The third and final day of EVO Japan 2026 brought together a broad mix of arcade activity beyond the event’s headline fighting-game competitions. Exhibitor demonstrations, rhythm-game promotion, control hardware and specialist side tournaments all helped show how much of the arcade scene remains connected to competitive gaming.
Here are the main arcade-related highlights from the final day, including several Japan-focused releases and a few familiar names from the international arcade industry.
Bandai Namco and Mobile Suit Gundam EXVS
Bandai Namco remains one of EVO’s major supporters, with the home versions of Tekken continuing to occupy a prominent place in the tournament programme. The company also used EVO Japan to spotlight the arcade-focused Mobile Suit Gundam EXVS series.
The latest entry, Infinite Boost, received a dedicated demonstration booth, allowing visitors to try the new edition. Its availability remains heavily centred on Japan. Cabinets were installed at the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Brooklyn after it opened in 2025, but those machines have reportedly since been removed.
EVO and Bandai Namco also produced an English-language video covering the exhibition activity. That presentation has nevertheless frustrated Western followers, with many fans again unhappy about the series’ limited access outside Japan.
Taito brings rhythm games into the spotlight
Rhythm games have been gaining a more visible role at EVO Japan. After a Taiko no Tatsujin side tournament appeared at the event in an earlier year, Taito used this edition to promote its dedicated “Tradz” esports team for the genre.
The company brought a new Konami Pop’n Music cabinet to the show, alongside a Getter Spin prize machine. Interest in the cabinet has also spread to North America after Konami began accepting orders from more arcades beyond Round1USA and the operators that received early access to Bemani titles the previous year.
The booth display also indicated that Taito had arranged two Pop’n Music livestreams, adding another layer of competitive rhythm-game coverage to the event.
Sanwa Denshi hardware and the leverless debate
Sanwa Denshi was another important arcade-hardware presence. Its joysticks and buttons are widely used in cabinets and personal fightsticks, making the company a familiar name for both operators and fighting-game players.
Sanwa’s equipment was on display at EVO Japan, while leverless controllers continued to fuel debate among competitive players. Those devices were even being used as tournament prizes. Whether a player prefers a traditional lever or a leverless layout, Sanwa remains one of the established choices for arcade controls. Australian operators planning upgrades can also explore arcade parts for joysticks, buttons and repairs.
Blaze Pro shows a new tabletop MVS cabinet
Blaze Pro presented a new Neo Geo-inspired tabletop machine at EVO Japan. While Plaion is developing the AES+, Blaze Pro’s project takes its cue from the MVS arcade format and is aimed at a compact, home-oriented setup rather than commercial venues.
The unit did not appear to be playable at the show. A notice explained that the cabinet’s design was still awaiting final approval from the relevant licence holder. It is also expected to use emulation rather than an original MVS configuration, although the finished hardware could still appeal to collectors looking for a smaller Neo Geo-style cabinet. For more context on choosing a compact machine, see RETROCADE’s bartop and tabletop arcade options.
StepManiaX leads the side-tournament line-up
EVO Japan’s side events often extend well beyond the best-known fighting games. This year, StepManiaX was one of the standout arcade inclusions, arriving soon after a location test elsewhere in Japan that Kyle Ward visited during the week.
Step Revolution’s regular content updates continued around the event, reaching update number 77 with a track by former Bemani composer and producer NAOKI. The accompanying release was timed to coincide with EVO Japan. Step Revolution has also teased another upcoming announcement, although no timing has been confirmed.
A livestream followed the StepManiaX competition at EVO. The combination of the Japanese location test and the tournament appearance offered a useful boost for the dance-game platform in the region.
EN-Eins, Vampire Savior and a major Street Fighter record
EN-Eins Perfektewelt: Anastasis also received a side tournament. The arcade fighter launched on Taito’s NESiCAxLive platform a little over three years ago after being funded by its fans, an unusual route for an arcade release. Its official distribution remains restricted to Japan, but the EVO event showed that the game still has a dedicated competitive audience there.
Capcom’s almost 30-year-old Vampire Savior went further than the side-event stage, earning a place in the main tournament programme. The game was also included in the EVO Museum, a reminder that the Darkstalkers series still has strong fan support despite the lack of a major new instalment in recent years.
The older fighter was ultimately overshadowed by Street Fighter 6. The game attracted 7,168 participants, earning a Guinness World Record for the most entrants in a single fighting game.
That concludes the arcade-focused coverage from EVO Japan 2026. The event demonstrated that arcade culture at a major fighting-game gathering now includes far more than the headline brackets, from rhythm-game competitions and specialist hardware to compact retro systems and long-running arcade fighters.
For Australian readers following the wider machine scene, the RETROCADE Arcade Blog will continue covering noteworthy developments. Those considering a home setup can also compare arcade machine buying advice before choosing a cabinet.
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