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Haunted House

gameactive34 mentionsFirst seen May 16, 2007Last seen Feb 15, 2026

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Haunted House is a classic Gottlieb pinball machine from the 1980s featuring a distinctive three-level playfield with multiple levels and a pepper ghost effect. Designed by John Osborne, it has become recognized as an A-list Halloween-themed title in pinball culture. The game is notable for its innovative lower playfield design and unique artwork that appeared on both sides of the Legends cabinet backglass, making it a significant design reference point in pinball history.

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Facts

  • achievementConsidered an A-list pinball titlemedium
  • attributeThree-level pinball gamehigh
  • attributeReleased by Gottlieb in the 1980shighfrom 1980 until 1989
  • attributeFeatures triple playfield designhigh
  • attributeArtwork appears on both sides of Legends cabinet backglasshigh
  • attributeTypical market value approximately $3,500mediumfrom 2025-12
  • attributeHalloween-themed gamehigh

Claims (3)

  • factualhigh

    Haunted House is the first pinball machine with three playfields (upper, main, lower) with one ball traveling to all three

    Source: Dead Flip hostHaunted House | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • factualhigh

    6,835 units of Haunted House were manufactured

    Source: Dead Flip host (citing IPDB data)Haunted House | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017
  • opinionhigh

    Haunted House uses a unique green color in its backglass that is neither as lime as Ghostbusters nor as dark as other pinball machines

    Source: Zach SharpeSDTM: a pinball Show Episode 11: Top 10 Backglasses

Recent Mentions (34)

  • Gottlieb EM pinball machine; Gabe's first machine purchased at age 18 for $2,750; required $1,000 in repairs

    Episode 9 - Pribs Pinball Repair with Gabe PribilMay 24, 2025
  • 1982 Gottlieb wide-body machine; ranked #5 on the list; complex three-level playfield with multiple flippers

    #94 Horror Show 2 - The Classic Pinball PodcastOct 25, 2022
  • Pinball machine from Terry's arcade playing days; notable for three-level playfield (upper, middle, lower) that impressed him as a youth

    Episode 4 - Terry DeZwarte - Owner Pinball LifeJul 13, 2018
  • Classic pinball game that inspired the four-flipper, dual-playfield design concept for Munsters; played at friend Joe's house near Chicago; featured as a key design influence.

    Episode 33 - Making of The Munsters PinballJan 10, 2019
  • Classic pinball referenced for comparison due to complexity and feature layering similar to Avatar

    Ep 146: All About Avatar with Vic VPSep 19, 2024
  • Williams pinball machine Mark played at Aladdin's Castle arcade in Brookfield, Wisconsin in mid-1970s; first location-based pinball experience

    Episode 13: Reno or Bust

Contradictions

  • Existing: Gottlieb 1980s machine with typical market price around $3,500vsConflicting: Asking price of $750 in Minnesota (mention 3) is significantly below typical market value
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Three-level pinball game with multiple levels (mentions 3, 4)vsConflicting: Mention 5 describes it as having lower playfield design similar to Krull, suggesting two playfields rather than three levels
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

  • attributeClassic pinball machine by Gottliebhigh
  • roleDesigned by John Osborne at Gottliebhigh
  • statusUndergoing restoration as of 2026mediumfrom 2026-02-15
  • Apr 8, 2018
  • Commercial pinball machine referenced as prior haunted-themed game. Existed before Lynn's Haunted Cruise (2008-2009).

    Homebrew Developers Panel 2023Feb 19, 2024
  • Referenced as example of game with both upper and lower playfield

    Playing John Wick Pro (Stern 2024)Jun 15, 2024
  • Classic pinball machine; Bug's personal favorite game ever; rates beyond S-tier despite lacking hot people on backglass

    Backglass Tier ListJan 27, 2024
  • Gottlieb pinball machine, ranked #2; features unique eerie green color and room-separated design with blood-red logo

    SDTM: a pinball Show Episode 11: Top 10 BackglassesApr 11, 2017
  • Gottlieb-licensed pinball title; artwork theme matches the ToyShock cabinet design

