Machine Guides

Game History

The Addams Family pinball machine was released in March 1992 by Bally Manufacturing Co. (under Midway) and was designed by Pat Lawlor and Larry DeMar. Based on the 1991 live-action film of the same name, it became the best-selling pinball machine of all time, with over 20,000 units sold.

The game featured innovative elements for its time, including magnets under the playfield that could make balls move as if haunted, a mechanical hand (Thing) that could scoop up balls, and custom voice work from the film's stars Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia. It also introduced the concept of a series of modes leading to a "wizard mode," which influenced subsequent pinball designs.

The machine's success coincided with a pinball renaissance in the early 1990s, when the industry was experiencing significant growth before declining with the rise of home gaming and other entertainment options. The Addams Family pinball remains highly sought after by collectors and consistently ranks among the greatest pinball machines of all time, maintaining its popularity decades after its initial release.

How to Play

Objective

The main goal of The Addams Family pinball is to explore the mansion and its rooms by completing various objectives and modes. You must activate and complete different mansion rooms to progress toward the ultimate wizard mode. The game emphasizes exploring the Addams Family mansion while earning points through various shots and objectives.

Controls

• Flippers: Use the left and right flippers to hit the ball and keep it in play
• Launch Button: Press to launch the ball into play
• Start Button: Press to begin a new game
• Plunger: Use to launch the ball into play (if present on the machine)

Gameplay

• Starting the Game: Press the Start Button to begin your exploration of the Addams Family mansion.

• Ball Launch: Launch the ball into play using the plunger or launch button.

• Mansion Rooms: Shoot specific targets to light up and access different rooms in the mansion, each with unique objectives.

• Room Completion: Complete objectives within each room to score points and progress toward the wizard mode.

• Thing Flips: Activate the mechanical hand (Thing) that can grab and flip the ball to different areas of the playfield.

• Graveyard: Complete specific shots to access the Graveyard multiball mode with multiple balls in play.

• Seance: Initiate the Seance mode by hitting specific targets, creating a mystical gameplay experience.

• Tour the Mansion: Complete all mansion rooms to unlock the ultimate wizard mode, Tour the Mansion.

• Scoring System: Earn points for completing shots, activating modes, and achieving special sequences throughout your game.