Creature from the Black Lagoon (CFTBL) is a classic Bally game from 1993, based on the cult 50's movie of the same name. It includes licensed versions of 5 memorable 50's tunes (including 'Rock Around The Clock') and replays some classic scenes from the film in 'dot-mation'. Your goal if to find the Creature and Rescue the Girl...

The game was released at the height of the last pinball boom and was popular then, but has since become highly sought-after by collectors. Popular not only with pinball enthusiasts, but by fans of the film - it also appeals to casual players due to the retro look and familiar 50's music.

One unique feature of CFTBL is the appearance of the Creature himself in the form of the only 3D hologram ever to grace a pinball table....he appears at strategic points in the game beneath the playfield, visible through a clear window in the playfield - he even seems to move...

CFTBL is a two flipper game, with all but the two outside lane shots achievable from either flipper - the game also awards skillfull players with a host of combo-shots.

The main aim of the game is to find the Creature and Rescue the Girl, from here multiple jackpots can be scored. To get this far, the player must achieve multiball. This is done by completing the word F-I-L-M, lit accross the playfield just above the flippers. 'F' is generally lit by shooting the far left K-I-S-S repeatedly until the couple in the car smooch, 'I' is lit by repeatedly shooting the Snackbar hole in the centre of the playfield, 'L' is lit by lighting all four rollover targets at the top of the playfield above the pop-bumpers, and 'M' is scored by shooting the Slide on the far right of the playfield. (NOTE: This is described in more detail in the Rules page.

Lighting F-I-L-M starts a two-ball multiball greeted with some superb animation straight from the film. Only two balls in multiball? Yes - and actually this is one of the best features of CFTBL and it makes Multiball more skillful than if more balls were used. The skill is to tuck one ball up the main 'Creature' ramp out of harm's way (and also to increase the jackpot value), whilst aiming for the jackpot with the other ball.

The jackpot could be in any one of the holes - KISS (far left), Snackbar (centre), or Slide (far right). The 'Creature' ramp is only available during Multiball and feeds the Whirlpool bowl, just above the right flipper. Repeatedly shooting the ramp will increase the Jackpot value.

Dotted around this page are pictures of my own CFTBL which has been on home use for all but a year of it's life, I only bought it originally because it was so well looked after and I got a good price. Click on the pictures for a larger image.