| "Haunted House" | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Gottlieb |
| Release date | June 1982 |
| System | System 80 |
| Design | Designer: John Osborne Artwork:Terry Doerzaph |
| Production Run | 6,385 |
Haunted House is a pinball game released in 1982 by Gottlieb.
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Haunted House, with its industry first of 3 playfields, is considered to be an iconic pinball game. Although Bally’s Elektra has 3 playfields and predates Haunted House, Elektra’s lower playfield was self-contained and uses its own captive ball for scoring. The lower playfield of Haunted House is accessible any time during the game, and the one ball travels between all three playfields. Each playfield is themed to be a part of a haunted house, the main level being the main floor, the lower level being the basement, and the upper level being the attic.[1][2]
It has been called the perfect pinball package by some admirers. However, it is often criticized for the lack of both speech and multi-ball, which were left out due to cost saving measures.[1] Other criticism stems from waning interest in its game play after a while, although, this is true with any other amusement device after time. The ball can only be lost from the main playfield, as the ball draining on the attic or cellar playfields will always be returned to another playfield for play to continue. Haunted House was designed by John Osborne, with artwork by Terry Doerzaph. It is part of Gottiieb’s “System 80” series of pinball machines.[2]
Haunted House is one of 7 Gottlieb tables recreated in Microsoft's "Pinball Arcade" video game.
3 Playfields (a mini underground playfield, a main playfield, and an upper playfield.)[1][2]
8 Flippers, at unique angles [2]
4 Pop Bumpers [2]
2 Kick-out holes [2]
Secret passage (false target that drops down after impact to allow entrance to cellar).[2]
Trap door that opens for ball[2]
Lightning animation in backglass.[2] Kicking bat targets
Haunted House employed segments of the well-known Bach organ piece, Toccata and Fugue in D minor,[3] during the game's start (the pronounced opening of the Toccata), during the game itself (a repeated playback of part of the Toccata where the tune alternates quickly between one fixed note and other notes within the D Minor key), and when the game ends, the famous ending of the Fugue is played.[1]
Haunted House is one of three tables featured in the 1982 movie The Toy, starring Richard Pryor (the 2 other pins are Volcano and Mars God of War).