Two Bandai Namco arcade titles have resurfaced in location testing after appearing at the same venues in late 2025. Resident Evil 2: Arcade returned to the United States, while Taiko No Tatsujin received another trial in the United Kingdom.
Location tests are not always reported immediately. Limited information, a lack of usable media or a manufacturer’s request for discretion can delay coverage while a game remains under evaluation. These latest tests were brought to our attention by Ted, with photographs supplied by Light Gun Fanatics and Nome.
Resident Evil 2: Arcade returns to the US
Capcom’s survival-horror series remains the foundation for Resident Evil 2: Arcade, a light-gun shooter that has attracted considerable interest since its first United Kingdom test. The game subsequently appeared in the United States and Japan before returning to the same Round1USA venue where it was seen in November 2025.
The extended testing period is notable, but it follows a broader approach from Bandai Namco in recent years. GoldStorm Pirates, for example, first appeared in testing in 2023 and took almost two years to reach release.
The latest US test appears to use the newest software seen during the Japanese trials in spring. All five stages were available, expanding beyond the first two stages offered in the initial UK and US tests.
The cabinet was described beforehand as the US version, although the hardware looks broadly familiar apart from one or two small cosmetic differences. Further adjustments remain possible, but substantial changes now seem unlikely.
A firm release date has not been confirmed. The most recent expectation places Resident Evil 2: Arcade in late 2026, with early 2027 the alternative if that window slips. It is therefore a likely highlight for IAAPA 2026 in November, and could also appear at Japan’s Amusement Expo.
For readers interested in the technology behind this type of cabinet, our guide to arcade light guns provides useful background on the format.
Taiko No Tatsujin gets another UK trial
While Resident Evil 2: Arcade is still awaiting release, Taiko No Tatsujin is an established title that Bandai Namco has been promoting internationally. Its latest UK test may represent the beginning of a renewed European push.
The cabinet was installed at the same location used during its late-2025 appearance. That earlier trial attracted little attention because Bandai Namco preferred it to remain quiet, and the machine was not publicly located at the time. Information received later suggested the test had not gone well, but this new appearance shows that the company has not abandoned the project.
One notable feature is online connectivity. That capability may not necessarily survive into a final European release, however, as some games—including Dance Dance Revolution—have been tested with network functions enabled before launching without them.
As expected, the new trial took place at one of Bandai Namco’s UK Namco Funscape family entertainment venues. The company has revealed that the venues will soon be rebranded simply as “Namco”, aligning them with locations in Japan and Asia. A wider rollout for games such as Taiko No Tatsujin could form part of that strategy, although no such plan has been confirmed.
Two tests worth watching
These appearances give both games continued momentum, despite their very different positions. Resident Evil 2: Arcade is still being refined ahead of launch, while Taiko No Tatsujin is being reconsidered for a wider European presence.
Our arcade news coverage will follow any further developments. Readers comparing commercial cabinets with home setups can also explore the arcade machine buying guide and browse the latest arcade machines.
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