Arcade News: IAAPA 2025 and Beetlejuice Pinball

The latest arcade and pinball news includes a first look back at IAAPA 2025, Spooky Pinball’s sold-out Beetlejuice Pinball, a new fishing game from South Korea, and updates from several major manufacturers.

IAAPA 2025: a busy show with more to come

IAAPA 2025 has now finished, but its impact will continue through a multi-part review covering the exhibitors and games shown at the event. The show was exceptionally crowded, with an estimated 150 to 200 companies reportedly unable to secure space. IAAPA is expected to expand into the West Concourse next year, following the use of outdoor tented areas before COVID in 2019.

Some companies that missed out on exhibition space still established a presence nearby. Astro Crow Games displayed Throwback! Jai-Alai Heroes at Arcade Monsters in Orlando, where it reportedly secured additional sales. The venue also hosted a World Jai-Alai League meeting on Thursday night. The game has changed since its earlier coverage and will be revisited in more detail.

Among the major IAAPA highlights were Raw Thrills’ Jackpot Racer and Godzilla Kaiju Wars Deluxe. The latter stood out as the stronger experience, with gameplay adjustments that make it feel more like a dedicated on-rails shooter than a conventional attraction. It was also nearing shipment.

Bandai Namco provided the first opportunity in the United States to play IGS and Baohui’s Speed Rider 4DX outside location testing. Its motion platform performed well, the advertised drift system proved effective, and its Unreal Engine visuals were impressive.

exA-Arcadia’s most recognisable IAAPA title was its arcade version of Hunter X Hunter Nen X Impact, which includes several improvements over the home releases.

Sega Amusements also drew attention with Maimai DX, appearing at IAAPA for the first time. The rhythm game remained popular throughout the week. One cabinet in the twin setup appeared to develop a problem on the final day, while the other pair continued operating.

For Australian operators and collectors tracking new releases, the show’s scale is a reminder that dedicated arcade hardware remains a broad market, spanning racing, rhythm, shooting and motion attractions. Our arcade news coverage follows these developments, while our arcade machine buying guide covers the practical side of choosing hardware for home or commercial use.

Spooky Pinball reveals Beetlejuice

Spooky Pinball unveiled Beetlejuice Pinball shortly before IAAPA. The machine was not exhibited at the show because Spooky generally focuses on pinball events rather than broad amusement-industry expos. Its limited production run also sold out almost immediately, so opportunities to play one will be scarce outside the machines purchased by customers.

The game’s appeal comes partly from its experimental design, especially a voice-activation system demonstrated in the reveal material. Features like this could be valuable for location operators, although the limited run means relatively few players will experience them in public venues. Beetlejuice Pinball is scheduled to ship in early 2026.

Strong Fisher brings back full fishing controls

Fishing games once commonly used realistic rods, with Sega’s Sega Bass Fishing among the best-known examples. More recent fishing attractions have often leaned towards simpler redemption formats, including UNIS’ Pirate’s Hook and Treasure Cove. Namco’s Ace Angler is one of the more notable modern examples to retain a substantial fishing-style control system.

South Korean developer FORTENTS is now pursuing the format with Strong Fisher. The game was shown at G-Star 2025 and is planned for release at South Korean locations. There has also been stated interest in bringing it to Japan and North America in the future, although those plans do not represent confirmed release details.

A 4Gamer report has further details, while the accompanying gameplay video demonstrates the fishing controls.

Houston Arcade Expo highlights pinball and production

The annual Houston Arcade Expo took place shortly before IAAPA, following the previous month’s Pinball Expo. Its programme combined classic coin-operated games, console tournaments, live music, vendors and new releases.

Multimorphic presented Portal Pinball, alongside The Princess Bride and Final Resistance. Portal Pinball also received a dedicated making-of panel.

Attendees were given access to Barrels of Fun’s manufacturing headquarters, where Dune and Winchester House Mystery were both being assembled. This was the first time the company had more than one title in production, with further multi-title manufacturing planned.

Wahlap develops Monster Eye 3 Plus

Wahlap has been gradually promoting Monster Eye 3 Plus, a larger-format development related to Monster Eye 3. The original game has appeared as an environmental cabinet and as the four-player upright Unite version. The Plus edition expands the latter concept into a full motion theatre attraction.

Its format is comparable to Triotech’s XD Dark Ride and Bandai Namco’s Deadstorm Pirates 4D, although it does not use glasses. Similar theatre-style arcade attractions have become uncommon; the special attraction version of House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn at Joypolis was one of the more recent examples. Monster Eye 3 Plus has not yet appeared at a trade show, but Wahlap has now begun extending its online promotion to YouTube.