Part of the Swallow Amusement Machines group.
E-Mail swallow@coin.demon.co.uk
Set on the Esplanade of one of the Islands popular sandy beaches, our Isle of Wight amusement arcade aims to give the best of games past and present. We have been gathering together a collection of older games and fruit machines which have become popular with holiday makers and locals. A working museum, also with some newer modern games. There is a full list of current games with pictures below. We have bought more games which have been restored during the winter and are now ready for the 2006 season. We have also opened an arcade in Shanklin High Street, just opposite the Tourist Information centre which will also host a few older games also. The maps below show you our seafront location and there is a list of links to public transport sites. You can bring the car, travel by train (ticket includes Fastcat crossing) or hovercraft to Shanklin.
Opening times, unless tipping down with rain. 12.00 - 5.00 during Easter Holidays. Whitsun half term. Daily from 12.00 - 5.00 then 7.00 till 9.00 ish. June 12.00 - 5.00. July till end of August 11.00am till 10.00pm. May be closed for break 5.30 till 7.00 when everyone disappears back to their hotels.. Closed September to March.
Here is a list of all the older games available for play in our collection. I am not to sure of some of the dates, so have had to guess in some cases.
| Click on images to enlarge. | Machine. | Back ground information. | Price of Play/Prize |
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Cromptons Tooty Fruity 1967 |
Came with the arcade when I bought it, which kicked the whole retro idea off. There are a few variations of this game, but this is the one I remember playing. The original ones paid on the first 3 or row of 4 lit symbols. This became illegal under the 1968 gaming act which stipulated that you should have a chance of winning on each turn. With an empty board, this was not possible, so they were modified to pay out on just one symbol, the others remaining lit all the time. Most were on 1d or latter 2p play, but this one is on 1p. | 1p/10p |
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Riviara Cashcendo 1968/75 |
I don't know much about these, but there are many variations using the same cabinet and mechanism. I think this model was originally made in 1968 and converted in 1975. I bought both these two in good condition, but the chrome has been enamelled. | 2p/£1.00 |
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Bryans Elevensies 1954 |
One of many games made by the Bryans Works, which was first made in 1955. Originally 1d, now on 2p. The Bryans works kept production of many of their games going right up to November 2000 when the factory was destroyed by fire. Many collectors would have queued to buy new machines had any one realised this was possible. Elevenses was the biggest-selling Allwin of all time.. | 2p/4p |
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Cromptons Tip em Off 1968 |
An old 1d game where the coins collect on shelves counter balanced by weights. As the coins pile up, the shelf tips over and the coins are paid out. On 1p when I bought it, now on 2p as it works better with the larger coins. Due to the simple coin slots, these will take anything you can feed through the slots. | 2p/50p |
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Brenco Silver Chest 1972 |
One of my favourites found in British Rail buffets around the early seventies. Well made electromechanical game converted to take the new 10p coin. The 10p jackpot was all that was legally allowed at the time. | 2p/10p |
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Bally/Summit Bars and Sevens 1972/82 |
This Machine is a converted Bally from the 70s'. Starting life as a Casino machine in Nevada, it was bought by Summit and converted in 1982 to a more reliable Bars and Sevens. The mechanical reel unit was replaced with a microprocessor controlled reel and payout unit then sold to a major casino. After video poker became all the rage, it was then sold to an operator in Barbados before being moved on to Ireland set 2p play and operated there. From here it found its way to a flat in London, sold on eBay to finally end up at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. | 2p/£5.00 |
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Ace Casino Royale 1966 |
