This work has become famous through its anime and manga, but it was originally a computer game by the doujin circle 07th Expansion. It is a sound novel, and was directed and written by Ryukishi07. The game, manga, and anime are all divided into a question section and an answer section, and are structured so that you cannot grasp the whole story unless you play or read both. The plot is brutal and thrilling, something you would never imagine from the cute characters, and it also makes an excellent horror work. This work, which has strong horror elements, has also been made into a pachinko (manufactured by Daiichi Shokai). In this article, we will introduce the specs and features of the Higurashi When They Cry pachinko.
CR Higurashi When They Cry Chou (July 2013)
Sold simultaneously in two specifications. Chaku-hen type. D-BURNING frame. Max: [Normal Mode] 1/380.75 [High Probability] 1/52.52 [Chance Mode] 75% until next spin
[Time-Reduction Chance] 0, 10, 20, or 30 spins after a normal jackpot
[Average Consecutive Runs] 4.2 spins
Light-Medium: [Normal Mode] 1/219.5 [High Probability] 1/54.8 [Chance Mode] 71% until next spin
[Time-Reduction Chance] 0, 10, 20, or 30 spins after a normal jackpot
[Average Consecutive Runs] 3.6 spins
This is the first in the series and is considered the masterpiece of the Higurashi series. It features a hidden chance mode (suspiciousness mode), which sometimes makes it unclear whether a jackpot or a normal mode will occur after a jackpot, keeping players on the edge of their seats.
73% of jackpots during chance mode resulted in 16R jackpots with 1,870 balls, which gave players the potential for a powerful hit, making the prospect of a one-hit wonder even more appealing.
Your fate depends on one ball
The "Fate Branching Zone" before the jackpot begins is an excellent presentation that skillfully links the series and pachinko, and this innovative gameplay has captivated many fans.
You fire the ball at your own timing, and the moment the ball passes through the gate, a judgment is made as to whether it is a special or normal game. If it is a special game, the attacker is released immediately, leading to a smooth transition to the jackpot, making it a stress-free experience.
CR Higurashi When They Cry -BS- (October 2013)
This is the mild version of CR Higurashi When They Cry Tou.
[Normal Mode] 1/99.7 [High Rate] 1/31.16 [Chance Rate] 70% until next spin
[Time-Reduction Cycle] 0, 10, 20, or 30 spins after a regular jackpot [Average Consecutive Spins] 3.6 spins
The board design has been slightly altered to distinguish it from the Max version. The character figure on the right side of the LCD screen is Rena Ryuuguu for the Max version and Rika Furude for the Ama-deji version.
CR Higurashi When They Cry ~Scream~ (June 2017)
Two specifications are sold simultaneously. It comes in a guaranteed V ST type.
Medium: [Normal Mode] 1/319 [High Probability] 1/124 [Chance Rate] Special Chart 1: 52%, Special Chart 2: 100% (up to 130 spins)
[Time Reduction] 100 or 130 spins after jackpot (including ST) [Average Consecutive Play] 2.3
Light Medium: [Normal Mode] 1/259 [High Probability] 1/124.3
[Chance Rate] Special Chart 1: 55%, Special Chart 2: 100% (up to 130 spins)
[Time Reduction] 100 or 130 spins after jackpot (including ST) [Average Consecutive Play] 2.4
This is the second in the series, released in the imagination+ slot. This machine was designed during the era when internal regulations capped the continuation rate at 65%, and had a high maximum payout of 2,240 balls. The lower continuation rate was offset by a focus on ball output.
The presentation was quite well-balanced, with many missed gold previews, but when the winners were won, they were often accompanied by a guaranteed winning effect, making it easy to understand in a way (lol).
Also, the frame has a unique shape, and some people have even referred to it as a toilet bowl or lavatory...
Key Features
Here are some important features related to the jackpot.
"Hinamizawa Syndrome L5 Onset" - Nearly half of all winnings are triggered by this feature, making it the most important preview. (Reliability: Approximately 36.71%)
"Distortion Notice": The screen distorts, and if it freezes, an L5 event will occur.
"Freeze Notice": The screen goes black, and an L5 event will occur.
"Fateful Day Mode": This mode is highly reliable and begins with a red sliding screen. (Reliability: Approximately 25.11%)
"No Way!! Consecutive Notices": This mode never ends in one hit, and three consecutive hits are a great chance (Reliability: Approximately 72.86%). If it ends in two hits, it's highly likely to be a jackpot.
