# RUMOR: Next Spooky Pinball Game to Release with Two Themes Again

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-07-14  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/rumor-next-spooky-pinball-game-to-release-with-two-themes-again

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## Analysis

Knapp Arcade reports rumors that Spooky Pinball's next release will follow the dual-theme strategy used for Halloween/Ultraman, with speculation that the two themes could be Scooby Doo and Evil Dead. The article sources claims from The Pinball Show podcast (Zach Menny/Joel Engelberth) and Eclectic Gamers Podcast (Dennis Kriesel), while acknowledging high uncertainty and noting that Scooby Doo rumors have circulated since America's Most Haunted era.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Spooky Pinball is currently producing two games with the same layout: Halloween and Ultraman with different themes — _Knapp Arcade article opening statement; this appears to be established fact about current production_
- [MEDIUM] Spooky plans to use dual themes for its next release after Halloween/Ultraman — _Zach Menny reported via The Pinball Show podcast that Joel Engelberth said Spooky plans dual themes for next release_
- [LOW] One of the two themes for Spooky's next game will be Scooby Doo — _Dennis Kriesel reported in Eclectic Gamers Podcast Rumor Corner; author notes this rumor has existed since America's Most Haunted era and odds of accuracy are 'VERY low'_
- [LOW] The second theme might be Evil Dead — _Chatter on Pinside forums; author explicitly states odds of this rumor being correct are very low_
- [LOW] A music-themed pinball game is in development at Spooky — _Author mentions hearing this rumor but provides no source attribution; treated as speculation_

### Notable Quotes

> "Spooky Pinball is currently producing two games with the same layout, but different themes, Halloween and Ultraman."
> — **Knapp Arcade (article author)**
> _Establishes the current dual-theme production strategy that informs speculation about future releases_

> "I personally think that continuing the production of multiple games using the same layout is a cool idea. It gives the company a wider audience to do one horror-themed pin and one that's more family friendly."
> — **Knapp Arcade (article author)**
> _Explains the strategic rationale behind dual-theme releases from an operator perspective_

> "I think that the odds of all of these rumors being correct, a dual theme of Scooby Doo and Evil Dead for the next game, are VERY low...but it sure is a lot of fun to talk about :)."
> — **Knapp Arcade (article author)**
> _Author explicitly acknowledges the speculative nature of the combined rumor claim_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Spooky Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer with current dual-theme production strategy (Halloween/Ultraman); subject of speculation about future releases |
| Zach Menny | person | Reported on Spooky's dual-theme plans via The Pinball Show podcast; known as TPNer (The Pinball Network member) |
| Joel Engelberth | person | Source for claim about Spooky's dual-theme production plans; fellow TPNer |
| Dennis Kriesel | person | Reported Scooby Doo rumor in Rumor Corner section of Eclectic Gamers Podcast |
| Halloween | game | Current Spooky Pinball game in production with dual-theme layout strategy |
| Ultraman | game | Current Spooky Pinball game in production sharing layout with Halloween but with different theme |
| Scooby Doo | game | Rumored as potential theme for Spooky's next dual-theme release; rumor source traced back to America's Most Haunted era |
| Evil Dead | game | Rumored as potential second theme for Spooky's next dual-theme release; speculation sourced from Pinside forum chatter |
| America's Most Haunted | game | Spooky Pinball's inaugural game; reference point for long-running Scooby Doo rumor persistence |
| The Pinball Show | organization | Podcast show where Zach Menny reported Spooky's dual-theme plans |
| The Pinball Network | organization | Network housing The Pinball Show podcast |
| Eclectic Gamers Podcast | organization | Podcast where Dennis Kriesel reported Scooby Doo rumor in Rumor Corner section |
| Pinside | organization | Forum where Evil Dead dual-theme speculation is circulating |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Spooky Pinball product strategy and manufacturing, Dual-theme pinball machine production, Upcoming pinball game announcements and leaks, Pinball community rumors and speculation
- **Secondary:** Theme licensing (Scooby Doo, Evil Dead)

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.72) — Author is enthusiastic about the dual-theme strategy and expresses genuine interest in potential upcoming games. Tone is playful and speculative rather than critical. Author acknowledges uncertainty openly, maintaining credibility while engaging in fun community speculation.

### Signals

- **[licensing_signal]** Scooby Doo IP potentially available for pinball adaptation; Evil Dead IP potentially available (confidence: medium) — Rumors suggest both properties are under consideration by Spooky Pinball
- **[market_signal]** Dual-theme strategy allows Spooky to appeal to both horror enthusiasts and family-friendly audiences simultaneously, reducing inventory risk (confidence: high) — Author explains rationale: 'It gives the company a wider audience to do one horror-themed pin and one that's more family friendly'
- **[announcement]** Spooky Pinball confirming dual-theme manufacturing approach with Halloween/Ultraman as current release strategy (confidence: high) — Knapp Arcade states this as established fact: 'Spooky Pinball is currently producing two games with the same layout, but different themes, Halloween and Ultraman'
- **[rumor_hype]** Evil Dead rumored as potential second theme in Scooby Doo/Evil Dead dual-theme combination (confidence: low) — Pinside forum chatter; author acknowledges very low confidence in this combined rumor scenario
- **[rumor_hype]** Scooby Doo rumored as one of two themes for Spooky's next dual-theme game (confidence: low) — Dennis Kriesel reported in Eclectic Gamers Podcast; author explicitly states odds of this being true are 'VERY low'; rumor has persisted since America's Most Haunted era without confirmation
- **[rumor_hype]** Spooky's next release planned to follow dual-theme model (confidence: medium) — Zach Menny reported via The Pinball Show that Joel Engelberth indicated Spooky plans dual themes for next release

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## Transcript

Spooky Pinball is currently producing two games with the same layout, but different themes, Halloween and Ultraman. Zach Meny recently reported in the latest episode of The Pinball Network's The Pinball Show podcast that fellow TPNer Joel Engelberth said that Spooky plans to do dual themes with its next release as well. I personally think that continuing the production of multiple games using the same layout is a cool idea. It gives the company a wider audience to do one horror-themed pin and one that's more family friendly. For example, I personally couldn't bring a Halloween pin into my home arcade, it would scare the heck out of my wife and youngest son, but an Ultraman pin would be totally fine.

So if the next Spooky release is going to have two themes, what will they be? Dennis Kriesel reported in the Rumor Corner section of the latest episode of The Eclectic Gamers Podcast that one of the two themes will be Scooby Doo. The rumor that Spooky is going to do a Scooby Doo pin goes all the way back to the company's America's Most Haunted days. It's tough to say whether it will actually be true this time around, but I do think that it would be an amazing theme for the company and would sell really well. My boys and I have always liked the cartoon. I even do a pretty mean Scooby impression LOL.

As far as the second theme goes, the chatter on Pinside is saying that it might be the cult classic horror film Evil Dead. Like with Halloween, that theme isn't for me but a LOT of people seem to be interested in it.

I think that the odds of all of these rumors being correct, a dual theme of Scooby Doo and Evil Dead for the next game, are VERY low...but it sure is a lot of fun to talk about :). The rumors for Spooky are still all over the place. Heck, I've even heard that a music pin is in the works at there, so who knows. What rumors are you hearing about the next Spooky game? I'd love to hear from others on the subject.

Here's links to the aforementioned podcasts...

The Pinball Network:

https://www.thepinballnetwork.net/

The Eclectic Gamers Podcast:

https://eclecticgamerspodcast.wordpress.com/

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 964516bb-dbbc-4799-856b-2e71cad4ee09*