IMO, If you're simply talking
production numbers, you need to consider
the following:
Although there are only 650
Diamond Jack Units produced, you'll
find in the books most AAB Games had
production runs of 500-650 units.
Therefore the Diamond Jack Model was
an average size run and is not rare.
The 500-650 unit AAB production
run in the supply-demand concept seems
to be about right in keeping the value
of the AAB Games verses it's much more
plentiful replay sisters in unison.
The above explains only the
production numbers. However, there is
a BIG difference in the actual game
play, (as explained above), and I'm
sure is why KoD is valued somewhat
higher. It's my opinion that Diamond
Jack is simply a modified version of
the original replay design, (KoD), to
satisfy the AAB Market, (and save on
research and development). I know Gtb.
did this often in the '60's and '70's
and when they did, at times one or the
other turned out to be much less
appealing.
IMO, both of these games are
good ones, but in having played both,
KoD is "Hands Down," and has a tremendous
following among '60's fans due to a
sequence-completed special mode sounding
like Parris Island Target Practice if
you're, "In a Zone." Great Direct
Special Shots that don't use the score
motor to increment, meaning, a shot up
to the King or Queen pop bumper to
bounce back and forth off it's own
target might reel you off 7-8 replays in
about 3 seconds, or, a shot at the "J"
in the #2 carousel position when lit for
special will likely ricochet over and
also hit the "J" target for 2 games in
less than 1 second. It'll crack you up!
A good game on this one has you shaking
your head all the way up to the very
end.