Released 1983 · consists of 0 releases.
An early-80's multi-game arcade machine by Merit and the earliest known game of its type, designed for use in bars and taverns. Uses a five-button setup similar to other video poker arcade games and includes 4-6 gambling games.
| First release date | 1983 |
| Platform | Arcade |
| Developer | Merit Industries, Inc. |
| Publisher | Merit Industries, Inc. |
| Genre | Card Game , Minigame Collection , Gambling |
| Theme | |
| Franchises | Pit Boss |
| Aliases |
Pit Boss (also known as The Pit Boss) is a multi-game arcade machine developed and released by Merit Industries for arcades in 1983.
The first known machine of its type, Pit Boss was developed for use in bars and taverns (primarily with its countertop cabinet) and includes multiple games that simulate gambling. All games make use of a five-button control setup similar to other video poker games.
Unlike most machines of its type at the time, Pit Boss does not allow players to actually gamble with their money. Instead, players start each credit with a certain amount of score, which they can use to bet in the game for a limited amount of time (up to 3-5 rounds, depending on the game selected) in an attempt to reach the high score list (the "Heavy Hitter's Club"). Similar to most betting games, players can also gamble their winnings on a game of Hi-Lo.
It later received multiple sequels, each of which include several non-gambling games (such as trivia, card, and puzzle games). It would later spawn the Megatouch series of touch-based multi-game machines.
Depending on the game version, likely due to regional regulation, the machine includes either 4 or 6 games from the below list:
Relate to Pit Boss
Pit Boss: Megastar
The final standard game in the Pit Boss series of multi-game arcade machines includes five games: four card games and a trivia game.
Pit Boss: Megatouch
A multi-game arcade machine with touchscreen controls, including several card, trivia, casino, and action games. Along with several sequels, it received multiple updates up to the year 2000.
Pit Boss II
A sequel to the 1983 multi-game arcade machine Pit Boss. Rather than focusing solely on casino games, it also includes Merit's earlier trivia and word games (Trivia Whiz and Phraze Craze).
Pit Boss Superstar III 30
The third in the Pit Boss series of multi-game arcade machines, now including action games. It later received a version for touchscreen monitors (the first known arcade game to do so), known as "Pit Boss Supertouch 30".
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