International Bowl Expo 2022 is set to bring an unusually strong arcade and amusement presence to Las Vegas. Although bowling trade events have not always received the same attention as larger industry showcases, the number of new and recently announced attractions expected this year makes the event one to watch.
What is International Bowl Expo?
International Bowl Expo is centred on bowling venues and bowling-centre operators. Those businesses are also important customers for arcade, redemption and family entertainment equipment, because many modern bowling facilities include dedicated amusement areas. The event’s official information is available on the Bowl Expo website.
For Australian operators and collectors following the wider amusement market, the show offers a useful snapshot of the machines, attractions and business models being presented to entertainment venues in 2022.
Arcade and amusement exhibitors to watch
The following companies were among the exhibitors expected to attract attention. Some had confirmed products, while others were keeping their plans quiet ahead of the show.
Andamiro USA
Andamiro USA was expected to present SpongeBob Pirates of Bikini Bottom, a SpongeBob-themed redemption pusher. The company had also debuted the videmption title Bobblehead Baseball at Amusement Expo 2022.
Bay Tek Entertainment
Bay Tek Entertainment had not announced its Bowl Expo line-up in advance. Its active research and development programme made a new trial piece possible, while recently trademarked names including QB Throwdown and Big Ticket Drop added to the speculation.
Elaut Amusement and Touch Magix
Elaut Amusement represented several brands, including Benchmark, Coast-To-Coast, Elaut and Touch Magix. Its presence was expected to extend beyond crane equipment, with video and videmption attractions also likely to feature.
Touch Magix planned to showcase Mega Blaster, the 43-inch SpaceWarp 66 and a street version of Dicey Jump, along with additional products:
TouchMagix will be showcasing the superhit Mega Blaster, the all-time favourite 43-inch SpaceWarp 66, the viable street version of Dicey Jump and much more at the upcoming show.
Dicey Jump had been scheduled for the earlier Amusement Expo event but was held back by shipping difficulties. Wacky Tracks, which had debuted at DEAL, was another possible sighting.
HOLOGATE
HOLOGATE had attended the previous expo with a small booth and representatives rather than a playable arena. Bowl Expo could have followed the same format, or featured the arena system in operation. The recently announced Ghostbusters VR game was a possibility, although its appearance at this event had not been confirmed.
ICE
ICE was expected to display its current range. The company had not confirmed whether an unrevealed attraction would be shown, so a surprise remained possible.
IGPM Group
IGPM Group, the United States distributor for Polish manufacturer Kalkomat, was expected to focus on sports and physical amusement equipment rather than video games. Its earlier display included Hit The Green, although the title was not listed on the company’s website and its status was unclear.
Jennison Entertainment
Jennison Entertainment was traditionally associated with redemption equipment and kiddie rides, but it had surprised visitors at the previous expo with the video and videmption game Quick Shoot. A similar presentation was expected, though additional equipment could not be ruled out.
Komuse
Komuse was expected to bring its latest redemption and merchandiser products, with a booth layout likely to resemble its earlier expo display.
LAI Games
LAI Games planned the debut of the “Ultra HD” update for Virtual Rabbids: The Big Ride. Its display was also expected to include Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade and a selection of sports and redemption games.
Raw Thrills
Raw Thrills was due to appear within the Betson booth with a new game. It would be the company’s first newly demonstrated title since Minecraft Dungeons Arcade debuted at Amusement Expo 2021.
There was also speculation about new card series for Injustice Arcade and Minecraft. A Series 4 Injustice set had reportedly been spotted with a new marquee, potentially bringing the game’s card count to 260. It was also considered possible that this could be one of the “10 new games of summer” mentioned by Dave & Busters, although Raw Thrills had not confirmed those details.
Sega Amusements
Sega Amusements was expected to show Allstars Basketball, which had not appeared at the earlier expo. Crazy Rafting was another possible attraction, while Storm Rider 2 seemed less likely because it had not yet been announced or added to Sega’s website. Sega could have been reserving that title for IAAPA 2022.
Mission: Impossible Arcade was also likely to be available after Sega released a new promotional video for the game.
Team Play Inc
Team Play Inc was preparing to show Carnival Wheel, a large new wheel redemption attraction. Following its interactive kiddie ride and photo-booth debut at IAAPA 2021, the machine looked positioned as a major new release and a potential successor in spirit to Fishbowl Frenzy. It could even challenge the established popularity of Big Bass Wheel.
Trio-Tech
Trio-Tech was not expected to install an XD Theater system at the show. Its display was more likely to focus on the Storm VR ride.
UNIS
UNIS was known for changing its booth configuration and introducing occasional surprises. Its display was expected to be broadly similar to the earlier expo, perhaps with additions. With Atari’s 50th anniversary approaching, PONG would have been a fitting inclusion, although that was only a possibility.
Other exhibitors worth noting
Several companies were relevant to bowling centres and family entertainment venues even though they were not primarily video arcade manufacturers:
- 501Fun – augmented-reality darts and shuffleboard.
- Smart Industries – a long-established crane manufacturer.
- St. Louis Gaming – a crane-focused company whose trading name had caused some uncertainty.
- Valley-Dynamo – air hockey and pool tables.
- Valo Motion – physical, augmented-reality and mixed-reality attractions.
- Virtuix – the omni-directional treadmill and Omni Arena VR system.
Pinball and missing manufacturers
No dedicated booths from American Pinball or Stern were listed. Distributors at the event could still have brought one or more pinball machines, but bowling centres and related family entertainment centres have not traditionally been large enough pinball buyers to justify a manufacturer’s full trade-show presence.
Bandai Namco was also absent from the exhibitor list. That meant visitors wanting to see the eight-player Pac-Man Chompionship game in person might need to visit a Dave & Busters venue instead. A Toy Story 4 pinball sighting was similarly unlikely unless time allowed for a visit to the Pinball Hall of Fame.
Why this Bowl Expo mattered
The unusually large number of new and updated attractions reflected development cycles shaped by the pandemic, shipping problems and wider market disruption. Previous Bowl Expo events had typically offered only one or two new pieces, making the 2022 line-up notably more substantial.
For operators planning a new arcade machine collection, the event also highlighted how bowling venues continue to combine video games, redemption equipment, VR and physical attractions. Australian buyers comparing formats can explore racing arcades, consider a practical arcade machine buying guide, or follow more industry updates through the RETROCADE arcade blog.
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