1976 新幹線ゲーム [初代] (Shinkansen Game [first generation]) by 九娯貿易 (Kyugo Trading) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho)

Name: 新幹線ゲーム [初代] (Shinkansen Game [first generation])
Year: 1976
Company: 九娯貿易 (Kyugo Trading) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho)

The first version of this iconic game seems to be defined by the metal rails used.  Later versions had white acrylic rails.

The earliest marquees are black and have the train pointing to the right:

some have the writing in red, some yellow.

This style of marquee is not exclusive to the metal rail version.

From the DGM book

A quote from the book mentions that the train line opened in 1975:

このゲームは、昭和50年に東海 道新幹線・山陽新幹線が東京~博多 間で全線開通したのをきっかけに誕 生した。
This game was born in 1975 when the Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen were fully opened between Tokyo and Hakata. 

 

The lower portion of this version seems to have a smaller visible window area.  Later versions had a larger window, and would have art to cover part of it.  Look at the gap separating the bottom rail to the window frame.

first gen

II

The first generation machines also seem to be the only ones that have metal trim around the machine's edges.

At some point during this initial run, the trim was switched from metal to a fake wood trim.   There are also numerous advertisements that show the original marquee, but with the rails already upgraded to acrylic. 

I believe this flyer is for the first generation of the game.

first gen

While the other photos above do not show the cityscape graphic at the bottom, this advertisement shows an important detail.  Please note how on one of the buildings you can only see 2 stories of windows:

The later models had a larger window area at the bottom, and on those machines you can see 3 stories of windows on this building.

This flyer has the first generation marquee, but has the building graphics and larger window that aligns with model II.

This model is also painted white, which you do not usually see.

1977 新幹線ゲームⅡ・宇宙 (Shinkansen Game II; Space) by 九娯貿易 (Kyugo Trading) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho)

 

Name: 新幹線ゲームⅡ・宇宙 (Shinkansen Game II; Space)

Year: 1977
Company: 九娯貿易 (Kyugo Trading) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho)

The year and companies listed here are taking from the DGM website.(archive).

They have a picture of the serial number plate that gives the manufacturer as ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho):

The name is just listed as 新幹線ゲーム (Shinkansen Game) and the Type Approval Number is 91-13366.  This is the exact same plate that appears on the regular 新幹線ゲームⅡ (Shinkansen Game II) as well as on 1976 新幹線ゲームⅤ (Shinkansen game V).  I am unsure if there are any differences between these games!

The only difference here is that the game uses the same art as 1977 コインロケット (coin rocket) by ユニバーサル (Universal) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Manufacturing):

1977 コインロケット (coin rocket) by ユニバーサル (Universal) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Manufacturing)

Coin Rocket came out in 1977, and so it is easy to say that Shinkansen Game II: Space is a variant that came out in 1977 as well.  Perhaps Coin Rocket did not sell well, and Nishiki decided to reuse the remaining artwork?

I do not know if "Space" is included in the official name, but it is a useful name for us to use.

This version of Shinkansen Game has unique artwork on the plexiglass where you win:

Photo from the DGM book:

1977 コインロケット (coin rocket) by ユニバーサル (Universal) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Manufacturing)

 

Name: コインロケット (coin rocket)
Year: 1977
Company: ユニバーサル (Universal) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Manufacturing)

In the Dagashiya Game Museum book, this game is listed as by ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Manufacturing).  In advertisements, it is sold by ユニバーサル (Universal).

advertisement from Game Machine 1977-05-15

Game Machine also announces as it being from Universal:

Game Machine 1977-01-15

This is not uncommon!  Many machines, especially from the 1970s and before, are made by a manufacturer and then sold (distributed) by another company.  

There is a variant of the popular 新幹線ゲーム (Shinkansen Game) called 新幹線ゲームⅡ・宇宙 (Shinkansen Game II; Space) and we know 新幹線ゲームII was manufactured by ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho).  The "Space" variant reuses the art from コインロケット (coin rocket)!

from the DGM book:
新幹線ゲームⅡ・宇宙 (Shinkansen Game II; Space) by 株式会社 九娯貿易 & ニシキ製作所 (Kyuho & Nishiki Seisakusho)
same artwork as コインロケット (coin rocket)

A wonderful gameplay video:

A thorough tour from DGM:

1968 Chū Hunter - チューハンター by 児童遊園設備 (Children's playground equipment) & 関東電機 (Kanto Electric)

Name: Chū Hunter - チューハンター
Year: 1968 (assumed)
Company: sold by 児童遊園設備 (Children's playground equipment) / manufactured by 関東電機 (Kanto Electric) / distributed by 三共 (Sankyo) 

Chu Hunter has many mysteries! It is a game that was sold for at least 6 years, and by at least 2 companies.

