Location-test note: Drakons: Realm Keepers is still being evaluated in arcades. Its design, features and even production status may change before release, and the game may not ultimately ship.
Adrenaline Amusements’ dragon-themed project has resurfaced after a substantial redesign. First spotted on test in March 2021, Drakons originally appeared to be a motion-based dragon-riding game. At the time, only a single photograph was available, leaving much of the concept unclear.
The project was discussed again at IAAPA 2022 while the company was presenting NFS Heat Takedown. Adrenaline explained that the motion platform used for that racing game had initially been developed for Drakons. Further details revealed a game centred on riding and battling from a dragon, with the free movement recalling Blazing Angels Arcade.
That early version reportedly performed poorly during testing, and for a time the motion system seemed likely to be the only surviving part of the project. Drakons has now returned to test at the new Supercharged family entertainment centre in New Jersey, but it has been reworked into a non-rails light-gun shooter for one or two players.
The available image suggests that dragons and dragon riders remain central to the theme. The cabinet also features an unusually square display, which appears to use Micro LED panels rather than a conventional off-the-shelf HDTV. Its elevated top section may reflect the visual direction seen on NFS Heat Takedown. The motion base remains, with the two seats able to slide independently.
Visually, the cabinet leans into a fiery aesthetic. Lighting built into the seats may be intended to create a flickering-flame effect, although that detail cannot be confirmed from the test material. The concept is also an original fantasy idea rather than a film licence, which gives it a distinct identity in a market where recognisable brands are common.
The cabinet’s size suggests a potentially expensive amusement-only machine if it reaches production. That said, Adrenaline’s NFS Heat Takedown was reported as competitively priced against other racing games, so the final cost of Drakons cannot be judged from its footprint alone. For operators and collectors comparing large-format hardware, the Arcade Machine Buying Guide provides useful context, while arcade machines and racing arcades show how different cabinet formats compare.
The test video is filmed handheld and the image quality is limited, but it still reveals several gameplay details. Three stages are selectable in the footage, although that may be specific to this location-test build rather than a confirmed final feature. Movement appears smooth, the environments are colourful, and players launch fireballs at waves of enemies.
One notable omission is a visible leaderboard. After the player is defeated, the game appears to move to a “Continue?” screen, similar to the presentation seen in another Adrenaline title, Tomb Raider Arcade. If Drakons includes a score-based structure, a leaderboard would give players a stronger reason to return and compete. It is also the kind of feature operators and enthusiasts will want clarified as development continues.
Drakons: Realm Keepers is an intriguing second attempt: a shelved-looking dragon motion game has become a two-player light-gun experience without abandoning its moving seats. The next test build should reveal whether the current presentation, stage count and scoring features survive into production.
For more coverage of new cabinets and arcade hardware, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. If the motion platform or controls require future servicing, arcade repairs and arcade parts are also relevant resources.
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