{"id":22287,"date":"2021-09-27T12:09:36","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T11:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/?p=22287"},"modified":"2024-05-06T09:23:42","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T08:23:42","slug":"american-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/2021\/09\/27\/american-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"AMERICAN POOL"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor’s note: Since his initial report in October 2012<\/a>, John made updates in December 2012<\/a>, March 2013<\/a>, October 2013<\/a> and October 2014<\/a>. X user Retrogamerewind also sent in an update from September 2021<\/a> and another in May 2024<\/a>, this time with the sad news there are no longer any pinballs. You can find all those updates below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While pinball machines in arcades are not uncommon in many countries, they have yet to make much of an impact in the world’s most populous nation. However, Pinball News reader John found one place where you can get to play the silver ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 2012<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amusement arcade American Pool (“\u7f8e\u570b\u5bf6” in Chinese) is located at 9 Man Tai Street in Hung Hom of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"American<\/a>
American Pool in Hung Hom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It has 4 pinballs, which are Tron LE<\/em>, Transformers<\/em>, Batman<\/em> and The Rolling Stones<\/em>. Each pinball costs HKD3 (about US$0.40) per 3-ball game.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"New<\/a>
New Stern pinballs at American Pool: Tron LE, Transformers Pro, Batman and The Rolling Stones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is the only site in Hong Kong which has pinballs and is open to general public.  This arcade is operated by a pinball distributor and therefore all pinballs are always kept in good working condition.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/a>
The main part of the arcade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Another<\/a>
Another view of American Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to pinballs, it also has many popular video games. It is definitely a good fun place for both adults and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 2012<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next day after coming back to Hong Kong from the Japan Game Museum<\/a>, I visited the American Pool arcade again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found that my favourite pinball – Tron LE<\/em> – had disappeared and been replaced by another machine – AC\/DC Pro<\/em>.  The updated line-up was; AC\/DC Pro<\/em>, Transformers Pro<\/em>, Batman<\/em> and The Rolling Stones Pro<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/a>
The new game line-up at American Pool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"The<\/a>
The new AC\/DC Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"The<\/a>
The new Transformers Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After some substantial efforts, I successfully got the two grand champion records on Transformers<\/em> and The Rolling Stones<\/em>. My flipper skills were probably upgraded significantly after the three-day boot camp at the Japan Game Museum!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"New<\/a>
New high scores on Transformers and The Rolling Stones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition, American Pool had also imported new models of video games from Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Four<\/a>
Four Midnight 4 Maximum Tune racers from Bandai Namco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Sega's<\/a>
Sega’s Operation G.H.O.S.T.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Bandai<\/a>
Bandai Namco’s Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield with Panoramic Optical Display (P.O.D.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Ten<\/a>
Ten Border Break 3.0 seats from Sega<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This could be why it is always full of young people there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s some additional information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n