Taito

Taito do Brasil was established in 1972 as a subsidiary of Japan’s Taito Corporation, setting up its headquarters in São Paulo to capitalize on Brazil’s expanding arcade and coin-operated amusement market. The subsidiary quickly became an influential force in the local industry, producing pinball machines for a consumer base eager for both imported innovation and regionally inspired game themes. By capitalizing on Brazil’s high import tariffs, Taito do Brasil offered domestically made machines at competitive prices, thereby strengthening its foothold in the national market.

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During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Taito do Brasil introduced a range of pinball titles that combined traditional mechanics with cultural flair. Early successes like “Oba Oba” (1978) and “Gemini 2000” (1979) showcased distinctive artwork and creative playfield designs, earning them considerable attention among collectors. Further releases, including “Shock” (1979), “Cavaleiro Negro” (1981), and “Fire Action” (1981), reinforced the company’s reputation for blending reliable gameplay with aesthetically engaging themes. This innovative approach, supplemented by localized re-themes of popular foreign titles, helped Taito do Brasil flourish during a period when access to imported games was restricted.

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Despite its early achievements, Taito do Brasil ceased producing pinball machines in the mid-1980s amid changing economic conditions and evolving player preferences. Shifts in Brazil’s import regulations and increased global competition made the company’s domestic advantage less tenable, leading to its eventual closure. Although it no longer operates, Taito do Brasil remains a significant chapter in Latin American pinball history, commemorated for introducing a generation of Brazilian players to distinctive, home-grown pinball experiences.