Pinball machines used to follow every successful horror films back in the decades. Many films, comics and pop culture icons inspired pinball makers to create the best pingame for avid players. In this top 10 list, we go over the best horror-themed pinball machines that offer great game experience and fantastic backglass artworks.
1. Addams Family (1992)
Regarded as one of the most beloved Pinball machines, The Addams Family was a mega-hit back in 1992 when it was released. This game followed the successful 1991 film of the same name. The game has many incredible features like Gomez and Morticia’s voice-over and Thing’s hand that grabs the player’s ball.
2. Freddy: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1994)
This terrifying Multi-ball Machine was a sure hit back in the days and remains a top choice among players even to this day. The playing field is dominated by the big head of Freddy whose mouth moves and talks during the game. Other features include his furnace that opens up, razors that would appear to save your ball from falling between the two flippers and Kruger’s voice over with frantic music.
3. Elvira Themed Pinball
One of the most iconic Horror heroines of all time is Elvira. The Mistress of the Dark spread horrors to the Pinball game with two versions of Elvira-themed machines. The first is the ‘Elvira and the Party Monsters’ (1989). Cassandra Peterson, the Actress who played the role and a long-time Flipper fan, is even said to have put her own personal touch on the game design. The second installment of the game is the Scared Stiff (1996). The best feature of the game is the controllable spinning spider on the backbox.
4. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1993)
This Pinball is based on the 1992 Film of the same name. It features three different multi-ball games that can be activated all at once. Everything in the game is Dracula-inspired with creepy howls of werewolves, flying bats and blood-looking graphics on the display board. One cool thing about this machine is the floating ball that when hit starts the multi-ball mode.
5. Tales from the Crypt (1993)
This Solid State machine is notable for its great backglass artwork and the iconic freak laughs. It is a good starting game for beginners but not for kids due to some graphic images and the featured face that gets chainsawed when the player hits the jackpot.
6. Monster Bash (1993)
The backglass artworks of this pinball machine are jam-packed with monster figures and an angry mob with pitchforks and torches. A rock of band of the most notorious monsters all played in this game: Frankenstein on the keyboard, the Mummy and Dracula on guitars while Wolfman plays the drums and the Creature from Black Lagoon plays on saxophone. The coolest feature is the “Phantom Flip” wherein the machine plays the game by itself as if possessed by an evil spirit.
7. Creature from the Black Lagoon (1992)
This machine inspired by the film of the same name. It features a horrifyingly colorful backglass with the black lagoon covering the large center. The best part of playing this pinball is the monster displayed by a green hologram that flashes as you play.
8. Centaur (1981)
Considered to be the first real multiball machine, Centaur is based on the 1956 balls-A-Poppin machine. What’s striking about this machine is the black and white design with red and yellow lights–a rather unpopular to colorful comic art of most backglasses. Centaur game has a bonus feature, guardian lanes and the Chamber in-line drop targets that players all enjoyed.
9. Twilight Zone
Based on the popular 50s and 60s TV series, Twilight Zone features a wide-body machine. The game allows the players to make every kind of shot imaginable, that’s why it is a crowd favorite. However, this game could be a real challenge. DailyGrind said it is a brilliant game to play but “tricky as hell.”
10. Frankenstein
The classic humongus monster is what this 4-player pinball all about. A cool feature of this game is the Frankenstein model that throws the balls toward flippers. And equally iconic is the Frankenstein song by Edgar Winter used as one of the theme songs of the game.
Sure, you have in mind your favorite horror-themed pinball game. Feel free to share us your favorite by commenting below.