Tales from the Crypt

Tales from the Crypt, released by Data East Pinball in 1993, is a horror-themed pinball machine designed by John Borg. This solid-state electronic (SS) machine taps into the popularity of the EC Comics franchise, merging pinball with the dark, campy humor of the Crypt Keeper's domain -- the game's credits even close with a note 'in loving memory of William Gaines,' the EC Comics publisher.

Tales from the Crypt boasts an impressive array of features. The machine's triple-flipper design, six eyeball targets, and three spinning targets add precision elements to the game, while two vertical up-kickers, two ramps, and two scoops keep the ball moving. The inclusion of a captive ball and 3- and 6-ball multiball modes further enhances player interaction and challenge.

The machine's design and artwork, by Kurt Andersen and Markus Rothkranz, capture the eerie atmosphere of the EC Comics universe, with a rising and lowering gravestone toy and an imposing Crypt Keeper theme throughout the playfield. A shaker motor adds an unsettling layer to gameplay, while the auto plunger, shaped like a door handle topped with the Crypt Keeper's head, serves as both a functional feature and a visually striking element.