Pinball Manufacturers: Taito

Taito was founded in 1953 in Tokyo, Japan, by Michael Kogan, a Russian-Jewish entrepreneur. Initially, the company focused on importing and distributing vending machines, jukeboxes, and other amusement devices before transitioning into manufacturing its own electro-mechanical arcade games. As the Japanese arcade industry grew, Taito became a major player, pioneering innovations in the gaming market. By the 1970s, the company had firmly established itself in video gaming with the release of Space Invaders (1978), one of the most influential arcade games of all time. This success solidified Taito as a global force in entertainment, contributing significantly to the rise of arcade culture.

In addition to video games, Taito also entered the pinball market, particularly in the late 1970s and early 1980s, producing machines primarily for the South American market, especially Brazil. These pinball machines were often inspired by or direct clones of popular American titles from manufacturers like Bally and Williams, sometimes featuring similar artwork and playfield designs. While Taito’s pinball business never reached the heights of its video game division, it remains a notable chapter in the company’s diverse history. In 2005, Taito was acquired by Square Enix but continues to operate as a significant brand in arcade and gaming, preserving its legacy as one of Japan’s most important amusement companies.