"Next Notice": This develops from the normal loop middle button notice. (Reliability: Approximately 65.3%)
"Madness Premonition Red or Higher" - Madness text covers the screen (Red text: Reliability: Approximately 29.17%, Gold text: Reliability: Approximately 45.43%, Nipanipa~☆: Strong chance of winning)
"Opening Premonition" - A premonition that promises high hopes when it appears (Reliability: Approximately 42.47%)
CR Higurashi When They Cry ~Inori~ (October 2017)
This is a light version of Higurashi When They Cry ~Scream~.
[Normal Mode] 1/129 [High Probability] 1/67 [Chance Rate] Special Chart 1: 50%, Special Chart 2: 100% (up to 70 spins)
[Time-Reduction Times] 30 or 70 spins after jackpot (including ST) [Average Number of Consecutive Wins] 2.2
To be honest, I would have preferred a mild version like the original, with a 1/99 payout rate, but due to company regulations, the payout rate was too low, so it was probably unavoidable.
P Higurashi When They Cry ~Mawaru~ 319 ver. (December 2019)
Type 1/Type 2 Mix + Falling Type
[Normal Mode] 1/319.7 [During Right-Hand Play] 1/7.7
[Time-Reduction Cycle] 1, 5, or 99 cycles after a jackpot (continues until a 1/32 fall win) [Average Consecutive Runs] 4.4
The third installment in the series features a frame with a giant hatchet at the top, reminiscent of Ryugu Rena.
How does this hatchet tie into the game's visuals...?! But this hatchet neither moves nor lights up. It seems to have been merely decorative.
I've heard that it was quite a nuisance when it was delivered, so perhaps it wasn't even necessary.
Innovative Specifications and a High Barrier
After the first jackpot, the "True Hiding Mode" features one time-saving mode and four remaining reserves, for a total of five spins with a 1 in 7.7 chance of success, with a breakthrough rate of approximately 50%.
If you hit a jackpot here, you'll enter "True Hiding Mode" with five time-saving modes and four remaining reserves, with a continuation rate of approximately 71%.
Additionally, if you hit a jackpot during the time-saving mode, rather than during the remaining reserve mode, you will not enter "True Hiding Mode" but will enter "Kizuna Musubi Rush."
This mode will continue until you hit the 99th time-saving mode or the approximately 1/32 chance of a jackpot. This gives a total continuation rate of approximately 88.7%, making it a very explosive mode.
Even if you win the jackpot, you'll still enter "True Hiding Mode," meaning there's still a chance to win. This was interesting, though.
However, since you had to hit a jackpot within the time-saving mode to enter "Kizuna Musubi Rush," many players were unable to experience it, and it wasn't well-received by anyone other than core fans.
Enjoy the game with your own personalized balance of effects!
This machine is the first in the series to feature customization functionality, allowing you to choose from three modes: "Normal Mode," "Minimized Prediction Mode," and "Premium Mode."
In "Minimal Prediction Mode," predictions generally do not occur, but when they do occur, it's highly likely a jackpot. This mode is recommended for those who dislike false predictions.
In "Premium Mode," premium effects can occur at any time, so you might be disappointed by a weak effect, but suddenly suddenly realize you've won.
Original characters also appear!!
"Miyabi Saionji" is a rare glasses-wearing character in "Higurashi When They Cry." This character is original to the pachinko game and does not appear in the original manga.
When awakened, he removes his glasses and fights with a naginata. Its strength is said to be the strongest in Hinamizawa and the world (lol). Try playing the game to find out more about its relationship with Keiichi and the others.
P Higurashi When They Cry ~Mawaru~ 219 ver. (March 2020)
P Higurashi When They Cry ~Mawaru~ 319 ver. appears with different specs.
[Normal Mode] 1/219.7 [During Right-Hand Play] 1/7.72
[Time-Reduction Cycles] 1, 4, or 99 cycles after the jackpot (continues until a 1/32 chance of a drop-off win) [Average Consecutive Cycles] 4.1
The illustration on the side of the cabinet has changed from Ryugu Rena to the Sonozaki sisters.
The initial win rate has become lighter, so the consecutive Cycle Rate has decreased slightly, but the difference is not that significant.
Can Pachinko Be Scary?! A Summary of Past Models
The above is a list of all "Higurashi When They Cry" pachinko models.
There are three series in the series, and each has different specifications, including a jackpot machine, a VST machine, and a 1-type/2-type mixed machine.
The presentation makes good use of both moe and horror elements, and I think Rena's appearance during the jackpot is far scarier than a bad horror movie.
If you're interested, please give it a try.
