Day two of AAA 2025 focused on two of China’s most active arcade manufacturers: UNIS and Ace Amusement. Both companies are increasingly designing and distributing games with Western markets in mind, making their new releases relevant to operators and arcade fans in Australia and beyond.
This report covers the games displayed at the expo, including titles affected by photography restrictions. Some machines could not be photographed in full, so only their logos or catalogue images are represented where appropriate. For more arcade industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.
UNIS
UNIS remains one of the largest arcade companies in China. Its strategy differs from the Japan-influenced partnerships seen elsewhere in the market, with a stronger emphasis on Western brands and design sensibilities. The company works closely with Raw Thrills and the Emoji brand, while also having experience with Japanese partners, including Bandai Namco’s China-exclusive One Piece children’s card game.
UNIS presented a large, colourful booth at AAA 2025, supported by live performers. Its Western-facing approach was also visible in several of the original games on display, alongside licensed projects such as Neon Rush.
Amazing Universe
Amazing Universe first appeared at the GTI Asia China Expo the previous year. This original card-based game takes inspiration from the dungeon-crawling format associated with Minecraft Dungeons, but uses chibi anime-style characters and restricts movement to four directions.
The game is based on an Asian property rather than one of UNIS’s better-known Western-facing licences. That may make an overseas release less likely, although an international launch would still be an interesting possibility.
Picture Book Land
Picture Book Land is UNIS’s other apparent answer to the Minecraft Dungeons style of arcade game. It was shown at AAA the year before and later returned at GTI Asia China with a licensed Armor Hero theme, based on the Chinese tokusatsu property.
The presentation is aimed more directly at children, with a bright cartoon style comparable to Castle Crashers. A more internationally familiar theme, potentially involving Emoji characters, could improve its prospects in Western venues.
Dragon Rider
UNIS also displayed two racing projects whose full photography remained restricted. Both appear to build on the company’s Monster Kart concept, but replace conventional karts with different ride-on vehicles.
Dragon Rider places players on dragon-like creatures—some resembling dinosaurs—and sends them around racing circuits. The physical models appear detailed, while the visual direction has some similarities to AVATAR. A complete view of the cabinet and ride system will have to wait until the restrictions are lifted.
Super Flyboard
Super Flyboard draws on the classic Journey to the West story, widely known in the West through adaptations such as Monkey. Players stand on a fixed platform and use small motorcycle-style handlebars to control flying characters on screen.
The cabinet shares some visual traits with Monster Kart, and several characters appear related to that game’s designs. Whether it is intended as a direct follow-up or simply part of the same design family is not yet clear.
Top Gun Maverick
UNIS will distribute Raw Thrills’ Top Gun Maverick in China, continuing a relationship that has already included Fast & Furious Arcade. The companies have also worked on China-only motion versions of Cruis’n Blast and Super Bikes 3.
For operators comparing dedicated driving attractions with home setups, RETROCADE’s racing arcade range provides useful context on the broader category.
Ace Amusement
Ace Amusement was the fourth major company covered at AAA 2025, following Wahlap, Bandai Namco Asia and UNIS. The manufacturer has expanded its product range rapidly, and the available observations from the expo suggest that this growth has not necessarily reduced cabinet quality.
Many Ace titles are original in the licensing sense but follow familiar arcade formulas. The company’s games and cabinets often target children, with accessible themes and bright presentation. Photography restrictions covered much of the new range, although a product catalogue and several short videos provided additional information.
Jet Ski Racer
Jet Ski Racer was one of the Ace games not covered by a photography ban. It follows the company’s recent Wave Riders X-Treme, but changes the format by placing players on sit-on jet skis. The result is closer in concept to Sega’s Wave Runner than Namco’s Aqua Jet.
Ace’s Catalogue
Ace’s catalogue shows a broad selection of family-oriented attractions and familiar arcade formats. Earlier exceptions to the company’s derivative tendencies include Air Strike and Super Drill. Crossbow Fishing also appears to offer a more distinctive concept.
Wild Hunting and Dragon Kingdom take clear inspiration from established hunting and fantasy shooting games. Racing Xtreme appears to follow the modern arcade driving format associated with Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade, while Bikers Madness, first seen the previous year, continues the company’s interest in two-screen machines.
Dragon Kingdom may distinguish itself from competing hunting attractions by using two vertically mounted monitors rather than a large LED display. Its eventual appeal could depend on features such as initials entry for leaderboards and the ability to continue play without immediately adding another credit, although those details remain unconfirmed.
Wild Hunting is notable because dedicated hunting games have rarely challenged Big Buck Hunter in recent years. Sega’s Extreme Hunting 2 was one of the more prominent earlier attempts. Ace is preparing a four-player cabinet, a configuration that could become the game’s point of difference, though its success will depend on execution and operator response.
Other AAA 2025 Attractions
Virtual reality remains part of the AAA landscape despite a smaller presence than in previous years, with VR Starspace occupying a sizeable booth. DOF Robotics also attended with Angry Birds Fury Road.
Another curiosity was an indoor play-equipment piece resembling Sega Pinball’s former Udderly Tickets redemption game. These attractions will be covered alongside other exhibitors in the concluding AAA 2025 report.
For readers considering a dedicated machine rather than a commercial attraction, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide explains the key choices involved. Compact spaces may also suit bartop arcades, while larger game rooms can explore the wider arcade machine collection.
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