Total rating
This machine received 238 approved ratings by our visitors, averaging 8.195 on a scale of 10.
This currently ranks it #16 in the Pinside Ranking.
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There are 25 comments on this pinball machine
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Ratings histogram
This is a histogram of all 238 approved ratings on this machine.
Rating subscores
What are the scores of the four individual rating categories, which form the machine's total rating?
7.99 Game Design
The playfield layout, game rules, gimmicks and overall gameplay
8.65 Artwork
Playfield artwork, Backglass, Cabinet artwork and Dot Matrix animations
7.91 Sound & Music
The game sounds, music, the sound quality and variation
8.23 General aspects
Game lighting, lastability/replayability, theming and general fun rating
Our rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable Pinside.com staff (wink wink), rate this machine.
Ranking history
The Pinball Top 100 is re-calculated on a weekly basis. This means that we have a new top 100 every week! Here you can see this machine's movements throught the top 100 (the lower the ranking, the better).
Rating history
The Pinball Top 100 is re-calculated on a weekly basis. This means that this machine has a new rating every week! Here you can see this machine's rating over the last couple of months.
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Design by Keeple
drbond rated this machine on March 03, 2010 with a score of 8.949 and said:
“Without question, John Trudeau's best game. Excellent use of the theme. Instead of reproducing scenes of the movie, like most movie license games, "Dr. Flash" plays with the idea of a 1950's drive-in playing the Creature movie for the first time. The Creature reaches through the movie screen, and makes off with your girl. Show-stopping 3D Creature hologram, killer ramps (whirlpool is fantastic), good art, sweet light show, fun video mode (peeping tom slugfest), toe-tapping soundtrack, and some of the most humorous sfx in pinball. "Move your car", kissing-couple sounds, and "cucaracha" sound effect for burritos/tacos at the snack bar, always make people bust out laughing. Funniest pinball game by far. Some of the best DMD animations in pinball (Williams' IJ is king). Decent flow. Fairly difficult game with failed shots that send the ball STDM. Doesn't help that the space between flippers is pretty large. Not a top 10 game, but still one of the best. This one always makes people smile.”
lightguy rated this machine on March 02, 2010 with a score of 7.177 and said:
“I really wanted to like CFBL but boy is this game slow.
People have to love it because of the theme. Artwork is very cool. Colors are great. Backglass lighting for its day was pretty neat.
But s....l....o....w....!”
Piscitelli rated this machine on February 05, 2010 with a score of 10.000 and said:
“CFTBL is a classic movie AND ALSO ONE OF THE CLASSIC PINBALL. A PINBALL MACHINE SENSACIONAL: SOUND WONDERFUL, SUPER colorful and entertaining. THANKS,”
prowler1910 rated this machine on January 16, 2010 with a score of 8.703 and said:
“When i first played CFTBL it didn't impress me. Then i bought one a couple of years later and totally restored it. Now i can't leave it alone. There are so many things to do and it is hard to get them done since it's a bit of a drainer. It's very challenging which is what keeps me coming back for more.”
captainspartan rated this machine on November 30, 2009 with a score of 7.526 and said:
“Fun machine, but the playfield is crowded and hard to see the top of the playfield.”
jonnyo rated this machine on November 02, 2009 with a score of 9.758 and said:
“This game is one of the best. It combines old drive-in movie nostalgia with humor and a monster flick.
Creature is somewhat unforgiving of random shooting but can be brought under control once the basic shots are worked out. Missed shots to the right ramp, for example, like to drain a lot, but on some machines can be backhanded fairly safely.
The main goal of the game, and the way to get big points, is multiball. However, even when you get it, there's no "gimme" jackpack shot. You have to find the girl, rescue her, then shoot for the jackpot, all while keeping both balls in play. Then you have a chance at a super jackpot. Very challenging, but the payoffs are worth it.”
Avatar rated this machine on October 22, 2009 with a score of 7.463 and said:
“It's more of a looker then a player ... very nice as a showpiece, but gameplay I don't like it that much.”
Gizmo rated this machine on October 17, 2009 with a score of 6.412 and said:
“I tried to like this machine being that it is the predecessor to the awesome Monster Bash, but it just didn't do it for me. The play wasn't smooth enough and I just didn't enjoy the mixed theme. They should have gone full monster and left the 50's drive-in aspect out in my opinion.
Bottom line...this is an alright game, but I don't plan to go back to play it anytime soon considering the other options out there.”
Savage23 rated this machine on October 03, 2009 with a score of 8.260 and said:
“I really like the theme of this pin. It draws you in and it always manages to put a smile on my face. I think their could be improvements on the playfield and if your going to have a cool hologram feature please make sure that it is dependable. I know a lot of these machines don't have that working correctly. I love the dot matrix cut sequences. Music is fun and overall a fun machine to play.”
