They are prize cards by Banpresto, but I don’t think that’s their name, there were other prize cards by Banpresto.
For example, in 2007 the arcade machines were allegedly being restocked with these ( I don’t know how many exist):
The originals were said to be released around 2000.
PSA has graded a single copy of the Class A License (special card). I didn’t redact the information, but it was easy enough to find.
There’s an interesting little blog entry about the arcade game, written in 2014.
“Pikachu’s Big Surfing Adventure - Riding on Lapras” by Banpresto, circa 2000
This is a Pokemon amusement arcade machine that likely appeared around 2000. It’s essentially a modified driving game where you progress through the course riding on a Lapras. Given the timing, it probably includes Gold and Silver Pokemon, but you can feel the influence of the Orange Islands arc. On the front, Pikachu is flanked by the second-generation starters Chikorita and Cyndaquil, but oddly enough, despite the “surfing adventure” title, the water Pokemon Totodile is missing, which is quite amusing ^q^
This time, the location is a game corner called “Sun Marche” in Sun Street Kameido. Just looking at it, you can see many machines that feel left behind by time, which is exciting! (?) While there are plenty of Yo-kai Watch related prizes in the UFO catchers, there are only a few medal games. They seem like they’d get boring quickly.
Oh, on the right is “Medal Panic Series: Shuffle Gakuen,” which seems quite rare. Recently, a manga of the same name started in Monthly Shonen Champion, but it’s probably unrelated ( ´∀｀) Due to long-term deterioration from being left outside, the explanation is hard to read, but essentially it’s a card game, or more specifically, a concentration game. The story is about finding the culprit who stole children’s cards within the school.
Now for the main topic, Sammy’s product “Pikachu’s Big Surfing Adventure.” It’s a game where you control Pikachu riding on Lapras to collect Poke Balls. By the way, if you collect 30 points or more, you can get a special card. I kind of want one. You turn the handle in front to control Lapras and pick up Monster Balls. If you hit a Voltorb or crash into the shore outside the course, you lose time. It really is a driving game! I think it’s a great idea to do this with Pokemon.
Since we’re here, I decided to try playing it. It starts with a 100 yen coin! Inside the handle are Monster Balls that rattle when you turn it. The surface is also embossed in the shape of Pikachu, making it quite cute ^^ The figures inside are also well-made, they look like soft vinyl but I’m not sure. The course uses a winding mechanism, and various Pokemon appear one after another, making it surprisingly fun. Whether you can leisurely observe all this while playing depends on the player’s skill (｀・ω・´)
I challenged it and got 43 points. The judgment is quite strict and difficult ( ﾟдﾟ) Since it’s over 30 points, I can get a card, but for an even higher score, probably over 50 points, you can get an “A-class License Certificate Card.” They’re quite particular about it. But unfortunately, this machine had run out of Pokemon cards! Well, that’s to be expected… it can’t be helped… it’s a machine from over 10 years ago. Instead, I got a Doraemon card, but oddly enough, the sample displayed was from Yu-Gi-Oh. Looking closely, it was “Dark Sea Rescue,” I see, they’re playing on words with “Dozaemon” (eh)
I think there used to be one at Funabashi LaLaport too, but I wonder if it’s gone now? Although we don’t see them as much recently, there were quite a variety of Pokemon amusement machines released. If I find any more surviving ones somewhere, I’d like to introduce them!
I’ve seen one release from that line, but it seemed much earlier than these were released. That’s a good mention though.
