Sega Amusements and 3MindWave have released Apex Rebels, a new arcade racing game built around a selectable line-up of five cars. Each vehicle has its own visual identity, performance balance and collection of skins.
The game includes four race tracks, with Motorland Sakura identified as the fourth course. A closer look at that track is planned for a future feature.
For Australian arcade operators and players looking for new driving titles, racing arcades remain one of the most immediate ways to bring competitive car-based play into a venue or home collection.
The five playable cars
In a racing game, the vehicles do more than provide transport. Their designs help establish the game’s character, while their handling differences give players a reason to experiment beyond the default choice.
The first car, the AC7B, includes a clear visual nod to the Hornet from Daytona USA. Similar references are also hidden throughout the tracks. The gallery below shows the five selectable cars, although the game contains additional skins beyond those pictured.
Performance differences
Each car uses a different statistical balance:
- AC7B: the most balanced option.
- Mach: prioritises handling and boost.
- Neon-QT: favours speed and acceleration.
- LA-Orizzonte: focuses on speed, sacrificing handling for stronger boosting.
- R-GT: performs strongly across most areas but is weaker on acceleration.
Those differences, combined with the four available tracks, give Apex Rebels some useful variety for repeat races. Players who want to compare control styles can also browse the broader arcade news and gaming coverage from RETROCADE.
Design references and licensing changes
The AC7B’s connection to the Daytona USA Hornet is the most obvious reference, but the other cars invite plenty of speculation. The Neon-QT, for example, may remind players of a possible Crazy Taxi connection.
Early plans reportedly included more direct references, including a custom red Italian convertible associated with a famous driving-game series. Those ideas were ultimately dropped because of licensing difficulties.
Choosing a first car
There is not yet enough play time to offer a definitive recommendation for every driver. During an early, approximately 70%-complete version tested at IAAPA, the only car tried was the AC7B. The same was true for another contributor who played the game at EAG the following month.
The AC7B proved to be a capable all-rounder and appears to be the most approachable starting point for a first session. The other cars still need to be tested in a wider range of races, including at Amusement Expo in Las Vegas, which was scheduled to take place just over a month after the early test. Sega Amusements was expected to exhibit Apex Rebels, Zombies! Ready, Deady, Go! and its usual selection of standard redemption games there.
Arcade availability
Apex Rebels is available for arcades to purchase, with the game expected to begin appearing at more locations. Operators comparing new cabinets can also consult RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide before choosing a racing setup.
Which of the five cars would you choose first: the balanced AC7B, the boost-focused Mach, the quick Neon-QT, the speed-oriented LA-Orizzonte or the powerful R-GT?
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