Go4Fan rated this machine on October 01, 2009 with a score of 8.435 and said:
“This game has grown on me as a result of more play and my buddy's constant and recurring promotion. A lot of fun, good flow...”
romeair rated this machine on September 16, 2009 with a score of 9.360 and said:
“What a fantastic pin!One of the best looking tables ever made. The art and lighting is really well done and the translite is in keeping with the film.
The playfield art is also well done i love the swimming beauty and the creature draped over the tear dropped shaped window where a lit moving hologram of the creature lurks.The likeness of the swimming beauty could be better Kay was never blonde or muscular.
It has a simple rule set that is very fun and addictive,nice flowing shots up all 3 lanes and the 3 ramps.The ball speed could be a little faster but the slower speed makes the game very methodical and precise.The 2 ball multiball is very difficult to keep going and would not have worked if the designer had gone for more.The multiball SUPER JACKPOT takes some doing i have only got it 3 or 4 times out of 200+ games but that may just be me being rubbish!
All in all one of the best pins i have ever played and it well deserves the top ranking it has. "YOU SAVED ME! YOUR MY HERO!!”
PCOTRAIN rated this machine on September 14, 2009 with a score of 8.661 and said:
“ANOTHER GREAT MACHINE I LIKE TO OWN!”
vex rated this machine on August 29, 2009 with a score of 9.680 and said:
“the more you play this the more you appreciate how good it really is. will become even more collectable in the future.”
carpe rated this machine on August 21, 2009 with a score of 9.555 and said:
“One Word: addictive”
LLUncoolJ rated this machine on August 07, 2009 with a score of 7.524 and said:
“meh...pretty everage game for its high rating. I thought it was way easy. Not a huge fan of the theme.”
brentxyz rated this machine on July 27, 2009 with a score of 7.271 and said:
“A Williams "Step-Child" Flying The Bally Banner. Innovative "Toys" & Concepts, But Where Is The True "Flow" & "Come Play Me Again" Factor?”
mgowan rated this machine on June 23, 2009 with a score of 8.986 and said:
“I just found this in a hamburger joint next to a Monster Bash. Needless to say, I play monster bash a lot more. That said this is a fun game. The spinning cup next to the right flipper is a fun/unique distraction and gives you a moment to set up your next shot.
Theme is just ok but play is great and keeps you coming back. I'm talking myself into giving this another chance. Maybe next time out I will tear myself away from monster bash.”
powerslave rated this machine on June 11, 2009 with a score of 6.149 and said:
“That's very nice game,drop ball,only 2 balls multiball and when you play with this game you have to pitch the ball at the bottom because that's a drain ball and for the price asking for this game?,no more for me.Ihate only 2 game pinbot and creature from the black lagoon”
tomdotcom rated this machine on May 31, 2009 with a score of 8.984 and said:
“Great looking game, love the music. Not alot of stuff to do. But it's a fun and challenging pin. I'd own one for the right price.”
Fredaboy1 rated this machine on May 22, 2009 with a score of 8.617 and said:
“Very good. All I have to say.”
Squizzy rated this machine on April 29, 2009 with a score of 9.465 and said:
“CFTBL is a Good game, For me, not in the top 30.
Artwork is fantastic, Rules are a bit shallow - could have been bette there, Sounds for the time was good, msic is awesome if your into rock n roll.
Thumbs up out of 5
***ΒΌ”
dglover4569 rated this machine on April 03, 2009 with a score of 9.543 and said:
“Fantastic example of theme and music that takes you back to another era. I love the classic drive in movies, and 60's muscle cars!”
Pinhead1982 rated this machine on January 17, 2009 with a score of 8.846 and said:
“I have always been into films, especially the old classics. I remember watching The Creature from the Black Lagoon when I was a kid.
So when an CFTBL came up on Ebay I thought why not as My Dirty Harry pin was looking a bit worn. I was really lucky to find such a excellent quality machine. The 'Hot Pink' diamond coated playfield with no wear, unfaded artwork, an all round beautiful example.
The game theme is truely unique, A 1950's drive thru showing Creature.
The graphics bright and colourful and the backglass is now a film collectors piece.
The object of the game is to spell FILM by completing shots, ramps and rollovers. Spell FILM and make the flashing film reel shot to start the film. A two ball multiball starts, 2 balls you think is not enough but it is frantic! Make shots and ramps to look in caves, find the girl and discover the CREATURE which is a green hologram that appears from under the playfield and looks to be reaching out for the balls. GREAT IN THE DARK
A great game with good features and a great video mode.”
jsandjs rated this machine on January 05, 2009 with a score of 7.465 and said:
“I finally got to play one of these at a show a little while ago. Maybe it was the machine, but it seemed very slow. I loved the way the machine looked but not so much how it played. Again it may have been the game I played. I'll try to find another and give it a shot again.”
Muppet_Man rated this machine on October 05, 2008 with a score of 9.329 and said:
“I truly believe that Creature from The Black Lagoon is one of the best looking Pinball machines ever made.
The fact that it's great to play is a double bonus.
It's not so difficult that you'll be frustrated if your not a great player, but there's enough to keep you playing time and time again.
For me it's pretty much the perfect game.”