But none of these events seemed to affect the attendance of the event, which was brilliantly organised as usual and involved Electrocoin and neighbouring UDC in Park Avenue, north-west London.

Due to the weather, people crammed inside, fighting for space among the many machines on show. Kevin Weir from Electrocoin confirmed that the company had a record number of requests from would-be exhibitors this year. "I really didn't know how we were going to fit everyone in," he confessed.

Obviously, new stake and prize AWPs were the order of the day and most of the leading UK manufacturers were represented. It is too early to predict which of the new crop will turn out to be the market leaders, but video seemed to be prevalent.

On the amusement front, there was also a good selection. World Golf Systems had its X-Putt golf simulator under a shelter outside and was inviting guests to take part in a tournament. Stern Pinball and Incredible Technologies were represented inside with their latest developments, including NBA pinball in tournament mode.

For video, Electrocoin showed a strange pogo-inspired game called Hopping Road, which provides as much entertainment for those watching as those playing. In addition, Konami's Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution X took centre stage. CVA was showing GlobalVR's Blazing Angels and Need For Speed Carbon and Bulldog Bingo, an innovative video bingo machine for the single site sector developed in association with AB Products Ltd. Sega showed Sega's Pigs Might Fly, a fun new redemption piece, while Namco's showed its latest: Nirin - a new motorcycle game.

Game Concepts showed its latest pusher with disco ball top feature, called Strictly Disco.  And it was good to see the irrepressible Reinhard Schloh from Bally Wulff with his compact and colourful air hockey table Versus.

On the music front, Sound Leisure and Soundnet were present with their latest innovation Rock Box. This was the first outing for the "rock only" jukebox and Soundnet's James Luck told Euroslot. "This box has created more discussion than any jukebox we have ever produced before. Everyone seems to have a different idea about what constitutes rock music. One thing that is agreed, however, is that rock sites are among the most profitable."

Brent Sales will be exhibiting its most recent high profile release at next week's Park Avenue Open Day, Bandai Namco Games' Nirin - a linkable, big screen, street-racing motorbike videogame featuring a trail-blazing mix of ultra hi-res graphics and advanced interactive controls. Kennedy points out that this specimen, along with a representative key model from the company's expanding range of kiddie rides, reflects just the tip of a very large iceberg of the best performing products across every sector of fun retailing: "Whether it's video, redemption, novelty, prize merchandisers, skill and sports games or photo-imaging kiosks, we have in our portfolio the highest income generators available anywhere," he stated, "which puts Brent Sales in a unique position of being able to offer the most complete and complementary package of the best family amusements in the business."

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