Arcade development continues even during a quiet news period, with three games currently appearing in location tests. In industry terms, a location test is broadly comparable to a beta test, although some projects may still be closer to the alpha stage.
- Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot from Capcom and Bandai Namco
- NEW!! Pop’n Music from Konami
- Forklift Frenzy, apparently from Bay Tek Entertainment
Two of these discoveries were brought to light by Ted and Jdevy. Information remains limited, with two titles represented by only a single photograph. Manufacturers rarely discuss games during testing unless a release is close, and every detail can change before production. A tested game may even be cancelled, so firm conclusions should wait until a finished version appears.
Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot
The most substantial and recent discovery is a new arcade project based on Resident Evil 2, known as Biohazard in some markets. The series has appeared in arcades before through Gun Survivor 2 Biohazard Code: Veronica, another Capcom and Namco collaboration. That earlier gun game received a poor response for its awkward gameplay and appears to have been sold mainly in Asia and Europe, with only occasional imports reported in the United States.
It is not known whether Dead Shot is connected to that earlier release. The new game was seen on test in the United Kingdom, and the available cabinet photograph offers a few clues, though Bandai Namco has not provided official details.
The title and the visible words “head shot combo” suggest that accurate headshots are likely to be central to the scoring system. It seems unlikely to be a straightforward conversion of Resident Evil 2; a substantially reworked, on-rails interpretation of the 2019 remake is one possibility. Arcade light-gun games also commonly increase the pace and action compared with their console counterparts, but the actual structure remains unknown.
The machine uses an environmental cabinet: a large cockpit-style enclosure designed to accommodate two players. That raises the possibility of motion or virtual-reality features, although VR is less likely after Bandai Namco moved away from its VR Zone concept following COVID, including the well-regarded Mario Kart VR system.
If VR is involved, a format resembling Godzilla Kaiju Wars—with mounted weapons and a motion seat—would be plausible. However, the photograph appears more consistent with a traditional mounted-gun cabinet. The weapons could also be tethered, as seen in House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn and Luigi’s Mansion Arcade.
Capcom and Namco have worked together previously, but a United Kingdom test appearing before reports from Japan or the United States is notable. Capcom has also been an intermittent presence in the arcade business, returning for occasional projects rather than maintaining a constant output.
A Japanese arcade blog recently mentioned that they came across a new game on test. The location had no notice prohibiting filming, but the game was not identified out of respect for the venue’s decision. It is possible that this could be another test of the same project, although that has not been confirmed.
For readers interested in arcade hardware and cabinet formats, RETROCADE’s Arcade Machine Buying Guide provides useful background while more details emerge.
NEW!! Pop’n Music
Konami is also testing a new edition of Pop’n Music. That would be noteworthy on its own, but Konami’s interest in selling arcade games in North America makes this location test particularly significant for overseas players and operators.
The current test cabinet uses a 43″ 120Hz screen at present alongside a small touchscreen. Those specifications are not necessarily final, as display and control details can change during development.
Although the test is taking place in Japan, the cabinet carries English text. That is unusual for a game intended solely for the domestic market, and may hint at future export plans. The pictured screen still includes the standard legal wording stating that the game is not for sale outside Japan, so no international release has been confirmed.
Video for this one can be seen on Twitter/X, providing a better look at the test version.
For a compact setup inspired by arcade rhythm and music games, see RETROCADE’s range of bartop arcades.
Forklift Frenzy
Forklift Frenzy is the least documented of the three projects. Jdevy identified the test, but even the manufacturer attribution remains tentative. Bay Tek Entertainment is the leading possibility because the location reportedly fits one of the company’s preferred testing areas. If the test is in Wisconsin, Bay Tek would be a strong candidate, as no other known company is associated with this type of testing there.
The game appears to be a videmption title centred on forklift operation. The visible scene shows a warehouse, suggesting that players may need to pick up and place pallets on shelving. Unfortunately, a person is standing in front of the control panel in the photograph, so the control layout cannot be identified.
Bay Tek has produced test games that ultimately disappeared without a commercial release, so further information about this project should be treated cautiously. If Forklift Frenzy progresses, IAAPA 2025 would be a logical place for a wider presentation, although that is only a possibility.
These three location tests cover very different arcade concepts: a cinematic gun game, a rhythm title and a workplace-themed videmption experience. None is confirmed for full production, but each offers an interesting glimpse at what manufacturers are exploring. RETROCADE will follow any verified updates in the Arcade Blog.
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