Rhythm Arcade Round-Up: Maimai DX Tests in Chicago and More

Arcade rhythm games lead this early-2025 news round-up, with Sega’s Maimai DX returning to the United States for another location test. Taito, Chunithm, StepManiaX and Bandai Namco also feature, followed by a selection of wider arcade, pinball and home-gaming headlines.

For more Australian arcade coverage, visit the RETROCADE arcade blog.

Maimai DX appears at a new Chicago-area test site

Sega Japan’s circular “washing machine” rhythm game, Maimai DX, has been spotted at Velocity eSports in Schaumburg, Illinois, several weeks after a pre-Christmas test. The venue is located at Woodfield Mall, which also houses a Dave & Buster’s in the former GameWorks site and Enterrium, the former Pac-Man Entertainment and Level 257 venue owned by Genda since 2021.

Velocity eSports opened shortly after Dave & Buster’s returned to the mall last year. Its owners also acquired two former GameWorks locations in Las Vegas and Kentucky, although the Schaumburg venue represents a different position within the mall. The Maimai DX trial appears to be the first arcade test held there.

The quieter venue may have been selected deliberately, but the test’s late discovery is notable. Players located the previous two United States tests within days, while this machine took several weeks to surface. Other established Illinois venues might have offered Sega a more visible trial location.

There is also a significant difference from the two Dallas tests: this Chicago-area version is running offline, with no ALL.Net connectivity or Aime card support. The venue’s smaller operation raises an open question about Sega’s plans. Could Maimai DX eventually receive a broader release, rather than being sold only to a small number of closely connected chains? There is no answer yet.

If the Chicago test eventually leads to wider distribution, operators and collectors can compare the implications with the considerations covered in RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide.

Bubble Bobble joins Music Diver

Taito has promoted a new Bubble Bobble medley added to the latest content update for Music Diver. The circular rhythm game remains exclusive to Round1 venues in the United States and Japan, limiting its reach but not preventing it from developing a dedicated following.

The promotional video gives Bub himself the chance to demonstrate the new music selection.

Street Fighter 6 music arrives in Chunithm

Capcom once operated its own arcade rhythm game, CrossXBeats, created with former Bemani producer Naoki. That project was comparatively short-lived, but Capcom music continues to appear in other rhythm titles.

The latest example is the Street Fighter 6 theme added to Chunithm, Sega’s other major arcade rhythm series alongside Maimai DX. The content is currently limited to Japan and Asia, apart from occasional unofficial imports. A future United States test remains possible, particularly if Sega continues evaluating Maimai DX overseas.

Mai Shiranui gameplay footage from Street Fighter 6 was also scheduled to appear the following day.

StepManiaX receives “Running in the 90s”

StepManiaX has a broader international presence than the location-limited rhythm games above. Its late-December Content Update #57 added Running in the 90s, best known in arcade circles for its association with Initial D.

Licensing complications involving Avex Trax reportedly meant that the game received a newer remix rather than the original recording. It is still a notable addition to the expanding StepManiaX song list.

A separate StepManiaX video posted to LinkedIn also shows a one-off redemption feature being added to the machine.

Bandai Namco files a mysterious PENdaBEATs trademark

Bandai Namco has already been preparing the western release of Taiko No Tatsujin, while The Idolm@ster Tours is scheduled for launch in Japan. A further possible rhythm project has now appeared in the company’s trademark activity under the name PENdaBEATs.

The logo has prompted speculation that the game could involve glowing “wotagei” pens or light sticks used by wota, the dedicated fans of Japanese idol singers and groups. A location test has not been announced, so its format, timing and availability remain unknown.

The trademark registration spotted by Ted is currently the main clue.

Looking back at the 2024 arcade year

A three-hour livestream revisited the major arcade and pinball developments of 2024. A separate video also collected the year’s game releases for viewers who missed the earlier coverage.

More arcade and pinball headlines

• DPVR, Raw Thrills and LAI Games reported another successful CES.
• Dungeons & Dragons Pinball made its CES 2025 debut, while additional artwork was shared.
• UNIS confirmed Bigfoot Smash for a March shipment. The game had previously appeared on the MOSS Distributing website.
• A special Insert Coin screening is scheduled for Chicago on 11 February, featuring game designer and artist Jack Haegar.
• Jersey Jack Pinball teased Harry Potter again, although there is still no official confirmation.
• An Asteroids Recharged arcade machine was unboxed in a new video.
• Chuck E. Cheese is continuing its comeback after bankruptcy.
• An unreleased and previously unknown Atari 2600 game was discovered on a backup tape from a coin-op division mainframe, showing how arcade employees sometimes experimented with home hardware.
• Densha de Go!! network services are due to end on 1 March, limiting the game’s playable content. Making previously online material available offline would preserve more of the experience.
• 501 Darts, sold by Sega Amusements, is reported to exceed 100,000 plays per week worldwide.
• Sega’s arcade version of Shinobi has been ported to SNK’s Neo Geo hardware.
• Konami is launching Monster Retsuden Oreca Battle 2 in Japan.
• GENDA is aiming to grow into a company larger than Disney, according to a Japanese report.
• A video interview featured Brooklyn Games and arcade owner Esteban.

Home-gaming and consumer hardware headlines

• My Arcade revealed new Sega tabletop arcade toys at CES 2025, including an OutRun mini arcade featuring OutRunners.
• A separate Namco and Capcom handheld was also announced for the GameStation Retro line.
• Sega showed proof-of-concept footage for a new Virtua Fighter.
• The House of the Dead 2 is receiving a remake.
• Nintendo is taking legal action over Switch 2 rumours, while Genki said it had not seen the hardware.
• A new Groove Coaster is coming to Nintendo Switch.
• Tokyo Xtreme Racer was scheduled for release on 23 January.

For readers considering a personal cabinet rather than a commercial rhythm machine, RETROCADE’s arcade machines, upright arcades and bartop arcades cover several home-friendly formats.

Which story stands out most: the Chicago Maimai DX test, the expanding rhythm-game song lists, or one of the latest pinball and amusement releases?