iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

About two weeks ago, I took a trip to "Player 1" in Las Vegas. There were quite a few games here that I was surprised to see. The standout title was Sega's SubRoc-3D. I was shocked to discover that the shutter was fully functional! This truly was a rare and interesting experience. (1)

A photo of the large SubRoc-3D sit down cabinet. It's selling point was periscope that displayed stereoscopic 3D images.

The game's pericope; an eyepiece with an shutter system to display visuals in the left and right eye.

A screenshot of the game's title screen. The shutter was working!

Perhaps the blurriest screengrab of one of the naval battles. But who cares, the shutter was working!

1162

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Two days after I post about Namco's robots, their 71st anniversary occurs...what a coincidence. If you're curious about how this legendary company got started, please take a look at my article that I wrote for @gamingalexandria.bsky.social last year! I hope to write more articles like this soon.

0173

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Before he recovered stolen items, Mappy literally was a 'Micromouse' who solved mazes. He's one of several examples of robots that Namco produced for public spaces within the 80s. After this robot venture phased out, Namco utilized the knowledge gained to brainstorm new types of public pursuits...

Nyamco (ニャームコ) - a Micromouse robot who existed before Mappy. He bears a striking resemblance to Goro in the Mappy video games.

Image Source: Area51_zek (Twitter/X)

Atoma III (アトマⅢ) - a robot who could respond to human speech, sing or offer quizzes.

Image Source: RingoStarr39 (Deviantart)

Largo (ラルゴ) - a robot who specializes in stamping with glee.

Image Source: RingoStarr39 (Deviantart)

Sandayu (サンダユウ) and Cosmo Hoshimaru (コスモホシマル) - Sandayu rolls around venues with a wireless mic attached, while Cosmo Hoshimaru shares information or plays games. CH was also the official mascot for Expo 85 that was held in Tsukuba, Japan.

Image Source: ITmedia News

211741

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

The lost derivative that was made during the off-off hours at the University....

010

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Seeing this WIP emulation of Zolgear was a sight to behold! For me, this game marks the end of an exciting time in Namco history where large machines and 3D technology were public spectacles. I want to highlight some of that here, and credit the Bennett bros for preserving some of that history. (1)

1123

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

This company profile highlights the end of Sega's tenure under Gulf+Western. Their arcade hardware was becoming more complex, Gremlin Industries was renamed to "Sega Electronics", and there's some talk about game consoles in the works. Much thanks to @sudden-desu.net for grabbing this!

One of Sega's Japanese R&D offices circa early 80s. (pg. 9)

A row of Zaxxon arcade cabinets being manufactured in an assembly line. (pg. 7)

A Japanese suburban game center featuring various tabletop cabinets and pinball machines. Noteworthy video games include Monaco GP, Tranquilizer Gun, Deep Scan and Crazy Climber. (pg. 13)

A "Sega Center" arcade that once existed in within California, USA. Noteworthy titles include Star Fire, Break Out, Space Invaders and Head On. (pg. 6)

060

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

1971 - It's been 6 years since Nihon Goraku Bussan and Rosen Enterprises merged. And this then-new amusement company called "Sega Enterprises" would later become one of the largest arcade companies in the world. From the May 1, 1971 Sega Price List scanned by @thestacks.ca #sega #arcadehistory

An illustration of Sega's corporate headquarters in Haneda, Ota Ward, Tokyo (pg. 2).

Sega's "amusement line" for manufacturing coin-op games in one of their factories (pg. 3).

Sega's showroom (circa late 60s) featuring various electromechanical games, pinball tables, and jukeboxes (pg. 4)

Singer Mieko Hirota standing in front of "Grand Prix", an electromechanical driving game (pg. 13)

0187

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Besides the articles, I absolutely love seeing these rare photographs of game centers in their heyday. As this is a special issue, there's a reprinted 1977 article about...the then-rising trend of tabletop cabinets in cafes and coffee shops? Now why does that sound familiar? 👾 #coinophistory

A young boy looking down at a tabletop cabinet. Taken at the game center "King Zone" near Sugimotochō Station in Osaka. (pg. 136)

A group of young boys looking down at a tabletop cabinet. Taken at the game center "King Zone" near Sugimotochō Station in Osaka. (pg. 136)