An old 6d jackpot machine. The 320 coin jackpot would have yielded £8.00 in 6d coins. The hold feature which games followed at the time was available for every spin, except after using a hold the previous game or after a win. This explains the lack of a "Hold Now" panel. As I remember, most players were aware of this and didn't cause the confusion it produces today. Also accepted 1/-, 2/- and 2/6 coins. Now on 1p play. | 1p/£3.20 |
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Bell Fruit Lucky Twos 1973 |
Another massive 10p jackpot game from the early 70s. Originally bought and operated by "Top Twenty Phonograph and Automatic Machine Co. Ltd." later renamed "Phonomatics" which operated from Havant. They had most of the brewery contracts in the grater Portsmouth area through the 70s and 80s. A very common game at the time. | 2p/10p |
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Bell Fruit Action Line 1974 |
I remember these well from Hayling Island. This has a mechanical reel unit as found in all older one arm bandits, but has and electrical pay out and credit system. Not the best built reel assembly, but seems to work OK. Withdrawn and For Sale. | 1p/10p |
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Bell Fruit Chance a Nudge 1975 |
A game from the Bob Thompson auction. This ones been hacked around a bit to make the most of the maximum legal prize being increased from £1 to £2. The tokens are no longer used and is now all cash. This would have had a maximum prize of 50p cash and £1 in re-playable tokens. | 5p/£2.00 |
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Bell Fruit Nudge Gambler 1979 |
As above, but original payout structure except the removal of the tokens. Now accepts the new 5p, 10p and 50p coins. Sold for £615 from Ruffler and Deith. For Sale. | 5p/£1.00 |
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Bally Las Vegas 1974 |
From the Bob Thompson auction. Still available in 1976 for £475 Three chips any where in view releases the chip. The player then flicks this like a mini bagatelle and can win 4p or 20p depending where it lands. Originally 5p play, but converted to 2p as no one likes 5p games here. Located in the High Street arcade "Jackpot Amusements". | 2p/20p |
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Brenco Copper Prince 1972 |
"Two plays for 1p" I hear them say, well not quite. After inserting your 1p the reels spin and all stop together. If you win, the game pays out and the game ends. If you don't achieve a wining line, you have a few seconds to hold any reels, before the reels automatically spin again.. You then either get a wining line or not. The cycle then stars again. A very popular game. | 1p/10p |
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Bally Big Barrel. Model 1012. 1974 |
One of my favourites. A rare floor standing Bally game. The 20p coin win on the feature was originally a 25p coin which you could replay for 13 credits. | 2p/20p |
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Bally 3 Musketeers. |
A conversion of the above game to what was then newer high pay out award of 40p. Located in the High Street arcade "Jackpot Amusements". | 2p/40p |
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Bally Stars and Stripes 1976 |
A Bally conversion from another probably better game. Only a few symbols making the game more like a Bar-X game. | 2p/50p |
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Bally Vegas 1974 |
From the Bob Thompson auction. This 3 coin multiplier game allows you to stake 1-3 coins. Located in the High Street arcade "Jackpot Amusements". | 2p-6p/£5 |
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Williams El Toro Pintable 1963 |
Another fine example from the 60s with a Bull Fighting theme. Model No. 284. The game has 2 flippers, 4 pop bumpers, 2 drop targets plus a rotating drum in playfield to indicate target value. Only 1850 of these tables were made. | 20p/Replay |
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Wondermatics Win and Place 1954 |
Apparently Wondermatics was owned and run by two gays. With this in mind a closer look at the companies logo on the machine was not quite what you would expect to find on games produced in the 50s. A popular game from my youth with a 6d payout when suitably primed by previous players. Was 1d now working on 2p | 2p/12p |
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Brenco Two-Reeler 1968 |
