Creature from the Black Lagoon (pinball)

Creature from the Black Lagoon
Company type	Pinball machine
Industry	Arcade games, pinball
Founded	December 1992
Founder	John Trudeau ("Dr. Flash")
Products	Pinball machine
Parent	Midway (under Bally label)

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Creature from the Black Lagoon (pinball), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025

Creature from the Black Lagoon is a pinball machine created by John Trudeau, also known as "Dr. Flash," and launched by Midway under the Bally label in December 1992. Drawing inspiration from the film, the game adopts a 1950s drive-in theater motif. Bally secured licensing rights from Universal Studios to ensure that all visual elements and creature representations faithfully reflected the original movie. A total of 7,841 units were manufactured.

Hologram

At the heart of the playfield lies a green holographic image of the Creature, crafted by Polaroid, which becomes visible beneath the surface during multiball sequences. This hologram is attached to a segmented metal plate that flexes to simulate a rippling water effect, while a motorized mirror slowly rotates the image, adding depth and dynamic visual appeal.

Gameplay

The primary objective for players is to gather the letters F-I-L-M to activate multiball mode. Each letter is earned by completing distinct tasks:

F: Accomplished by shooting the left K-I-S-S scoop four times or executing a skill shot at ball launch.
I: Achieved by hitting four menu targets or repeatedly targeting the Snack Bar until it opens.
L: Activated by lighting P-A-I-D rollovers, with bonus values increasing after each cycle.
M: Earned by shooting the right Slide scoop; consecutive shots cycle through Mega Menu, Playground Award, and Big Millions modes.

Collecting all letters F-I-L-M initiates two-ball multiball. During this mode, the Creature conceals a girl in one of three spots (left scoop, Snack Bar, right scoop). Players must locate and rescue her through Snack Bar shots to claim jackpots. Jet bumpers boost jackpot values up to 1 billion points and illuminate Super Jackpot, which doubles current jackpots up to 250 million points. A playfield multiplier reaching up to four times becomes active during multiball once players complete "CREATURE" letters via left ramp whirlpool spins.

If a ball drains without scoring a jackpot, players have a 12-second window to reactivate multiball by shooting the Snack Bar.

Additional scoring opportunities include:

Snack Bar: Offers random prizes when lit.
Mega Menu: Four targets award between 5 and 20 million points over 20 seconds.
Playground Award: Randomly selects one of three modes—Unlimited Millions (left ramp scoring), Fighter Jets (jet bumper hits), or Intermission Time (both ramps).
Big Millions: Right ramp shots grant increasing points for 10 seconds.
Move Your Car: Triggered after center shots with an 8 million point hurry-up countdown; hitting center shot yields escalating multiples accompanied by thematic animations.
Double Feature Combo: Consecutive left ramp shots double combo value up to 16 million points; collected via center shot.
Snack Attack: After four right ramp shots, starts a hurry-up countdown from 20 million; shooting Snack Bar collects remaining points.
Video Mode: Activated after eight right ramp shots; players use flippers to punch a peeping Tom character.
Super Scoring: Initiated following 12 right ramp shots by shooting Snack Bar; merges multiple scoring modes for 25 seconds.
Super Creature Feature: During Super Scoring, left ramp shots divert the ball into a whirlpool for escalating points up to 35 million per spin.

This gameplay design rewards precise shot execution and thoughtful mode advancement, fostering increased player involvement and replayability.

Songs

The soundtrack of the game includes five instrumental pieces from the 1950s, performed through its built-in sound system, featuring synthesizer arrangements:

"Rock Around the Clock" performed by Bill Haley and the Comets
"Get a Job" by The Silhouettes
"Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochran
"Willie and the Hand Jive" by Johnny Otis
"Red River Rock" as recorded by Johnny and the Hurricanes

Digital versions

Creature from the Black Lagoon was made available in the PC compilation Williams Pinball Classics. It was also licensed for inclusion in The Pinball Arcade between 2012 and June 30, 2018; however, "Summertime Blues" and "Get a Job" were omitted due to music rights limitations. Moreover, two Easter Eggs referencing Mortal Kombat were deactivated because Family Mode remains permanently active.

On October 29, 2019, this table was released on Pinball FX3 as part of the Universal Monsters collection. A remastered edition followed on March 31, 2022, for Pinball FX. Both versions exclude all musical tracks except "Red River Rock" owing to licensing constraints.

References

External links