A game corner at an pub in Osaka featuring Taito's Ball Park, Taito's Western Gun, and Bally's Captain Fantastic, circa 1977. (pg. 84)

Two people sitting across from each other from a tabletop cabinet, circa 1977. (pg. 88)

0104

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

I've been considering a ton of projects for the future...but for now, here's a report of my first visit to Pinball Hall of Fame (aka Pinball Museum) in Las Vegas, Nevada. I've known about this place for a while, but I finally got to visit and bask in all of the coin-op history. (1) #coinophistory

The exterior of Pinball Hall of Fame (aka Pinball Museum) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The word pinball is printed on a bold, red font and it's size overshadows the entrance.

4195

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Within the latest batch of Coin Journal scans by @thestacks.ca, there are images of famous people we probably should've had a long time ago. Can YOU guess who they are without looking at the alts? #coinophistory #coinjournal

Tomonobu Itagaki around the release of "Dead or Alive" (1996).

From: Monthly Coin Journal, Vol. 21 No. 6 (June 1996), pg. 201

Satoshi Tajiri (right) standing next to a "Computer Space" (1971) cabinet for a video game history exhibit.

From: Monthly Coin Journal, Vol. 21 No. 6 (June 1996), pg. 443

Leonardo DiCaprio riding "Rail Chase the Ride" at Tokyo Joypolis.

From: Monthly Coin Journal Vol. 22 No. 12 (December 1997), pg. 405

021

Reposted by Jonny

Play History @playhistory.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

By the way: We're still looking for more Origin of Game authors! If you have a story about a game company's founding you want to tell, hit me up at the @gamingalexandria.bsky.social Discord. We want lots of varied views and unique research on the table! Some upcoming will be really great too.

247

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

My first ever written piece...I had a blast putting this together, and I wanted to contextualize as much of the company's early history as possible. Shout out to @playhistory.bsky.social for allowing me to write this, and for guiding me through the editing process!!! #namco #arcadehistory

1215

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Spent about the last 50 mins trying to ID as many of the devs as possible. Front Row (L-R): Junichi Masuda, Satoshi Tajiri, Takenori Ota, Shigeki Morimoto Back Row: ?, ?, Atsuko Nishida, Koji Nishino, Michiharu Nishihashi, Ken Sugimori, ? Motofumi Fujiwara, ?, ? #vghistory #pokemon #gamefreak

1264

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

@gamesack.net's video on M2 reminded me of a form of preservation that I think goes overlooked: cabinet recreations. Many of SEGA's 3DS arcade ports have an option that recreates the experience of playing on their deluxe cabinets (and in 3D too). Here are a few examples in this thread (1)

3D After Burner II for the Nintendo 3DS (2013) had an option that allowed players to experience a recreation of the game's "Double Cradle" cabinet.

121

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

It's well known that Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri and artist Ken Sugimori collaborated on "Game Freak", the doujin gaming magazine from the 80s. After reflecting upon their love for video games, I now wonder if Red's design was inspired by the M.C. of Game Center Arashi? #vghistory #pokemon

The cover for Vol. 17 of Game Center Arashi (ゲームセンターあらし) by Mitsuru Sugaya, published in 1983. The protagonist, Arashi Ishino, wears a red cap, a red jacket with white sleeves and blue jeans.

Key art of "Red" from Pocket Monsters Red/Green (1996). He also wears a red cap, a red jacket with white sleeves and blue jeans.

040

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

During the developer Q&A stream for Ridge Racer's Arcade Archives release, a treasure trove of development materials and historical documents were shown off! It's truly wonderful to see all of these items well preserved after all these years. (1) #arcadehistory #coinophistory #namco

Concept art of the deluxe cabinet featuring the name "Winding Road", designed by Naotaka Yoshimatsu (吉松尚孝).

Concept art of the Full Scale cabinet featuring the name "SimDrive", also by Yoshimatsu.

Concept art featuring some unused scenes and an early course layout.

28138

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Within the flyer for the SEGA R360, there are specs which suggest that the machine is compatible with a Laserdisc player. I wonder if SEGA planned on releasing pure motion simulator content similarly to the offerings of Taito's D3bos? #arcadehistory #coinophistory #sega #taito

Laserdisc specifications worth noting from the official R360 flyer:

Screen: VIDEO input (Laser Disk connection possible), equipped with VIDEO SELECTOR.