There is a youtube video taken at 六甲プレイランド (Rokko Playland) that shows Chu Hunter with a sign claiming it is from 1968:

Chu Hunter appears in this 1969 newspaper:

1969-05 アミューズメント(会員誌)
advertisement by 児童遊園設備 (Children's playground equipment)

The advertisement says that Chu Hunter is "Continuing to perform well".  This implies it was not a brand new game in May, 1969.  This would work very well with 1968 being the year of manufacture.

Chu Hunter appears in the 1969 Machine Directory.  It actually appears twice!

The first entry is for 児童遊園設備 (Children's playground equipment).  This is the same company as in the advertisement.

The second entry is for 三共 (Sankyo).  The Sankyo list includes many machines that we know are made by other companies.  

Two examples: 

1. Socker Ace - サッカーエース (Soccer Ace) by 日本展望娯楽社 (Japan Outlook Entertainment Company)
2. Basket Game - バスケットゲーム by カトウ (Kato)

The Sankyo list contains many games they are distributing, made by other companies.

In a 1972 issue of Amusement magazine, we have this advertisement from 関東電機 (Kanto Electric).  

At the bottom they they have a list titled "製造品目" (Manufactured items), which includes Chu Hunter.  The full list: 

• ターキーボール (turkey ball)
• 闘牛A型(牛の鳴き声付) (Bullfighting type A (with bull barking)
• 闘牛B (Bullfight B)
• チューハンター (Chu Hunter)
• レッドフォックス (Red Fox)
• アイスホ ッケー (Ice Hockey)
• 王将(新型) (Osho New Model)

Red Fox came out in 1972 and is sold by 三共 (Sankyo).

王将 (King) was another game released in 1968 and sold by 児童遊園設備 (Children's amusement park equipment).  

So it looks like 関東電機 (Kanto Electric) is the manufacturer.

In the 1972 machine directory, there are 4 references to Chu Hunter, and each of them is listed as Sankyo!  I am guessing this is because they were the only company with the game anymore.

Chu Hunter is listed under Sankyo in the company listing

In the price list, it is under Sankyo.

in the game index, it is listed as Sankyo

This Sankyo advertisement also lists Chu Hunter, plus 2 other games that 関東電機 (Kanto Electric) says they manufactured.

Chu Hunter also appears in the 1973 directory, also as by Sankyo.

I do not know when 児童遊園設備 (Children's playground equipment) went out of business or changed their name.  The last games I currently have listed as by them are from 1970.  So I think what happened was 関東電機 (Kanto Electric) was hired to manufacture the game for 児童遊園設備 (Children's playground equipment) and when they went away (maybe they were purchased?) then 三共 (Sankyo) became the seller of Chu Hunter.

Chu Hunter was available for a long time!  It must have been quite popular.

Gameplay can be seen starting at 3:05 in this video:

There is a tweet bv @OneMoreTimeC (archive) that shows Chu Hunter with a nixie tube display!  This is the only time I have seen Chu Hunter with nixie tubes.

nixie tube displays!

There are lots of wonderful photos of Chu Hunter, mostly thanks to the wonderful restoration work  @OneMoreTimeC.  After restoration, many people were able to play it.

As this tweet by @saladbarM (archive) points out, the gun from 早撃マック (The Quick Draw Mac) by 関東電機 (Kanto Electric) in 1974 is the same style as Chu Hunter.

1972 Target Bowling - ターゲットボーリング by 栗田技研 (Kurita Giken) & タイトー (Taito)

 

Name: Target Bowling - ターゲットボーリング

Year: 1972

Company: 栗田技研 (Kurita Giken) & タイトー (Taito)

Target Bowling was manufactured by 栗田技研 (Kurita Giken) but is listed by タイトー (Taito) in their history of games:

from the Taito 40th Anniversary book

This game was also distributed by arcade operator マル三商会 (Marusan Shokai), but I think Taito is more famous for it.

This game is used in a scene in 愛欲の罠 (1973):

I would like to highlight how great this graphic design is:

this would be very difficult to do in 1972!

1973 machine directory listing

[admin] creating a separate 1990s category

I have separated the category that was 1990+ into 2 categories:  1990s, and 2000+.

We also hit 2500 machines!  Back on October 13th we only had 2264 machines listed.