Arcana Heart 3 LoveMax SixStars Xtend has begun shipping in Japan for the exA-Arcadia arcade platform, while pre-orders are open for Western operators. This enhanced fighting-game release brings Team Arcana’s all-female anime cast to a new arcade version.
What makes Arcana Heart different?
Arcana Heart is a technically demanding 2D fighter built around female characters and anime presentation. Its distinctive system lets players pair each fighter with an Arcana, creating different abilities, strengths and play styles. The colourful design is approachable, but understanding the roster and Arcana combinations requires serious study. There is a wiki on Fandom for players who want to explore those mechanics in depth.
Examu and Team Arcana launched the first Arcana Heart in Japanese arcades in 2005, followed by further arcade entries. Releases have generally remained difficult to find outside Japan, although Andamiro USA brought Arcana Heart 2 to the United States around 2008 or 2009. The series has also appeared on home platforms, and the latest version is available on Steam.
Arcana Heart 3 Xtend on exA-Arcadia
This arcade edition was originally announced for exA-Arcadia in 2021, but its release was delayed. It has now reached Japanese locations, offering an updated version of Arcana Heart 3 for dedicated fighting-game venues.
Here are the features for this “ultimate version” of the game, including:
- 26 playable characters and 25 playable Arcanas, with the returning cast joined by Pistrix No. 29 and Dark Heart.
- Reworked graphics rendering intended to produce a clearer presentation across the game.
- Two frames of input lag response for faster control response than previous instalments.
- Four play modes: Story, Survival, Score Attack and Training.
- A new story mode that gives newcomers their own story and allows them to be used throughout every mode.
- Full voice acting for every character during story-mode sequences.
Pistrix No. 29 and Dark Heart are also DLC characters in the Steam release. It is not confirmed whether the new story mode is exclusive to this arcade edition. The revised rendering and two-frame input response are specific highlights of the Xtend arcade version and can be seen in the gameplay footage.
The Arcana Heart 3 Xtend kit
The game is supplied as a kit for exA-Arcadia. The platform follows a cartridge-based model reminiscent of Neo Geo MVS: operators purchase game cartridges packaged with matching artwork and materials. The Arcana Heart 3 Xtend cartridge is hot pink rather than the black used for some other exA releases.
The displayed kit price is approximately US$1,575, although the final amount can vary between regions and distributors. A single standard kit is listed, with no limited-edition package announced for this release.
For operators building a serious fighting-game line-up, Xtend could be a strong specialist addition. It is likely to appeal more to dedicated players than casual drop-in venues. Operators comparing cabinet formats can also review RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse arcade machines or consider upright arcades for a home or commercial setup.
Several other exA-Arcadia titles were expected to launch in the first quarter of 2024, including multiple fighting games. With many games shown at IAAPA already released or scheduled for that period, Arcana Heart 3 Xtend may be the final arcade launch of 2023 unless an unexpected release or change appears.
Would Arcana Heart 3 Xtend suit your local arcade’s fighting-game mix?
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