Sound: Audio input x 2 (Laser Disk connection possible).

Image from: Sega Retro

The official flyer for Taito's D3bos: a 360° motion simulator where players ride within an enclosed sphere. This machine played video content. Riders could experience the heights of acrobatic skiing, tilting within a roller coaster, traveling in a dune buggy, and flying through space.

Image from: The Arcade Flyer Archive

061

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

I'm happy to report that I've partially solved the mystery behind the two clips that features Hi-Tech Land Sega Shibuya! I've managed to locate the source of one clip, while the second one was originally shared on Twitter. The latter's source is still unknown. (1) #arcadehistory #sega #segahistory

1127

Reposted by Jonny

Game 'n Lärm @michelentongs.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Thank you Jonny. I have extract what Ono Hiroshi said about that footage in Zekû's book, and MT it in English (to work faster). Then corrected the translation a bit to be closer to the Japanese meaning. But keep in mind that English is not my native language ;)

021

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

FTR @ohfivepro.bsky.social filled me in on this one! This comes from the program "Atsuo Nakamura's Earth Report at 10 PM" (中村敦夫の地球発22時). According to @michelentongs.bsky.social, this footage was staged for TV post-development. Nonetheless, I hope a high-resolution version of this exists somewhere!

183

Reposted by Jonny

Jo-eek! ‘Dead-chibe' W. 👻 @thestacks.ca · 12/05/2025

These have all been won, thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who donated and shared! This is the biggest win for games history we've had in my two years of scanning and it would not be possible without your support 💛

85010

Reposted by Jonny

the original Aloof Wife @cpi.pinball.horse · 11/05/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT: All donations are being matched at 100%! An anonymous donor is doubling all donations, up to a total of $6000. Our goal is to buy & digitize & share early Coin Journal (月刊コインジャーナル) issues, documenting a pivotal decade in Japan's arcade history pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2025/05/help...

21611

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

If you enjoyed the mid-late 90s issues that were scanned by @detchibe.bsky.social, please consider donating to these lots. In addition to the ads, CJ issues contain headlines, essays, and profiles on numerous arcade companies. These are def worth it to understand more about the Japanese coin-op biz.

0104

Reposted by Jonny

Gaming Hell @sarahssowertty.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

A clean video of Taito's 1993 futuristic arcade racing game VERTEXER has been uploaded to YouTube, showing a single course. The visual effects are a little eye-straining and flashy, so be warned! www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P85...

youtube.com

【資料映像】VERTEXER "PLANET COURSE"

YouTube video by higenekodo

913055

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Following up on my SEGA taikan post from last week: Other arcade companies like Namco, Konami and Taito occasionally produced smaller upright versions of their contemporary games. #arcadehistory #coinophistory

The mini upright cabinet for Namco's Pole Position II from 1983. It has a relatively small form factor with a blue paint job.

Image from: テーブル筐体な日々

The mini upright cabinet for Konami's Salamander from 1986. This cabinet has a black paint job. It's also a unique sample unit that was manufactured by the medal game company Sigma. The version that Konami released themselves has different marquee and bezel art.

Image from: Museum of the Game & International Arcade Museum Forums

The mini upright version of Taito's Operation Wolf from 1987. This small cabinet with it's baby blue base was designed for kids. It was released as part of the "Chibikko Series" (ちびっこシリーズ) of arcade machines that Taito produced at the time.

Image from: Aucfree

0267

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

I would love to try out these scaled-down versions of Sega's taikan games one day. These cabinets typically used smaller monitors, less power and had limited movement in comparison to the larger deluxe cabinets. #arcadehistory #coinophistory #sega

The standard version of Outrun (1986) which uses the same motor as the deluxe type for movement but features a smaller monitor and is missing the speaker behind the seat.

Image from: Sega Retro

The commander cabinet of After Burner II (1987) which retains the swinging sensation seen in the double cradle version, but doesn't have the pitch and roll sensation of moving up and down.

Image from: Sega Forever (Twitter/X)

The middle deluxe cabinet of Galaxy Force II (1988) which doesn't tilt and turn nearly as wide as the super deluxe cabinet.

