Godzilla On Monster Island Video Slot Machine

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: IGT

It seems that there is some sort of conspiracy going on to get me into a casino. Yes, a very definite conspiracy to get my big white parked in front of a slot machine. Sure I play the slots from time to time, who doesn't, but I'm no high roller and I can easily resist an urge to plunk my hard earned dough into a one-armed bandit.

That will power is starting to ebb however with the recent introduction of a slot machine that is classic Universal monster themed. I loved to play the old "Creature From The Black Lagoon" slot machine so I figured that I give the new game a shot. Anyway, I can resist "The Creature", "Wolfman" and "Frankenstein" when I want to ...... but can I resist "Godzilla"?

Probably not.

Yes, the "King of Monsters" has invaded the casino!

Here is the skinny from slot machine manufacturer IGT:

Launch into the explosive world of monsters and mayhem with Godzilla on Monster Island Video Slots. Packed with larger-than-life Godzilla characters, this MegaJackpots animal provides some exhilarating interactive features.

During the Godzilla vs. the Military Bonus, players control the path of Godzilla's atomic breath to military vehicles with the guidance of their hand.

Look for Mothra and Godzilla to enter the base game to reward random wilds and more. And in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, the legendary monsters battle in an epic Free Games match.

Innovative technology, frequent bonuses and an atomic progressive keeps players engaged and immersed in some mighty, monstrous entertainment.

"Godzilla on Monster Island Video Slots" contains animations of Godzilla, MechaGodzilla, Gigan and Mothra.

Damn these slot machine makers will make a gambler out of me yet!

Check out these images and trailer:

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back In The Casino! Universal Monsters Invade MONSTER JACKPOTS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WMS

I grabbed this little story off a press release about new slot machines that will be featured at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas next week.

Slot machine manufacturer WMS has just come out with a new game that will feature the classic Universal monsters Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolfman and The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

As many of you out there probably already know, I have spent many an hour in Vegas parked in front of the Creature From The Black Lagoon slot machine (photo left) dropping in my hard-earned money ....and loosing it. Regardless of my unlucky ways I always loved playing the game due to the wonderful graphics and animations. This new game promises more of the same so it would be safe to assume that when it comes out I will be dropping a twenty into it hoping that Lady Luck will finally smile on me.

Here is a brief description of Monster Jackpots from the press release:

Monster Jackpots: This new theme is the first game from WMS that features the classic Universal Studios Monsters(TM) such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Bride of Frankenstein in unique base games and bonus rounds. In the free spin bonus round, players select their own volatility level to try to capture Monsters and win a large jackpot. (initial approvals anticipated in the June 2012 quarter)

WMS also makes a kick-ass looking Star Trek slot machine called STAR TREK Battlestations. You can check that out HERE.

Darth Vader Invades Japan

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Dvice.com

The Japanese populous is presently being bombarded with slick adds featuring Darth Vadar on television and giant video billboards. The adds feature Vader-head bomber planes descending en masse on Japan, Vader heads rolling off a robotic assembly line, a massive Vader army standing at attention, and a live action sequence in which Vader enters a room full of Stormtroopers and proceeds to slice through a holographic projection of the country of Japan with his light saber.

What's all this Vadar advertising about? Is there a new Star Wars movie coming out in Japan? Is there some new Star Wars related video game about to be released in the "Land of the Rising Sun?"

No these larger than life adds are a promotion for Sankyo's new "Fever Star Wars" pachinko gambling machine.

A gambling machine? you may ask, well pachinko is huger than huge in Japan. Think of it as a kind of pinball machine combined with a slot machine.

Here is what Wikipedia says:

There are many types of pachinko machines and parlor regulations, but most of them conform to a similar style of play. Players can buy metal balls by inserting either cash, a pre-paid card, or their member's card directly into the machine they want to use. At 4 yen per ball that's 250 balls for every 1000 yen. These balls are then shot into the machine from a ball tray with the purpose of attempting to win more balls. The pachinko machine has a digital slot machine on a large screen in the center of its layout, and the objective here is to get 3 numbers or symbols in a row for a jackpot.

The winnings are in the form of more balls, which the player may either use to keep playing or exchange for tokens (typically slits of gold encased in plastic), vouchers, or a vast array of prizes. First, when players wish to exchange their winnings, they must call a parlor staff member by using the call button located at the top of the machine they used. The staff member will then carry the player's balls to an automated counter to verify how many they have. After recording the number of balls the player won and the number of the machine he or she used, the staff member will then give the player either a voucher or card with the number of balls input into it. It is this voucher or card that the player must hand in at the parlor's exchange center to get their tokens or other prizes.

Some prizes are as simple as pens or cigarette lighters; others can be electronics, bicycles, 50 cc scooters or other items. Under Japanese and Taiwanese law, cash cannot be paid out directly for pachinko balls, but there is usually a small exchange center located nearby (almost always separate from the game parlor itself) where players can conveniently exchange their winnings for cash. This is tolerated by the police because, on paper at least, the pachinko parlors that pay out goods and tokens are independent from the exchange centers that trade the tokens in for cash. Some pachinko parlors may even give out vouchers for groceries at a nearby supermarket.

For more information on the "Fever Star Wars" pachinko gambling machine go HERE