Arcana Heart 3 Love Max Six Stars!!!!!! Xtend—usually shortened to Arcana Heart 3 Xtend—is now being tested in Japanese arcades. The 2D, one-on-one fighter also has a connection to Western players through earlier console and PC releases.
A long-running all-girls fighting series
The Arcana Heart franchise began in 2005 and focuses on an all-female cast. Its fighting system has similarities to Guilty Gear, as noted per this fan Wiki. Although the series has primarily been associated with Japan, PlayStation and PC versions have helped it reach audiences elsewhere.
In 2008, Andamiro USA tested the waters for the arcade version Arcana Heart 2. It is unclear how many boards, if any, were ultimately sold to operators in the United States. The third game has appeared in multiple versions, while the latest build has been available on PCs since 2017.
Arcade release details
The new arcade release runs on the exA-Arcadia platform and is currently testing in Shinjuku, Japan. The build has 26 playable characters and four modes: arcade, survival, score attack and training.
At this stage, the reported version includes two frames of input lag delay. No additional characters or stages have been announced, although that could change. Importantly for operators and players outside Japan, this is a worldwide release: any venue with an exA-Arcadia system can offer it. Readers following broader arcade news and gaming updates can keep an eye on future release information.
An earlier build was playable at IAAPA 2022. exA-Arcadia was not scheduled to attend IAAPA 2023 because of a space issue at the event. For operators assessing new hardware, the arcade machine buying guide offers useful background when comparing cabinets and systems.
What happens next?
Based on the timing of previous exA-Arcadia tests, pre-orders or sales could begin during September 2023. Another fighting game, Axel City 2, had started shipping earlier that week, with venues that ordered it expected to receive their machines soon.
For home enthusiasts considering an upright setup, RETROCADE’s range of upright arcade cabinets provides another way to build a dedicated fighting-game space.
Would Arcana Heart 3 Xtend suit your local arcade or home setup?
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