcade in New Hamphire.
Shawn Crams sister, Christian Cram also has some world records, and attends the
Annual Funspot Tournament where many of the world record players gather to beat
each others high scores both modern and high scores from the Golden Age.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Jim Belsito (Contest Winner)and Walter Day, Twin Galaxies Referee
Jim Belsito and Twin Galaxies Referee are outside of the Pinball Hall of Fame
Tournament building after 12 hours of playing pinball on April 29th, 2006.
This photo shot was taken at twelve midnight as the proprietor Tim Arnold,
ousted out all of the pinball players so he could get some sleep. For Jim Belsito,
this was an one day event because of many other obligations and preperations for
work back in California. Many more scores would have been taken over if Jim Belsito
had the time to stay for the entire three day event. As his pinball game play per
games usually takes and hour per game. The pinball games were being played all
day and all night as this pinball event brought in some real die hards from all
over the country.
April 29th, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada: Danny Carranza (Outrun World Record Holder way back in 1987)
Danny Carranza who now lives in Las Vegas, was an avid video game player in the
1980's and at one time held the world record in Outrun, in which he was trying
to regain the title at the Pinball Hall of Fame Event. Tim Arnold has many
classic video games at his Amusement Center as well as over 200 pinballs which
are rotated between his 1,000 game classic pinball collection at home.
Danny Carranza was also a member of the US National Video Game Team in the
mid 1980's (1985-1989) and played against all of the best players in the
Country. He recollected his early gaming years of living and playing video
games in Los Angeles, California at the Arcades; Family Fun Arcade, Westworld,
Pickwood Bowl, Captain Video and James Games in Upland, CA.
Some of his fellow US National Video Game team members were Kelly Kobashigawa,
Hyper Sports Champion, Jim Jung, Alien Syndrome Champion, Mike Sullivan,
Return of the Jedi Champion, Jeff Peters, Time Pilot Champion, Donn Nauert, Crossbow
and Cheyenne Champion, Tim Uyeda, Power Drive Champion and
Phil Britt
a Hall of Famer in the Guinness Book of World Records. (Phil Britt Scores)
The Results of the 2006 Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame Event
Addams Family
Serial #20017-590681
Software: Version P-2
Mode: Tournament
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: Extra balls received
Playing conditions: Weak upper right flipper
Addams Family Scores:
1,591,573,470 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
295,524,850 Tom Neighbors, Las Vegas, NV
250,628,250 Allan Desmond, Las Vegas, NV
176,609,330 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
111,000,000 Douglas Kohl, Las Vegas, NV
57,153,770 David Elliott, Las Vegas, NV
50,146,370 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
40,622,910 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
Captain Fantastic
Serial #13428
Software: None
Mode: Factory
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: No extra balls received
Playing conditions: No problems
Captain Fantastic Scores:
245,240 Tom Neighbors, Las Vegas, NV
217,020 Craig Sengstock, Henderson, NV
169,870 Jonathan Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
166,840 Danny Carranza, Las Vegas, NV
135,470 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
135,450 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
130,850 Paul Dean, Riverside, CA
119,690 Perry Rodgers, Redmond, WA
111,590 John Russo, Bradenton, FL
60,120 Dan Reeves, Las Vegas, NV
49,730 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
44,380 Christopher Olvera, Las Vegas, NV
28,180 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
12,440 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
Creature from Black Lagoon
Serial #835280
Software: 20018 Rev. L-2
Mode: Tournament
Difficulty: Hard Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: No extra balls received
Playing Conditions: Weak right flipper
Creature Black Lagoon Scores:
1,015,433,710 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
327,199,770 Richard Jenkins, Las Vegas, NV
264,084,250 Douglas Kohl, Las Vegas, NV
146,328,850 Christopher Olvera, Las Vegas, NV
107,022,830 Christian F. Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
99,516,050 David Elliott, Las Vegas, NV
94,069,400 Jonathan Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
75,983,310 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
55,178,500 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
39,959,340 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
38,874,200 Rudy Ferretti, Las Vegas, NV
Kings & Queens
Serial #05376
Software: None
Mode: Factory
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 5 balls to start
Bonus: No extra balls received
Playing conditions: No problems
Kings and Queens Scores
2,243 Michael Frankovich, Pasadena, CA
2,052 John Rhodes, Henderson, NV
1,956 Jonathan Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
1,904 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
1,714 Tom Neighbors, Las Vegas, NV
1,611 Perry Rodgers, Redmond, WA
1,605 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
1,223 Christian F. Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
766 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
693 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
567 John Russo, Bradenton, FL
468 Douglas Kohl, Las Vegas, NV
Lawman
Serial #7522
Software: None
Mode: Factory
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: No extra balls received
Playing conditions: Problems were fixed
Lawman Scores
159,530 Brian Weilbacher, Las Vegas, NV
114,280 Jonathan Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
101,200 John Russo, Bradenton, FL
100,330 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
99,980 John Rhodes, Henderson, NV
95,990 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
95,710 Perry Rodgers, Redmond, WA
92,010 Joanne Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
88,260 Tom Neighbors, Las Vegas, NV
65,690 Paul Dean, Riverside, CA
58,830 Michael Frankovich, Pasadena, CA
32,940 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
25,060 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
Scared Stiff
Serial #51048103373
Software: (To Be Verified)
Mode: Tournament
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: Extra balls received
Playing conditions: ??
