Star Tech Journal

STAR*TECH Journal
April 1987 (6]
"Hot" Merchandiser Picks/BIG
CHOICE Light Bulb Mod
2) it looks great as a 2-player rotary and
it works.
By Frank 'The Crank' Seninsky
Alpha-Qrega Amusernents & Sales
Edison, New Jersey
Kramer •Skil n>zer•: This skill
merchandiser is a very well done high-tech
adaptation of the old 'bulldozer' game.
'Ibe player has a set amount of time
(operator adjustable from 10 seconds to
approx 2 minutes in 5 second incrernents)
to maneuver a joystick controlled
bulldozer into pushing a prize container
up a mirrored incline into a 'win slot'.
I am extrernely happy with a few of the new
merchandise machines that were shown at
A01E in New Orleans. I have not yet tested
any of these new products so I reserve
judgement as to how well they will hold up
on location.
Wedges/Ledges •eomer•: This game fits
under the category of "Skill
Merchandiser". It is a self-stocking two
conveyor belt (each moving in opposite
directions) game where players operate a
joystick or button controlled "nudger" to
push prize capsules off the conveyor.
This is the only really new merchandise
concept that I've seen in years. Steve
Shoemaker, developer of "Comer" and Liz
Gannon (sales) plan on making "Corner" and
"E-Z Pushover" (button version) in single,
double, and 4-player versions which will
utilize a large variety of gifts and
prizes. "Corner" is made with standard USA
parts, which is a plus for us operators.
Gamemast:ers • 2-Player Self-loading
Itrt:acy": Before any operator \\QUld
consider using a rotary as a 'street
piece' it sirrply must be self-loading and
must fit up against a wall. This game has
the right concept except:
1) it only holds 30 prize containers
(round or square) in storage which are
loaded onto the turntable by means of a
vertical spiral coil, each time a prize is
won (I think a street rnerchandiser should
hold a minimum of 100 self-loading items);
2) it looks like a large stand-up cocktail
table and is better located in the middle
of a room.
On the positive side:
1) each player side is driven by a circuit
board and Garnernasters is providing one
'spare board' with each game;
This game is much more fun to play than a
rotary but it is a large piece, not what
I'd recornnend for typical street
locations. It is more of an arcade
merchandiser.
•a1G CDICE· LIGm' llJU3 KD: The
Alpha--Qrega Service Depar.trrent has
designed a very inexpensive circuit board
nod which will prolong (and I mean
prolong) the life of the bulbs used in the e
"Big Choice" cranes. For further
information call me or Jim at (201)
287-4990. Replacernent bulb sales will be
alrrost non-existent.
CRANE MERCHANDISE
prfzes,
DIFFERENT • UNIQUE • EXCITING
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
Call Toll Free:
(800) 992-2388, (800) 992-6577 (in California)
1590 Sunland Lane, Costa Mesa, CA 92626