The Phantom of the Opera (pinball)
The Phantom of the Opera is a pinball machine released by Data East in 1990. The game is based on the 1910 French novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, but not based on the 1986 musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber or movie of the same name. The game was designed by Joe Kaminkow and Ed Cebula.
Design
The game started to be designed in November 1988, just as the book was being re-issued, and a month before The Phantom of the Opera miniseries was announced.The main feature of the game is the organ ramp.
The music begins with a version of Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D minor and then progresses to "up-tempo variations".
Artwork
The artwork for the machine was produced by art designer Paul Faris, working as a freelancer. The artist had free reign to create images based on his interpretation of the book, unlike many other Data East pinball machines where the choice of artwork was restricted by a licensor. Gary Stern and Ed Cebula are both shown on the backglass; Faris' daughter is the model for the character Christine Daaé. The Phantom can be unmasked to reveal his true face on the backglass. This uses special printing changing the opacity of the ink, and a lighting technique designed by Paul Faris to provide "visual removal of the mask".Gameplay
The main goal of the game is to open the secret passage below the organ, to unmask the Phantom and activate a three ball multiball.On the last ball of a game, the player can double their score by shooting the catwalk ramp.