Scared Stiff Scores
69,895,370 Craig Sengstock, Henderson, NV
51,045,910 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
38,626,460 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
11,446,120 David Elliott, Las Vegas, NV
9,530,420 Douglas Kohl, Las Vegas, NV
6,921,860 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
2,549,920 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
1,018,670 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
South Park
Serial #E-148449
Software: (Version A101)
Mode: Tournament
Difficulty: Hard Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: No extra balls received
Playing conditions: No problems
South Park Scores:
456,968,070 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
216,254,890 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
187,244,500 Perry Rodgers, Redmond, WA
82,622,680 Christian F. Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
72,389,770 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
46,097,150 David Elliott, Las Vegas, NV
34,084,160 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
11,652,860 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
Taxi
Serial #
Software: (To be verified)
Mode: Tournament
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 5 balls to start
Bonus: Extra balls received
Playing Conditions: Ramp generated extra points.
Taxi Scores:
19,507,390 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
12,213,370 Tom Neighbors, Las Vegas, NV
9,346,850 Danny Carranza, Las Vegas, NV
6,345,400 Christopher Olvera, Las Vegas, NV
5,495,620 Cayle George, Madison, WI
4,810,850 Dan Reeves, Las Vegas, NV
2,579,800 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
2,119,900 Christian F. Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
1,675,570 Douglas Kohl, Las Vegas, NV
1,345,700 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
Twilight Zone
Serial #183171
Software: (Version L-3)
Mode: Tournament
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: Extra balls received
Playing condition: No problems
Twilight Zone Scores
1,726,330,320 Jim Belsito, Rialto, CA
1,445,432,590 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
990,262,580 Richard Jenkins, Las Vegas, NV
688,105,090 Danny Carranza, Las Vegas, NV
314,376,610 David Elliott, Las Vegas, NV
220,099,700 Shawn Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
216,452,540 Dan Reeves, Las Vegas, NV
166,994,670 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
75,499,530 Rudy Ferretti, Las Vegas, NV
35,797,990 Christian F. Cram, W. Lebanon, ME
33,612,850 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
Wizard
Serial #11207
Software: None
Mode: Factory
Difficulty: Factory Difficulty
Start: 3 balls to start
Bonus: Extra balls received
Playing Conditions: Windings
removed from the coils increased
difficulty of play
Wizard Scores
190,240 Tom Neighbors, Las Vegas, NV
181,180 John Russo, Bradenton, FL
163,770 Perry Rodgers, Redmond, WA
160,100 Jonathan Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
149,580 Joanne Bradley, Las Vegas, NV
130,680 Tony Moore, Las Vegas, NV
119,290 John Rhodes, Henderson, NV
113,520 John Matthews, Las Vegas, NV
18,180 Christopher Appellof, Las Vegas
Tim Arnold working on an old 1957 pin, Target Roll
The 1957 classic game, Target Roll is a cross between pinball, roulette and craps.
Game play is just like craps, with the exception that instead of crapping out on
a 7 as in craps, on Target Roll you crap out on "70". In addition, points are scored
for the various holes you land in. Game is not a typical 3 or 5 ball game. Each game
can last as short as one ball or infinite balls until you crap out.