    ToyShock 3/4 Scale Virtual Pinball - Is it worth it?Dec 10, 2019
  • Spooky Pinball game ranked #3, praised for backglass and playfield artwork

    SDTM Episode 39: Top 10 Halloween/Horror Pinball Machines with special guests!Oct 29, 2017
  • Classic pinball game referenced in discussion about flipper configurations

    Day 2 of ROAD SHOW Battle Week!Dec 1, 2014
  • Gottlieb pinball machine (System 80); first machine with three playfields; 6,835 units produced; features eight flippers, five target banks, four pop bumpers

    Haunted House | Vancouver Flip-out | Sept. 22, 2017Sep 25, 2017
  • Alvin G pinball machine with monster bonus display and limited drop targets. Rejected by Selak as EPROM match due to lack of bonus lights.

    Critical Mass with Eric SelakFeb 7, 2025
  • Gottlieb game; first Gottlieb title reproduced by CPR; licensing cleared

    Mirco Steffen - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 23, 2018
  • Gottlieb #1 seed; defeated TX Sector 63.6% in Round 4; largest margin of Round 4; moving to semifinals vs Pinbot

    Episode 12 - Domino's, SGDQ 2016, Evo 2016, & Tabletop for KidsAug 18, 2016
  • Gottlieb pinball machine (1-seed) advancing to Round 3 of tournament

    Episode 10 – Charities & Circuits, Strikes & Fables, Stars and Planet-BustersAug 18, 2016
  • Gottlieb 1980s pinball game; seeded #1 in Gottlieb region of bracket tournament

    Episode 8 – 80s Pinball, Homebrew, CoD/Battlefield, RPGs GaloreAug 18, 2016
  • Gottlieb (1982) at Honeybee Ice Cream

    PINSPOTTING: MAY 2022May 22, 2022
  • Early Gottlieb Halloween tournament table; Chris finds it disappointing and avoids playing it

    If It Walks Like A Duck, It's PinballOct 28, 2015
  • Pinball table with upper and lower playfields; tested on Arcooda; Kinect revealed new visual depth

    Arcooda Cabinet Hands-onJun 25, 2018
  • Table of the Week; Chris strongly dislikes it, finds it lacks proper aiming mechanics and catch-and-shoot gameplay

    Teeny Tiny Isn’t Always a Bad ThingOct 13, 2015
  • Gottlieb game referenced for prior multi-playfield design

    Past Times Pinball History Ep 28: ElektraOct 2, 2024
  • Gottlieb three-level game produced after Dragon's Lair was abandoned by designer group

    Critical Mass with Eric SelakFeb 7, 2025
  • Pinball machine owned by Antoinette; cited as example of standalone/unique game design; being received with custom hardware

    Episode 183: Antoinette JohnsonMar 8, 2019
  • A-list pinball title in Pop Spinball lineup; used as contrast to Popeye's surprising appeal to casual players

    Episode 10 - Die on this Hill: Popeye Saves the EarthDec 25, 2023
  • Gottlieb pinball; only artwork appearing on both sides of Legends cabinet backglass; Toy Shock comparison point

    Acquisitions and RedesignsNov 27, 2020
  • Referenced as example of lower playfield design similar to Krull

    Ep 18: Double FeatureSep 21, 2019
  • Three-level pinball game designed by Osborne at Gottlieb

    TOPCast 34: John OsborneMay 16, 2007
  • Gottlieb 1980s with triple playfield; $750 asking in Minnesota; typically $3,500

    This Month's Pinball Market | December 2025Dec 3, 2025
  • Gottlieb classic with multiple levels; mentioned as favorite Halloween-themed game

    This Is Halloween - Ear CandyOct 31, 2025
  • Barrels of Fun release priced $11,600; completely sold out in two days; features pepper ghost effect and restored FOMO

    FREE SHOW: Episode 1149: EXPO DAY BARREL BASH!Oct 17, 2025
  • Classic pinball machine that appears to be undergoing restoration or revival

    The $50 Haunted House is finally showing signs of life!!!!Feb 15, 2026