Arcade News Round-Up: EAG 2026 and Time Crisis

As 2025 draws to a close, the arcade and pinball industry is entering its seasonal slowdown. This final news round-up of the year looks ahead to EAG 2026, follows the latest rhythm-game developments, marks 30 years of Time Crisis, and reviews several industry stories relevant to Australian operators and home arcade fans.

Further coverage will include a final location report for 2025, an update on exA-Arcadia and a year-in-review. Manufacturers are also encouraged to check the 2025 arcade and pinball releases list and report any confirmed shipping titles that may have been missed before 2026 begins.

EAG 2026 prepares for its London opening

The United Kingdom’s major amusement trade show, EAG, is approaching at London ExCeL. Full coverage is expected, while several exhibitors have already begun promoting their planned displays.

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe has confirmed Mini World, Giga Shot and the return of GoldStorm Pirates, which appeared in pre-release form at the previous show. Sega Amusements is also highlighting Subsoccer Arcade. A possible content update for a major racing title has been discussed, but Sega has not officially announced it.

A new Dance Dance Revolution cabinet is also expected to make its debut at EAG. Its existence became widely discussed after a Konami USA buyer’s list mentioned the machine earlier in 2025. So far, the cabinet has only been shown in a small distributor advertisement in The Stinger Report. The image suggests a platinum-coloured evolution of the gold cabinet design used since 2019.

Taiko no Tatsujin has reportedly started testing at an undisclosed UK location. The site has asked to remain private so operators can assess the game without additional publicity. Testing does not confirm UK production or shipping, and it does not guarantee an EAG appearance. The title’s arrival at IAAPA also took considerable time after US testing, so its wider European future remains uncertain.

Konami launches a new Pop’n Music edition

Japan has received the latest version of Konami’s colourful rhythm series, Pop’n Music: High Cheers. The release includes a new cabinet design alongside the usual software update and fresh music. Large venues, including the GiGO venue in Ikebukuro, have promoted it with prominent screens and standees.

New Pop'n Music High Cheers at GiGO in Japan

The game was tested earlier in the year and appeared on Konami’s US product list, suggesting that selected overseas locations may begin receiving it in the future. A new-song introduction video is available, along with the official Japanese website.

Time Crisis reaches 30 years

Namco’s Time Crisis first reached arcades in December 1995, making December 2025 its 30th anniversary. The pedal-operated light-gun shooter followed Sega’s Virtua Cop and helped revitalise the genre with one of its early fully 3D presentations. Its success established a long-running franchise, with Time Crisis 5 remaining the latest mainline release from 2015.

The original machine supported one player, while the principal sequels used paired or linkable cabinets for competitive two-player action. Alongside Sega’s House of the Dead series, Time Crisis remains one of the most influential continuing arcade gun-game brands. Both series still appear in venues worldwide, although neither has received a new entry for some time.

Working examples of Time Crisis II and Time Crisis 3 remain compelling because of their distinctive presentation and focused mechanical design. For operators planning a restoration, RETROCADE’s guides to arcade repairs and arcade parts provide useful starting points.

Basic Fun acquires Arcade1Up assets

Arcade1Up became prominent in the late 2010s and during the COVID-19 pandemic by producing compact home versions of classic arcade cabinets. Some commercial venues even operated the home-focused machines, a practice that remains controversial because purpose-built arcade equipment is designed for heavier public use.

Reports had suggested that Arcade1Up might close and dismiss its workforce. Instead, its assets have been purchased by Basic Fun, a toy company whose products include Arcade Classics. The acquisition is not entirely unexpected: home-cabinet demand appeared to peak when many physical venues were unavailable, while real arcades later became accessible again. Reported licensing-payment difficulties may also have contributed to the company’s problems.

It is not yet clear how much of Arcade1Up’s previous product strategy Basic Fun will retain. Buyers comparing home cabinets with full-size alternatives can consult RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and browse its upright arcades.

The disputed Godzilla pinball damage story

Empire Alternarcade in Townsville, Australia, recently claimed that a disgruntled customer had damaged its Godzilla pinball machine by throwing a full keg at it. The story spread widely, but observers questioned whether the reported damage matched the likely impact of a loaded keg.

Comments raising those concerns were later removed from the venue’s post, creating further suspicion. The exact cause of the damage remains unclear, but the incident generated substantial attention regardless of how the machine was broken.

More arcade and pinball headlines

Home and wider gaming headlines

Rising inflation, weaker consumer spending, expensive components such as DRAM and graphics cards, higher electricity costs and uneven AAA releases are all pressures affecting gaming businesses, including arcades. Market contractions do not last indefinitely, however; lower prices and new ideas can eventually create room for recovery.

That concludes this edition of the arcade news round-up. The strongest stories include Konami’s new rhythm releases, EAG’s expanding 2026 line-up and the enduring appeal of Time Crisis.

Arcade News Round-Up: EAG 2026, Pop’n Music and Time Crisis