JAEPO 2019: Pinball In Japan; Bandai Namco Unveils Pac-Man Panic

While Japanese industry has long embraced video games, pinball’s journey in the country has been a struggle. With JAEPO 2019, it looks like that might be about to turn around as Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball, Taito and Bandai Namco all roll out content to please both collectors and operators alike. Most media below comes from 4Gamer.net.

Stern Pinball

Gary Stern has taken a trip to Japan to showcase some of the latest titles his company produces. Found at the Hot Toys booth, Stern machines are being aimed at collectors who enjoy pop culture and unique devices. Games featured: The Beatles, Deadpool, Star Wars (Pro & Premium), Guardians of the Galaxy & Batman ’66. Japanese media have also noted how Stern Pinball used to be Data East then Sega Pinball for a time.

and from tweeter Onion Software, more of the booth:

スターンピンボールのブース。最新作のビートルズが遊べるのは貴重。空いていればプレイできます #sternpinball pic.twitter.com/EAh3RWuZtW

— オニオンソフト (@onionsoftware) January 25, 2019

Jersey Jack Pinball

Not to be left out, Jersey Jack Pinball also found a place at JAEPO, thanks to Bandai Namco Technica (the renamed amusement division there). They brought the Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit and Pirates of the Caribbean and with Bandai Namco put together this unique tool display from a JJP cabinet design:

Here’s the JJP games on booth as shown by tweeter Onion Software:

ナムコテクニカブースにはJersey Jack Pinballの台も！ 安心のサポートを謳って力が入っている pic.twitter.com/rnPr1HYv0V

— オニオンソフト (@onionsoftware) January 25, 2019

Super Panic Ball & Pac-Man Panic (Bandai Namco Technica)

Since we’re on the subject of Bandai Namco, the company has two “battle” or “versus” pinball games on hand – the aforementioned Super Panic Ball, and a related piece that I had a hunch would be created, Pac-Man Panic. These games pit players face-to-face and come down to multiball battles. If either one of these concepts heads West, I’d put my money on us seeing Pac-Man Panic here; I’m kind of surprised that they would even try the Super Panic Ball concept, as one expects Pac-Man to overshadow anything that is of a similar design.

Space Invaders Pinball Jam (Taito)

Last but not least is one game that many of you were interested in when news broke about it a month ago, Space Invaders Pinball Jam. This title inaugurated the refreshed “battle pinball” trend, although Bandai Namco certainly was working on their own concepts at the same time. We’re still unsure if this will head West, but it seems like it would be a good fit for a company that is looking for concepts to sell over here. Here’s a tweet that shows the game being played:

2人対戦ができる、スペースインベーダーデザインの『SPACE INVADERS PINBALL JAM』
打ち返したボールが相手側に落ちると得点が入ります！
残り時間が少なくなるとどんどんボールが増えていきます…(o_o)#タイトー #JAEPO2019 pic.twitter.com/nwu15dEe9W

— タイトーゲーム【公式】@「LDゲームコレクション」好評発売中！ (@TAITO_Apps) January 25, 2019

Stay tuned for much more!