Alan-1 MirrorFX Atari Recharged Arcade Cabinets

Alan-1 used Amusement Expo 2026 to showcase three new Atari Recharged arcade adaptations: Breakout, Caverns of Mars and Yars Recharged. Each cabinet introduces MirrorFX, a display system designed to give classic arcade games a glasses-free, pseudo-holographic look.

How Alan-1’s MirrorFX system works

MirrorFX revisits the visual principle behind the classic “Pepper’s Ghost” effect, which appeared in games including Space Invaders and Asteroids Deluxe. Alan-1’s volunteer player and designer “Brain Trust” explored the concept before the company decided to develop it for modern cabinets.

The system also takes inspiration from Taito’s relatively obscure 1985 arcade release, Wyvern F-0. Rather than simply placing two CRT monitors together, Alan-1’s design uses imagery reflected between glass or a half-silvered mirror. The result creates apparent depth and a stereoscopic 3D-style image without requiring players to wear glasses.

A prototype Yars cabinet demonstrated the concept at an early stage, before its glass and artwork had been fitted.

Three Atari Recharged games receive the MirrorFX treatment

Breakout, Caverns of Mars and Yars Recharged were all shown at Amusement Expo 2026. Alan-1 says future Atari Recharged console-to-arcade conversions will use MirrorFX technology.

The effect is most noticeable in Caverns of Mars and Yars, where scrolling backgrounds and more detailed scenery create a stronger sense of depth than in Breakout. The three games also offer changes beyond their display systems.

Caverns of Mars and Yars are appearing in arcades for the first time. Their performance will be worth watching, especially Yars, which is configured as a two-player “twin stick” shooter.

Alan-1 noted that the development process included feedback from several contributors. The article’s contributor participated in quality-assurance testing and supplied feedback and ideas for all three games, but did not work on their code or artwork, and not every suggestion was adopted.

What’s new in Breakout

The power-up interface now displays remaining time as a bar.
An integrated story has been added about protecting the operating system, including a small nod to TRON.
Operating-system text appears in the power-up bar and occasionally elsewhere on screen.
New Bonus Bricks use values associated with Atari’s 2600, 5200 and 7800 home consoles.
Brick colours have been restored to match the original game.
Dynamic text effects have been added, especially for the “BREAKOUT!” announcement.
New animations include explosions, cracked bricks and fireworks.
Additional sounds include a coin-drop effect.
A tutorial has been added.
The game includes a Hall of Champions leaderboard.
Optional ticket-redemption support is available.
Alan-1’s MLeS app is integrated.
Compatible hardware “toys” can provide wind, rumble, LED and knocker effects.

What’s new in Caverns of Mars

The ground has returned to a maroon colour with an outline instead of black.
Levels are now fixed rather than procedurally generated.
Additional levels have been created around the fixed-stage design.
Stages contain more features, including buildings, extra enemies and destructible pipes.
Open cavern sections with enemies between levels have returned.
Players must again escape the cavern after striking the reactor.
The interface has been improved with a radar and depth meter.
A 3D Mars level-selection screen has been added.
A destructible barrier must be blasted between caverns.
Perk selection has new graphics, followed by a taunting Martian billboard.
Scoring now determines player ranks.
A celebratory ending sequence and Hall of Champions leaderboard have been added.
Optional ticket-redemption support is included.
Alan-1’s MLeS app is integrated.
Support is provided for wind, rumble, LED and knocker hardware effects.

What’s new in Yars Recharged

The title is officially Yars Recharged, not Yars Revenge Recharged.

The Destroyer Missile enemy has returned.
Qotile damage has been adjusted. In earlier levels, the Zorlon Cannon destroys it with one hit instead of two.
The game contains 128 waves, known as Hives.
A tutorial has been added.
Player ranks are based on score.
A celebratory ending sequence and Hall of Champions leaderboard are included.
Yar’s death animation has been expanded.
New sounds have been added.
Optional ticket-redemption support is available.
Alan-1’s MLeS app is integrated.
Wind, rumble, LED and knocker hardware effects are supported.

Arcade-focused versions, not simple ports

Alongside the headline additions, each game includes a range of smaller changes. Alan-1 describes these versions as more faithful to their original inspirations while avoiding exact reproduction. They are intended to function as independent arcade games rather than simply copying the source releases.

No shipping date has been announced yet. Alan-1 expects the cabinets to become available in spring, with further timing information due soon.

Caverns of Mars stands out as the contributor’s favourite of the three. Its play style feels like a reverse River Raid, an Atari 2600 shoot ’em up that also never received an arcade version. For Atari fans, the arrival of these titles adds something different to the arcade landscape, although a distinctive game does not automatically guarantee strong operator earnings.

Alan-1 also had further new titles at the show, so additional announcements are expected. For more arcade-industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. Readers comparing cabinet formats can also explore the upright arcade range or consult the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.