books: 昭和のカオスなゲームセンター - The Dark Side of the Showa Chaotic Arcade from Onion Seisakusho

These 2 books came out in 2025 and I am very excited to have them!  Thank you Onitama-san.

昭和のカオスなゲームセンター
昭和のカオスなゲームセンター PART 2

Previously we had their book ミニドライブ大百科 (Mini-Drive Encyclopedia).

These books are highly recommend for people into arcade videogames and eremeka. It is filled with incredibly rare images and flyers and industry information you probably won't find anywhere else.  I have learned a lot about eremeka machines, but these books have even more information about videogames. 

I'm keeping a change log of new information I find in the books.

from volume 1: 昭和のカオスなゲームセンター 

• p13: the original Piccadilly Circus is from 1975
• p67: Wild Fox was manufactured by 東亜セイコー (Toa Seiko)
• p67: Mini Derby was released in 1974, not 1973.  It was sold by Sankyo Shoji. We have a reference to Fuji Enterprise selling it in 1976, but they probably were distributing it then.  This has consequences of reworking a few of my assumptions, which I have updated in the Mini Derby article.  There is still a lot more details to confirm for those machines.
• p67: Rotary-Pulse was made by 長田電気 (Nagata Electric) and Nemco was probably a brand.
• p68: Added ムサシ工業所 (Musashi Industries) to Coin Pet. The blue version of Coin Pet is shown as "first version" but I do not think there are any differences in the blue or red besides the colour.  If I am told there are further differences I will separate them into two entries.
• p70: Verified the name of "Baseball board" (野球盤). We had the name marked down as "presumed".
• p70: Confirmed Coin Game is from 1969. (previously ~1969)
• p70: new game Lucky Panda 
• p71: we have Rotary Falls as from RJ Corporation and J.O.B. - The book says RJ + Fuji, so we are adding Fuji as well.
• p72: The only source I had for 新幹線ゲームⅤ (Shinkansen game V) being 1976 was the old DGM website.  This book shows it as year unknown, so I have moved it to ~1976
• p72: Similarly 新幹線ゲームⅡ・宇宙 (Shinkansen Game II; Space) only had the 1977 source as from DGM, so I moved it to ~1977 .
• p73: the Sunny Tokyo version of Coin Punch  is from 1969. We had it as ~1969.
• p73: Gold Hunter is from 1969.  We had it as ~1969.
• p74: Grand Prix is listed as just by Satomi, but the advertisements make it seem more complex (we currently have it by 大和物産 (Yamato Bussan) & さとみ (Satomi — Sammy) & ベンドジャパン (Vend Japan) so I will leave it as it currently is. 
• Researching entries in the book made me realize I had チェスト written as "Chest" but it's supposed to be "Zest".
• p74: Vanishing Point was referenced as by 豊栄産業 (Hoei Sangyo) in a Game Machine article. The book says it is by チェスト (Zest) so I am including both companies for Vanishing Point. The earliest advertisement in Game Machine is from チェスト (Zest).
• p74: Renamed "750ライダー" to the proper name ナナハン ライダー (750cc Rider). We had it down as by 大和物産 (Yamato Bussan) but the book says it was made by 大洋産業 (Taiyo Sangyo).  There are many games that seem to be made by 大洋産業 (Taiyo Sangyo) and distributed by 大和物産 (Yamato Bussan).
• p79: Corrected 電子占 今日の運勢は コンピューター (Electronic fortune telling What's your fortune today Computer) to 電子占コンピューター (Electronic fortune-telling computer).  Updated the year from ~1970 to 1970. 
• p79: Corrected 占いコンピューター (Fortune Computer) company from 日本遊機 (Nihon Yuuki)
   to 関東遊機 (Kanto Yuuki). 
• p79: the image descriptions of 占いコンピューター (Fortune Computer) and 電子占コンピューター (Electronic fortune-telling computer) are swapped.
• p85: In verifying the information on Super Gold Scope, I realized I accidentally had it in 1977 when I have records of it being from 1975! A very unfortunate error for Konami fans. I apologize. From that same page, it gives the date of a Tumura catalogue as 1976. I had only seen auction photographs of that catalog and did not know when it was released.
• p90: Corrected the original Tight Rope company, from 友栄 (UA) to テクネ通商 (Tekune Tsusho). Examining this also made me realize that the version made by 友栄 (UA) also existed in 1975. (previously 1976)
• p93: proper year is 1977 for 1980 Playboy - プレイボーイ by 大平技研 (Ohira Giken)
• p93: previously we had 1976 Machine Gun - マシンガン by エース自動機 (Ace Jidoki) & ツムラ (Tumura) & ワイプ (Wipe) but it appears Tumura was just a distributor. I have an article that says this machine is from Ace Jidoki in Tokyo. Wipe was in Kobe and Osaka, so perhaps it was regional.
• p93: new game Super Mint 
• p95: proper year is 1985 for 1986 ハッピータイム (Happy time) by こまや (Komaya)

