by Stormtrooper on Jan 12, 2024
Gambling has gone through a long journey throughout the years, and Japan is one of the countries that has its own view of the activity. In 1907, Japan established a Penal code that banned gambling activities in the country, but there are several exceptions, which include the Pachinko game.
In recent years, Pachinko has remained a popular choice for anyone who wants to play games due to the fact that it is a legal outlet for gambling.
It is worth mentioning that it is technically forbidden to gamble in Japan to gain money. To get around this, the Pachinko parlors offer tokens or prizes instead. Therefore, many people try their luck to win various prizes.
In its simplest sense, Pachinko is a game that combines elements of pinball and slot machines and relies on the player’s luck and skill to win. The name “Pachinko” is actually an onomatopoeia derived from the sound that the game makes, which is “pachin” or "pacha,” and it holds no literal meaning.
The game’s main objective is to place as many balls into the winning pockets. However, since this is a passive game, the players’ role is limited to only controlling the speed of the tiny balls launched into the machine.
If you are in Japan, these machines are frequently found in bright and noisy parlors across the country.
Each of the machines has several features, such as play buttons, a feeding tray, a knob, and a dollar box. After the player inserts the money, they can press a button to trigger the small metal balls into the feeding tray. The ball is launched using a knob located on the machine's right bottom.
Players can later exchange the winning balls for different prizes, including home appliances, food, cigarettes, toys, and others. Other than understanding how to play Pachinko, players can also learn about Pachinko winning tips in order to increase their chances of winning the prizes.
Modern Pachinko machines are becoming more similar to popular arcade games in appearance due to the variety of themes they offer.
For instance, CR Monster Hunter, based on the popular game with the same name, incorporates elements and monsters from the game that correspond with the hunting and and gathering themes of the game series.
You can also try CR Aladdin for a more magical theme. As the name implies, this machine is based on the classic story of Aladdin featuring various characters and settings of the tale. However, mangas and animes remain a favorite theme, and these two are some of the most popular.
This machine is based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series. Depending on when the player presses the button, a different animation will appear on the screen as the machine is loaded.
For instance, scoring 888 can activate a thrilling cutscene in which EVA Unit-01 appears on the screen while throwing a huge “BONUS” message to the player, indicating a big win.
This machine is based on the Persona 4 anime series and game. During the gameplay, the player is accompanied by Kuma, who celebrates every time the player strikes big wins.
Depending on the received bonus, the machine will react differently each time. One example is during “Shuffle Time” where various animations appear on the screen hinting at what will happen as red neon lights flash toward the player.