Added to the arcade for 2006, a 1p play game with just two reels. This is the only game of this type I can remember, so I don't think the idea caught on. A few variations with the reels mounted one over the other were made. One called "Snap" and a card game spring to mind. Was originally 1d play, but the mod kit for the payout to 1p does not allow conversion back as it is fixed to the coin size. Random hold, but you can only select 1 reel, not both. Withdrawn and For Sale. | 1p/10p |
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Games Inc. Casino 1962 |
New for 2006, what fun it was to get this beast working 99% of the time. Complete with wood worm. Not sure which coin this worked on or the maximum prize due to the glass being hacked to pen in the new lower payouts. Used projection units instead of reels, which were ultimately controlled by reel type units with contacts to control the projector lamps. Also has a gamble feature where wins can be gambled up to three times the original win. Also lights up a "Bonus" lamp with a jackpot win over 100 coins which was paid by an attendant. To comply with 1968 gaming act, all payouts are paid by the machine. Made in the USA and imported to the UK. Withdrawn.. | 1p/£3.00 |
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Bradlys Challenger. | ||
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Auto Fruit | ||
| Games Inc. King Tap. 1970 | Using projection units instead of reels, insert 1p and move paddle to "spin reels". Hold any desired symbols and move paddle to "spin again". Wins lines obtained during first "spin" should be held to pay out at end of second "spin". Plays exactly the same as "Miss new penny", a game I remember from the first year of decimalisation. | 1p/10p | |
| Bally Mustang. Model 903. 1970 | Sought after three reel game made for the American market with holds and a 200 coin jackpot. No top glass when I rescued this from the Bob Thompson auction, so currently has a print I had made. Top glass wanted if any one has one to spare. | 2p/£4 | |
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Bally Medalist. Model 1081. 1975 | A popular and rare 5 reel game made for the American market. Actually three 3 reel games in one. Play one coin for reels 1 to 3, two coins for reels 1-3 and 2-4 and three coins to play reels 1-3, 2-4 and 3-5. Confused yet? So playing 3 coins getting first 3 cherries would pay 17 coins. 10 for first game, 5 for second game and 2 for third game. Lots of different pay outs with a complicated win detection circuit. Had one diode short circuit when I got it which with out the schematic would have been very hard to find. | 2p-6p/£5 |
| Cromptons Tooty Fruity, Silver Award. | Light the 4 "Silver Award" lamps on the bottom row for bells and a 50p coin. From Bournmouth seafront arcade. | 2p/50p | |
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Bally Super Line. Model 892. 1971 | A 4 reel game made for the American market. Reels pay left to right and right to left. 200 coin jackpot. Also pays 2 coins for any two targets, stars or sevens and 20 coins for any 3 scattered on the win line. A UK version was also made giving a £60 jackpot in 50p coins on 10p play. Located in the High Street arcade "Jackpot Amusements". | 2p/£4 |
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Dennis Jezzard, Tap a Fruit. | Tap a coin across the first line to light fruit one, the tap across the second line for fruit two then finally across line three for the third fruit symbol. Three of a kind pays posted award. Located in the High Street arcade "Jackpot Amusements". | 2p/10p |
Useful transport and other links:
Red Funnel Ferries.
Southampton.
Wightlink Car Ferry and Fastcat..
Portsmouth and Lymington. Look for special car ferry offers on line.
Island Line trains. Ryde to
Shanklin.
Southern Vectis bus services. IOW.
Hover Travel. Southsea to Ryde by
Hovercraft.
Park resorts. Look for Lower Hyde
at Shanklin.
Tourist information.
Welcome to
Shanklin.
Shanklin Chine.
IOW Steam railway.
Isle of Wight nostalgia
picture library. Lots of pictures and local history.
Events for 2006:
Shanklin Main Carnival at the Town centre - Wednesday 01 August 2007 from 7:00
to 8:30pm
Shanklin Illuminated Carnival at the Shanklin Town - Saturday 04 August 2007
from 9:00 to 10:30pm
Shanklin Regatta at the Shanklin Esplanade & Beach - Wednesday 15 August
2007 from 10:30 am Sandcastle, swimming & sports competitions, stalls
children's crafts and entertainment. Fireworks display at 9.30 pm. Music and
entertainment from 7.30 pm.
Full list of
Isle of Wight events.
Other locations in the UK featuring vintage arcade games.
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