from  volume 2: 昭和のカオスなゲームセンター PART 2 

• p14: made an entry for "Super Scope" the UK game by Nuversions first imported by リバーストン (Riverstone) in 1974.  Super-Scope - スーパースコープ by ボナンザ (Bonanza) is the one that appeared in 1975. These units have 2 coin slots on the front.  The "Oriental Super-Scope" that was sold by オリエンタル興業 (Oriental Kogyo) does not have the front coin slots, and the earliest appearance I have of that model is in a 1977 Sega catalogue.
• p15: took 1976 De-Luxe Clean Sweep - クリーンスウィープ by ボナンザ (Bonanza) & ジャパンオーバーシーズビジネス (Japan Overseas Business) & ツムラ (Tumura) and dropped the "De-Luxe" part as that doesn't appear on the cabinet.  Dropped J.O.B. from the companies involved since I only have a single flyer with their name stickered on, so probably just for later distribution.  But keeping Tumura as they were probably a primary vendor of it since they advertise it frequently.
• p15: Trésor Boite [deluxe type] - トレゾール ボアト [デラックスタイプ] by ボナンザ (Bonanza) moving from 1980 to 1978. 
• p73: took the entry 1980 Rotary Game UFO Chance - ロータリーゲーム UFOチャンス by 日清工業 (Nissin Co) and corrected it to the proper name Rotary Game - ゴールデンロータリータイラーIII (Golden Rotary Tailar III) by キューゴ (Kyugo) and separated out a similar machine that was manufactured in 1981, Rotary Game Schmitt - ロータリーゲーム by 日清工業 (Nissin Kogyo).
• p81: new game cocktail rendition of 1979 Baseball Game - ベースボール・ゲーム by 大平技研 (Ohira Giken) call Baseball Game part II. 
• p85: proper year is 1969 for ~1969 King Ball - キングボール by 日本自動販売機 (Nihon Jidô Hanbaiki — Game Mate) & カトウ (Kato)
• p85: new game Bingo by DAW (1970)
• p102: Six-Goal - シックス ゴール by コニー (Cony) flyer shows TAN 91-25168
• p102: proper year is 1977 for 1978 Super Car - ザ・スーパーカー (The Super Car) by フジ・エンタープライズ (Fuji Enterprises)
• p106: the book says 1975 but the Omori version is actually from 1984. Imported copies of New Penny Falls were offered by J.O.B. in 1973 and Jatre in 1975.
• p106: dropped Tumura from 1975 International Dreifach - インターナショナル・ドライファッハ by フジ・エンタープライズ (Fuji Enterprises) & ツムラ (Tumura)
• p106: says 1976 for ~1977 Comy - コミー [MF-1] by 高砂電器商事 (Takasago Electric) but the TAN # 91-15292 was registered in 1977 so I will leave this.
• p107: new game Dream Dice (1980)
• p107: new game Attack 600 

wanted: 1969 遊戲機械名鑑

We would like to buy a copy of the 1969 machine directory.
1969 年のマシン ディレクトリのコピーを購入したいと考えています。

