Pachinko Machine Types and Basic Gameplay
I've gotten a lot of questions about what types of pachinko machines are around and how they play etc. so I did this basic write-up on this topic. Arranged semi-chronologically:
Old school pachinko - What is commonly referred to as "vintage", usually lots of pins and pockets; very simple gameplay - shoot balls into the pockets and get a set number of balls paid out.
Wing-type machines - This look of this machine is somewhat similar to a vintage but in the center of the gamefield is usually a somewhat large mechanical contraption that has a claw (in Japanese, it's called a wing) that opens up when a ball is shot into a pocket on the lower portion of the gamefield. There are usually two such pockets usually labelled "1" and "2" because the claw/wing will open that number of times (fairly quickly too) when a ball gets in the respective pocket. So, ball goes into one of these pockets, claw/wing opens up and you have to try to get more balls into the contained area. Usually, the contained area has a "V" (for victory) zone, another small pocket inside and, if a ball enters that zone, the bonus begins. There is a set number of bonus rounds for each machine (usually 1,5,7, or 15) and during these rounds, the claw opens up to allow a certain count of balls in, each one that goes in pays out a set number. Very fun machine but, as you can imagine, it's low risk low reward.
Digital Pachinko - This is the type of machine that many of you guys owned, partially modelled in gameplay by Western slot machines (the multi-reel concept), shoot a ball into the start pocket and hope for a three-of-a-kind on the reels. Note that digital does not always mean LCD as there are many digital pachinko machines that utilize manual reels and/or LED reels.
Kenri Pachinko - Probably one of the rarer types of machines, especially in the US, based on looking at eBay. "Kenri" means "Rights" in Japanese and that concept is incorporated in the gameplay in that you have to gain rights to collect your bonus. Kenri Pachinko is very similiar to Digital Pachinko up to the point in which a bonus occurs. At this time, a set number (usually 3-5 depending on the machine) of balls must enter a door - not the standard digital pachinko jackpot door but it's in the same location. If this rule is not fulfilled, you are not allowed to collect the bonus and gameplay returns to normal. If it does, a bonus is activated and balls must be shot to the far right of the playfield where the real jackpot door is located. Some machines also incorporate an extra rule in opening the jackpot door: once a ball is collected in a revolving wheel apparatus each round, the door will then open. Kenri pachinko is probably one of the more physically difficult types to play (it sounds more difficult than it is though) but payoffs can be very large.
Arrepachi Pachinko - Arrepachi comes from "Arrange" + "Pachinko", "Arrange" actually meaning "Rearranged" or "Remixed". Arrepachi machines are also not very common though Taiyo Elec almost never fails to release at least one a year. Arrepachi uses elements from the above machine types and sometimes from outside sources (mainly pachislo). Gameplay is somewhat similiar to Digital Pachinko though there are also some physical differences between the two.
Palot - Palot comes from "Pachinko" + "Slot". Only one known machine exists produced by Sankyo, "Hanagetsu Densetsu". Much closer physically and play-wise to pachislo though the machine uses pachinko balls. The jury is out on whether this type of machine will endure as, even to Sankyo's admission, it's in a purely experimental phase.
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