[Nintendo DS] Slot machines replaced with new mini-game in Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver

[Infernal Monkey]

Just like Pokémon Platinum, the Australian and European version of Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver will no longer have the slot machines found in the Japanese game. It may be okay to beat the shit out of animals, but gambling is completely off-limits! So, we're getting something new in its place.

But what could possibly be more entertaining than a slot machine? Anything. Anything is more entertaining. Now the Game Corner contains a mini-game called 'Voltorb Flip'. ONM describes it as a cross between Minesweeper and Picross.

Given a 5x5 grid consisting of 25 squares, uncovering numbers will increase the amount of coins you can win, while hitting a Voltorb means you lose everything. Your house, your job, your half-dead collection of Pokémon, your kidney. All of it - gone. Clues will help you avoid such a situation. It's basically still gambling anyway.

Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver launch March 25th.

"But I love the slots".

[Some1onearth]

Hmm....I never really used the slot machines. I think I'll just ignore this minesweeper game like I did with the slot machines of the previous.

[Aielyn]

Actually, the new minesweeper-style game is happening in all western versions of the game, including in America. Basically, all version of the game except the Japanese one will have Voltorb Flip rather than the slots... which I think is great, given that every single game before now had slots, and thus we've seen them far too often. This'll mix things up a bit, and feel fresh and different.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Infernal Monkey

"But I love the sluts".

Indeed, Oak. Indeed.

Sounds more entertaining than the slot machines for sure. I wouldn't say it's like gambling though, as it seems to be more skill based than chance.

[Gookanheimer]

Originally Posted by Aielyn

Actually, the new minesweeper-style game is happening in all western versions of the game, including in America. Basically, all version of the game except the Japanese one will have Voltorb Flip rather than the slots... which I think is great, given that every single game before now had slots, and thus we've seen them far too often. This'll mix things up a bit, and feel fresh and different.

But all those slot machine skills developed over all the past versions... gone to waste :O

[Tayaun_Nintendo_ftw]

Huh? I have the Australian version of Platinum and it has slot machines...I think. Then what is that game where the Clefairy comes out? Aren't those the slots?

[TSPhoenix]

I'm just disspointed they swapped one crappy time-wasting luck game for another. If it was a half-decent minigame where you could actually earn coins to get good TMs somewhat reliably that'd be great.

[Dave]

Lol, poor Professor Oak. =[

I'm all for something new. Those slots were getting pretty dusty after 4 generations.

[Clash]

So now we'll get a G rating?

[Bhaskar24]

Most definitely.

Good move on the localisation team's part - it was quite sad to see all past Pokemon games received a PG rating just for these slots.

[Scatt-Man]

They were totally rigged anyway. Here's hoping this new thing is save-state friendly.

[Mop]

Come on, Chansey!

[Toadsiliwraith]

It's disappointing to see the Slot Machines removed from the Pokémon series after being included for so long (for us anyway), but at least this approach will provide a sense of new content to an increasingly dull part of the game. Most people will probably buy all their coins regardless... :P

Originally Posted by Gookanheimer

But all those slot machine skills developed over all the past versions... gone to waste :O

I understand how you feel. Back when I was playing Pokémon Yellow in the day, I managed to learn the proper timings required to line up Triple 7s (Or whatever they were back then) with a near 100% success rate during one of my playthroughs. After more than half an hour, the several thousand coins I worked so hard to win were blown in seconds by trading them in for a Porygon. Unfortunately, I never managed to pull off the feat again.. :(

[TSPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Scatt-Man

They were totally rigged anyway. Here's hoping this new thing is save-state friendly.

Surprisingly not, if you played them with autofire on you won most of the time.

[Gookanheimer]

Originally Posted by Toadsiliwraith

I understand how you feel. Back when I was playing Pokémon Yellow in the day, I managed to learn the proper timings required to line up Triple 7s (Or whatever they were back then) with a near 100% success rate during one of my playthroughs. After more than half an hour, the several thousand coins I worked so hard to win were blown in seconds by trading them in for a Porygon. Unfortunately, I never managed to pull off the feat again.. :(

More how Waveguider feels, but he doesn't seem to be around at the moment to see my trollery :P