Elvira's House of Horrors marks the third pinball machine starring the iconic horror hostess, following in the footsteps of Elvira and the Party Monsters (1989) and Scared Stiff (1996). Stern Pinball, under the leadership of Gary Stern, brought this spooky vision to life, aiming to capture Elvira's unique brand of humor and horror within a pinball format.

The creative nucleus behind Elvira's House of Horrors comprised Dennis Nordman, responsible for the game's design, and Greg Freres, who crafted the distinctive artwork. Jerry Thompson handled the sound and music, creating an auditory landscape that perfectly complements the on-screen action. Software development was helmed by Lyman F. Sheats Jr., ensuring a deep and engaging rule set. Cassandra Peterson herself provided custom speech and video, reprising her role as Elvira, while voice-over artist Tim Kitzrow added further custom callouts, enhancing the game's comedic tone.

Released in September 2019, Elvira's House of Horrors was built on Stern’s SPIKE 2 system, a platform known for its enhanced processing power and high-definition LCD displays. Notably, Stern opted not to produce a "Pro" version, focusing instead on the Premium, Limited, and Signature Editions from the outset, emphasizing a higher-end experience for players. Production of the initial editions began in November 2019, quickly establishing the machine's presence in arcades and home collections.

An interesting piece of trivia connects this machine back to the original Elvira and the Party Monsters: the Victorian mansion depicted on the playfield is the same house featured on the translite of the earlier game, a subtle nod to the series' history.

Signature Features and Design

Elvira's House of Horrors is loaded with distinctive features that set it apart. Central to the playfield is the Victorian mansion, complete with an attic turret that spins, adding a dynamic visual element. Adjacent to the house is the crypt building, housing the "Deadhead" bash toy. A trunk mechanism on the left ramp serves as a ball lock and a source of random awards. Leaping gargoyles stand as targets, and the crypt door itself is a rotating gate, revealing either a target or access to the crypt.

A consistent feature across all editions is the innovative "Make your own dang B-movie trailer" mode. At the end of each game, the machine compiles gameplay footage into a personalized trailer, complete with humorous voiceovers, providing a unique and replayable element.

However, each edition of Elvira's House of Horrors offers unique enhancements and visual distinctions:

• Premium Edition: This edition, the core version of the game, features powder-coated black wrinkle-finish metalwork and a translite. It includes all the core gameplay features and toys, providing a complete Elvira's House of Horrors experience.

• Limited Edition (LE): Limited to 400 units, the LE elevates the visual presentation. It features high-gloss red powder-coated metalwork with a drip effect, mirrored backglass, art blades adorning the cabinet sides, and a shaker motor for added tactile feedback. Each LE includes a serialized number plate and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Gary Stern, along with an apron signed by the design team, increasing its collectibility.

• Signature Edition (SE): The most exclusive of the initial releases, limited to only 50 units, the Signature Edition takes the LE features further. It boasts sparkle-finish red powder-coated metalwork, mirrored backglass, art blades, and a shaker motor. Unique to the SE is a trading card signed by Elvira and a swatch of fabric from Elvira's red velvet sofa, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Elvira herself, making it highly sought after by collectors.

• 40th Anniversary Edition: Released in October 2021, commemorating Elvira's 40th anniversary, this edition, limited to 199 units, shares many features with the LE and SE in terms of gameplay but offers distinct cosmetic touches and collectables to mark the anniversary.

• Blood Red Kiss Edition: Introduced in October 2023 with a run of 500 units, the Blood Red Kiss Edition represents a later iteration, continuing the visual themes with a focus on a striking red aesthetic. It maintains the core gameplay but features unique artwork and potentially different component choices reflecting its later production date.

These edition-specific features not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the collectibility and perceived value of each version, particularly the limited production runs of the LE and SE models.

Playfield and Mechanics

The playfield of Elvira's House of Horrors is designed with an intuitive fan layout, making shots accessible while still offering depth for skilled players. Three ramps guide the ball around the playfield, feeding into various mechanisms and scoring opportunities. Three pop bumpers and two slingshots create dynamic ball movement and increase the unpredictability of each game.

Key interactive elements dominate the playfield. The Victorian mansion, positioned centrally, features lit windows that track player progression through game modes. The spinning attic turret adds visual flair and is often tied to gameplay objectives. The crypt, with its rotating door and "Deadhead" bash toy, serves as a central target and a gateway to multiball modes.

A motorized elevating ramp entrance and a motorized gate for orbit shots introduce mechanical complexity, altering shot paths and creating dynamic gameplay scenarios. Vertical up-kickers and a left-side ball kicker ensure continuous ball flow and prevent stagnation. A drop target and a spinning target add classic pinball elements, demanding precision and timing from players.

The artwork on the playfield, crafted by Greg Freres, is vibrant and detailed, immersing players in the campy horror theme. The LCD display integrates seamlessly with the playfield, providing animations, scoring information, and video clips featuring Elvira. Lighting is dynamically integrated, with the house windows and general playfield illumination changing to reflect game modes and events, enhancing the spooky atmosphere.

Gameplay Dynamics

Elvira's House of Horrors offers a deep and varied gameplay experience centered around exploring the haunted mansion and completing a series of spooky objectives. The game is structured around modes initiated by shooting various targets and ramps. Players progress through different "rooms" of the house, each presenting unique challenges and scoring opportunities.

Multiball modes are central to the gameplay, with up to six balls in play simultaneously, creating chaotic and high-scoring moments. The "Crypt Multiball" and "Trunk Multiball" are among the key multiball features, each triggered by specific shot sequences and offering distinct gameplay variations.

The "Make your own dang B-movie trailer" feature is interwoven into the gameplay, encouraging players to engage with different aspects of the game to create the most entertaining trailer at the end. This feature adds a layer of meta-gameplay, rewarding varied and skillful play.

Gameplay highlights often include skillfully navigating the ramps to initiate multiball, precisely hitting the "Deadhead" target in the crypt to advance modes, and strategically using the trunk to collect items and trigger special events. The game balances accessible shots with challenging objectives, ensuring that both novice and experienced players can find enjoyment and depth.

Reception and Legacy

Elvira's House of Horrors has garnered largely positive reception within the pinball community. Players frequently praise its engaging gameplay, humorous theme, and stunning visual and auditory presentation. The integration of Elvira's personality through custom speech and video is consistently highlighted as a major strength, capturing the essence of the character and enhancing the overall experience.

Positive feedback often emphasizes the game's fun factor, with many reviewers noting its addictive nature and high replay value. The diverse range of shots, enjoyable flow, and varied modes contribute to a gameplay experience that remains fresh even after numerous plays. The artwork and sound package are also consistently commended for their quality and thematic appropriateness.

However, some criticisms have been noted. A few players have pointed out that the code can be somewhat complex initially, requiring a learning curve to fully grasp all the mechanics and modes. Some have expressed mixed feelings about the campy horror theme, finding it occasionally cheesy, although this is often outweighed by the appreciation for Elvira's humor. Isolated comments mention occasional slow gameplay flow or minor quality control issues in production, though these are not widespread concerns.

Despite minor critiques, Elvira's House of Horrors has solidified its place as a popular and well-regarded pinball machine. Its legacy lies in its successful blend of a licensed theme with deep gameplay and innovative features. It demonstrates how a pinball machine can effectively capture the spirit of a character and create an immersive and entertaining experience for players of all skill levels, making it a significant title in Stern Pinball's catalog and a sought-after machine for collectors and enthusiasts alike.