HNI_0069While walking through an old arcade I discovered a unique prize machine made by Namco. Instead of controlling a crane, drill or roulette wheel, Glass de Donpisha has players serve up a plastic cocktail for a plush toy.


Here’s how Glass de Donpisha works.


Step 1: Insert money.

Step 2: A "drink" (there’s no liquid) rolls out of the clear tunnel where a player can grab it. It feels light, but you can’t pick it up since the drink is locked on a sliding mechanism.

Step 3: The game flashes lights and appears to determine the target zone at random.

Step 4: You slide the drink as if you were a Wild West bartender serving it to the sketchy cowboy with two bullet holes in his hat.




Step 5: Claim your prize if the drink lands in the target zone.

– or – repeat step 1 if the drink hits misses the spot or hits the wall and "breaks". I hit the backboard on my first try and a shattering sound effect played, but the cup didn’t crack.


After playing Glass de Donpisha, I wondered why there aren’t more creative prize machines. While video games continue to evolve, prize machines haven’t changed much over the years. While Glass de Donpisha isn’t new on the market, it stands out for changing the crane machine rules.

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