Soviet slot machines are the same attraction of the time as ice cream in paper cups, badges with the image of Olympic bears and the legendary soda pop with syrup. “Safari”, “Table hockey”, “Sea battle” - for a person whose childhood passed in the 80s, only these names immediately cause pleasant nostalgia.
History tour
The history of Soviet slot machines began in the 70s of the last century. It was then that it was decided to establish their release and create a completely new industry in the country, inviting the best American and Japanese manufacturers. Import developments were presented at exhibitions of gaming machines. The Americans wanted to capture this market and be able to sell their slot machines. The party of the USSR could not allow this. As a result, they went a completely different way - at first they just bought all the exhibits, and then they puzzled 23 military factories. So began to establish the production of slot machines, which were similar to similar machines in Japan and America.
Slot machines of the USSR successfully existed until the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the reason for their disappearance is not at all in frequent breakdowns. Most of them could entertain children and adults for many more years. The thing is that you had to pay for the game with 15 cents coins, and they went out of circulation in the early 90s. This problem was completely solvable, and attempts were made to breathe second life into the USSR slot machines. Coins in denominations of 15 kopecks were painted black and sold as tokens or beat out on them the abbreviations of the clubs where the machines were. But such a simple way did not last long. Similar tokens could be faked by every self-respecting student.
In Soviet times, slot machines were in almost every major city. So where did one have to go to play? As a rule, they stood in parks and houses of culture, cinemas, train stations and even in the Palaces of Pioneers. They did not receive such mass distribution as modern payment terminals, and did not stand at every step. Slot machines of the USSR in Moscow could be placed in crowded places, sometimes even separate gaming halls were opened. Sometimes, in order to play, it was necessary to defend a considerable queue.
"Sea battle"
This is the most popular slot machine in the USSR among children and adults of all generations. In a naval battle is not so easy to win. To sink the cruisers and submarines of the enemy, it is necessary to launch torpedoes on enemy ships. But they reach the target not instantly, but with a slight delay, so they have to shoot ahead of the curve. If you look at the rotating periscope, it seems that the submarines are moving far on the horizon. This illusion of depth was created using mirrors, but in fact the mechanism of movement of cruisers and boats was at the level of the player’s knees. Why was the "Sea Battle" slot machine so popular? The USSR was a militarized state, and even games reflected the essence of the country's policy.
"Air battle"
Almost every cinema of that time was "Air battle". The USSR slot machine created the image of the defender of the Motherland, and each student dreamed of becoming an astronaut or a pilot. The control knob imitates the helm, and the bright design of the cockpit, light and sound special effects made it possible to find itself in the sky. With the help of the sight it was necessary to shoot down enemy fighters and gain points. The game is quite complicated, it took a long time to hone skills to win.
"Sniper"
The most famous rifle, which resembled a shooting range familiar to every Soviet citizen. Shooting is carried out using a game rifle, and the simulation of a shot occurs due to the electromagnet. Favorite machine gun for boys, because everyone wanted to prove their accuracy. There was a more advanced and complex modification of this game with moving targets, and after scoring the maximum number of points an additional round was played.
"Safari"
Another no less popular "shooter" of the time. But it was already necessary to shoot not just at the faceless targets, but at the African animals moving across the expanses of the desert. The player controlled the rider and had to jump over obstacles and shoot wild animals that moved on three levels. Despite the primitiveness of the graphics, the game was in great demand among gamers of all ages.
"Tankodrome"
Another popular machine gun of all Soviet boys, which made it possible to determine the best tanker. At that time, “Tankodrom” was a fairly advanced game, and special effects carried the player onto the battlefield. According to the scenario, it is necessary to break out of the encirclement and at the same time destroy all enemy tanks. It was not easy to win in two minutes of the session, and minefields heated up the situation even more. As a reward, the gamer received an additional battle and another opportunity to prove his skills. The sound design of the game was a delight for men and boys - explosions and cannonades, rumble and shooting guns.
"Highway"
Soviet developers were sure that slot machines should not only entertain, but also be useful. For example, the popular game "Highway" should develop attention, speed of reaction and logical thinking. At the disposal of the players were different tracks - training for beginners, and the night road and riding in icy conditions obeyed only experienced riders.
"Towns"
Perhaps this is one of the country's own developments. The action was displayed on a television screen. Many children knew this fun well and played it with their peers in the yards. According to the rules, it was necessary to break 15 moving figures in 5 seconds of time on the sight. Such a game developed the agility and reaction of schoolchildren and had no analogues abroad.
Excitement and win
Slot machines of the USSR never had anything to do with standard gambling and they did not give out any cash prizes. In addition, 15 kopecks spent by the player was a completely insignificant sum and no incidents related to major losses occurred. Sometimes, of course, it happened that in the halls with slot machines, schoolchildren let down all the money that their parents gave them for breakfast. But this is rather the exception.
The only prize was a bonus game. If the player played well, an additional round was launched. For example, the track changed, or additional torpedoes were issued. Some slot machines issued small gifts in the form of badges. In the “Penalty” apparatus, a player could receive a badge with the symbols of a football team as a reward.
But this quickly stopped, and the machines began to rapidly surrender their positions. They were replaced by completely different games, and they themselves turned into museum exhibits.
Museum in St. Petersburg
The USSR Museum of Slot Machines in St. Petersburg is a spacious bright room with more than five dozen models of gaming machines. He offers visitors not only to admire their favorite automatic rifles, but to participate in the rally or to make a few well-aimed shots at targets. The beginning of this private collection was laid by accident. The creation of the museum began with a conversation between comrades who wanted to put "Sea Battle" at home.
The creators of this museum found the slot machines of the USSR in the most unexpected places. For example, one of them was discovered at a landfill in Moscow Park. He did not work, but he was able to repair it, and he gained a second life in the museum. Exhibits come here from all over the country.
One of the machines, "Turnip", or rather, half of it, was in one of the Moscow music schools.
Museum in Moscow
Here, employees will tell the story of each machine and provide detailed instruction. The museum has a lot of interesting things that allows you to plunge into the past and feel the spirit of a bygone era. In addition to slot machines, there are presented machines for making the legendary lemonade and milkshakes, for exchanging coins and other wonders of Soviet electronics.
Also, the automatic museum in Moscow is decorated with objects of decor of the past, and old prints, filmstrips and retro tape recorders create a special mood.
As in the previous museum, here you can play and even spend a children's holiday.
Reviews of visitors to museums who managed to play the machines and remember youth are full of enthusiasm. It is no coincidence that modern children are brought here, who are difficult to surprise with anything. And they play with no less pleasure. Contemporaries of Soviet machine guns rejoice that they can spend time with excitement at the game.
Today, for those who want to nostalgic and feel the spirit of a bygone era, the slot machine "USSR Party Gold" has been created on the Internet. The game proposes to collect combinations of Soviet symbols - a combine, the newspaper Pravda, banknotes and more. The original design and soundtrack will give unforgettable emotions to gambling gamers.