 ¥60,000 offered for '69 遊戲機械名鑑 ('69 Game Machine Directory)

「'69 遊戲機械名鑑」に6万円をプレゼント 

'69 遊戲機械名鑑
「全日本遊園」編集局刊
'69 Game Machine Directory
Published by the All Japan Amusement Park Editorial Department

We are offering ¥60,000 to purchase this publication.  If you have a copy that is damaged we are probably still interested in it.  Email me at thetastates@gmail.com

この出版物を6万円で購入いたします。もし破損している本をお持ちでしたら、まだ購入を検討しているかもしれません。thetastates@gmail.comまでメールでご連絡ください。

There is an "index book" that accompanies the directory, and we would like that "index book" as well. 

ディレクトリには「索引ブック」が付属していますが、その「索引ブック」も欲しいです。 

 

This book is an important piece of arcade history.  It needs to be publicly preserved at the highest quality.  Working together, we can make this happen!

この本はアーケードの歴史を語る上で重要な一冊です。最高の品質で公に保存されるべきです。力を合わせれば、きっと実現できるはずです！

 

Borrowing: 借用:

Alternatively, we would like to BORROW your copy.  We can pay for a courier to send it, we will scan it non-destructively on an edge scanner (so we don't have to chop the spine,) and then send it back via courier.

To see the kind of work we do, please see our  research publication list. There you can find scans of the yearbooks from 1978-1983, 1985-1987, and 1993.

あるいは、本書をお借りしてスキャンさせていただくことも可能です。送料は当方で負担いたします。エッジスキャナーで非破壊スキャン（背表紙を切り落とす必要がないため）し、その後、宅配便でご返送いたします。

当館の活動内容については、研究出版物リストをご覧ください。1978年から1983年、1985年から1987年、そして1993年の年鑑のスキャン画像が掲載されています。

1967 Thunder-Bird - サンダーバード by 太東貿易 (Taito Trading — Crown)

Name: Thunder-Bird - サンダーバード

Year: 1967

Company: 太東貿易 (Taito Trading — Crown)

Thunderbird was made by Taito in 1967 under their Crown brand. The lower portion looks quite similar to Taito's Crown 603 crane machine, and the crane mechanism operates in a similar fashion.  Instead of picking things up, the crane drops a metal ball that looks similar in size to a pachinko ball. (though I do not know if the same size.)

Align the crane, release the ball, and if you get it inside one of the porcelain numbered cups you get paid out that numbered prize.  The backbox is a similar shape to a pinball head. There are 5 columns loaded with prizes and I assume that lower front cover protects the dispenser mechanism from shenanigans.  A very unique prize game.

For the longest time it has been vexing me that we did not have detailed pics of it, even though we can see it in a number of older photographs. Now, thank you to Rich who runs the Family Fun Center York Galleria in York, Philadelphia, USA, we have more photos!  These were from a few years back so they aren't the resolution of fancy modern phones, but they're still great to see.  (He no longer has the machine)

(If you are a collector that has a Thunder-Bird in their collection can you please get in touch? I know there are probably a few copies of these tucked into elite collections. Please note that I am not looking to buy machines off you, I just want to try and publicly preserve whatever info I can on them.)

1969 machine directory entry

from the Taito 40th Anniversary book

late 1960s game corner (via accs2014)

Thunder-Bird was exported internationally.

Cash Box 1968-07-06

at Palace Amusements, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
this photo is from the late 1970s or later, based on the machines visible

English export flyer. The dealer stamp is from Antwerp, Belgium!

 

The following images and video are courtesy Rich of the Family Fun Center York Galleria in York, Philadelphia, USA.

First, some gameplay of Thunder-Bird.  We don't get to see a payout, but I am grateful to see the game in action at all.

Of most interest is that he reviews how the ball is fed up from the bottom, through a tube inside the front. The game flashes STAND BY when loading the ball into the dropper mech. 

