Spooky Pinball was founded in 2013 by Charlie Emery in Benton, Wisconsin, with a grassroots approach to pinball manufacturing. Unlike major industry players, Spooky Pinball began as a small, family-run operation, focusing on producing boutique-style machines with unique themes and a passionate community-driven philosophy. The company’s first game, America’s Most Haunted (2014), was a limited-production title that quickly gained a cult following for its humor, solid gameplay, and fun paranormal theme. This success established Spooky Pinball as a serious contender in the pinball industry, proving that a small, independent manufacturer could produce high-quality games.

Following its debut, Spooky Pinball expanded its lineup with creative and horror-themed titles such as Rob Zombie’s Spookshow International (2016), Total Nuclear Annihilation (2017), and Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle (2018). The company gained further recognition with licensed games like Rick and Morty (2019) and Halloween (2021), catering to both pinball enthusiasts and fans of cult franchises. Spooky’s business model emphasizes direct-to-consumer sales and limited production runs, fostering a strong connection with collectors and competitive players alike. Despite its small size, Spooky Pinball continues to push boundaries with innovative design, deep rule sets, and creative themes, securing its place as one of the most successful independent pinball manufacturers in the modern era.