Two family-focused arcade games have reached the production and rollout stage: Bandai Namco Amusement’s Animal Kaiser Plus and Ace Amusement’s Surf League. Both expand the current selection of games aimed at younger players, while a separate update confirms a revised shipping window for LAI Games’ Smash DX.
Animal Kaiser Plus arrives in the UK
Animal Kaiser Plus is now officially available in the United Kingdom. The Animal Kaiser series has built a substantial UK following over the past decade, making the country the first confirmed destination for this new release.
The UK version is being promoted through dedicated Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. A Google Map showing where the game has been installed is also available, although it may include locations for earlier versions of the series as well as Plus.
The US release is scheduled to begin shipping in May 2024. Anna from Bandai Namco Amusement America confirmed that there are currently no plans for a US location map. Distribution can make this type of tracking difficult: machines may be shipped directly to a distributor or placed by a route operator, with final locations not always reported publicly.
At the time of writing, the game is not listed on Bandai Namco Amusement Europe’s site yet. For operators assessing new family entertainment equipment, the RETROCADE Arcade Blog is a useful place to follow further arcade news.
Surf League reaches production
Surf League takes a more physical approach. Designed for children but suitable for adults too, it combines surfing and racing with animal characters. Players lean over the machine and physically ride through the experience, making it a livelier proposition than a conventional seated or upright video game.
Ace Amusement developed the game, while Coastal Amusements is handling sales in the United States. The machine is complete, but the first units were still awaiting arrival in their shipping container. Coastal expected that container to arrive shortly, so existing orders should follow soon after.
New orders may have a shorter wait initially, although a sold-out batch could require a further couple of months depending on the next shipment. Pricing is available through Coastal’s distributors. Operators comparing physical attractions with more traditional arcade machines should also consider the space and movement requirements of this style of game.
Smash DX shipping update
LAI Games has clarified that Smash DX is expected to ship in May 2024, rather than March as previously anticipated. The company has also released a promotional trailer for the game, giving operators another opportunity to assess it before ordering.
More arcade projects on the way
Several other new-game announcements remain on hold for now. At least one or two additional titles are still expected to begin shipping during April, with more releases anticipated in May. Wahlap is also reportedly planning to unveil another game.
Sponsored videos from exA-Arcadia covering its ARC-1 cabinet are due to be published soon. Testing games across three different exA cabinet configurations should provide an interesting comparison for players and operators. For those working on a cabinet project, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and arcade repair service offer practical background on choosing and maintaining equipment.
For Australian arcade fans and operators, Animal Kaiser Plus, Surf League and Smash DX show how modern venues continue to broaden their mix beyond classic video games.
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