This arcade news roundup catches up on announcements and updates following the busy IAAPA 2023 season, covering new cabinets, game updates, pinball, arcade history and industry business.
For more arcade coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, or compare arcade machines and racing arcades for home gaming spaces.
Nova Blast City from Unico USA
Unico USA used IAAPA 2023 to reveal Nova Blast City, a new product following the company’s Neo Geo MVSX and 4:3 LCD displays. Instead of the MVSX format, Nova Blast City adopts the appearance of a Japanese candy arcade cabinet.
More information was still expected, with another public appearance scheduled for the following day at the 2023 KC Retro event.
Big Buck Hunter Reloaded update
A substantial Big Buck Hunter Reloaded update was expected to begin reaching connected machines in early December 2023. Some units had not yet displayed the update, while player Federico R. had already accessed it and played through The Walking Dead. Roll-outs have not always appeared immediately on every online cabinet.
Because the update is too large for a standard network download, operators receive a physical kit instead. The Caribou update was also demonstrated at IAAPA.
The new-release listings were also updated to reflect recent changes. Operators planning cabinet maintenance can also browse RETROCADE’s arcade parts range.
Goldstorm Pirates trailer
Bandai Namco did not show Goldstorm Pirates at IAAPA because the game was still approximately a year from release. Its Japanese division nevertheless promoted the title, along with Bike Dash Delivery, during Japan Amusement Expo. The trailer is available here.
Galactic Tank Force SE promotion
American Pinball released a deliberately playful promotional video for Galactic Tank Force SE. The exact model was not displayed at IAAPA, but it was available in limited quantities. With no expectation of another production run for this limited edition, remaining units were described as the only opportunity to obtain one.
Avian Knights receives a development award
Indie arcade developer Alan-1 received a Utah Game Developers Choice Award for Avian Knights. The game won the “Pushing Boundaries” category at the 2023 ceremony, held at the University of Utah. The awards recognise developers from the local area; other recipients included Avalanche Software, the studio behind Hogwarts Legacy.
Daytona USA 2 examined in depth
A Digital Foundry video essay explores the pseudo-console version of Daytona USA 2 while placing Sega’s late-1990s arcade strength in its wider historical context. It also explains why Daytona USA 2 was so highly regarded. The discussion pairs well with the earlier examination of the original Daytona and its early-2010s remasters.
The video also compares the original game with Daytona Championship USA, which had not been available when the earlier video was uploaded. Daytona Championship USA is presented as a faithful remake, although the New Season edition later improved its handling and graphics further.
For another piece of arcade history, this documentary about arcade piracy in Britain is worth watching.
More arcade and amusement headlines
- Cineplex Announces Strategic Sale of Player 1 Amusement Group: Player 1 Amusement Group, a major distributor that exhibited at IAAPA, was set to leave Cineplex ownership while continuing to supply the company. The transaction was valued at $155 million.
- Cosmic Ops Indie Arcade Game Coming Soon.
- Product pages were posted for Omen Of Sorrow: Arising Chaos and Phantom Breaker Omnia.
- Joypolis Tokyo teased a project involving Transformers Human Alliance Special.
- Yuto Games showed a “new” motorcycle arcade racer that was not present at IAAPA.
- Taito’s Cube MXR room was revisited in a video published about a year after the room appeared.
- Sony’s Wonderverse immersive entertainment venue was announced for Chicago’s Oakbrook Center.
- Numskull’s quarter-scale Space Invaders replica was highlighted.
- Gameacon was announced for Palm Springs, California, and Stamford, Connecticut, the following summer, with no arcade component confirmed yet.
- Bethesda’s Fallout was announced for Amazon Prime.
- Xbox Game Pass was not planned for Nintendo Switch or PlayStation.
- Sega was expected to reveal major new titles at The Game Awards.
- The Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer was scheduled for Tuesday.
- A look back at the almost-released WaPeach project.
- Meta’s VR financial difficulties continued.
- HTC launched the Vive Ultimate Tracker, with Hologate already adopting the hardware.
- The Atari Jaguar reached its 30th anniversary, accompanied by found footage of the unfinished 3D game Dactyl Joust.
- The Fallen Crown received a trailer ahead of its release as an upcoming Game Boy Color game.
That wraps up this edition. Supporting local arcades by visiting and playing helps keep Australia’s arcade scene active.
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