Enter the Gungeon: House of the Gundead is moving from arcade prototype to production release, with orders now open for the light-gun adaptation of Devolver Digital’s popular roguelike shooter.
The arcade edition was originally expected to arrive in 2020, but development continued after the delay. Griffin Aerotech created the coin-operated version in partnership with Devolver Digital, transforming the original twin-stick format into an upright light-gun game.
Griffin Aerotech previously brought Skycurser, a scrolling shoot ’em up, to arcades through its Airframe platform in 2017. The team’s approach to House of the Gundead is notably more compact than many modern arcade releases, making the cabinet relevant to venues managing limited floor space and budgets. Australian operators comparing cabinet footprints can also consult RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide.
A compact upright light-gun cabinet
The production cabinet has evolved since its 2019 and 2020 appearances, while retaining a classic upright profile. It uses a 43-inch LED UHD display, described as a 4K panel, along with a 2.1-channel sound system designed to deliver a powerful low-end response.
Its customised Sinden light-gun system provides distinct recoil or haptic feedback profiles for each of the game’s more than 40 weapons. The cabinet also features bezel artwork and instructions with a deliberately retro-styled presentation.
Orders, pricing and distribution
The official House of the Gundead website provides further game information and ordering details for operators and collectors. Outright purchase is priced below $6,000, placing the machine in a competitive part of the current arcade market. The initial release is being handled directly, although the team remains open to distribution partnerships.
Operators assessing the format alongside other upright machines can browse RETROCADE’s upright arcade range, while smaller venues may find the bartop arcade category useful for comparing space-efficient alternatives.
Gameplay footage and replay value
A complete run takes about 30 minutes for an experienced player. As with the original game, each session is procedurally generated, combining different rooms, enemy placements, power-ups and weapons so that no two runs are identical.
The arcade version also includes ranking and scoring systems aimed at experienced players. Its design goal is to provide strong replay value while preserving the roguelike structure of Enter the Gungeon.
How the arcade version changed
Following the proof-of-concept presentation at PAX East 2020, the project was rebuilt extensively. Positive audience reaction encouraged Dodge Roll and Devolver Digital to support a larger and deeper version of the game.
The software moved to Unity, allowing Griffin Aerotech to build on the foundation created for the original title while improving the visuals and gameplay. The light-gun hardware also changed during development, moving to a customised Sinden platform with individual feedback behaviour for the game’s weapons.
The team described the weapon transitions as a key part of the experience: a basic handgun, rocket launcher and rapid-fire machine gun each provide a different physical response. Griffin Aerotech worked closely with Sinden while refining this system.
Testing and technical details
House of the Gundead has been shown at several player-focused events, where feedback was observed and documented. Location testing began in November at multiple independently owned Free Play Arcade venues, which had supported Griffin Aerotech from the project’s early stages.
Those tests led to several update rounds addressing game balance, general user experience and bugs.
The machine runs on a Windows-based platform with application-specific customisations. Wi-Fi enables cloud-based remote updates and remote support. After testing multiple audio options, the team selected the 2.1-channel system used in the production cabinet. The display is a professional 43-inch LED UHD panel chosen after comparisons with other screens.
The cabinet’s design was intended to feel familiar in profile while standing out in a busy contemporary arcade. For operators planning ongoing servicing, RETROCADE’s arcade repair and maintenance service provides a useful reference point for ownership considerations.
Release plans and development challenges
The initial launch follows a direct-to-consumer model, with conversations with distributors still possible. Griffin Aerotech also planned to attend larger trade shows, including events such as Amusement Expo and IAAPA, although no specific appearances had been confirmed at the time of the announcement.
Developing an arcade title added substantial demands beyond ordinary game production. The hardware and software must be able to operate for 12 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week, while the pandemic affected every part of the project. The team’s focus remained on delivering a reliable player experience, supported by the strong response to the game.
For collectors and operators considering a new machine, RETROCADE’s arcade machines collection offers a broader comparison of cabinet styles and formats.
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