The final day of EVO Japan 2025 brought together arcade announcements, competitive gaming activity and a wide range of community-led side events. exA-Arcadia again supplied most of the new arcade game reveals, but Bandai Namco, Sega, Taito and several smaller exhibitors also had plenty to show.
This round-up focuses on the arcade-related activity, from Gundam Extreme VS 2 Infinite Boost and The Martial Masters to classic fighters and specialist arcade hardware. For more industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE arcade blog.
Bandai Namco: EXVS 2 Infinite Boost
Bandai Namco returned to the show with a full public presentation of Gundam Extreme VS 2 Infinite Boost. The game had previously been revealed and location tested in Japan under strict secrecy, including what appeared to be a photography ban.
The new edition features additional Gundam content, refreshed key artwork and music, plus a remapping of its pad controls. It also received its very own demo booth.
Bandai Namco’s arcade presence remains heavily centred on the EXVS series, which continues to be a major earner for Japanese arcades. The company also used the event to mark the 15th anniversary of the series with an “Extreme Encore” celebration for the current EXVS 2 OverBoost edition.
A Western release for Infinite Boost is still unconfirmed, although the possibility seems less remote than before. Japanese arcade titles such as Taiko no Tatsujin have reached overseas markets, while four EXVS cabinets even exclusively appearing at the Bandai Namco Cross Store in New York City…
Tekken 8 also featured prominently through competition, following last year’s unusual arcade-style installation running the Steam version on Grigio cabinets at selected Namco venues. Knee taking home the win in its grand finals.
Sega and the return of Virtua Fighter
Sega’s EVO Japan presence was dominated by Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., the latest Steam version of its long-running arcade fighting series. There were no APM3 arcade setups at the event, even though that platform has received some new games recently.
The biggest news was the trailer and Virtua Fighter Direct stream for the “New Virtua Fighter Project”. Sega described it as the next evolution of the franchise, currently being developed for home platforms. It is not being presented as Virtua Fighter 6, but it does represent a fresh starting point for the series.
The project’s name leaves open the possibility that a future numbered entry could return Virtua Fighter to its arcade roots, although neither that nor a Western release has been confirmed. Sega also offered this fun photo opportunity area for visitors.
Taito supports the scene through its teams
Taito did not appear to have a dedicated show-floor booth this year, unlike its Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade display at EVO Japan 2024. The company was still represented by its esports teams, Arcader and Tradz.
Arcader held a practice stream for Street Fighter 6, while the Tradz’s two SF6 players attended too. Their logo also included a neat Space Invaders reference.
Taito previously ran Toushinsai, a tournament initiative created to support competitive arcade gaming after the decline of the Tougeki championships. Its events covered fighting games as well as racing, puzzle and rhythm titles, but the series has been quiet since its last edition in 2021.
The Martial Masters returns
One of exA-Arcadia’s final announcements was a new collaboration with IGS: a revival of The Martial Masters. The Hong Kong cinema-inspired fighter originally launched in 1999 and was released in the West by Andamiro.
The game is now returning to arcades through exA-Arcadia. Its reveal appeared in this stream, although it was specifically noted that a larger final announcement would receive separate coverage.
Hardware, grassroots tournaments and classic fighters
EVO Japan continues to leave room for smaller exhibitors and community organisers, even as the event becomes more corporate. For players who build or maintain their own machines, arcade parts and controls remain an important part of the wider fighting-game ecosystem.
Sanwa Denshi, a leading name in arcade joysticks and buttons, operated a small booth displaying its product range.
The show also hosted side events for less prominent arcade fighters, with many of the tournaments being played on arcade cabinets. One officially recognised event supported Yatagarasu Enter The Eastward, an obscure fighter released on NESiCAxLive in 2024.
Sega’s Fighting Vipers received another unofficial fan-run side event. As with the previous year, the tournament used the game’s ports inside the Yakuza spin-off Judgment. The event also attracted a cosplayer portraying Honey, one of the game’s best-known characters.
Another community activity celebrated The Rumble Fish 2. Check out this cute artwork made for The Rumble Fish 2’s side event. Fans also had reason to celebrate the Nexus version revealed at the event.
That wraps up our EVO Japan 2025 coverage. The event demonstrated that arcade gaming remains central to fighting-game culture, from major Japanese operators and hardware makers to specialist tournaments for overlooked classics.
For readers considering their own setup, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide is a useful starting point, while upright arcades and compact bartop cabinets suit different Australian spaces.
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