Tokyo Game Show 2023 ran from 21 to 24 September, with the event concluding the day before this report was prepared. Although the show primarily targets console and home entertainment audiences, several arcade projects and related attractions appeared across the exhibition.
For Australian arcade fans, the displays offered a useful snapshot of how coin-op ideas continue to overlap with home releases, location-based entertainment and compact hardware.
Bandai Namco brings two arcade racers and action titles
Bandai Namco Amusement had one of the most visible arcade presences at the event. Its booth featured Bike Dash Delivery and Dead Heat Unleashed, with Bike Dash Delivery and Dead Heat Unleashed at a booth.
The appearance of Dead Heat Unleashed may reflect Tokyo Game Show’s international audience. Bandai Namco has previously used such events to show products to visitors from markets where they are already available, sometimes using signage to clarify regional availability. Car licensing may be the main factor limiting a Japanese release, although that could potentially be addressed if local demand justified it.
Bandai Namco was also scheduled to appear at IAAPA Europe Expo immediately after the show. The company was not expected to feature Bike Dash Delivery or GoldStorm Pirates there. Instead, its presentation was set to include a selection of Pac-Man sports attractions, including air hockey, an alley bowler and basketball. A video collection shows a line of Pac-Man themed sports games.
Success confirms another Cotton arcade release
Success presented a colourful booth containing both a candy-style cabinet and a Sega APM3 unit. The company used the event to announce a sequel to Cotton Rock ’N Roll, along with its intended platforms.
The Japanese text shown on the announcement lists arcade, APM3, consoles and PC. Arcade and APM3 are treated as separate entries because the first Cotton Rock ’N Roll followed the same release pattern. In this context, the arcade listing indicates a release for exA-Arcadia, while APM3 refers to Sega’s digital arcade platform, positioned as an alternative to Taito’s NESiCA service.
The earlier exA-Arcadia version also introduced meaningful improvements. These included faster response through reduced input lag and the addition of two-player support.
exA-Arcadia additionally announced that it had signed several games for its platform. Apart from Cotton 2, the company did not identify the other titles. An exA board and a Batsugun cartridge were displayed in a glass case at the Tatsujin booth, although no running cabinet was shown despite the game being a relatively recent addition.
More arcade-related displays around the show
Taito displayed an Egret II cabinet as part of its promotion for the Egret II Mini. The unit reportedly experienced a problem on the first day, giving the compact machine an unexpectedly eventful start. Taito’s miniature hardware may interest collectors comparing small-format systems with today’s compact arcade cabinets.
Samsung also had a Street Fighter 6 arcade cabinet on display. This was not a standard Type Arcade machine, but a custom-built unit created for the presentation. The display naturally raised the question of whether Samsung might eventually explore arcade hardware more seriously. An additional arcade board was visible elsewhere in the same area.
For further background on the Samsung display and the board shown nearby, the event coverage identifies the cabinet and the separate hardware exhibit.
Arcade-inspired games and fighting releases
Black Finger JET drew attention as a modern game with clear run-and-gun arcade influences. Its presentation resembles Metal Slug, and the development team reportedly includes former SNK staff associated with that series, as well as people who worked on R-Type. The official site for the game can be found here. At the time, the site listed Steam, while a Famitsu article about it here provided additional information.
City Connection announced Rushing Beat X: Return Of The Brawl Brothers, a new beat ’em up with a style that recalls Demolish Fist.
Tekken 8 was also present, including its Super Ghost Battle mode. The series no longer receives the same level of dedicated arcade treatment, with several practical and commercial factors making that approach difficult. Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] was announced at the show as well, but no arcade version was indicated. The first game did receive a coin-op release through Sega’s APM3 platform.
From Japanese arcades to home consoles
The Japanese arcade title Magician’s Dead was confirmed for home consoles after being delayed from its earlier planned release window. It was scheduled to launch at the end of 2023 on PlayStation 4; no PlayStation 5 version was indicated.
Another interesting display combined airsoft equipment with video-game presentation. Arcade shooting attractions have explored similar ideas before, including Taito’s OnPoint/Gun Arena. Capcom showed an airsoft shooting range using Resident Evil guns. While this was not presented as a conventional arcade product, the concept could suit larger family entertainment centres as an added attraction. Related cosplay was also visible at the event.
Tokyo Game Show remains primarily a home-gaming exhibition, but its 2023 edition still provided plenty for arcade observers to follow: new exA-Arcadia software, unusual cabinet displays, location-based attractions and familiar arcade brands adapting to modern formats. Readers planning a home setup can compare these developments with RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide or browse the latest arcade machines.
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