Gerry Faber and his blue-ribbon winner, Eye of the Tiger

Past Winners of Best Game Awards

2022

We followed the same practices as 2021.

  • Antique: Frank Rothdeutsch for his 1952 Gottlieb Queen of Hearts
  • 1960s: Dave Metrando for his 1963 Bally Cross Country
  • 1970s EM: Dave Metrando for his 1978 Gottlieb Neptune
  • 1970s SS: Brian Hawkins for his 1977 Bally Mata Hari
  • 1980s: Brian Yurick for his 1988 Williams Swords of Fury

As a way to include all games, the Best Game Team and other Team Leaders at Pintastic observed popular reaction to the various games at the show. We sensed that the following were the biggest crowd pleasers from a field that included lots of great games!

  • Factory-made: Sandra & Mark Antonucci for their 2011 Stern TRON
  • Custom: Dino Gaspari for his Jaws (2022 re-theme of Silverball Mania)

2021

Due to a judging shortage, only the oldest categories were judged for blue ribbon prizes. The older a game is, the more likely that restoration work has been needed at some point.

  • Antique: Frank Rothdeutsch for his 1958 Williams Casino
  • 1960s: Dave Metrando for his 1960 Gottlieb Kewpie Doll
  • 1970s EM: Ty Ueda for his 1975 Gottlieb Atlantis
  • 1970s SS: Brian Hawkins for his 1977 Bally Evel Knievel
  • Early 1980s: Dave Sagat for his 1981 Williams Solar Fire

As a way to include all games, the Best Game Team and other Team Leaders at Pintastic observed popular reaction to the various games at the show. We sensed that the following were the biggest crowd pleasers from a field that included lots of great games!

  • Factory-made: Gabe D’Annunzio for his 2020 Guns ‘N Roses Limited Edition
  • Custom: Ryan McQuaid for his Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball

2019

  • Antique: 1957 Gypsy Queen
  • 1960s: Dave Metrando for his 1962 Williams Trade Winds
  • 1970s EM:
  • 1970s SS: 1978 Bally Playboy
  • Early 1980s: 1980 Williams Black Knight
  • Late 1980s: Nick Maniatis for his 1989 Williams Black Knight 2000
  • 1990s: 1997 Sega The X Files
  • Modern: 2002 Stern Roller Coaster Tycoon
  • Custom:

2018

  • Antique: Bob Thurman for his 1932 Mills Official
  • 1960s: Dave Metrando for his 1965 Gottlieb Kings & Queens
  • 1970s EM: Dave Metrando for his 1977 Gottlieb Team One
  • 1970s SS: Ken Rizzitano for his 1979 Williams Gorgar
  • Early 1980s: John-Robert LaPorta for his 1980 Williams Firepower
  • Late 1980s: Nick Maniatis for his 1989 Williams Black Knight 2000
  • 1990s: Greg Roehl for his 1995 Gottlieb Stargate
  • Modern: Gabe D’Annunzio for his 2004 Stern Ripley’s Believe It or Not
  • Custom: Brian Hawkins for his Lost in Space 1965 re-theme

2017

  • Antique: Dave Metrando for his 1958 Gottlieb Sunshine
  • 1960s: Dave Metrando for his 1968 Gottlieb Domino
  • 1970s EM: Gerry Faber for his 1978 Gottlieb Eye of the Tiger
  • 1970s SS: Gerry Faber for his 1979 Gottlieb Totem
  • Early 1980s: Dennis Cole for his 1986 Gottlieb Rock Encore
  • Late 1980s: Nick Maniatis for his 1989 Williams Black Knight 2000
  • 1990s: Dave Madore for his 1995 Capcom Pinball Magic
  • Modern: Ivan Lysykanycz for his 2014 Stern Walking Dead Premium
  • Custom: Brian Hawkins for his Ash vs. Evil Dead

2016

  • Antique: Bob Thurman for his 1932 Mills Official
  • 1960s: Dave Metrando for his 1963 Williams Swing Time
  • 1970s EM: Dave Metrando for his 1971 Gottlieb Bristol Hills
  • Early SS: Allan Davidson for his 1983 Williams Defender
  • 1980s Alpha: Nick Maniatis for his 1989 Williams Black Knight 2000
  • 1990s DMD: Tony Dziedzic for his 1993 Williams Twilight Zone
  • Modern: Dave Madore for his 2013 Stern Metallica
  • Special Mention: Gabe D’Annunzio for 1996 Midway/Williams Scared Stiff