Arcade news has been relatively quiet, but several developments are worth tracking. Sega’s Mission: Impossible Arcade may be expanding to a sit-down format, Japanese arcades are preparing new rhythm and card games, Dave & Buster’s has begun testing arcade-game wagering, and Bandai Namco has shared ambitious plans for Taiko no Tatsujin.
Mission: Impossible Arcade May Add a Sit-Down Cabinet
Sega Amusements’ Mission: Impossible Arcade has been available in stand-up SDLX and DLX formats since 2021 and 2022. Recent sightings in two UK venues suggest that a third version could be in development: a sit-down, enclosed environmental cabinet designed in the style of other arcade light-gun shooters.
The cabinet has not been formally announced. A photograph shared on the official Facebook page of one of those places provides the clearest evidence so far. Although the image does not show the entire machine, its lower section appears to use the same basic design as Transformers: Shadows Rising, visible in the background.
That connection raises the possibility of a conversion kit, although conversion opportunities for modern arcade cabinets remain uncommon. The project could also be cancelled: test versions of a stand-up Transformers sequel and House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn have previously appeared before disappearing from view.
If released, the sit-down model would give Mission: Impossible Arcade three cabinet choices. Operators may learn more at one of the upcoming autumn trade shows, including IAAPA. A wider rollout would also demonstrate the value of offering multiple cabinet formats for other successful arcade titles.
Japanese Arcade Round-Up
Pop’n Music: Jam & Fizz
Konami’s long-running rhythm series is continuing with its 28th instalment, Jam & Fizz. The series is no longer among Konami’s most prominent BEMANI exports, and newer cabinets are still absent from some overseas venues, including Round1USA. Its longevity in Japan nevertheless reflects the commitment of its established player base. The initial teaser even led some viewers to speculate that the game would have a Las Vegas theme.
New Fighters and Card Games
Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade, which is available through Round1USA, has added Vega to its playable character roster. Bandai Namco’s Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base has also entered its fourth season, titled UNITRIBE.
The UNITRIBE update was postponed at the last minute after a subcontracted artist was found to have plagiarised another artwork used in the cards. Operators had to reject new card shipments, a decision that generated criticism from some locations. The game remains one of Japan’s stronger video-arcade earners, while Marvelous’ new Pokémon Frienda also appears to be performing well.
Further location testing is under way for Bandai Namco’s Idolmaster Tours and Dragon Ball Super Divers, along with Konami’s Monster Retsuden Oreca Battle 2. Early online reactions suggest strong interest, making these potential candidates for Japan’s next major arcade releases.
Dave & Buster’s Launches Playce It in Four US States
Dave & Buster’s has moved ahead with its plan to introduce wagering connected to arcade games. The company has launched “Playce It” for locations in Texas, Georgia, Missouri and California.
Nevada is not included in the initial group of states. The future of the programme will depend on its performance in these locations, as well as the legal requirements involved in expanding a gambling-related service. Whether the model can operate across more of the United States remains uncertain.
Homepin Prepares Blues Brothers Pinball
Homepin, the company behind Thunderbirds and This Is Spinal Tap pinball, is preparing its next machine: Blues Brothers, based on the film. The company first mentioned the project on its Facebook page in July.
Described as a budget release, the machine will include licensed music. Budget limitations mean that each game will contain only three songs from the original soundtrack. Homepin’s website is not regularly updated, so its Facebook page and distributors are currently the most useful sources for updates. The prototype is shown below.
Taiko no Tatsujin’s US Expansion
Bandai Namco Amusement America has provided little new information since announcing the US release of Taiko no Tatsujin in July, but coverage from Japan has added context. One report documented the game’s positive reception among American college students visiting Japan, while producer Katsunori Kimizu discussed the planned overseas launch in an interview with ITmedia.
The interview, published in Japanese, indicates that Bandai Namco was surprised by the number of anime and J-pop songs selected during testing, despite the growing popularity of those genres being one reason for bringing the game to the United States.
Bandai Namco ultimately wants to reach approximately 10,000 Taiko no Tatsujin cabinets worldwide through this expansion and possible future deployments. At least 4,700 machines are already operating in Japan, with another 900 across the rest of Asia and Oceania. Reaching the stated goal would therefore require roughly 5,500 additional cabinets, an ambitious target even for a well-established arcade brand.
The scale of the plan is encouraging for the international arcade business, but operators will also recognise the challenges involved in expanding during a difficult trading period.
Arcade Operators Face a Difficult Market
Many arcade operators are reporting weaker business, and the pressure has continued for some time. The situation has prompted discussion about practical ways to improve venue performance, including a possible group livestream where operators could compare what has helped, what has failed and how customer behaviour has changed.
More Arcade and Pinball Headlines
- Golden Tee 2025 is scheduled to launch next month, returning the series to its usual annual update timing. Incredible Technologies has already published course previews and other details.
- Barron Games is continuing under Zooom Studios after a period of uncertainty. New staff have been hired, and the Open Ice air-hockey table is planned for IAAPA 2024.
- A video titled Stop Giving Pinball Start-Ups Money examines the risks of funding companies that cannot raise capital through traditional channels.
- Retro Ralph’s John Wick modification discusses missing theme-related features, while Stern has added a retro-inspired challenge mode to JAWS.
- Konami will distribute Minecraft Dungeons Arcade in Japan. Toho and Bandai Namco have entered a multi-billion-yen capital alliance, while Sonic and Pac-Man have collaborated on a new T-shirt design.
- The Insert Coin: The Midway Arcade Revolution exhibition is exploring arcade history in Chicago.
- Other items include a mainland Chinese clone racing machine, a Hololive collaboration at Round1USA, a Mr. Do! fan encyclopaedia, a StepManiaX content update, the 2024 Air Hockey World Championships, Sega’s Tetris plush range, Taito’s Godzilla kaiju drop pusher and another test of Sega Japan’s Monopoly: The Medal.
Home and Retro Gaming Headlines
- Atari has announced the Atari 7800+, which supports original Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges alongside new games.
- Egret II Mini: Arcade Memories Vol. 3 is scheduled for 19 December.
- Under Defeat is returning to consoles in December.
- A 16-player LAN of Game Boys running Faceball 2000 is planned for the Portland Retro Gaming Expo.
- Genki has revealed a new Tokyo Xtreme Racer for Steam, while a new ZX Spectrum remake is planned for November.
- Game Informer is closing, the Evercade EXP-R has been delayed until November 2024, and Sega arcade legends have been spotted at Gamescom.
- Meta has cancelled its high-end mixed-reality headset intended to challenge Apple’s Vision Pro, while coverage describes the Apple headset as “stuck in neutral”.
For Australian arcade fans, the wider lesson is that the market remains active but uneven. New cabinets, location tests and software updates continue to arrive, while operators must carefully weigh investment, maintenance and audience demand. Our arcade machine buying guide covers the key considerations for home and venue owners, and our Arcade Blog tracks further industry news. For owners maintaining existing cabinets, arcade repairs and reliable arcade parts remain just as important as new releases.
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