Amusement Expo 2024 Arcade News Round-Up

Amusement Expo 2024 begins this week, making it the main focus of this arcade and pinball news round-up. The event is expected to provide a closer look at new amusement releases, while several Japanese arcade updates are also making headlines.

A separate Amusement Expo preview and a YouTube livestream were planned for Tuesday morning, around midday in the publisher’s local time.

Bike Dash Delivery receives further location tests

Bandai Namco Amusement’s Bike Dash Delivery has continued its location testing after appearing in the United States. The game has now returned to testing in Japan at a Taito Station, where the cabinet appears to have received modest revisions.

The updated machine includes fresh LED lighting, while the motorised seat-adjustment system appears to have been removed. Here’s some gameplay impressions from that.

Gameplay footage from the US version has also surfaced. Early Japanese tests already show some differences, so this trial build should not be treated as a final representation of the production game.

It remains uncertain whether Bike Dash Delivery will appear on Bandai Namco’s Amusement Expo booth. The game and Goldstorm Pirates were absent from IAAPA 2023, so their inclusion at this event should not be assumed.

Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 6RR+ gets a livestream

Bandai Namco has also presented a livestream for Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 6RR+. The broadcast is in Japanese, but that is unlikely to discourage dedicated Wangan Midnight players.

There is currently no evidence that 6RR+ will be released in North America. Its appearance at Amusement Expo would therefore be a surprise rather than an expected announcement.

Fresh rhythm-game updates from Konami and Sega

Rhythm games continue to play a major role in Japanese arcades, much as fighting games once did as a drawcard for players. Konami’s latest update is Gitadora Galaxy Wave, the newest instalment in the guitar-and-drums series that helped inspire Guitar Hero.

The update launched in Japan on 13 March and was expected to be available through Round1US locations. More arcade news and game coverage is available on the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.

The announcement also prompted discussion of the game’s voice cast, with fans of those, especially King of Fighters, may find the announcer VA here familiar.

Sega’s maimai DX is scheduled to receive its next append update, Buddies Plus, on 21 March. Sega announced the revision at the fifth annual King of Performai tournament, which also features Chunithm and Ongeki.

Although Buddies Plus is a Plus revision, it is expected to add gameplay elements alongside the usual song-list expansion. The update is intended for Japan and is not expected to release internationally.

Texas Pinball Festival showcases new machines

The Texas Pinball Festival ran through the weekend in the United States, concluding on 17 March. Players who could not attend were able to follow a floor tour showing the event’s exhibits.

American Pinball also took this opportunity to show off Barry O’s Barbeque Challenge.

Why start an arcade business?

A separate video considers the reasons behind starting an arcade business, offering a personal perspective on the commercial side of the hobby.

For Australian operators and home collectors weighing up a machine, RETROCADE’s arcade-machine buying guide covers the key considerations before purchasing. Options include upright arcade cabinets, compact bartop machines and racing arcade systems.