New styles are expected to strengthen interest among gamers and collectors of all ages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GARDENA, CA--January 10, 2019-- When Andamiro transformed the animated sea creature that first appeared on the popular Nickelodeon television series into a coin pusher and card device, it created one of the most successful arcade games of all time. Now, after more than three years on the market, SpongeBob Pineapple Arcade is about to get even better with a new set of collectible cards -- a key part of the game's success.

Series No. 2 includes the same characters from the "SpongeBob SquarePants" TV show featured in the first card set; cards in both sets also have the same ticket values for prize redemption operations. What's new are the character poses and color themes on the front, and the amusing "biographical" snippets on the back.

There are nine cards in each SpongeBob Pineapple Arcade collectible series. In the new set, Gary the Snail retains his top rank as the rare card, which offers the highest ticket value, boasting a new "sluggish" postured. Rounding out the featured characters, now in fresh poses, are SpongeBob SquarePants, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward Tentacles, Patrick Star, Eugene H. Krabs, Sheldon J. Plankton, Larry the Lobster and Pearl Krabs. Entertaining images of Nickelodeon's characters adorn the front of the cards, while fun facts about these characters – “Life Goals” and “Most Likely To” – are printed on the backs.

Introduced in spring 2015, SpongeBob Pineapple Arcade is a tokens-and-cards pusher device in which the player rolls tokens down the playfield into moving pineapple targets. The pineapples (which resemble SpongeBob's famous sea-pineapple domicile) drop tokens, cards and bonus tokens onto the playfield. The cards are distributed around the playfield; the player attempts to knock these cards off a support tray. A player can trade cards for tickets, or hold them until all nine have been collected, a feat rewarded with a super bonus.

Andamiro's is one of the most successful pusher/card games ever, with millions of SpongeBob cards sold to keep games well stocked. "When releasing a new game you always hope for the best, and SpongeBob has been a very successful coin-op license, so I thought we had a good shot," recalled Andamiro USA sales president Drew Maniscalco. "We're so pleased it's become such a BIG hit!"

What's made SpongeBob Pineapple Arcade so successful, according to Maniscalco, is its rapid-fire action and collectors' appeal. "Gameplay is quick and players love collecting the cards, especially when they see them dangling over the edge," he said. "These aspects have made the game popular among all age groups."

Operators like it because it's the most competitively priced pusher/card game of its kind. "Pineapple Arcade has great value for operators," the Andamiro USA sales president added. "It is at entry-level pricing and offers swift ROI. It's a must-have for all new locations."

 

 

SpongeBob Pineapple Arcade and its cards are licensed through an agreement with Viacom's Nickelodeon network. The deal has enabled Andamiro to design, produce and market four Nickelodeon titles so far, three of which are SpongeBob-themed.

Andamiro USA will begin shipping the new SpongeBob card series in January 2019 when they'll be available through authorized distributors. They come in 150-ct. boxes. Series Nos. 1 and 2 can commingle in games and redemption operations. The original series, however, will only be available while supplies last, so operators are encouraged to advise customers to purchase remaining stocks from distributors before they're gone for good.

Click here to see answers to SpongeBob card FAQs.

ABOUT US: Based in Gardena, CA, Andamiro USA Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Andamiro Co. Ltd., a Korean arcade game manufacturer founded in 1992. Andamiro designs and produces ticket redemption amusements, prize merchandisers and sports games. Since 1999, it has published and manufactured the world-famous Pump It Up rhythm and dance videogames.