Image from: Sega Retro

152

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

I particularly enjoyed Kellyn Beeck's arcade reporting! This is a must watch for early 80s arcade and personal computer footage :)

040

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

For context: Zolgear was a kit game designed to replace the "Project Dragoon" PCBs and laserdiscs in 1994. While the former has seen a console release via the 1996 Playstation port, the latter has never been released on home consoles, and it has yet to be emulated due to its complicated hardware.

A magazine page showcasing gameplay from Zolgear, alongside a photo of the large 6 player cabinet.

From: NOURS Magazine (Volume 5 - Autumn 1994) pg. 15

Another page from the same magazine, now featuring photos of the player's ship Dragoon J2 alongside some concept art.

From: NOURS Magazine (Volume 5 - Autumn 1994) pg. 14

1112

Reposted by Jonny

🏳️‍⚧️Jet Set Willært (Critical Kate) @katewillaert.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

If you have any interest in pre-video game history (going beyond retro gaming into *vintage* gaming), you should give this account a follow.

1468

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Before making video games, Konami produced a popular series of medal games in the late 70s under the name "Piccadilly Circus." These were roulette machines where players inserted coins, placed bets, and hoped they got a good return. #arcadehistory #coinophistory #konami

The original Piccadilly Circus (ピカデリーサーカス) model from 1976. It is a blue upright roulette machine with buttons for players to place bets. After placing a bet, a light emits from the roulette wheel and lands on a random number.

As a note: Konami's machines at this time were distributed by Leijac (レジャック).

Image from: Aucfree

A closer look at the Piccadilly Circus machine.

Image From: 10円玉を入れてバチンッ！　と弾いたりする，古きゲームたちとまた遊ぼ。東京・板橋の「駄菓子屋ゲーム博物館」に行ってきた by 4gamer

An image of the "Mark II" model from 1976 with a new design for the roulette wheel.

Image From: A foreigners' guide to eremeka arcades

An image of the "New Piccadilly Circus" (ニューピカデリーサーカス) model. This is also known as the "Dogfight" (ドッグファイト) model because of the illustration of an arial dogfight in the center of the roulette wheel.

Image from: 1978 遊戯機械総合年鑑 (1978 Amusement Machine Comprehensive Yearbook) pg. 86

141

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Within five years, Namco released 16 titles that used the System 21 hardware (not all pictured here). While most of those games were either updates or derivatives, its wildly impressive what they were able to accomplish with brand new 3D hardware. #arcadehistory #namco

From: NOURS Magazine Vol. 2 (Winter 1993) pg. 6

Game titles starting from left to right: Winning Run (89), Winning Run Suzuka GP (89), Winning Run '91 (91), Eunos Roadster Driving Simulator (90), Driver's Eyes (91), SimRoad (92), Galaxian 3 Flower Expo (90), Galaxian 3 Wonder Eggs (92), Galaxian 3 Project Dragoon Theater 6 (93), Starblade (91), Solvalou (91), Air Combat (93) and Cyber Sled (93)

141

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

A contender for the most unique taikan game created by SEGA is Super Monaco GP from 1989. Inside the deluxe cabinet was the "Air Drive" system which utilized compressed air to shift the driver's seat all around to the gameplay. An air compressor would also be used in Virtua Racing's deluxe cabinet.

A photo of the deluxe Super Monaco GP cabinet.

From: 4gamer.com - 「スーパーモナコGP」や「ダーツライブ」を生み，セガの社長も務めた小口久雄氏が考える“ゲームの面白さ”とは　ビデオゲームの語り部たち：第37部

A photo of the "Air Drive" system, which utilizes an air compressor to move the driver's seat.

From YouTube -【Super Monaco GP】スーパーモナコGP Air Drive筐体(SEGA)～Twitterライブ2020.12.22.その1＠ナオスンジャー秘密基地～ by 日本ゲーム博物館H澤店長

272

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Sigma (maker of Japanese medal games) in 1993: Bad weather at the local derby? No problem, you and 62 other people can enjoy betting on mechanical horses within a nice warm room in our Rongo Rongo facility in Shibuya.

