Bally

Creature from the Black Lagoon

Pinside Rating

This game received 849 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 8.292 _/10

8.292

Top 100 ranking

This game ranks #52 in the Pinside Pinball Top 100.

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.

7.997

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Found 449 ratings (with comment) on this game

There are 449 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
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9.060/10

4 years ago

CAH

ReadyPO

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 197K 5,922 129

CFTBL got everything right about what a great theme for a pin is. It is so simple in its rules that it can be explained to anyone in just a few minutes. You are at the theater, visiting the snack bar, getting blocked from the screen (Move Your Car!), and trying to get the movie started (Multi-ball). If you do that, you are immersed in the film, trying to save Julie Adams. The shots are satisfying, the theme universal (no pun intended), and overall, this is a plain fun pin.

Looks great with LEDs, Swinks Snack Bar, light up Speaker Panel Mods.

Yes, Move Your Car can get annoying at times. Got a good laugh though the first time I heard this same callout (with the same character) in Judge Dredd!

ReadyPO edited previous rating on February 01, 2020.

8.344/10

4 years ago

SCU

Schnozwangler

Inactive member

Oxford, MI

4y 10,000 7

Creature is a blast to play, I have been playing this machine on and off for the past 20 years or so and It hasn't grown dull. However If the owner has upgraded the strobes with LEDs for when "FILM" is lit, be prepared to be blinded and seeing spots for the next few minutes. Overall a phenomenally fun machine to play for both the entry level beginner and seasoned veteran.

8.312/10

5 years ago

D0D

Dbl0dog

Inactive member

Wichita, KS

5y 11,750 2 1 7

How can you go wrong with the Creature from the Black Lagoon? You can't. The back glass is an absolute masterpiece. It plays well and just keeps going.

Dbl0dog has this game on the wishlist.

8.606/10

5 years ago

ADM

PinDoctor82

Pinside member

5y 77,050 278 6 104

I really enjoyed this game and would want it in my collection if I had an endless supply of room and money. If any of you have any tips as to how to get an endless supply of either, please let me know. Anyway, I think the game definitely captures the mood of the film and I enjoy the playfield quite a bit. I will be playing it again soon hopefully - perhaps it will become another 'on the bubble' game that I will eventually want once my essentials are all in hand and other priorities in life are adequately dealt with. A lot of fun!

8.960/10

5 years ago

???

GezTheHealer

Pinside member

Trowbridge

5y 17,250 3 20

Looks amazing, great theme, always play one at arcades/meets. Only played one nice one, other two on locations were a bit ratty. Loads of great ramps, whirlpool only a treat if you've got film going, so nice variety, snackbar targets can be a bit of a drain. Sound is brilliant and fits it well. Animations good too.

7.836/10

5 years ago

ELF

Axaios

Pinside member

Χαλκίδα

5y 67,600 367 8 14

Very nice game. Ahead of its time

6.639/10

5 years ago

HRY

HarrieD

Pinside member

11y 64,800 580 8 25

I highly anticipated owning this machine and last weekend I could pick one up for a decent price. It smells like a cigarette factory but that will wear off in time I hope. The machine is a good base for restoration and this will be done once I decide it's a keeper.

So far I got the chance to play like 20 or so games and I must say it is fun. It's not as deep I would have liked it to be. Spell F-I-L-M, shoot 1 or 2 locks and play your multiball. Rinse and repeat. On the other hand, there are more than enough other shots you can play. Miss a ramp? You're screwed!

The artwork is sublime in my opinion, although I don't understand why the popbumpers aren't lit. I just love the backbox art, the playfield art and the somewhat movie reel-like ramp. The ramps are hiding a lot of the playfield, so an extra lightsource here and there will be added.

The music and callouts match the theme, I find the "move your car" sequence somewhat annoying and aggresive. Some humor is in it. Decent and good for it's purpose. Quality is okay.

This machine has a high mod-factor, installing LED's really lets this pinball pop! New clear ramps will open up the playfield somewhat. I added green leds around the playfield, green trough lighting, green flipper buttons, green flipper rubbers and green post sleeves, and boy did that clean up nice. For the big ramp and the swirl cup I will test with green / white or purple leds. The backbox is lit with green/red/blue/warm white and man oh man, that creature just looks like it's handing over the girl right to you.

