Ping ping ping

A trend of gambling-inspired games has surfaced in the wake of poker-like deckbuilding roguelikeBalatro.

It’s more straightforward than the chaos of that trailer makes out.

You earn cash for each little bumper or bonkable doohickey the ball hits along the way.

A ferris wheel serves as a pachinko board in Ballionaire.

Some of these bumpers (called “triggers”) will have special features.

It only gets wackier as you go from level to level, seeking bigger payouts to appease the gods.

It’s not the first time pachinko has served as inspiration for a video game, mind.

Cover image for YouTube video

BothPeggleandPeglinowe something to the poppy pinging of the traditional Japanese gambling machine.