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Pachicom

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Pachicom Overview

MSX 1
Arcade
5· 0 votes

Pachicom is a pachinko-themed parlor video game that came out for the MSX 1 in 1985. It was released exclusively in Japan, which fits the pattern of many pachinko simulations from that era. The developer and publisher aren't widely documented, but the game itself is clearly an official commercial release, not a homebrew or hack. Pachinko was a huge deal in Japan throughout the 80s, so seeing it appear on home computers like the MSX 1 makes sense - it brought the arcade-like luck-and-physics experience into living rooms.

GAME INFO

Platform: MSX 1
Genre: Arcade
Publisher: EMI Music Japan
Developer: Bear's
Released: 1985
Players: 1
Region: Japan

How to play Pachicom online

Getting started: When you launch Pachicom, you'll be dropped into a pachinko machine interface. The core idea is simple: you launch small metal balls into a vertical board filled with pins, hoping they land in high-scoring pockets or trigger special features. Since this is a Japanese-only release, all menus and on-screen text are in Japanese, but the gameplay is intuitive enough that you can pick it up by trial and error. Start a round by pressing Enter (Start) to begin ball launch mode, then hold and release the correct button to control the plunger's power - the positioning of your ball's trajectory and the timing of the launch determine where it goes. Pay attention to the way the ball bounces off pins; there's a bit of physics simulation at play. If you land a ball in a winning slot, you might earn bonus rounds or replay opportunities. There's no story or progression beyond scoring as high as possible in each session.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: Trigger 1
S: Trigger 2
Enter: Start

Pachicom FAQ

What makes Pachicom stand out among MSX 1 titles of its era?

Pachicom brings a dedicated pachinko simulation to a computer platform that rarely saw such genre-specific adaptations. Most MSX 1 games were action, platformers, or text adventures, so a physics-based pachinko game was a different flavor. It captures the feel of actual pachinko machines without needing mechanical parts, relying on simple graphics and solid collision detection.

Is Pachicom exclusive to MSX 1 or did it appear on other systems?

Pachicom was released for multiple platforms beyond the MSX 1, though all versions stayed in Japan. It appeared on systems like the Famicom, Sega SG-1000, and others around 1985. The MSX 1 version is one of several ports, and each behaves slightly differently due to hardware limitations.

Is there anything iconic or memorable about Pachicom?

Its main claim to fame is being one of the earliest pachinko video games on home computers, helping popularize the subgenre. The visual design mimics real pachinko boards of the mid-80s, with bright colors and a simple but functional interface. If you're curious about the origins of digital pachinko, this is a neat artifact.

All MSX 1 games