HALLOWEEN 2024: I Dream Of A Nightmare on Elm St. Pinball (1994)

Released back in 1994, this October A Nightmare On Elm St. pinball officially crosses the 3 decade mark of having never been played by yours truly. While 2,000 tables are reported to have been built (presumably finding homes in arcades, bars, bowling alleys and strip clubs across the country), I’ve certainly never seen one in real life. Have you? How the hell has this Nightmare machine managed to slip by me over all of this time!?

And almost as important, how is Nightmare Machine not a band?

If there were only two things I truly love allowed to continue existing in this world they would have nothing to do with Freddy Krueger or pinball, but the two of those things all mixed up together? That could feasibly crack my top ten.

Just look at it! It is beautiful.

Here’s a fun little breakdown of the table:

I just don’t understand how Star Trek: TNG, The Twilight Zone and Addams Family pinball machines can have such rabid followings while one based on arguably the most popular series of horror films ever made? Totally relegated to deep obscurity. Does it suck? I’m calling it right now: NO, it does not suck. In fact there is simply no way it isn’t the greatest Pinball ever played by mankind.

Or in my case, never played.

C’mon Pinball Arcade, where are you when I need you!?