Bally
Creature from the Black Lagoon Pinside Rating
This game received 849 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.292 /10
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 8.12
Artwork: 8.792
Sounds/Music: 7.849
Other Aspects: 8.314
Pinside staff rating
This is how we, the very knowledgeable (wink wink) Pinside.com staff & moderators rate this game. 9 of us have rated this game.
Found 449 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 449 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 18.
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10.000/10
69 days ago
London, ON
This is a classic 1990's game. I was lucky to get one in mint original condition. The game plays as fast as you want and the shots are fun. It has one of the nicest cabinet art for it's time and still looks great decades after its release. I like the sound as it comes from the early 90's and is simply period to the technology at the time. When I bought mine, the previous owner updated the factory DMD to the color. It's a nice upgrade to have and glad it was done. This game is highly sought after in this part of the country, and I'm glad I have it as I always had an eye for the game as I just like everything about it. This one will not leave my collection!
9.760/10
69 days ago
Salem, WI
CFTBL is currently my favorite pinball machine, so much so that it's difficult to find a place to start. The layout is uniquely dense with several extremely satisfying shots and a good bit of challenge to go along with it. The center shot to the top is repeatable and satisfying to hit, and the snackbar scoop is risky but rewarding. Overall the layout is technically challenging while remaining satisfying and repeatable to shoot.
The ruleset and qualifying multiball really elevates this game beyond just its layout. Distinct tasks that must be accomplished to light F-I-L-M require the use of every corner of the playfield, as opposed to other games where multiball starts are accomplished with few targets and simple, obvious shots. Being the most lucrative mode in the game it is heavily incentivized to go for the challenge, and the integration with the theme is fantastic. The separate search and rescue phases require you to be extremely mindful of ball control and where your shots are, and successfully earning the jackpot is a satisfying challenge. I also really like the mode restart offered at the snack bar, it keeps things from being too punishing.
The theme is my favorite integration offered in a pinball machine thus far. CFTBL expands its reach beyond just the monster and the movie, encompassing the experience of a drive in theatre. The lagoon and hologram is an extremely cool gimmick and is the cherry on top of the theme integration. The expression of the theme is absolutely brilliant with iconic callouts, fantastic DMD animations, and great looking artwork. "Move your car!" has to be one of the most recognizable sounds in all of pinball. The music is also really solid, with the cover of "Red River Rock" being my outstanding favorite.
Overall there are few if any things I would change about this machine. It will likely be my favorite for a long time, and I hope to own one someday.
The ruleset and qualifying multiball really elevates this game beyond just its layout. Distinct tasks that must be accomplished to light F-I-L-M require the use of every corner of the playfield, as opposed to other games where multiball starts are accomplished with few targets and simple, obvious shots. Being the most lucrative mode in the game it is heavily incentivized to go for the challenge, and the integration with the theme is fantastic. The separate search and rescue phases require you to be extremely mindful of ball control and where your shots are, and successfully earning the jackpot is a satisfying challenge. I also really like the mode restart offered at the snack bar, it keeps things from being too punishing.
The theme is my favorite integration offered in a pinball machine thus far. CFTBL expands its reach beyond just the monster and the movie, encompassing the experience of a drive in theatre. The lagoon and hologram is an extremely cool gimmick and is the cherry on top of the theme integration. The expression of the theme is absolutely brilliant with iconic callouts, fantastic DMD animations, and great looking artwork. "Move your car!" has to be one of the most recognizable sounds in all of pinball. The music is also really solid, with the cover of "Red River Rock" being my outstanding favorite.
Overall there are few if any things I would change about this machine. It will likely be my favorite for a long time, and I hope to own one someday.
8.280/10
84 days ago
Heemskerk
Beautiful game and the hologram is perfect for the 3D theme of the game.
The gameplay can be ball drainer especially from the middle of the playfield
The big ramps are perfect to shoot at and the film mode is really nice done with a beautiful light show
In the double ramp.
One of the great 90s games.
The gameplay can be ball drainer especially from the middle of the playfield
The big ramps are perfect to shoot at and the film mode is really nice done with a beautiful light show
In the double ramp.
One of the great 90s games.
8.291/10
4 months ago
Creature of the Black Lagoon features one of the most clever uses of a theme by fashioning the movie as a drive-in experience. Set up the movie and take part in it, and if you do it all correctly you finally can glimpse the creature in a really neat 3D effect in the middle of the playfield. There is next to no flow in this game, but rather encourages you to slow down and cradle up for your next shot as you progress through the four requirements to start the film. I love this pin, the vibe and the uniqueness is unlike anything else from its time and this will stand as one of the all time classics for as long as pinball is around. They're pretty hard to find in the wild these days too as they surely are dwindling and parts failing on them. The sound effects and the voices get pretty repetitive over time, and once you've aced the mode, the whole game can get pretty repetitive. Doesn't bother me personally, but to own one might get old. The playfield is totally cluttered and the ball can be hidden by several ramps, but at least they are mostly clear to try and make it easier.
7.635/10
5 months ago
This a B E A U itful cabinet to look at and there’s some fun shots but overall this is a sub 100 pin. Honestly looks should be almost at the bottom of ratings. I’d take most top 100 pins over this one it just is boring not really any great shots and code is bland. I know people love this pin but I have a feeling it’s for the vibe and not to just play pinball. I only played about 20 games but it felt clunky as well but some clunky games can still be fun. (DEADPOOL, LOTR & etc. but this game I couldn’t enjoy it. I assume you like this pin because you either grew up with it or love the looks which I’d say are a top 5.
9.000/10
6 months ago
Central Coast
Creature from the Black Lagoon is an awesome theme for a pinball machine and made even cooler by approaching it from the view of a drive-in theatre. The game integrates the various modes well and I love playing the 'Move your car' mode. There is a lot to shoot for but as a result, the playfield feels a bit cluttered, and the opaque ramps obscure the view during play. The hologram was a great toy but good luck finding one that still works. 'Stay cool Daddy-o!'
9.860/10
7 months ago
Luton
Such a gorgeous looking machine with some really good sounds and lovely flowing shots. But it can be a killer if you can't control the ball, making it actually a challenging game. When it comes down to it, there is only a few challenges to do but getting the multiball started, finding the girl, building up the jackpot and collecting it, can really build the tension.
I have one in my collection and it would take something massive to change for me to every consider selling it.
I have one in my collection and it would take something massive to change for me to every consider selling it.
Marseille
9.740/10
10 months ago
I consider this game one of the three perfect pins in existence, along with Medieval Madness and The Addams Family. These three games embody absolutely everything a pinball machine should be, from top to bottom. Outstanding.
8.068/10
11 months ago
This is a pretty fun game and an excellent theme, but I think it's priced a bit high for what it is. The 360 loop ramp to a funnel is fun, but it's only used in multiball and kind of blocks a good deal of the playfield for the rest of the game which I'm not a huge fan of, (VERY Plasticy game.) The rules are also a bit simple for a DMD game, aside from multiball you only have a few "Playground Awards" to earn across the game. If you can look past that, it's fun, the hologram (though a rarity to see an actual one these days) is a neat trick, and the multiball is more strategic than it looks on the surface leading to some tense pinball moments even though it's only a two ball game. If you ever see one I'd highly recommend playing it to see for yourself, but I'm not sure it would last long in a smaller collection.
9.800/10
1 year ago
Im not a pinball champion but I've been playing this machine most nights for more than 2 years and still love it. Never get sick of it. Fast, rewarding and challenging with unrivalled artwork. Whole drive-in theme is so cool. play at night with green LED playfield lighting and red snack bar looks beautiful. Stand up and take your medicine!!!
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