Machine Description

Data East's 'The Thing' pinball machine, released in 1992, was based on John Carpenter's 1982 horror film of the same name. This timing coincided with the film's 10th anniversary and growing cult status, making it a notable licensed pinball title during the early DMD era.

The machine's design captured the film's Antarctic research station setting and paranoid atmosphere through its artwork and gameplay mechanics. It featured a unique shape-shifting alien mechanism on the playfield, representing the movie's parasitic creature. The game included innovative features like a 'blood test' mode and transformation sequences that tied directly to memorable scenes from the film.

Gameplay incorporated multiple multiball modes and complex rule sets that were becoming standard in the early 1990s DMD era. The dot matrix display allowed for detailed animations of creature transformations and helped tell the story through various game modes. Sound effects and callouts were taken directly from the film, including dialogue from Kurt Russell and other cast members.

Production numbers for 'The Thing' were relatively limited compared to other licensed titles of the era, making it a sought-after collector's piece today. The machine represents an interesting intersection of horror cinema and pinball design, showcasing how DMD technology could be used to enhance the narrative elements of licensed properties in pinball form.