As I’ve mentioned a few times on this blog (for example: here and here), I’m a big fan of the American rock band KISS.
(By the way, I wrote a post about the Japanese KISS-related movie called Detroit Metal City (click here) last August and it’s still the most popular post on my blog!)
Well, I just found out that a new KISS パチンコ (pachinko) machine has debuted here in Japan.
パチンコ (pachinko) is a Japanese game that can be compared to a vertical pinball machine…with many small balls played simultaneously rather than just one larger ball. And unlike pinball, the object is to get the balls into certain holes at the right time. And, unlike pinball, パチンコ (pachinko) can also be compared to a slot machine in that there’s a payout…albeit the jackpot is more BB balls rather than money (due to anti-gambling laws), but the balls are exchanged for prizes (and then “sold” for money). It’s a loophole in the law, and the only reason for the popularity of パチンコ(pachinko).
I’ve already written a post about パチンコ (pachinko)…(click here to see it).
I’ve played パチンコ (pachinko) a few times…I’m not a big fan of the game—especially since I usually lose and the parlors are noisy and smokey from all the smokers (but recently, many パチンコ (pachinko) parlors have begun enforcing “No Smoking” rules to lure more customers)—but if I happen to see a parlor advertising that they have the new KISS パチンコ (pachinko) machine, I may go inside and try it out! Just because it’s KISS.
Wanna see the website for the KISS パチンコ (pachinko) machine? It’s in 日本語 (Japanese)…but it has a cool Flash® intro.
Click here to visit the KISS パチンコ (pachinko) website.
パチンコ (pachinko) machines, like pinball machines, usually have a theme…and it’s often something from pop-culture. Usually it’s Japanese pop-culture…but sometimes, like the KISS パチンコ (pachinko) machine, it’s from Western culture.
Another example (that may interest a friend of mine whose a big Star Wars fan), is the fairly new Darth Vader パチンコ (pachinko) machine.
I guess the machine’s full name is 「Fever STAR WARS ダース・ベイダー降臨」 (“Fever STAR WARS: Darth Vader’s Arrival“).
It has a 日本語 (Japanese) website with a Flash® intro, too. Click here to see it.
Tokyo Five 
There are some GREAT pachinko themes around, but this has got to be one of the most fitting ones I have ever seen. Combine Kiss’ crazy personas, crushing rock soundtracks and over the top pyrotechnics, with pachinkos totally TURN IT UP TO ELEVEN visual manifestations, and you have a match made in rock and roll heaven. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, it looks cool.
But, unfortunately, I haven’t seen a KISS Pachinko machine yet…but then again, I don’t go inside Pachinko parlors often.
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
>they usually have more songs, better booklets, and usually a goodie.
Yes, that’s true. But how do you know?
Do you buy Japanese-versions of CDs? Must be expensive to have them imported to America!
LikeLike
New CDs when they come out are between $15-$20 and usually come with little more than 10-12 songs.
Japanese albums are definitely more expensive…but they usually have more songs, better booklets, and usually a goodie.
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
>Yeah, I envy most foreign market entertainment packages. Usually a much better price for a lot more stuff.
The Japanese versions of CDs are better…but is the price better?
CDs in Japan are about US$25, I believe. How much are they in the U.S.?
>Best Buy has really exploded in the last 10-15 years
Is it a good store? Is it a CD (record) store?
LikeLike
Yeah, I envy most foreign market entertainment packages. Usually a much better price for a lot more stuff. Usually a LOT more comprehensive as well.
Best Buy has really exploded in the last 10-15 years in the Chicagoland area. I’m guessing around the country too.
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
>Best Buy had one.
Wal-Mart had one.
K-Mart had one.
I know Wal-Mart and K-Mart…but Best Buy must’ve started after 1990 cuz I have never heard of it before!
(edit.: I just checked their website. The company began in the ’60s, and changed their name to Best Buy in 1987.
But I’ve never seen one when I lived in America.)
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
Actually, Japan-version CDs are almost always better than the U.S. version (and sometimes DVDs too).
Bonus tracks, stickers, posters, etc are common extras.
LikeLike
There were all kinds of “bonus” DVDs here as well. Each retail chain had it’s own special DVD.
Best Buy had one.
Wal-Mart had one.
K-Mart had one.
If you wanted ALL the DVDs, you had to go to ALL the stores and triple-buy the same sets.
It sounds like Japan will get ALL the DVDs when buying just ONE set…lucky bastages.
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
> It wasn’t “authorized” was it?
No. It’s an unofficial release.
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
Actually, my friend just told me that KISSology won’t be released here until March 18.
There will be five versions of it here.
The three U.S. versions (with a total of 9 DVDs)…and a Japanese version with those nine DVDs plus three bonus DVDs…and another Japanese version with the 9 US DVDs, the 3 Japanese bonus DVDs, a booklet, and a T-shirt!
LikeLike
I have seen them, but didn’t buy it. It wasn’t “authorized” was it?
LikeLike