Asteroids Recharged has moved from trade-show showcase to commercial arcade release, with Alan-1 shipping its Pro and Deluxe cabinets after the game won the Best New Product award in the Games & Devices category at IAAPA 2024. The Utah-based manufacturer first presented the arcade version at Amusement Expo 2024, and shipping began shortly before the IAAPA event.
For Australian operators comparing new arcade machines, the release offers a modern take on a familiar space-shooter format, with connected competition features and dedicated cabinet effects.
Two Asteroids Recharged cabinet formats
The Pro is a two-player model intended mainly for arcade bars and retro arcades. The Deluxe is a three-player cabinet aimed at family entertainment centres, as well as smaller venues with enough room for a larger attraction. Both versions were shown at IAAPA 2024, with Pro cabinets more commonly seen initially while Deluxe units were also available.
This arcade edition substantially reworks the Asteroids Recharged console game released in 2021. It uses a decorated upright cabinet and adds features designed for longer sessions, repeat visits and competitive play:
- Selectable difficulty settings.
- Up to 255 waves, leading to a defined game ending.
- Revised UFO behaviour.
- Adjusted power-up effects.
- New voice work and sound effects.
- Updated graphics.
- Physical cabinet effects, including air movement across the player’s hands when thrust is activated.
- Two types of rumble motor.
- A pinball-style knocker that activates on events such as player death or an extra life.
- MLeS mobile app integration, including achievements, online leaderboards, score-beaten alerts and support for local and nationwide tournaments.
These connected features give operators more ways to encourage return visits. Players can sign in using a mobile device, earn league points from their scores and receive an alert when another player overtakes them. Tournament notifications can also direct players back to the venue.
Secrets, bonuses and comic-book extras
The game includes hidden bonuses. A sequence of button presses entered at the first login screen, after the initial start input but before reaching the difficulty portals, can unlock secrets such as an alternate ship appearance or different music. A future update was expected to add another example of this feature.
The wider project also includes a comic book available through the Alan-1 Comic Book App for iOS and Android. Alan-1 was working on a second Asteroids comic planned for release in early 2025.
IAAPA Brass Ring recognition
At the 2024 IAAPA trade show in Orlando, Florida, the cabinet received first place in the Games & Devices category. The award was presented on Tuesday, November 20, 2024, recognising the company’s first arcade release in a competitive new-product field. The award highlighted the cabinet’s trade-show performance and its player-notification system.
The Brass Ring Awards trace their name to the brass rings once sought by carousel riders as special prizes. Today, the awards recognise notable products and exhibits across the attractions industry.
The integrated MLeS system is free to players. Its annual league season runs from January 1 through December 31, with the eight players earning the highest league-point totals worldwide invited to the annual Major League World Championships at the Alan-1 headquarters arcade each January.
Alan-1 chief executive James Anderson said the company designed the system to bring eSports-style competition to arcade venues and give adults and teenagers a more engaging alternative to standard casual driving and target games. Atari president Ethan Zoubek said the award reflected both the lasting importance of Asteroids and the modern additions made by the development team.
Availability and future Atari Recharged titles
Asteroids Recharged Arcade is available through Alan-1’s recommended distributors and online retailers. The company has also released a media kit with product information and assets. Atari is selling the cabinets through its own website, while distributors listed for the product include ArcadeGamesShop, AVS Companies, Central Distributing, Moss Distributing, Pioneer Sales & Service, Player One Amusement Group, PrimeTime Amusements and Shaffer Distributing.
Distributors and online retailers interested in carrying Alan-1 products can contact the company through its dealer and reseller enquiry page or by calling 1-844-44-ALAN1 (1-844-442-5261).
Alan-1 manufactures its cabinets at a privately owned facility in Utah’s Silicon Slopes. The company is headquartered in the United States, with offices in Sunnyvale, California, and Tooele and American Fork, Utah. Its work with Atari is intended to continue beyond this release, with further Atari Recharged arcade adaptations planned, although the next title had not been announced.
For more arcade news and industry updates, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. Operators planning a new installation can also compare upright arcade cabinets and review the arcade machine buying guide.
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