Recommendations for a first-time buyer?

[noobie]

I'm looking at buying my first pachislo machine (yay!), and I want something I'll really be happy with. I'm willing to spend a bit extra if it means I'll get more enjoyment out of the machine, but being that it's my first and I don't know whether I'll maintain interest, I'd rather not spend an arm and a leg. Playability is key. For example, I've heard people comment that Fire Express looks great, but that it gets kind of old after a while. I'm also fascinated by the machines with the LCD displays, but if the machine itself isn't going to stay fun than what's the point?
A few I've had my eye on:

Hanabi Hyakkei: I really like the 15" LCD in front of the reels, and the theme is nice as well (Fireworks are always fun!). Good music, nice display, and supposedly well made. I haven't seen anything on playability. $199 shipped from Big Bear.

Nobunaga no Yabo (King of the Battle World): An inexpensive machine with an LCD screen. Supposedly a lot of fun, with good side games. Can't beat the price of $125 shipped from Big Bear.

King Camel: People seem to like the way the reels work on this, and it seems popular (at the moment). $199 shipped from Big Bear (I know they were $99 at Stealth, but they're out of stock).


If anyone has any comments on these machines or suggestions on others, I'm all ears.

[vespacar]

I'm looking at buying my first pachislo machine (yay!), and I want something I'll really be happy with. I'm willing to spend a bit extra if it means I'll get more enjoyment out of the machine, but being that it's my first and I don't know whether I'll maintain interest, I'd rather not spend an arm and a leg. Playability is key. For example, I've heard people comment that Fire Express looks great, but that it gets kind of old after a while. I'm also fascinated by the machines with the LCD displays, but if the machine itself isn't going to stay fun than what's the point?
A few I've had my eye on:

Hanabi Hyakkei: I really like the 15" LCD in front of the reels, and the theme is nice as well (Fireworks are always fun!). Good music, nice display, and supposedly well made. I haven't seen anything on playability. $199 shipped from Big Bear.

Nobunaga no Yabo (King of the Battle World): An inexpensive machine with an LCD screen. Supposedly a lot of fun, with good side games. Can't beat the price of $125 shipped from Big Bear.

King Camel: People seem to like the way the reels work on this, and it seems popular (at the moment). $199 shipped from Big Bear (I know they were $99 at Stealth, but they're out of stock).


If anyone has any comments on these machines or suggestions on others, I'm all ears.

Go to Gaku's premium and package deal section, for $499.00 you can get any of the two above machines and a Premium machine, Sinbad adventure, austin powers, super blackjack/rio, etc. So you can get a really nice Premium machine and 2 deluxe machines for $25.00 less than you'll pay for the above machines, you might want to look into that. That's the way he got me!!

Cheers,
James

[Tulsa]

As a first machine the Hanabi and the KC would be fine choices. Check out our museum section and you can probably find some video's of most of these machines.

Museum link is in the navbar. You'll have to register separately but use your same username and password.

[rupan777]

Welcome.

You are wise to want to purchase a machine based on playability but what aspect of playability are you shooting for: complexity and depth? fun bells and whistles? flashy and noisy?

[noobie]

[QUOTE=Tulsa]As a first machine the Hanabi and the KC would be fine choices. Check out our museum section and you can probably find some video's of most of these machines.


I've been looking through the museum (thanks). Any reason you didn't recommend Nobunaga?

[dalto]

If you are only looking for one machine and are looking to start with something a little less expensive I would recommend either:

Neo Magic Pulsar: ElVision. Has an ElVision display over the reels. Very easy to get into and generally a lot of fun for those new to Pachislo. $150 from Big Bear delivered.

Monkey Magic(Osaru no Gokuu): Big LCD like Hanabi Hyakki. Lots of LCD action. Monkey gets in battles walks through different areas, etc... Similiar to Sindbad Adventure. $150 from Big Bear delivered.

Anyway, if I had to pick from Big Bears economy or standard pages those would be my choices.

However, if I started all over knowing what I know today I think I would pick one of his Premium Packages. $500 for two deluxe and one premium machine is hard to pass up.

[rupan777]

I would personally recommend one of the Juggler series for a first-timer but that's me.

[noobie]

Welcome.

You are wise to want to purchase a machine based on playability but what aspect of playability are you shooting for: complexity and depth? fun bells and whistles? flashy and noisy?