 

 

love the whole look

similar front to the 603 crane. Same door proportions, lock location, and location of coin return. Center control mech swapped but the rest of the metal control panel is the same design as the 603. Efficiency!

I really like the look of the whole control panel area.  Would totally pay up for that marquee.

got that Jackson Pollock spackle

the 5 prize-dispenser columns

moulded plastic that is shaped like a UFO or space station

Relays! at the Front Door
note the tube on the right.  That is the ball return.

 

1977 Jupiter-30 - ジュピター30 by ベンドジャパン (Vend Japan) & 大平技研 (Ohira Giken — Yuvo)

Name: Jupiter-30 - ジュピター30

Year: 1977

Company:  ベンドジャパン (Vend Japan) & 大平技研 (Ohira Giken — Yuvo)

 

Jupiter-30 is the very first game from YUVO that I have recorded.  It was sold/distributed by Vend Japan.  Jupiter-50 and Jupiter-300 will also be discussed in this article.

Here is a flyer I purchased, front and back:

Jupiter-30 - ジュピター30 by ベンドジャパン (Vend Japan) & 大平技研 (Ohira Giken — Yuvo)

Jupiter-30 - ジュピター30 by ベンドジャパン (Vend Japan) & 大平技研 (Ohira Giken — Yuvo)

 

 

from the front:

 Transcription:

JUPITER-30
10円又は100円→3段階チャレンジが選択できるプライズマシン。
景品展示窓付。景品(たばこ大) 約80個収納可。金庫10円玉6,000枚収納可。
JUPITER-50
10円、20円→メタル販売機付。メタル配当5枚、10枚、50枚の3段階ステップ・チャレンジ方式。ホッパー採用。
JUPITER-300
本格的メタルGマシン。当り倍率2、5、30の3段階。チャレンジ倍率は追加メタル投入により1~10倍。
配当はチャレンジ倍率×当り倍率の枚数。チャレンジ倍率表示ランプ付。ホッパー採用。

Machine translation:

JUPITER-30
A prize machine with three-stage challenge options for 10 yen or 100 yen coins.
Includes a prize display window. Holds approximately 80 prizes (large cigarettes). Safe holds 6,000 10-yen coins.
JUPITER-50
Includes a medal vending machine for 10 yen and 20 yen coins. Three-stage challenge system with metal payouts of 5, 10, or 50 coins. Features a hopper.
JUPITER-300
A full-fledged Metal G machine. Three win multipliers: 2, 5, or 30. Challenge multipliers range from 1x to 10x by adding additional medal.
Payouts are calculated as the challenge multiplier multiplied by the number of coins with the win multiplier. Features a challenge multiplier indicator lamp. Features a hopper. 

30 is for winning cigarettes. 50 looks the same but uses a coin hopper to payout medals.  I have never seen a picture of Jupiter-300 so I do not know if it uses the same case, but it ups the medal gambling aspects and offers a chance for larger payouts.

Jupiter-30 is one of 3 machines in the series. 30 and 50 use the same cabinet except with the 30 altered to 50.  30 is a prize machine, where rolls of cigarettes can be won!  

 

Let's take a look at how the gameplay works on Jupiter-30:

According to the back of the flyer, you insert a 10 yen coin and flick it up at the sun.  The sun is attached to a motor and rotates.  You can see a translucent plastic column around the rocket in the center.  If the coin goes down that chute you get to shoot it again.

There are six planets and hitting any of them will cause the reels at the bottom to spin. If you stop each drum at the right position I think it awards you that prize.  I am actually kind of unsure about the specifics of the gameplay of this portion, given how the flyer is written (and my lack of understanding the Japanese language).

Besides the Sun I can make out Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, what I presume is Saturn, and then I can't see the writing on the lower-right one. 

