There are probably many people who learned about Evangelion through pachinko and then watched the anime.
Evangelion and pachinko are so closely intertwined that it's said that much of the funding for the new movie came from pachinko.
This time, we'll introduce the Evangelion series in chronological order.
The series was manufactured by Bisty, a subsidiary of SANKYO, and planned and sold by Fields.
CR Neon Genesis Evangelion (2004)
There are four specs in total.
ZF: (Normal) 1/496.5 (High Probability) 1/49.6 (Chance Change) 68%
ZX: (Normal) 1/496.5 (High Probability) 1/49.6 (Chance Change) 74%
SF: (Normal) 1/397.2 (High Probability) 1/39.7 (Chance Change) 67%
SN: (Normal) 1/262.1 (High Probability) 1/45.0 (Chance Change) 62%
Pachinko was at its peak back then, so odds of 1/496, which would be unheard of today, were common. SF and SN were equipped with a runaway mode (sudden chance change), and they are the machines that started the current trend in Evangelion. When these machines were released, many people thought, "There's no way an anime like this would be popular in pachinko."
CR Neon Genesis Evangelion Second Impact (2006)
This one also has four specs.
VF: (Normal) 1/399.6 (High Probability) 1/40.0 (Chance Bonus) 72%
SF: (Normal) 1/397.2 (High Probability) 1/39.7 (Chance Bonus) 67%
XF : (Normal) 1/344.9 (High Probability) 1/34.5 (Chance Option) 64%
MF: (Normal) 1/315.1 (High Probability) 1/31.5 (Chance Option) 60%
This machine follows the original design, adding new effects without changing the basic effects or rules, making it even more fun. Unlike the original, all specs are equipped with Raging Mode and Awakening Mode.
A reprint version was released two years later.
The "Second Impact Series," which enjoyed widespread popularity, was reintroduced in 2008 as the "CRA Neon Genesis Evangelion Premium Model."
(Normal) 1/99.9 (High Probability) 1/11.6 (Chance Option) 57%
This was the first mild-play pachinko in the Eva series, allowing players to enjoy Eva casually.
As the name suggests, its distinctive feature was the increased likelihood of premium effects.
CR Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Value of a Miracle (2007)
There are four specs:
VF: (Normal) 1/399.6 (High Probability) 1/40.0 (Chance Bonus) 74%
SF: (Normal) 1/397.2 (High Probability) 1/39.7 (Chance Bonus) 67%
XF : (Normal) 1/344.9 (High Probability) 1/34.5 (Chance 64%)
MF: (Normal) 1/256.0 (High Probability) 1/25.6 (Chance 60%)
The specs are almost the same as the previous title, but this one features additional effects and music.
An original story reach exclusive to pachinko has been added, expanding the range of effects.
CR Neon Genesis Evangelion ~The Angel Returns~ (2008)
The fourth installment in the Evangelion series, the first to be released with a single spec.
(Normal) 1/346.8 (High Probability) 1/34.7 (Probability) 65%
This was a very welcome change, as it separated the center hole and the electric chute reserves, speeding up the probability and time-saving effect, and further reducing the chance of the electric chute going into overdrive mode. There were also numerous presentation rules, many of which were carried over to later Evangelion series. The Unit-01 gimmick on the right side of the board features detailed eyes, mouth, and hands. It was also great that any movement of the eyes and hands guaranteed a jackpot or overdrive.
Now available in a light version!!
"Angel Returns," which captivated countless pachinko fans, returned in 2010 with an easier-to-play feel.
(Normal) 1/128.5 (High Probability) 1/12.9 (Probability) 65%
Unlike the premium model, the appearance remained virtually unchanged, with only the specs changing.
CR Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Last Sinner (2009)
The specs are almost identical to the previous title, "Angel Returns."
(Normal) 1/346.8 (High Probability) 1/34.7 (Chance Rate) 65%
A distinctive feature is Unit-01 located at the top of the LCD screen, and the hands on either side of Unit-01 recreate the movement of tearing apart an A.T. field. As the subtitle suggests, this machine focuses on Kaworu Nagisa. This was the only model where some of the chance modes would go through a time-saving mode (internally it was a chance mode), which divided users on whether they liked it or not. Since this feature was abolished from the next model onwards, it's likely that there were more negative opinions than positive ones.
CR Neon Genesis Evangelion: Gospel of the Beginning (2010)
Two specs: Medium and Light-Middle
SRW: (Normal) 1/358.1 (High Probability) 1/38.8 (Chance Option) 70%
YRW: (Normal) 1/159.1 (High Probability) 1/15.9 (Chance Option) 70%
This machine incorporates the visuals from the "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time" series, and the machine name has also been changed. The pre-reading previews include flashing hold, fast flashing hold, and red flashing hold, which adds variety to the previews, but it also feels like there are fewer of the sudden heat-ups that were common in the past.
CR Evangelion 7 (2012)
Three specs: Medium, Light Medium, and Sweet
MRWA: (Normal) 1/309.1 (High Probability) 1/30.91 (Chance Bonus) 60%
L: (Normal) 1/199.8 (High Probability) 1/35.0 (Chance Bonus) 50%
YRW: (Normal) 1/99.9 (High Probability) 1/19.7 (Chance chance) 60%
From this point on, the presentation begins to take a different direction than previous models.
Flashy presentations are becoming more popular than simple presentations, and many Eva fans may have thought, "Something's not quite right..."
CR Evangelion 8 (2013)
Two specs: Medium and Mild.