A wide shot of the "Scotfield" electromechanical derby game that was featured at Rongo Rongo. The center of the machine features a miniature derby track where the mechanical horses would run around it. Surrounding the track are kiosks where players could place bets on each of the horses. There's also a podium for the announcer to call the race, and a giant screen for the players to watch the action.

From: Monthly Coin Journal 月刊コインジャーナル (Vol. 18 No. 12 - December 1993) pg. 485

Another wide shot of the machine; this one features the players huddled in their seats, and the announcer stationed at the podium.

From: Monthly Coin Journal 月刊コインジャーナル (Vol. 18 No. 12 - December 1993) pg. 109

An angle that showcases the players seated around the machine. There are about four rows; each of them raised slightly one after another.

From: Monthly Coin Journal 月刊コインジャーナル (Vol. 18 No. 12 - December 1993) pg. 107

A photo of Gabin Ito (Parappa the Rapper writer) and Kazuhiko Hachiya (A popular media artist) seated at one of the kiosks.

From: ED Game Magazine イーディーゲームマガジン Ver. 3 (March 1994) pg. 104

0153

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Recently decided to flip through some issues of Amusement Life; a Japanese publication from the early 80s. The photographs truly encapsulate what game centers looked like post-Invader Boom. Just wanted to share my favorite color and B/W photos! #arcadehistory #coinophistory (1)

A woman sitting inside a Namco "Pole Position" cockpit cabinet.

From Issue #7 (July 1983), pg. 3

A woman stands in between two men who are sitting and playing games on tabletop cabinets.

From Issue #12 (December 1983), pg. 2

A group of people sitting around the medal game "The Derby Mark III" by Sigma.

From Issue #3 (March 1983), pg. 61

Big Image: A woman standing in front of a Gottlieb "Royal Flush Deluxe" pinball machine.

Small Image: The same woman standing outside Namco's "Game Space Milaiya" game center.

From Issue #8 (August 1984), pg. 1

151

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Seeing all of the different Joypolis venues and attractions in this book was sublime...SEGA fans def need to check this one out as there's a whole plethora of information waiting to be seen :) #sega #joypolis #arcadehistory

An overview of the "V-Stage" in Tokyo Joypolis where there's a light show, a Latin-themed puppet dance show and a "hacker" who hijacks the screens to introduce folks to the venue.

The interior and exterior of Fukuoka Joypolis; the former of which has a statue of a certain blue guy.

Sega Rally Special Stage: A version of Sega Rally Championship where players use an actual Toyota Celica GT-Four to play the game.

Murder Lodge: A 3D sound horror attraction where folks hear a scary story in the dark. I hope nothing pops out when the lights come back on...

030

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

As 2024 winds down, I want to shoutout @detchibe.bsky.social for the thousands of pages they scanned throughout the year; specifically the publications focused on the Japanese coin-op industry. I'm truly thankful for their hard work on getting all of this material scanned in for everyone! :)

アミューズメント産業 [Amusement Industry] Vol. 4 No. 5 (May 1975) pg. 2

プレイグラフ [Play Graph] Vol. 14 No. 11 (November 1978) pg. 10

超発想集団・ナムコ・ニューメディア時代先取り企業の研究 [Research on Ultra-Creative Group Namco] pg. 106

月刊コインジャーナル [Monthly Coin Journal] Vol. 18 No. 9 (September 1993) pg. 113

0124

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

The recent Defunctland vid reminds me that Namco once had their own Lincoln animatronic. After M. Nakamura visited Disneyland in '75, the company began to create their own robots (controlled by cams and wires). Early tests produced uncanny results, but gave rise to "emotional robots" like Mappy.

Namco's animatronic of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair.

For Further Reading:

-Research on Ultra-Creative Group Namco [超発想集団ナムコ: ニューメディア時代先取り企業の研究]

- A Chronicle of Namco: The Era of Masaya Nakamura and Namco [Namco一代記中村雅哉とナムコの時代 , pg. 10-14], written by Zeku in Game Lab New Year's Holiday 2021 [ゲームラボ年末年始2021]

Image Source: https://archive.org/details/Namco-Ultra-Creative-Group/%E8%B6%85%E7%99%BA%E6%83%B3%E9%9B%86%E5%9B%A3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%8A%E3%83%A0%E3%82%B3/page/190/mode/2up

The "Android"/"Humanoid" robot which included a head to create realistic facial expressions.