Las Vegas Hall of Fame Girls
The Hall of Fame Arcade also got some Saturday Night Action from the
local pinball girls from the local area. Their favorite pins were
Mario Brothers, The Simpsons Fish Tales and Turtles.
Hall of Fame Player, Joanne Bradley
Joanne Bradley, from Las Vegas, Nevada scores a 92,010 on Lawman. It is great
to see more woman compete at the Pinball Tournaments around the country!
Hall of Fame
Paul Dean, Tim Arnold, Walter Day
One last picture before leaving the Pinball Hall of Fame, with Tim Arnold, Owner,
goofing off and Walter Day, Twin Galaxies Referee, posing with me, Paul Dean.
Good times, hope I can go again.
Paul Dean
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funspot Classic Games
Funspot Classic Games Central
Funspot 8
MEDIA RELEASE April 17, 2006– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Link
World Famous Classic Coin-Op Videogame & Pinball Tournament Celebrates Eighth Year
It’s time once again for the annual International Classic Videogame & Pinball
Championships to be held at Funspot in Weirs Beach, NH. The dates for the
8th Annual tournament are Thursday, June 1st through Sunday, June 4th, 2006.
Located in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, Funspot is the world’s second largest Arcade.
Shows and Competitions
There are three up and coming events that are quite big for seeing the best of
the best video game players, and there will be a pinball tournament as well.
These Events are the following: Funspot 2006, California Extreme 2006 and
Herb Silver's Fabulous Fantasies Show
Players who have recently competed at the Funspot 8th Annual Video Game Competition:
Funspot 8
Funspot 8th Annual Event
June 1st through Sunday, June 4th, 2006 (June 1-4, 2006)
Each year, players from across the United States and around the world gather
for four days of classic game competition, and the fun of playing their favorites
in the largest collection of classic arcade games still operating in an arcade
setting, in the world. In prior years, championship-caliber players have come
from Australia, Canada, England, Israel and Finland to attend this fun-filled
event.
Mark Longridge, Pat Laffaye, Stephen Krogman, Robert Mruziak, Perry Rodgers,
and Billy Mitchell may not be household names, but between them, these six men
have set world records for Wizard of Wor, Dig Dug, Space Invaders, Pac Man,
Ms. Pac Man, Joust, Frogger, Galaga, Arkanoid, Tetris, Doctor Mario, Firetruck,
Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Q*Bert, BurgerTime, Centipede, Galaxian, Carnival,
Mario Bros., and Star Wars.
Funspot Arcade
Funspot: Funspot Classic Arcade Tournament
Funspot 8th Annual International Classic Game Tournament
(June 1-4, 2006)
Funspot Event: World Famous Classic Coin-Op Videogame & Pinball Tournament
Celebrates Eighth Year Link
Event Dates:
Thursday, June 1st through Sunday, June 4th, 2006. Located in Weirs Beach,
New Hampshire, Funspot is the world’s premier classic gaming site with players
traveling from all over the world to compete against the Americans, who have
had a stronghold on video game high scores.
Funspot is actually in Laconia, NH : Gary Vincent General Manager (603) 366-4377
Funspot (Weirs Beach)
(170+ classics, great condition, AWESOME)
Laconia, New Hampshire, USA
Classic Games Listed: Link
Funspot Results of 2005 Link
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Extreme Asteroids (2006)
California Extreme 2006
California Extreme: Link
10th Annual California Extreme Arcade Games Show (2006)
July 8 - 9 , 2006
Parkside Hall
San Jose, California
"Classic Arcade Games Show" and Pinball Tournament
California Extreme is back for its 9th year
July 8 - 9, 2006
It's the 10th Annual California Extreme celebration of coin operated pinball machines,
the video games and other novelties you once found in game arcades are here for all
to see. It's two days that celebrate this exceptional entertainment medium, featuring
tournaments, video game and pinball speakers, champions, parts vendors, and an
opportunity to play games you may have not seen for years. Link
Get ready for some Extreme Nostalgia from the 1980's Golden Era of Arcade
and the Bronze Era of the 1950's to 1970's of pinballs hayday of Yesteryear!