R: (Normal) 1/319.7 (High Probability) 1/31.9 (Chance Bonus) 70%
Y: (Normal) 1/99.9 (High Probability) 1/19.9 (Chance Bonus) 60%
The cabinet has been completely redesigned, featuring a full-body figure of Rei Ayanami.
The electric chute and attacker are on the right side of the board, and this was the first Eva model to have right-hand hit consumption. It was also the first model to display reserved items on the LCD screen. There are many types of reserved items, not just color changes, and it can be said that this model created the feeling that if there is no change in reserved items, there is little hope. Also, while Eva's gold announcements were typically relaxing, this machine would produce a ton of gold announcements...and miss (lol).
CR Evangelion 9 (2014)
Eva's first ST machine
(Normal) 1/390.1 (High) 1/62.6 (ST) Up to 100 spins
With a 100% ST rate and an approximately 80% ST continuation rate, this machine offered the promise of a big win, bringing a breath of fresh air to the stale Eva series.
The Evangelion Series Goes Wrong...
In addition to the Max Spec version, "Evangelion 9" also has five other versions: "Runaway Loop 199 Version," "Unit-00 Runaway Loop Version," "180 Version," "Unit-02 Kai Mid-Sized Version," and "Unit-08 Premium Sweet Version." However, due to their mediocre specs and almost identical appearance, the new machine effect was weak, and the versions other than the Max and Sweet versions were rarely seen.
CR Evangelion 10 (2015)
All 4 specs
Max (normal): 1/394.8 (high probability): 1/39.5 (probability change): 83%
Light-Medium (normal): 1/198.6 (high probability): 1/55.5 (probability change): 65%
Light (normal): 1/128 (high probability): 1/29.8 (probability change): 65%
Choi Pachi (normal): 1/39 (no probability change or time reduction)
While the Eva series was often sold in dedicated slots, this machine is now sold in the common slots that are still familiar to us today.
CR Evangelion ~Now, the Time of Awakening~ (2016)
Three specs available:
Medium (normal): 1/319.7
High probability: 1/39.8
Chance bonus: 65%
Start Impact (normal): 1/299.3 (high probability): 1/60.3 (ST): 80%, up to 100 spins
Ama-degi (normal): 1/99.9 (high probability): 1/77 (ST): up to 50 spins
With Unit-01 on the left and Unit-02 on the right, this game features an impressive gimmick featuring two Evas.
CR Evangelion 2018 Model (2017)
Two specs available
Medium (normal): 1/319.7 (high probability): 1/45.2 (high probability): 60%
Light (normal): 1/128.3 (high probability): 1/46.2 (supervisory bonus): up to 30 spins
This is the first time in three years that a dedicated cabinet has been used. This is the first time since the fifth film, "The Last Evangelion," that Unit 01 has been seen facing forward at the top of the frame. This machine, introduced in October 2017 and designated as the 2018 model, was unfortunately barely used in 2018 and was rarely seen in stores.
CR Drum☆Evangelion PINK (2018)
(Normal) 1/159.8 (High Probability) 1/20 (Super Slot) Up to 10 spins
This is the first drum machine in the Evangelion series, and is considered a spin-off rather than an officially numbered title. The time-saving feature is 50 spins, including ST, and while the continuation rate isn't particularly high, it features a 22% chance of 16R (approximately 2,000 balls), making it possible to earn a substantial payout. A version with settings was also released in 2019.
Evangelion: Super Rampage / Super Awakening (2019)
This 13th model in the series is a P-type machine, not a CR machine. Two versions were released simultaneously: the "Super Rampage" model without settings and the "Super Awakening" model with settings. It was striking that two machines with completely different performance were sold at the same time: "Super Rampage" was a high-continuation type with a 50% chance of entering a special mode and a continuation rate of 82%, while "Super Awakening" had a 62% chance of entering a special mode and was equipped with a small prize rush. The high-continuation type "Super Rampage" was named "P Evangelion ~Super Awakening~", while the small prize rush type "Super Awakening" was named "P Evangelion ~Super Awakening~M", which were very confusing, and many stores made mistakes when creating POPs and other materials.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death, Rebirth (2019)
Following the fourth installment of the series, "Angel Returns," and restoring the balance of the visuals that had nearly collapsed,
the simple and nostalgic Evangelion returns as "Death, Rebirth."
(Normal) 1/319.7 (High Probability) 1/45.7 (Chance Rate) 65%
Since the visuals have been reverted from the theatrical version to the anime version, the machine name has also changed to "Neon Genesis Evangelion." During normal play, you can choose between the "Human Instrumentality Project Mode," based on "The Angel Returns," and the lively "New Century Mode," featuring SD characters, making it enjoyable for both old and new Eva fans. This machine also features a small win rush, with "Runaway Mode" and "Rebirth Mode" offering high net payouts. While the jackpot in "The Angel Returns" was no payout, this has been changed to a system where the more you get stuck, the more balls you get, significantly increasing the explosive power. Furthermore, while the entry rate is low, entering "Rebirth Mode" offers a small win rush + 10R chance for approximately 7 minutes, with an expected payout of approximately 7,000 balls.
It's obvious at a glance! A look back at Evangelion pachinko machines
The above are all the Evangelion pachinko machines that have been sold to date.
It's surprising that, despite the fact that it's an old anime and there's no new story, new models have been released almost every year since the first one was released.
From around the seventh installment, pachinko players began to gradually drift away from Evangelion due to excessive production, overhyping, and poor specs. However, the 14th installment, "Die, Reborn," returned to a simple and easy-to-understand Evangelion style, and user satisfaction seems to have been quite high.
With the new movie version coming up, there's growing anticipation for what kind of Evangelion machines will be released in the future.