##EDIT 02-04-2020##
Well, the love is over, like completely over. What a turd of a machine. I really love the artwork, layout, ramps. This game is a looker imho. But what a complete disaster to play. Rinse and repeat, ball drains, no safety nets. I truly hate the gameplay. Sold it a couple of months ago and was glad somebody took it of my hands. Played it two or three times ever since and hated it even more.
And that's a shame because I really love the looks and the potential of this game. Love the film shaped ramp and the satisfaction if you make that shot. Such a shame.

HarrieD edited previous rating on April 02, 2020.
HarrieD has owned this game in the past.

8.620/10

5 years ago

TEZ

allsportdvd

Pinside member

Brisbane

13y 101K 2,337 21 45

All my reviews are going to follow a simple formula for those reading.
Number of shots to make - Pro's - Con's - Must Have Mods - What To Look For When Buying

Number of shots - 7 - above average

Pro's:
* Great 50's style music a different song on each ball
* Easy to follow rules written on the playfield itself
* Beautiful piece of art this machine
* Fantastic theme tie in more about going to the drive in than a Universal Monster
* Move Your Car mode and video modes a highlight
* Nice smooth ramps great ramp shot exclusive to multiball

Cons:
* The closeness of the playfield makes it tough
* Bit like chopping wood to spell film the 2nd time and after
* Not a deep ruleset
* Only a 2 ball multiball

Must Have Mods: (Note I will not include things like LED's, Color DMD, Invisiglass or Speaker Upgrades unless it's really badly needed)
* A hologram mod of some sort (MikeD had an awesome one but never see it for sale)
* Light up speaker panel
* Reed switch for the bowl
* Swinks Snack Bar mod

What To Look For When Buying
* The state of the existing hologram
* Cabinet art fading

allsportdvd has this game on the wishlist.

7.147/10

5 years ago

BEN

benjocat

Pinside member

South Lyon, MI

9y 32,250 2 13 14

Last the test of time can’t really go wrong with the universal monsters theme

8.495/10

5 years ago

MAT

mpdpvdpin

Pinside member

Providence, RI

6y 95,050 4,431 7 97

Absolutely a classic for good reason , it’s a simple game but i love the little ways that you can increase scoring like maxing out the multiplyer before heading into multiball or getting kiss off the skill shot and intentionally draining to shoot for paid. I really think about strategy with this game. You have be very conscious of ball control. If you flip around flagrantly your game will be over in no time. There is simply no room for error and I really dig that. Creature will make you a better player...if you let it. That being said... the main theme song gets on my nerves a bit but... ITS CREATURE!!! Great shots, great layout, great gameplay!

mpdpvdpin edited previous rating on November 05, 2020.

9.069/10

5 years ago

JKW

nalsa

Inactive member

Tallahassee, FL

7y 20,900 8 3 6

Love this game, it is such a classic, this one knocks it out of the park for me, it has the whole package. Fun unique layout, great theme! A must play.

9.440/10

5 years ago

???

Mark000

Pinside member

Brisbane City

6y 32,800 68 5 7

Players and collectors game Period

Mark000 currently owns this game.

8.000/10

5 years ago

BLT

Demoman1

Pinside member

Whitewater, WI

6y 29,900 69 4 7

Total dud!!!

8.208/10

5 years ago

R.K

PinballGalore

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 78,050 1,018 12 11

Owned it but after 6 months had enough. Looking back, it's definitely a keeper

PinballGalore has owned this game in the past.

6.971/10

5 years ago

HUG

Huggers

Pinside member

Bridport

6y 36,900 123 2 11

I had Creature for a short while and really enjoyed my time with it. It's a stunningly beautiful game and the theme integration is phenomenal. The music is just perfect and the game oozes charm. It's got a good sense of humour too. The problem for me with the game is it's simplicity (this may be a positive for you!). Very little depth and really needs to be part of a larger collection. I'll always have a soft spot for this game, it just has so much character but not one I can really afford to own with how simple the ruleset is. I do dig the 2 ball multiball though, great risk reward game play.

Huggers edited previous rating on March 21, 2024.
Huggers has owned this game in the past.

