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Elvira and the Party Monsters

gameactive27 mentionsFirst seen May 23, 2007Last seen Oct 31, 2025

Profile

Elvira and the Party Monsters is a 1989 Bally pinball machine designed by Dennis Nordman featuring the licensed likeness and personality of Cassandra Peterson's iconic character Elvira. The game was one of Bally's first major successes following Williams' acquisition of the company, and is notable for its playful design incorporating finger puppets and double entendres characteristic of the Elvira brand. The machine has remained culturally significant in the pinball community, with original and reproduction components (such as mirrored backglasses) continuing to be sought after and featured in tournaments.

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Claims (3)

  • opinionhigh

    Elvira and the Party Monsters should ideally be waited on for a sale due to its age and simplicity

    Source: KineticistSo Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FX
  • opinionmedium

    The nudge catch exploit on Elvira and the Party Monsters digital version should have been fixed after the Taxi implementation from volume 9

    Source: KineticistSo Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FX
  • factualhigh

    Elvira and the Party Monsters won Best New Equipment (pinball) at the 1989 AMOA show, the first pinball game to win in seven years after video games dominated the category

    Source: Greg FreresEpisode 45 - Pinball Art Director w/ Greg Freres

Recent Mentions (27)

  • Williams pinball machine from late 1980s, reviewed for Pinball FX release

    So Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FXOct 31, 2025
  • October 1989 Bally System 11 game; first licensed game by Williams/Bally; designed by Dennis Norman with finalization by Jim Patla, Mark and Steve Ritchie; 4,000 units; ranked #81; phenomenal art package by Greg Freris

    Episode 54 - Pinball Metamorphosis: The System 11 Era Pt.2Oct 28, 2024
  • First Elvira pinball game; designed by Dennis Nordman; released in late 1980s

    Episode 70 - Elvira Pinball is Back!Sep 19, 2019
  • Stern game for which Don is producing 3D-printed Crypt mods at $60 each; selling well with positive reception

    Jaws reveal impressionsJan 5, 2024
  • Williams pinball licensed game featuring Cassandra Peterson as Elvira; Roger Sharpe's first successful licensing deal; 1989

    Yes… More Roger SharpeApr 11, 2024
  • First Elvira-themed pinball machine (1989 Bally); owned by Cassandra Peterson

    Elvira playing Elvira's House of Horrors Pinball!

Contradictions

  • Existing: Bally pinball machine from 1989vsConflicting: Mention 2 describes it as 'Williams' first major license' which is imprecise—it was Bally's first major license after Williams acquired Bally, not Williams' own first license
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Nov 15, 2019
  • System 11 game; Dennis's number four pick with strong layout and ball lock mechanics despite higher secondary market pricing

    Episode 48 - Sys 11 vs. Bomber CrewNov 19, 2017
  • Top-rated 1980s game on Pinside (ranked #42); lost in earlier rounds of Eclectic Gamers tournament

    Episode 14 - 80s Pinball, Nintendo, and KantCon 2016Aug 18, 2016
  • Bally #1 seed; upset by 8 Ball Deluxe 48.5% to 51.5%; both hosts voted for Elvira; Dennis prefers gameplay on Elvira

    Episode 12 - Domino's, SGDQ 2016, Evo 2016, & Tabletop for KidsAug 18, 2016
  • Bally pinball machine (1-seed) in tournament; discussed as potentially vulnerable to Fathom upset

    Episode 10 – Charities & Circuits, Strikes & Fables, Stars and Planet-BustersAug 18, 2016
  • Bally 1980s pinball game; highest-rated machine from the 1980s on Pinside rankings; seeded #1 in Bally region of bracket

    Episode 8 – 80s Pinball, Homebrew, CoD/Battlefield, RPGs GaloreAug 18, 2016
  • Machine Jeffrey purchased after NBA Fast Break; clear-coated playfield; Jeffrey's first cabinet restoration project (powder coating to bright green); drew community criticism for decreasing resale value

    Pinball Innovators & Makers Podcast Ep 10: PinBall ReBorn: The Showman and The MuseAug 8, 2023
  • Elvira pinball game; limited by technology; Tony wanted it early in collecting career but expensive

    Episode 250 - IconicJul 20, 2025
  • Bally pinball machine at the venue

    ROCK ISLAND PUBLIC HOUSESep 30, 2018
  • Bally/Williams pinball for which Penacho wrote software

    MARK PENACHO JOINS STERN PINBALLMar 7, 2021
  • Identified pinball machine visible on upper level of two-story arcade

    That's a lot of Candles! Yankee Candle Heir's Home Arcade and Mansion.Aug 31, 2022
  • Bally Williams pinball game designed by Dennis Nordman; first of three Elvira games; features fiber optic display, campy cookout theme with classic movie monsters (public domain), fast orbit, giant left ramp, two popup party monsters; 1980s/early 1990s release

    DPP #6 "News update from Spooky Pinball! Location review ULEK in Michigan! Pinball storytime!"Jan 17, 2023
  • Pinball table with hole mechanic similar to Indy 500's broadside shot structure

    Recommend Tables Like You Recommend Home Theatre Test MoviesJul 3, 2016
  • Pinball machine identified as Antoinette's favorite and first owned machine; influenced by Cassandra Peterson/Elvira character

    Episode 183: Antoinette JohnsonMar 8, 2019
  • Bally game with problematic RAM advancement mechanics; Worre owns one but undecided on ROM modifications

    Episode 245: Soren WorreFeb 24, 2020
  • 1989 Midway game; controversial for sexual innuendo and offensive content; Ron objects to child-exposure potential; features bouncing monsters and coffin targets

    Episode 165: Bye Slam Tilt Podcast?Nov 24, 2018
  • First collaboration between Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman; won best new equipment at AMOA show after 7-year drought for pinball; sales hampered by Bally brand reputation despite critical acclaim

    Episode 45 - Pinball Art Director w/ Greg FreresAug 26, 2024
  • Williams' first licensed game (1989); sold 4,000 units, double Playboy; initiated real licensing wars

    Episode 79 - Licensed ThemesApr 21, 2025
  • 1989 Bally pinball machine designed by Dennis Nordman; one of Bally's first successful machines under Williams ownership; rated 7/10 by Kineticist

    So Fun, They’re Scary: Elvira Table Reviews on Pinball FXOct 30, 2025
  • Williams' first major license (Roger Sharpe's idea); designed by Nordman after accident; successful title; Cassandra Peterson involved in production

    TOPCast 36: Dennis NordmanMay 23, 2007
  • Mirrored backglass donated by Classic Playfield Reproductions as grand prize for Halloween tournament

    EP04 Halloween TournamentSep 30, 2025
  • Licensed game featuring Cassandra Peterson; designed with finger puppets and double entendres

    Episode 55 – Dennis Nordman and The Curse of ElviraAug 6, 2018