Image Source: Namco Museum Vol. 1 (PS1) in the Lounge Area.

0178

Reposted by Jonny

the original Aloof Wife @cpi.pinball.horse · 18/12/2024

11 more issues of Coin Journal and Amusement Sangyo!Issues span 1989-07 to 1997-03. pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2024/12/scan... #retroarcade #coinjournal #amusementsangyo #japan #arcade #eremeka

1145

Reposted by Jonny

🏳️‍⚧️Jet Set Willært (Critical Kate) @katewillaert.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

I loved Toys That Made Us, so was excited to learn they’re behind Game Changers. But while watching the Nintendo ep with Gaming Alexandria folks, I was shocked to see my own color sprite interpretations of Bluto and Olive. Not sure how I feel about that. (Did they commission the other sprites?)

1033599

Reposted by Jonny

Jo-eek! ‘Dead-chibe' W. 👻 @thestacks.ca · 04/12/2024

Acquired! Thank you for all your support through RTing or donating, expect to see scans in the new year 🥳

062

Reposted by Jonny

Jo-eek! ‘Dead-chibe' W. 👻 @thestacks.ca · 04/12/2024

Myself and @saturnjaguar.bsky.social are currently eyeing a copy of "Joypolis Perfect Guide" and we're 7500JPY short of its steep asking price. If you're interested in helping us preserve this piece of SEGA history, and are able to, I am open for donations on ko-fi. ko-fi.com/detchibe

4128

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

New to Flyer Fever: A 1989 catalog for Irem which showcases some dev rooms, a game center that highlights their coin-op sales & rental business, facilities from the parent company (and famous CRT maker) Nanao, and the President and CEO Yoshiyuki Takashima. www.flyerfever.com/irem-video-g...

Irem developers doing work on their computers and wearing some nice and shiny jackets.

An interior of a game center with the caption "market research that accurately captures the needs of the new era and powerful sales activities."

Nanao Co., Ltd. headquarters (top left) and various manufacturing facilities.

Irem President and CEO Yoshiyuki Takashima in a board room.

030

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

A former Namco dev recently published a video debunking the claim that the System 22 hardware utilized technology from Evans & Sutherland. This claim was previously available on English Wikipedia, and has since been removed. (1) #arcadehistory #namco www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0CJ...

youtube.com

namco System22にEvans&Sutherlandの技術は使われてません! (System22 is NOT based on E&S technology !)

YouTube video by negi.moe

140

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Researcher @ted90909.bsky.social and I are requesting assistance to locate the origins of two Japanese news reports that feature the historic Hi-Tech Land Sega Shibuya. These videos were shared onto social media platforms without the original context or source. (1) #arcadehistory #sega #segahistory

Neon sign for the "Hi-Tech Land" Sega store in Shibuya.

A picture of Sarah from Virtua Fighter on a Super Megalo cabinet.

23413

Reposted by Jonny

ted @ted90909.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

and then the west caught up about 10 years late lol

131

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

It's always fascinating to see how different companies responded to the success of Sega's taikan games...

Full Throttle (aka Top Speed) - Taito (1987)

36724

Reposted by Jonny

the original Aloof Wife @cpi.pinball.horse · 22/10/2024

There is a lot of information in that book that I had never seen anywhere else. This book inspired me to write a post about Takarazuka onsen earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com/2024/04/taka...

earlyarcadesjapan.blogspot.com

Takaraonsen Takarazuka 宝塚宝温泉 and arcade machines in Japan before WW1

This article gathers a few of the earliest references to coin amusement machines in Japan. We introduce evidence that coin amusement machin...

021

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

For those wanting to learn more about Japanese coin-op history: I want to share some books I've picked up in recent times which give a great overview of the games, machines and industry of the time. All of the full Japanese titles can be found in the alts as I go along the thread.

6 Japanese coin-op history books on a table.

2186

Jonny @saturnjaguar.bsky.social · 17/10/2024

I've recently stumbled upon some archival video from Getty Images that showcase a few of the robots Namco made in the early 80s. This first clip features the "Mikoshi Bearers" riding on unicycles, the "Powerful Robot" lifting weights, and the "Barrel-Riding Clown" doing an act. #namco #vghistory

183