Gionbana (Japan 890207, medal)

Echoing Flower, released in Japan in 1989 by Nichibutsu, is a unique tabletop arcade game for two players that blends traditional Japanese card games with an unusual theme. Players utilize a specialized hanafuda keyboard to match cards and compete against one another. The gameplay centers around the Hanafuda card format, requiring strategic thinking and quick reflexes as you attempt to outmaneuver your opponent. The visual presentation features vibrant graphics rendered at a resolution of 512x240 pixels with a palette of 256 colors, accompanied by sound generated from a YM3812 chip and DAC. A distinctive element of Gionbana is its thematic content; losing players face an increasingly revealing consequence as the game progresses. The title draws inspiration from Gion, Kyoto’s famed entertainment district, offering a glimpse into a specific aspect of Japanese culture. This unusual pairing of gameplay mechanics and subject matter resulted in a Super Famicom port released in 1994. Gionbana is controlled via the hanafuda keyboard and runs on a Zilog Z80 processor at 5 Mhz, delivering an experience unlike any other arcade title.