 

Game Machine 1977-08-15

In this advertisement we can see how Jupiter-50 appears to have an identical cabinet:

Coin Journal 1977-11

Jupiter-50 - ジュピター50 by ベンドジャパン (Vend Japan) & 大平技研 (Ohira Giken — Yuvo)

Only difference here is that there is no prize display in the main window.

I hope we one day find evidence of a Jupiter-300 cabinet.

1977 Baseball Mate - ベースボールメイト by 関西企業 (Kansai Kigyo) & アイ・ピー・エム (IPM) & ウチナダ電子 (Uchinada Denshi)

Name: Baseball Mate - ベースボールメイト

Year: 1977

Company: 関西企業 (Kansai Kigyo) & アイ・ピー・エム (IPM) & ウチナダ電子 (Uchinada Denshi)

Baseball Mate was made in 1977.  It is a medal game but there is a timing element of hitting the ball.  It has a PITCHER and BATTER buttons, and then your typical grid for placing bets.  It counts your Strikes, Balls, and Outs.

Game Machine 1977-1215

 

The article states it is by アイ・ピー・エム (IPM).  There are also many IPM advertisements for this game.

manufacturer plate

The manufacturer plate confirms it was made by ウチナダ電子 (Uchinada Denshi) and they are the company on the Type Approval Number 91-15517 which is seen here and referenced in numerous advertisements.

 

advertisement from アイ・ピー・エム (IPM) and the cabinet design aligns with their other machines.  This blue cabinet is only seen here.  The green button has moved location and there is not instruction panel any more.  I currently don't think this enough to show it as a separate variant.
There is a Kansai Kigyo logo in the upper-right for an unknown reason.

For reference, here is the blue version with the green button in a different location.  Due to the different button locations I am giving this its own entry.

slight variant: no instruction card, green button has moved.

 

 

Here it is being advertised by Kansai Kigyo:

Coin Journal 1979-01

In fact, the earliest article I have about Baseball Mate lists it as Kansai Kigyo and does not mention IPM.

Coin Journal 1977-11

 

Also note that the later Kansai Kigyo sunset logo is on the game! 

Please enjoy this flyer I purchased:

Baseball Mate - ベースボールメイト by 関西企業 (Kansai Kigyo) & アイ・ピー・エム (IPM) & ウチナダ電子 (Uchinada Denshi)

Be on the lookout for their custom medals!

 

1991 Pig Racing - ピッグレーシング by セガ (Sega)

Name: Pig Racing - ピッグレーシング

Year: 1991

Company: セガ (Sega) 

 

Everyone's favourite Sega game from 1991!  Pig Racing!  

What?  You mean you're not nostalgic for Pig Racing? You've never heard of it?  OK well I hadn't heard of it before I started this project either, but I became fascinated by it.  Partly because of it's derby mechanic, partly because it was very rare and it took me a long time to find decent images, and partly because it hearkens back to some of the very earliest electrified arcade games of all time!

First off, I bought the flyer.  Enjoy!

Pig Racing - ピッグレーシング by セガ (Sega)

 

You can see some footage of Pig Race at 7:12 in this video: (link goes to timestamp, embedded video does not)

 

Let's go back to some arcade ancestry and look at my old post "arcade photographs from the collection of James R. Smith".

sign says: "Patented THE CONY RACE May 15 1923"

 

These are group carnival arcade games where players compete in a basic task to advance their character.  Whoever gets to the end first wins the race!  I like these kinds of carnival games because the profit comes from multiple players competing, not from a potentially bunco game.

In The Cony Race players use the lever to hit their ball into a goal.

 

 Monkey Pinball

Monkey Pinball has a nearly vertical pinball playfield and you shoot a ball into scoring holes with a small lever.

Electrification first came to carnival arcade installations like these, and so what we are looking at are some of the earliest attempts of utilizing electricity in arcade games.

Pig Racing follows in these footsteps.

Pig Racing was included in a 1991 Sega catalogue.  Then the first appearance I've seen in a magazine is December 1991.

from a 1991 Sega catalogue

 

Game Machine 1991-12-15