Well, flashy and noisy is fine at first, but if I don't enjoy playing it isn't going to matter how neat it is to look at. Of course, an unattractive machine isn't going to be that great either.

I would say complexity and depth first, bells and shistles second, andflashy and noisy last (noisy doesn't do anything for me, I'll be setting the machine very quiet I'm sure).

[dattia]

(noisy doesn't do anything for me, I'll be setting the machine very quiet I'm sure).

... ...Sorry, I think you mean you'll be installing volume controls right away...the noise of these machines will knock your socks off.

[noobie]

Sorry, yes, that's what I meant. I have very sensitive hearing (and live in a townhome to boot), so I'm assuming the first thing I'll do is slap a couple 500 ohm pots in there.

[dattia]

I don't have controls on mine...and when they are all going at once, I run!!!

[vespacar]

Opps, slightly misread his post. Guess I drunk to much last night!! Still if you go to the casino alot, the $499.00 premium package is a option I'd seriously think about, worse to worse, you could always sell the machines to your friends.

Out of the two that I own, I'd give KC the nod as the best machine. Lot more reel action, and even months later it seems that it still does things I have not seen before. Neo Magic pulsar is almost as good as of machine with what I would say is a little less action, done on a magic frog theme. Either machine you will be very happy with.

Cheers,
James

[Tulsa]

As a first machine the Hanabi and the KC would be fine choices. Check out our museum section and you can probably find some video's of most of these machines.

I've been looking through the museum (thanks). Any reason you didn't recommend Nobunaga?

I personally don't care that much for Japanese themed machines. That particular machine is pure Japanese. To me, theme is king. If you can relate to the theme it's a machine that will work for you. Otherwise, it's just bells and whistles and flashy lights.

My starting line up of pachislos in my home is:

Harley Davidson
Spin Luck
Dragon Dice
Super Blackjack
Metal Slug
Terminator
Thunderbirds
Betty Boop

As you can see, the Japanese theme is non-existant.

Others however do like Japanese themes and you may as well. They generally will run a bit less because of this reason.

[Lazarus]

Well thinking that the one machine you get if you pick out the right one first will not get boring after a while is unrealistic. It is the one main problem with the machines. Keep in mind the theme of the machine. If you have other hobby's or interests that a particular machines theme has in common and you get or read others opinions of it them that is a good starting point. You will play the machine a lot then it will tapper off. After a while you will say you seen everything the machine has to offer and start thinking about another. I would definitely think of ether planning on the fact that you will get at least another in the future to trade off with or like others have stated the three machine packages would be your best bet. It takes a lot of the stress out of picking that first machine and you get to play and split up your time between multiple machines. Keep in mind the theme. When you get bored with it after a time you will go back to play the machine because of an attraction to the machine, not just to see it do something new. If you go with Gakus deal keep in mind your other half. Keep them in the loop with picking out a machine they may like. It helps in the future. I have some 21 machines so I never really get bored with a particular machine.But most people can't have this many. I have thought about what machines I would keep and what I would give up if I really had to for some reason and it is the ones with a theme that fits me that I would keep over others. A machine that I find I keep going back to play even though I can chose from how many others is the Destroyer. Check it out.

[rupan777]

One small note about Japanese-themed machines is to not be too scared of them. Because they are made got a Japanese audience, they will tend to have more gameplay features and options for the hardcore audience than the Western licensed machines which are made for a more casual audience.

With that said, Nobunaga's Ambition is a nice machine and incorporates some of the elements of the PC game.

[noobie]

Thanks for the info. I'm not turned off by the Japanese (although I suppose I'd spend some time trying to get English translations, both off the internals and thegame screens—one of my quirks, I like to know everything about something I'm interested in).

[arbycoffee]

my two cents is THEME

[noobie]

On dalto's advice I went ahead and ordered Monkey Magic (Osaru no Gokuu). It looks to have the same quality and graphics as Sinbad Adventure for half the price (and I'm fine with the silly Japanese theme). Thanks for everyone's help!

[dattia]

If I remember correctly, Monkey Magic has a catchy little tune...be prepared to have it haunt you.

[luckydog]

You will love the Monkey Magic machine, It has lots of surprises that come up even after you have played ir for days.