Amusement Expo 2022 offered a broad look at new pinball machines, video games, virtual reality attractions and operator-focused equipment. The event was held relatively soon after IAAPA, while pandemic-related manufacturing and shipping problems continued to affect the industry.
This final round-up moves from individual games to exhibitor booths and then considers the expo’s strong virtual-reality presence. Some titles had also appeared at IAAPA, but the additional footage provides a closer look at games that may have been missed previously.
For Australian operators and home enthusiasts, the event also highlights the range of formats now available, from full-size upright arcade cabinets to large-scale location-based attractions.
Individual games
Rush from Stern Pinball
Rush was the only genuinely new pinball machine on the show floor. Its music-focused presentation should appeal strongly to fans of the band. Even without being a dedicated Rush listener, the game proved enjoyable, although its likely performance in an arcade would be difficult to separate from the other music-themed pinball machines available.
Stern also had a dedicated booth presence at the expo, with further footage showing the company’s display and products.
Ice Walker from Coastal Amusements
The sequel to Ice Man finally appeared at the event. Its play experience remains broadly similar to the earlier game, but the improved frame rate makes Ice Walker the more appealing choice between the two.
Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade from LAI Games
This racing title had already been filmed before, but it warranted another look. The arcade edition differs considerably from the mobile game, which gives it a stronger identity in a venue setting. Reports from the show suggested that it had been performing well.
Driving titles remain a major part of the commercial arcade mix, alongside dedicated racing arcade machines designed for home and venue use.
Pac-Man Battle Royale Chompionship from Bandai Namco Amusement
The latest software update for Pac-Man Chompionship was on display. The demonstration featured a single player, but the game was expected to begin shipping during the month of the expo, subject to change. It was also regarded as one of the more affordable new games for operators to purchase.
Elevator Action Invasion from UNIS
The standard-definition version of Elevator Action Invasion made its first appearance here. Its software was slightly different from the deluxe version seen at IAAPA, with selectable difficulty levels being the most welcome change. The earlier deluxe version had felt overly punishing because of attacks that seemed cheap, so the added choice should make the experience more approachable.
UNIS also presented Wicked Tuna, which was covered separately in the earlier part of the event coverage.
Break The Plate from Coastal Amusements
This original videmption title adapts a carnival-style plate-breaking concept for the arcade. The targets are virtual rather than physical, removing the mess and the ongoing cost of replacing real plates. Although the concept recalls carnival entertainment, the format is not necessarily something commonly encountered at theme parks or travelling shows.
Gaming and gambling equipment
Slot-machine manufacturers occupied a significant amount of the expo floor. No particularly notable attraction, such as the then-new Dune slot, was seen during this review, partly because those booths received limited attention.
The presence of gambling equipment remains an unusual fit for an arcade and pinball trade event. The amusement industry has spent years distancing skill-based games from the stigma associated with gambling, even though gambling products are suitable for some markets.
Another potentially logical pairing would be a return of AEI’s collaboration with the Pizza Expo. Pizza restaurants often include arcade machines, making that combination more intuitive, although the two events did not appear likely to coincide again in the near future.
Exhibitor booth videos
The following videos provide quick walks through individual company booths. Several displays were similar to their IAAPA presentations, while others were smaller or featured fewer products.
Virtual reality at Amusement Expo 2022
Virtual reality was a major theme at the expo. That emphasis reflects the continuing growth of family entertainment centres, which can allocate substantial budgets and floor space to large attractions. It also represents a shift from the spring show’s earlier focus on street operators.
New street-oriented products have become less common as FECs have expanded. The bar-and-arcade market has grown too, yet it has not received the same volume of new equipment. Cost is a central factor: VR attractions generally require the investment, space and spending power associated with larger FECs.
For a conventional street location, most of the VR products shown would be difficult to justify. A traditional arcade may find a suitable attraction if it has enough room and budget, but there was no VR product here that clearly warranted investment for every operation.
SquarePants VR from HyperDeck and Creative Works
This attraction had been shown previously, but the expo footage featured its latest software. The product was stated to be available at the time.
VR Agent from Sega Amusements
The advertised two-player version of VR Agent had not been confirmed at the time of the show. It was expected to be shipping by then.
Storm VR from Trio-Tech
Storm VR had already been available for some time, but it had not previously received a dedicated video in this coverage. The expo provided an opportunity to document it properly.
Additional VR attractions
Some arena-style VR products are more useful to view as part of a larger attraction collection than as standalone videos. They can deliver strong results in the right venue, but the level of investment makes careful budgeting essential. The promotional claims surrounding a major VR purchase do not automatically guarantee a dramatic return.
Interestingly, a much more immediate boost to one arcade’s attendance came from the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The weekend of the film’s release became the venue’s strongest since pandemic lockdowns began. This echoed an earlier pattern: major family-film releases had previously brought significant crowds to the arcade.
Final assessment
Overall, Amusement Expo 2022 was a solid event rather than a spectacular one. Its proximity to IAAPA may have limited the number of fresh reveals, while ongoing pandemic-related production and shipping delays continued to affect what manufacturers could show and supply.
The next confirmed major event was IAAPA 2022, although there are a lot of shows coming up this year. For readers planning an arcade at home, choosing between a new commercial-style cabinet and a compact setup is best approached with a clear arcade machine buying guide, while operators should also consider maintenance, replacement controls and other arcade parts before committing to a machine.
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