The Addams Family

The Addams Family pinball machine, released by Bally in 1992, stands as the best-selling pinball machine of all time with over 20,000 units produced. Designed by Pat Lawlor and based on the 1991 film starring Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston, this game masterfully captured the gothic humor and eccentric charm of the Addams Family franchise.

The machine featured groundbreaking design elements, including the first use of 'flippers that flip both ways' (Thing Flips), a mansion bookcase that could rotate to reveal hidden targets, and an innovative 'Power' feature that allowed players to choose which game features to activate. The game's centerpiece was the 'Tour the Mansion' mode, where players could explore different rooms of the Addams Family home, each with unique challenges and scoring opportunities. The dot-matrix display showcased advanced animations and featured actual speech samples from the movie's cast.

Gaming historians consider The Addams Family to be one of the most perfectly designed pinball machines ever created, striking an ideal balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for experienced players. Its success helped sustain the pinball industry during a challenging period of declining arcade attendance in the early 1990s. The game's innovative features, superior sound package, and intricate rule set influenced pinball design for decades to follow.