The Painstation consists of a specially made case which gives two players the opportunity of playing a specially adapted and expanded variant of the classic video game, Pong, against each other. The electronic controls are connected by digital transducers to several components providing sensory feedback to players.
During the game, the players place their left hands on the PEU (Pain Execution Unit) which serves as a sensor and feedback instrument. Possible feedback effects are heat impulses, an electric shock and an integrated miniature wire whip. The feedback generated is dependent on the playing process and can increase in its intensity. The respective opponent can try to alter his or her playing style to purposely change the intensity of the feedback.
The following bonus items can be activated by hits in the current version of the software in 2006:
- Increase Ball Speed (3 levels)
- Double Pain Execution Time
- Quadruple Pain Execution Time
- Almost Unblockable Ricochet
- Cut Height of Bar By 50 %
- Deadly Row
- Electric Boogaloo
- Burn In Bright
- Death Penalty
- Cheese!
- Ease the Pain!
- Cluster Bomb