Infernolab Pachinko

Concept art for the Infernolab Pachinko.

>
> "*Wow, neat pachinko design. I played a few times in Japan but never really understood how to play or understood the attraction. The pachinko halls are painfully loud.*"
> — Jason Bardis' words for the Infernolab Panchiko.
>

The **Infernolab Pachinko** *(インフェルノラブアーケード Inferunorabu ākēdo)* lit. **Infernolab Arcade** is a pachinko game based on Sapphire’s Infernolab anime movie and manga series. It includes unique animation scenes made only for this pachinko game.

## Profile

The size of the pachinko machine is about 52 cm (width) x 27 cm (depth) x 81 cm (height) and it weights about 30 kg. It is soon to be manufactured by Sankyo-Fever in the upcoming years. The upper frames are originally made with a jet black Carbon Fiber skin and Crystella which is used also in many other pachinkos while the lower frames are made out of red anodized aluminum. Two of Zenin’s Imperial Regalia: the Draco Inferno (left) and the Ryuzaki katana (right) are embedded in the inner frames of light activity. Those elements were later removed in the concept version due to its complex design. The frames of the pachinko machines are usually removable. Pachinkos are very popular games in Japan which are played in many arcade halls. To describe the pachinko game shortly it is a crossover of a slots and a pinball machines.

The Pachinko cabinet will cost 180,694 JPY, around the equivalent to $1,400.00 USD.

### Warning labels

A warning instruction is labeled in Japanese on the left corner of the pachinko, explaining proper use and maintenance of the arcade machine.

* Empty Payout hopper tray and shooter tray before use.
* Ensure maximum of 3 at a time per launch.
* Refer to error codes list on back of the machine.

## Gameplay

The player guides Team Infernolab against reoccurring kamis and villains throughout the series while having the ability to use Zenin's legendary Divine Kami through the Rings of Infernum. The pixelated Infernolab stamps return to the Pachinko game as well.

The player loads one or more balls into the machine, then presses and releases a spring-loaded handle branded with the Infernolab gear, which is attached to a padded hammer inside the machine, launching the ball into a metal track. The Hashira Zen circle lights up according to the launch strength. The track guides the ball over the top of the playing field; then when it loses momentum, it falls into the playing field. Some pachinko machines have a bumper to bounce the ball as it reaches the top, while others allow it to travel all the way around the field, to fall the second time it reaches the top.

The playing field is populated by numerous brass pins, several small cups into which the player hopes the ball will fall (each catcher is barely the width of the ball). The inner key art features Dante in his Rising Inferno yukata along with kanji that reads: “Infernolab” at the top of the screen while “Ryuzaki” is written below. A hole at the bottom into which the ball falls if it does not enter a catcher. The ball bounces from pin to pin, both slowing its descent and deflecting it laterally across the field. A ball that enters a catcher triggers a payout, in which a number of balls are dropped into a tray at the front of the machine.

The small video screen features a Dejimono\* slot game during the Pachinko’s operation. 23 cards spanning all characters from Dragoma’s Infernolab series is assigned with a special slot number. Some slot combinations summon a new character, which combines a bonus effect into gameplay. The CHANCE button in the center of the console allows the player to strike any card 3 in a row while the pachinko spheres are in motion.

The gear in the Infernolab logo mechanically rotates while lighting up whenever the player gets a Slot Bonus. The claws to the dragon crunches the Infernolab logo in response to a Hashira cast in battle. One of the additional summons, Fafnir, Kiranaga, Nekoferno and Byakko can double the probability of a Slot Bonus if the ball is still falling through and a Boss battle has not been reached yet.

\*Degimono = Digital type - Generally the 'slot reel' type, can be mechanical reels or LCD or LED screens. When a ball goes into the 'Start' pocket, the 'reels' scroll and matching 3 like puts you in a bonus.

### Infernolab stamps

14 of the stamps that appear from *Dragoma Exivus* and *Dragoma Inferno* reprise in the pachinko game. They appear as special bonus effects during gameplay.

## Copyright Information

*Infernolab Pachinko* © Robin Ward, Jason Bardis, Kodansha and Funimation. Project Dragoma.

## Trivia

* The Pachinko was inspired by many existing anime Pachinkos, most notably *Ginga Densetsu Weed*.
* Robin's idea for the Infernolab Pachinko was inspired by Jason's attempt at *Cash Inferno*, a slot machine during his bachelor party in Vegas.
* The warning triangle is shaped into an Infernolab Trihook saw.
* Several hundred copies will be soon be active in arcade parlor shops across major cities in Japan as well for sale on the Sankyo store.