Konami’s new Contra Burst video redemption game is beginning a gradual rollout across Round1USA venues in the United States. The title first appeared during a quiet location test at the company’s flagship Puente Hills Mall venue late last year, before being spotted at another nearby site in May 2025.
The initial test attracted attention through setup and operating photographs, but no further details or additional tests were publicly reported until a recent sighting confirmed that more locations were receiving the machine.
For broader arcade coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.
What is Contra Burst?
Contra Burst brings Konami’s run-and-gun franchise back to the arcade in a format that differs from the traditional action games. It is a video redemption, or “videmption”, game for up to four players, with participants using mounted guns to fight through four stages and earn tickets.
Rather than being a completely new cabinet, the machine is a conversion of the Bomberman Arcade cabinets previously supplied to Round1USA. The conversion substantially changes the cabinet’s proportions, producing a taller design with dedicated gun stations.
Gameplay and presentation
The main action is shown on a large upper display. Compared with the earlier test version, the screen appears to have grown, while some of the cabinet artwork has also been revised. A smaller screen underneath provides stage-map details, instructions and other gameplay information.
The core experience has been compared with Nerf Arcade, although Contra Burst introduces perspective changes that alter the flow of play. Footage also shows familiar Contra bosses appearing during a final bonus stage. Which boss appears depends on the player’s score, and the original characters remain part of the presentation.
The game includes a leaderboard and high-score ranking system. That is a notable feature for a modern video redemption release, as some comparable games omit persistent score competition. The ranking system adds a traditional arcade incentive, even though the ticket-based format may leave some players wishing for a straightforward, non-redemption version.
A conversion with a wider Konami connection
Contra Burst follows Konami’s recent use of established game properties in arcade attractions developed for Round1USA. The company previously rethemed its Marble Carnival pushers as Castlevania: Marble of Souls. Other property-based pushers include Momotaro Dentetsu, released at Round1USA as Gold Railroad, and Power Pros, which is arriving with its original theme.
Those attractions include video elements but are primarily pusher machines. Contra Burst is more unusual because it represents Konami’s return to a light-gun shooter format after 2014’s Silent Scope Bone Eater.
No e-Amusement network requirement
One of the most significant details is that Contra Burst does not use Konami’s e-Amusement network functionality. Network fees have often been a major obstacle when newer Konami arcade games are considered for releases beyond Japan, wider Asia and Round1USA locations.
The offline design could make the game easier to distribute elsewhere, although there is no confirmation that a broader Western release will happen. Konami has not widely distributed its newer arcade titles across the West for some time, aside from offline versions of Dance Dance Revolution released in Europe through Electrocoin.
For anyone comparing this cabinet with home setups, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide explains the main differences between commercial cabinets and home arcade machines.
Round1USA rollout status
At the time of writing, Round1USA had not formally announced the rollout of Contra Burst. The company was also receiving new Gitadora Arena Model cabinets from Konami and appeared to be waiting until more venues had completed installation before making an official announcement.
That rollout pattern suggests the game may remain limited to Round1USA for some time, even if it is not permanently exclusive to the chain. A non-redemption edition would broaden its appeal, but Konami has not announced one. For now, Contra Burst is an intriguing new use of the Contra licence and a notable addition to the modern light-gun arcade category.
Explore more commercial and home-ready options in RETROCADE’s arcade machines collection.
Leave a Reply