Japan’s Amusement Expo returns in a two-day format, with one trade-focused day followed by a public day. The event continues the November replacement for JAEPO, the major Japanese arcade trade show that ran each February from 2013 until its final edition.
Last year’s inaugural Amusement Expo was held for a single day shortly after IAAPA, which limited attendance despite strong representation from Japan’s leading amusement companies. This year’s show is scheduled immediately before IAAPA, although the proximity still creates logistical challenges. The expanded format is intended to attract both industry visitors and the general public.
Much of the Japanese arcade sector’s activity is publicly previewed, so a substantial amount is already known about the major booths. Here is a guide to the confirmed games, attractions and hardware expected at the 2024 event.
Bandai Namco Amusement
Bandai Namco Amusement is expected to be one of the show’s biggest presences. Its booth will feature the forthcoming Idolm@ster Tours, the Japanese arcade edition of Taiko No Tatsujin, and the release version of GoldStorm Pirates, which has already appeared at selected Namco locations in Japan.
The company will also bring back Bike Dash Delivery. The title was tested in Japan and the United States earlier in the year, but its return at the expo leaves its longer-term release prospects uncertain.
There has been speculation about a major announcement involving a well-known racing series. Recent intellectual-property filings also point to possible future hardware, including one for an unknown motion driver cabinet. Neither development has been confirmed as an expo announcement.
Capcom
Capcom’s arcade presence remains unusual. The company closed its United States arcade division in 2001, while continuing to operate amusement locations in Japan. Major releases such as Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade are often handled by other operators, including Taito.
For this expo, Capcom is replacing the Street Fighter VR project shown previously with Onimusha VR Shadow Team. It marks the first arcade appearance for the Onimusha hack-and-slash series, which has traditionally been associated with home consoles. It is not yet clear whether the game will be exclusive to Capcom’s own venues.
Street Fighter will still feature prominently through an eSports Club covering the series and other games, alongside capsule-toy and prize displays. Taito will also have Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade on its booth.
exA-Arcadia
exA-Arcadia is preparing for a demanding schedule, appearing at this event before travelling to IAAPA the following week. Its recent exALive presentation introduced several projects and provided further details on games already announced, including Jitsu Squad Feat. Samurai Pizza Cats and Batsugun Exa Label, which is also receiving a 1.5 edition.
The platform will add support for a 2 1/4-inch trackball. Announced games include Wild Guns Rawhide from NatsumeAtari, Demon Front Exa Label from IGS and Earthion Exa Label from Ancient. These reinterpret Wild Guns Reloaded, the 2002 Metal Slug-style game Demon Front, and Yuzo Koshiro’s new independent Mega Drive shooter, respectively.
Two original projects are also in the line-up: Cyberblocker R from kt. software and Bunny Bomber Blast! from Hiulit’s Game Studio. More new reveals are expected during the expo.
Konami
The headline attraction on Konami’s booth will be the new “Arena” cabinets for Gitadora, the guitar-and-drum branch of the BEMANI series. The machines have appeared in several Japanese location tests since September.
Konami plans a stage presentation featuring players from major BEMANI Pro League teams, as well as a dedicated photo area. The booth will also include the sequel to the children’s trading-card game Monster Retsuden Oreca Battle and the Japanese release of Minecraft Dungeons Arcade.
The Japanese launch of Minecraft Dungeons Arcade will be worth watching, particularly given Konami’s relationship with Raw Thrills. It remains unknown whether that partnership could lead to a broader overseas release for titles such as Contra Burst, which has been associated with Round1USA.
Sega
Japan’s Sega continues to operate in the amusement sector, although its focus is narrower than in previous decades. Medal games, redemption-style products and UFO Catcher machines will dominate the booth, with several other attractions providing additional interest.
Sega will stage what appears to be one of its first team-based competitive tournaments for Initial D The Arcade. The event will receive a prominent stage presentation.
Other highlights include a card-dispensing interactive children’s ride based on Paw Patrol, which was recently spotted on test. Sega will also present an “Sega Arcade History” area featuring the company’s first major release, the SEGA-1000 jukebox, plus the photo booths that became hugely successful in Japan during the 1990s. New versions of those photo booths are still being produced.
Whether Sega has another surprise comparable to last year’s Virtua Fighter 3tb Online announcement remains unknown.
Taito
Taito continues to operate Taito Station venues and other location-based entertainment concepts, even though its traditional video-game output has slowed under Square Enix. Its expo presentation reflects that broader business, combining games with interactive attractions and prize products.
The booth will feature the children’s doodling attraction Rakugakids and Space Invaders Strike, a new experience that combines the classic property with baseball and an immersive reality room.
Taito will also host a special programme around Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade, alongside a substantial prize-business display. Bub from Bubble Bobble is also scheduled to appear at the booth.
Other exhibitors and events
Several smaller exhibitors will add variety to the show. GiGO are going to make their return to the show floor with some actual original machines this time, after making a limited appearance last year. Chinese crane and prize specialist Dreamfuns is also expected to attract attention after establishing its first full base in Japan.
Side events form an important part of the revised expo. The largest is the Amusement Music Festival, a second-day public event bringing together Konami, Sega, Bandai Namco and Taito, along with artists responsible for music in their rhythm games.
International fans have faced ticketing difficulties, and the ticket arrangements have caused controversy among overseas visitors.
Why the expo matters
For Australian arcade fans, the event offers a useful snapshot of where Japanese amusement is heading: rhythm-game competition, motion cabinets, location-based attractions, prize machines and renewed interest in specialised arcade hardware.
It also highlights the difference between Japanese and Western arcade markets. Alongside traditional coin-op games, the show places considerable emphasis on music festivals, children’s attractions, card systems, photo booths and venue-based experiences. Readers interested in bringing arcade entertainment home can explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse racing arcades or compare upright arcade cabinets.
Which of these Japan Amusement Expo announcements interests you most: the new rhythm-game cabinets, the motion and VR projects, or the next generation of arcade attractions?
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