8.456/10

5 years ago

D D

RandomTask

Silverball Chronicles

5y 68,550 512 2 35

Great game but tough. Some of the shots really make ya want to cry. Amazing theme amazing art. Very cool.

9.800/10

5 years ago

CHZ

Maskell

Pinside member

Greenville, SC

8y 34,400 16 9 34

Simple but deep rule set and shots. Great ramps. Fun themes. Feels a little chauvinistic at time in this day and age, but sort of harmless. Love this game so much. Hearing the same three songs gets repetitive

Maskell has owned this game in the past.

9.820/10

5 years ago

MON

Monte

Pinside member

Chicago, IL

13y 66,300 367 11

How, is this game is not in the top ten. I can’t see how this is below or not next to MB, MM, AFM or TZ. All time classic!

Monte edited previous rating on August 10, 2022.

8.560/10

5 years ago

MIK

Murphelman

Pinside member

Ottawa, ON

7y 52,550 373 11 12

Love the whirlpool ramp and the hologram. Fun game with a decent rule set. Satisfying shots. The DMD animations are great and integrated well with the game. Love the horror movie drive in theme.

8.400/10

5 years ago

RHO

Rensh

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 136K 4,135 5 22

Good friend bought one so got finally to play a proper tuned and tweaked one. What a fun. This pins has really the one more game factor. It’s brutal and can be very frustrating with his multiball with no ball save. But feels OK and I think it’s a main reason for the one more game. Also the rules are understandable and good for enjoyment of the game.

And a Pinsound with the Wool mix is a real must. Upgraded the gameplay in an immens way.

9.398/10

5 years ago

ADA

dccz

Inactive member

České Budějovice

5y 22,400 4 21 43

My second and third pin. I was tempted by a high rating. Unfortunately, I am not satisfied. A tough game can terminate 3 balls in 1 minute. Ramps put the ball straight to the center. Maybe time will show if I'm going to love. MOVE YOUR CAR :-)
edit: a badly set game has shown great difficulty. I play a lot now and it is a GREAT GAME. Right now my biggest fun .. LOVE IT

dccz edited previous rating on September 17, 2022.
dccz currently owns this game.

7.628/10

5 years ago

DEZ

Dez64

Pinside member

Sydney

5y 30,150 2 6 13

I used to own this game it has a great theme and artwork.the playfield feels cramped with the long ramps and it can be a drain monster. I moved it on because of the weak link being the hologram would devalue the machine if it faded away as no replacement was available then. I loved the drive in rock and roll theme.

Dez64 has owned this game in the past.

8.980/10

5 years ago

DDS

Shubbydoo

Pinside+ Frequent

Melbourne, Fl 32934, FL

5y 58,900 49 10 61 7

CFTBL is a great pinball machine. It is classic in everyway. Most people have already described this game in depth so I won't go into game play. I want to make sure that if you are getting ready to buy this game you understand it is a very limited game when it comes to the ruleset. It is one of the most beautiful pins and the 3d Creature under the playfield is a great toy. The sounds, callouts, and art work are fabulous. However, the rules and game play are a little too simple for me. You spell FILM and hit the two outlane shots that are flashing and then look for the Creature. There are a few other modes but I don't recommend this game for people with a small collection. You will tire of it quickly because of its simplicity. Anyone with more than 5 or 6 pins it will make a great addition.

Shubbydoo edited previous rating on September 12, 2021.
Shubbydoo has owned this game in the past.

7.760/10

5 years ago

MCM

middaleman

Pinside member

20y 64,300 14 47

Just a fun game.

middaleman edited previous rating on August 26, 2019.

7.841/10

5 years ago

GRN

GreenChemist

Inactive member

Billerica, MA

5y 24,900 1 7

I've played a few examples of this classic on location several times. Sometimes it is running flawlessly, sometimes, not so much. But it is (generally) always fun. It can be a very fast game with quick ball times, but when you're "in the zone" it is super rewarding. The feeling of consistently nailing "MOVE YOUR CAR" along with the snack bar and ramp shots is something I compare to almost every other game of this period. The only real complaints I have about this game are that the playfield can be VERY dark. But hey, it's a theme about a monster movie, playing at a drive-in, at night. What am I supposed to expect? A true classic, ahead of it's time and one I'd love to be able to afford a quality example of.

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