IPDB.org has been the pinball community's go-to database for over two decades. But the data tells a troubling story: database updates are down 93% since 2020, 71% of major pinball releases since 2020 are missing entirely, and search visibility has collapsed.
The best pinball machines of 2025 wowed us with their innovation, fine-tuned flow, and excellent layouts, producing some truly standout experiences. In celebration of this year's best release, I've whipped up a list of the best pinball machines of 2025.
On this edition of The Score Card, we're recapping the final SPC tournaments of the year, jumping from Florida's biggest arcade expo to a cozy convention in Ohio, before crossing the finish at a beloved arcade in Illinois.
A new pinball rumor began circulating today via French pinball influencer Paris Pinball Addict, pointing to a potential Resident Evil–themed machine developed by a previously unknown European manufacturer based in Switzerland.
Before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, the IFPA released new statements intended to clarify its internal structure, bathroom-access expectations for sanctioned events, and its next steps following the OBX Fall Flippers incident.
Last night, November 19th, in response to the ongoing controversy around the OBX Fall Flippers Tournament and the response to it by the IFPA, the remaining members of the Women's Advisory Board, Crystal Cory, Karyn Kiser, Kim Martinez, and Zoë Vrabel, officially resigned.
Approaching the end of the year, competitive pinball becomes an interesting scene. As some players wind down, many others rush to the biggest tournaments they can find, eager to claim a few final victories before the season ends.
