Matt Owen

The Weird World of Pinball Arcade Hybrid Machines

Pinball is fun and so are arcade games, so why not mix the two together?

The Score Card: Women's World Championship and More

Competitive pinball wrapped up a huge month: Miriam Nadler took home the IFPA Women’s North American title, while Keri Wing secured her third World Championship after an epic comeback. Plus, major wins at Texas Pinball Festival & Louisville Arcade Expo. Full results & highlights here!

D&D is the Necessary Evolution of Pinball and RPGs

Stern's new Dungeons & Dragons pinball blends RPG mechanics with approachable features like saved progress, aiming to draw in both casual gamers and dedicated fans. While not flawless, it's an exciting step forward in pinball design.

Competitive Pinball Roundup: The 2025 Season Begins

Kicking off a new regular series on tournament pinball with a look at the end of the 2024-2025 season and the start of the 2025-2026 season.

A Night at the 2024 TWIPYs: Winners List and Recap

Recapping the 2024 Pinball Community Awards (aka The TWIPYs).

Hybrid Best Game: How to Play the New IFPA Tournament Format

Learn how the new IFPA tournament format, Hybrid Best Game, works.

How a Pinball Newbie Qualified for the Ohio State Championship

From a wide-eyed newbie to a last-minute qualifier at the 2024 IFPA Ohio State Pinball Championship, this is the exciting story of one player’s improbable rise through countless league nights and fierce tournaments.

IFPA Rookie of the Year Jaden Rich Talks Competitive Pinball Success

Jaden Rich of Louisville, Ohio, has taken the pinball world by storm, earning the prestigious IFPA Rookie of the Year title in his first season of competition. In an exclusive interview, Jaden shares how a birthday tournament with his dad sparked his passion for competitive pinball and more.

A Chat with The Greatest Showman Homebrew Pinball Team

A conversation with the design team behind The Greatest Showman homebrew pinball machine.

Pincinnati 2024: A Cozy Convention in the Birthplace of Pinball

Recapping the awesomeness of the 2024 Pincinnati pinball show and tournament.

Homebrew Pinball Machine Heaven at Expo 2024

From Pokemon to Tony Hawk, the homebrew section at Pinball Expo 2024 showcased incredible custom machines that pushed the boundaries of pinball innovation. Check out a few of our favorite creations.

Creating Memories at Pinball Media Mixer 2.0

Recapping a memorable side-event at Pinball Expo, the Pinball Media Mixer 2.0.

Pinball Expo 2024: 40 Years of Flipping Fun

If you didn't get a chance to go to Pinball Expo this year (or even if you did), read about everything you missed, and why Pinball Expo should be a priority show for 2025.

CLEPin 2024: The Premiere Pinball Convention in Cleveland

Pinball Planet is the Hottest New Spot Near Cleveland

See how the legacy of Cleveland's Southland Lanes lives on in the newly opened Pinball Planet.

Pinball Preparedness: How to Get Ready for Your Next Tournament

As the summer starts to wrap up and autumn nears, the big season of competitive pinball has begun. Here are some steps to help you get your head in the game before a pinball tournament, whether you're competing locally or battling the best on the pro circuit.

Portable Pins: The Best Pinball Games on Steam Deck

Discover the top pinball games that are perfect for the Steam Deck, offering a mix of realistic simulation and inventive, genre-bending fun. From Zen Studios’ renowned Pinball FX series to indie gems like Yoku's Island Express and Rollers of the Realm, this guide has it all.

Sweeper City Pinball Championships 2024: Learning the Ropes of Card

In early July, I took a trip to the first-ever Sweeper City Pinball Championships, located at the Hoover Lodge in North Canton, Ohio, where dozens of talented players tackled the art of the card for the very first time.

The Amazing Pinball Race: A Taste of the Stern Pro Circuit

Wonder what it's like to attend a Stern Pro Circuit event? Matt Owen checks out The Amazing Pinball Race to find out.

Kidforce Pinball Upgrades to Brand New Arcade

Checking out the new pinball-focused expansion of Cleveland's Kidforce Collectibles, where there are over 30 machines available to play, plus tournaments and other regular events.

PinBrew Fest: The Pinball and Beer Convention You Need to Visit

The fourth edition of Ohio's PinBrew fest took place recently, and Matt Owen was there to report back on all the beer-soaked pinball happenings.

Past Times Mega Matchplay: Inside Ohio's Biggest Pinball Tournament

Author Matt Owen takes us for the ride as he competes in the recent Past Times Arcade Mega Matchplay tournament.

A Walk Through Past Times Arcade

Highlighting a few of our favorite arcade games that you should play when visiting Past Times Arcade in Ohio.