Here is RETROCADE’s latest arcade industry round-up, covering a major update for Atari’s Major Havoc, new attractions from UNIS and LAI Games, lending news, and several Japanese arcade developments.
Major Havoc receives its long-awaited ending
California Extreme 2022 was taking place in San Jose when Owen Rubin unveiled a substantial ROM update for his 1983 arcade game, Major Havoc. The original release famously lacked an ending, an omission that once contributed to a lawsuit involving Atari.
The new version adds the promised conclusion alongside a sizeable collection of new and restored content:
- Eight new levels and four secret levels
- Additional warps
- A Homeworld space station
- The restored 3D Star Castle battle
- Speech support
- An updated attract mode
- Multilingual support
- A level editor
- The long-promised ending
The ROMs and level editor are available through the project website, and the update also runs in MAME. That is particularly useful for players who do not have access to one of the increasingly difficult-to-find original cabinets.
Rubin is known to be a pinball enthusiast, although the possibility of a Major Havoc pinball machine had apparently never occurred to him.
Digital Eclipse brings Vctr-Sctr to CAX
Digital Eclipse returned to California Extreme with another one-off Atari-inspired project. The studio previously showed Starlords, a six-player variation on Atari’s Warlords; footage of that unusual event version is available as a six-player Warlords variation.
This time, the team presented Vctr-Sctr, a new game built as a mash-up of several Atari vector classics. It was created to promote the upcoming Atari 50th Anniversary Collection and, like Starlords, was a special project rather than a standard commercial arcade release.
LAI Games previews Virtual Rabbids Ultra HD
Among a series of videos released by LAI Games was a preview for Virtual Rabbids Ultra HD, an upgrade to the company’s established Virtual Rabbids VR ride. The other videos largely focused on attractions that had already been available for some time.
Firestone Financial stops amusement lending
Firestone Financial has halted lending to the amusement industry. The decision is most immediately important to arcade operators and prospective operators, but it may also affect players if smaller venues find it harder to finance new machines.
Larger chains and family entertainment centres may be better placed to absorb the change, and other specialist lenders remain in the industry. The situation is nevertheless worth watching, particularly if additional lenders were to follow Firestone’s lead. Read the industry lending report.
UNIS launches TekyGo! exergame platform
UNIS is taking the “kidtainment” concept in an exercise-focused direction with TekyGo!, a platform aimed at children aged six and under. The system was first teased in late 2020 under another name, but pandemic-related disruption delayed its arrival.
The consumer version is being sold directly to consumers. UNIS is also offering an FEC model in two-player and four-player configurations, with further information expected through UNIS distributors.
For readers considering a home setup, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide covers the practical points to weigh before choosing a machine or game system.
Japanese arcade updates
Japan’s amusement sector was still dealing with an unpredictable post-pandemic environment, but several game and platform updates emerged during the week.
Milk Chan arrives on Sega’s APM3
Milk Chan is a new title for Sega’s revenue-sharing APM3 platform. Despite the name, it is not based on the anime. Studio Saizensen, the team behind Umihara Kawase, developed the game, whose unusual presentation and gameplay are best judged through its trailer. Visit the main Milk Chan website.
Touhou and Initial D collaborations
Japan was also seeing strong Touhou activity, including the first full Touhou arcade game and a collaboration with Initial D: The Arcade.
StarHorse 4 also received a mobile-game collaboration with Uma Musume, prompting speculation that an Uma Musume arcade title could eventually follow.
Konami announced Jubeat Ave. for the following Wednesday, a notable development after the rhythm series had been quiet for some time.
Marvelous’ rhythm game WACCA was scheduled to go offline at the end of August. The title had a visible presence in the United States through Round1USA, while UNIS had obtained Chinese rights, although the game was not listed on UNIS’ website.
More arcade and home-gaming headlines
- New merchandise designs referenced Mortal Kombat and Aliens Armageddon.
- Sega introduced a new line of arcade sports games aimed at adult venues.
- Retro Raccoons appeared to be selling well.
- StepManiaX received content update number 29.
- LAI Games advertised selected products at closeout pricing.
- Amusement Source International began selling fully automated cotton-candy vending machines.
- A SoulCalibur II location test generated new photographs.
- Atari’s Race Drivin’ Panorama was highlighted as a real and still-spectacular machine.
- Dave & Buster’s collaborated with a fashion line.
- New footage showed that some Chuck E. Cheese venues still offer more than ticket-redemption games.
- The Sega Astro City Mini V launched in Japan, although reports criticised its input lag.
- Big Buck Hunter Marksman received a major update.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection was due to launch on 30 August 2022.
- A home builder spent more than 50 hours creating a custom Mario Kart arcade cabinet.
- New commentary examined the evolution of Steam tags.
- An AMD Adrenalin driver update was recommended for owners of AMD graphics cards.
For Australian collectors planning a cabinet project, RETROCADE’s arcade parts, repair services and arcade blog are useful places to continue exploring the hobby.
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