Two new video redemption games have appeared in location testing as the arcade trade-show season approaches: Konami’s Super Punch Mania and Sega Amusements’ Putt It! Par-Tee. Both use distinctive physical controls to separate themselves from conventional redemption machines, while drawing on familiar arcade formats.
Important: Both games are prototypes seen during beta testing. Their final production versions may differ substantially, and either title could be cancelled if testing does not meet expectations. The details below should therefore be treated as preliminary.
Super Punch Mania
Konami’s larger machine is the latest in the company’s growing range of video redemption releases, following its Contra and DanceDanceRevolution-related videmption projects. This time, Konami is revisiting the physical boxing concept associated with Fighting / Punching Mania.
The new Super Punch Mania applies that punching-game idea to redemption play. Boxing titles have continued to perform well in many venues, making the return of this format a logical move for Konami.
The game has been seen on trial in Japan, although that is an unusual setting for a video redemption title because Japanese laws restrict ticket redemption. There may also have been testing in the United States that has not yet been publicly identified.
Early footage suggests gameplay broadly follows Konami’s earlier punching releases. The cabinet is notably different, using two connected player stations rather than the single-player enclosure commonly associated with older punching games. A two-player mode has not been confirmed, but the twin layout makes that possibility appear likely.
The presentation may also recall Fist of the North Star, and reports indicate that music from the earlier themed games is used. However, Super Punch Mania does not appear to carry the Fist of the North Star licence. That may disappoint fans, particularly as licensed branding could have helped it compete with Bandai Namco’s newer One Piece puncher. Whether the licence could be added later is unknown.
Putt It! Par-Tee
Sega Amusements is exploring another golf-based attraction with Putt It! Par-Tee, following 501 Fun’s interactive mini-golf release. The title has recently been tested in the United Kingdom and appears to combine putting with a skee-ball-style target challenge and video displays.
Available information is limited to the early cabinet view, so the exact role of the two screens is not yet clear beyond the visible scoring numbers. The upper dot-matrix marquee refers to a lobby, while the twin-player cabinet and P1/P2 graphics point to a competitive two-player format.
The machine also seems to feature a selection of original cartoon characters. Since performance should depend primarily on each player’s putting ability, the characters may be visual choices rather than competitors with different gameplay powers. Even so, they add personality to the presentation.
Could they appear at IAAPA 2025?
If it passes testing, Putt It! Par-Tee seems a plausible candidate for exhibition at IAAPA 2025. Konami’s presence is less certain: the company was not listed as an exhibitor at the time of reporting, although that could change, and Konami representatives were present at the previous year’s show.
Konami has also been making behind-the-scenes moves towards a stronger North American presence and has reportedly been speaking with distributors. No partnerships are confirmed, but IAAPA may clarify the company’s near-term direction. Its games could potentially appear on another exhibitor’s stand, as Raw Thrills commonly presents titles through Betson, and any such appearance would not necessarily be limited to Super Punch Mania.
For more arcade industry updates, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. Readers considering venue equipment can also browse the arcade machines range, compare cabinet formats through the upright arcade guide, or review practical advice in the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.
These two prototypes take very different approaches to video redemption: one turns punching into a larger competitive attraction, while the other blends miniature golf with target-based arcade play.
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