Collectors and arcade operators waiting for the officially licensed remake of Taito’s Ice Cold Beer now have a release window: machines are scheduled to begin shipping in February 2023. Orders are being accepted, with distributor information confirming the shipping timing.
The project is being manufactured by Bay Tek in Wisconsin, while the game’s design and technical support are handled by Retro Arcade Remake. The company has shown the machine at industry trade shows, where it has attracted strong interest.
Unlike most modern bar-oriented arcade releases, this is a purely electromechanical amusement machine rather than a pinball or redemption game. Its timing also reflects renewed interest in distinctive bar and hospitality entertainment. For more arcade industry updates, visit the RETROCADE arcade news section.
Modern hardware, original-style play
The remake of Ice Cold Beer, along with the forthcoming Zeke’s Peak, is fully licensed through Taito Japan. Both machines are intended to look and play like the originals while using contemporary construction and electronics.
- Seven-layer, 3/4-inch plywood cabinets
- Screw drives powered by stepper motors
- Proprietary FPGA boards running the original ROM coding
- Individual sensors on most holes
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Phone-based operator controls for pricing, diagnostics, advanced gameplay and competition between machines
Those considering a full-size cabinet can compare options in the arcade machine buying guide, while the broader arcade machine range provides a useful reference for dedicated home and commercial setups.
Orders and expected pricing
At the time of the announcement, the machine had not yet appeared on Shaffer Distributing’s online product list, although prospective buyers were encouraged to contact its sales team. The distributor email indicated a price of approximately $5,500, but final pricing may vary between distributors. Pricing for an original machine had not been tracked at that point.
Zeke’s Peak, also licensed from Taito, is planned to follow the Ice Cold Beer remake. As with any electromechanical cabinet, buyers may also want to consider future servicing and upkeep through arcade repairs and maintenance.
Further distributor information is available through Shaffer Distributing.
Watch the remake in action
The machine was demonstrated at IAAPA, giving operators and collectors an opportunity to see how the remake’s mechanical play works in practice.
For Australian buyers, availability, freight and final distributor pricing should be confirmed directly before placing an order.
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