See the California Extreme Flyer Link
California Extreme 2006 Event Link
California Extreme 2005 Event Link
California Extreme predictions of 2005 Event Link
California Extreme Results of 2005 Event Link
California Extreme to see many Celebrities at this 2006 event on July 8-9, 2006 Link
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fabulous Fantasies
Fabulous Fantasies Pinball Contest and Show Link
Welcome to The Las Vegas Pinball Fantasy Show
The number one Pinball and collectible show is BACK!!
Pinball Fantasy 10th Anniversary Las Vegas Show to start on July 28th, 2006
Pinball Fantasy 06' to be the biggest yet with unique one of a kind collectables!
A pinball tournament to take place in order to find out who is the best player.
10th Annual Fabulous Fantasies Show
Herb Silvers, Owner of Fabulous Fantasies
The Pinball Fantasy 10th Anniversary Show Flyer Reunion Show and Contest Details
July 28-30, 2006
Union Plaza Hotel
One Main Street
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(800)-634-6575
10,000 sq. Feet of showroom space
$50.00 for three day early registration package
Call: Herb Silvers (818)-761-2255
Flyer Link
Showroom Location Link
Fabulous Fantasies
19641-43 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana CA. 91356
Phone - 818-761-2255
Fax - 775-367-2859
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E3) Electronic Entertainment Expo
A comment about E3 a huge Video Gaming Extravaganza in Los Angeles, California.
Electronic Entertainment Expo
May 10-12, 2006
Los Angeles Convention Center
Los Angeles, CA
Nintendo Booth at E3 Expo
Nintendo has come up with a new idea at the E3 Electronic Entertainment
Expo in Los Angeles, Ca. They released a new game called Wii System
which is said be getting back to basics with video games when games
were fun to play before they were merged with high end special effects. Zelda, Mario
and Red Steel were the highlights of this system.
Xbox
X Box at the 2006 Los Angeles Electronic Expo
If there is a word which means beyond huge, this would be the E-3
Microsoft X-Box exhibit which towers over the other booths, which see no sun
light when X-box rises from the sweat and tears of many hard working
Tradeshow Installers who work day and night for 14 days until this
mammoth structure is built.
Xbox Live Girl
Xbox had many demo pods, their trailer theater, and the mini-booth dedicated
to their newly rebranded Games for Windows initiative. Many office rooms were
built to take the wheel and deal makers back to, in order to talk about the
many million dollar deals that go on behind the scenes. The VIP room was
heavily guarded so nobody would know what big deals were actually going on
in this multi billion dollar industry.
Gears of War was at the main event as their new high definition game. X-box
Live will have six million members and X-box Live Arcade will bring back
some of the classics so even the old guys can play the games that haven't
seen in years.
My over all impression of the E-3 Show in Los Angeles
I'm sure it was what Rome was all about when they ruled the world. A place
where all the big deals were made as well as a carnival type of atmosphere
with go-go girls spinning around along side with a guy walking around with
a sign reading the end is near. I'm surprised the trade floor wasn't pasted
with $100.00 dollar bills. They really spared no expense to get the attention
of the media and press, in order to show off their latest video game technology.
After only a few minutes of looking at this stuff I found a huge stimulus overload
and needed to be revived by the calm noise of the city streets, before going back
in. Who is really prepared for the ground to actually shake as you walk through
the displays while being drenched by some sort of fog machine while young girls
are showing you their latest moves to get you into their booth. The place is
generally very dark except for the glowing computers and neon signs and there are
crowds of people in lines to see the latest and greatest gaming inventions. We've
come a long way since pong!
Am I looking forward to next year? You bet. This place is just like outer space,
and who wouldn't want to see a glimpse at the future?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you,
Paul Dean, Spy Hunter Champion June 28, 1985
[Coin-Op World Records]
Click At Desired Graphic Text For Each Introduction
Biography Commentary Questions
Click On Below Graphic Text For Spy Hunter Introduction
Tournament and Guinness Book Results From 1983-2004
Click On Below Graphic Text For All Video High Scores thru 2004
The Golden Era
Click On Below Graphic Text For Material On The Golden Years Of Video Games 1980's
Click the Below Graphic Text to read my Conversations With Walter Day
June 9, 2004 Walter Day states, "No Replay Necessary" for Paul Dean
Find A Video Game Auction Near You
Home Page