A new racing cabinet from Sega Amusements and 3MindWave has appeared on test in the United Kingdom ahead of IAAPA 2023. Details remain limited, but the early sighting offers a few clues about Apex Rebels and its possible arcade release.
Who are 3MindWave?
They are an arcade studio out of Hong Kong who have created a few games for Sega Amusements, including ATV Slam, Jumanji, VR Agent and Storm Rider 2.
The Hong Kong studio also works with original Sega game designer and director Mr. Oga-Shi, whose credits include Gunblade N.Y., Jambo! Safari, Let’s Go Jungle and Mission: Impossible Arcade, among other titles.
One of those earlier projects can be seen here:
Apex Rebels: what the test cabinet reveals
The cabinet was noticed a little over a week before publication at Funbox Wandsworth in the UK. The sighting came through an Instagram reel from Funbox Wandsworth in the UK. The short video was filmed vertically with text over the footage, making the cabinet difficult to study. Additional editing produced a clearer view.
Based on the visible cabinet, Apex Rebels appears to include:
- A 3MindWave logo positioned on the rear of the seat
- A racing-game format
- An integrated camera
- A display measuring approximately 43 or 47 inches
Unanswered questions
The test unit also raises a couple of questions that cannot yet be answered from the available footage:
- What is the blue LED ring beside the player, above the girl’s hand? It could be a reader, although its purpose is unknown.
- Does the cabinet use a motion base?
Could it appear at IAAPA or EAG?
Apex Rebels had not been hinted at in the information circulating about Sega Amusements’ IAAPA booth. If the game is part of Sega’s plans, an IAAPA reveal would therefore be a welcome surprise.
With Hyper Cross expected to launch at IAAPA, a later release for Apex Rebels may be more likely, although no timing has been confirmed. Its appearance at a regular UK test venue makes a showing at EAG in 2024 seem possible.
For readers following new arcade industry news, this is still an early look rather than a full announcement. More information will be needed before the cabinet’s hardware, motion features and release plans are clear. Racing fans can also explore RETROCADE’s collection of racing arcades and the broader range of arcade machines.
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