exA-Arcadia has announced a substantial line-up of new and updated games for its cartridge-based arcade platform ahead of Japan Amusement Expo and IAAPA Expo 2024. The first group includes original projects, enhanced versions of established titles and several games designed around new trackball hardware.
Most of the newly announced releases are planned for 2025, while a small number of updates and conversions are expected sooner. The announcements were introduced during an exALive livestream, followed by further details about the games and their arcade-focused features.
The exA-Arcadia showcase
The presentation was delivered in Japanese, but its announcements covered a broad range of genres, from block-breaking action and run-and-gun games to scrolling shooters and fighting games.
New trackball support
Before unveiling the games, exA-Arcadia confirmed support for a 2.25-inch trackball controller. That is smaller than the 3.5-inch American standard, but matches the compact control-panel layouts commonly used in Japanese candy cabinets.
The controller fits a Vewlix control panel and was demonstrated with the ARC-32 cabinet. A version for the American ARC-1 cabinet is also planned. Several of the games below will use the trackball, while others retain conventional joystick controls.
Wild Guns Rawhide
Wild Guns Rawhide is a new arcade version of NatsumeAtari’s Wild Guns Reloaded. It supports the new trackball, four buttons for Fire, Jump, Bombs and Lasso, and simultaneous four-player action.
The package includes an arcade-tuned version of the original SNES game alongside a new EXA mode with additional content. Players can also select between the original soundtrack and a new arranged soundtrack by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki.
Cyberblocker R
kt. software’s Cyberblocker R combines aggressive block-breaking action with shooting. Its Arkanoid-inspired design uses a trackball and three buttons: Shot, Speed and Power Bar.
The game supports two players at the same time and can run on horizontal or vertical displays. Character designs come from Yoshitoshi Abe, known for Serial Experiments Lain, while the soundtrack is composed by former ZUNTATA artist yack.
An early version seen at Amusement Expo used a joystick, but the announced release is built around trackball control.
Bunny Bomber Blast!
Hiulit’s Game Studio is bringing Bunny Bomber Blast! to arcades following Donut Dodo Do!. The game adapts Murtop, a Switch and Steam title released the previous year, with a concept that sits between Dig Dug and Bomberman.
Movement uses a joystick and bombs are activated with one button. The arcade edition supports multiplayer, horizontal and vertical screens, and an original soundtrack. Key visuals are provided by KOU, whose work includes Mega Man ZX, Shantae and Donut Dodo Do!.
The arcade version has been streamlined for coin-operated play and is intended to feel different from the console release. Footage from an earlier demonstration is also available to view.
Earthion EXA Label
Yuzo Koshiro and his Ancient development team are preparing an EXA Label version of the Mega Drive and Genesis shooter Earthion. Although the game scrolls horizontally, the arcade release supports both horizontal and vertical monitor modes.
exA-Arcadia has assisted Ancient with the Mega Drive version’s design. EXA Mode is intended to be the primary arcade experience, while the Mega Drive and Genesis edition will also be included.
Koshiro has shared development updates online, and Ancient maintains further information through its official social account.
Demon Front EXA Label
IGS’s 2002 run-and-gun game Demon Front is receiving an updated EXA Label edition. The title was influenced by the style of Metal Slug and was recently included in IGS’s Classic Arcade Collection for Switch.
The arcade version includes the original game, a new EXA mode, four-player support and an arranged soundtrack alongside the original music.
Batsugun EXA Label 1.5
Batsugun EXA Label is set to receive a major free update. Version 1.5 adds Score Attack to each available play mode, introduces daily rankings and makes several smaller adjustments.
The EXA mode has also been rebuilt, so returning players can expect it to provide a different experience from the earlier version. The update was expected to arrive the following month.
Airgallet EXA Label
The Director’s Cut of the scrolling shooter Airgallet EXA Label is nearing completion. It combines the standard presentation of the original arcade release with a new EXA mode, plus Score Attack and Extreme Difficulty options.
Former Gazelle team member Junya Inoue is creating the key artwork, including a new opening sequence. Keishi Yonao is composing the arranged soundtrack, while exA-Arcadia’s low-latency controls target one frame of input delay. Further details are available on the game page.
Asuka 120% BURNING Fest. EXALLENT
The previously announced Asuka 120% BURNING Fest. EXALLENT will be based on the popular LimitOver version. It is planned to include every character from the series, along with arcade and training modes.
Additional features include a new theme song by Reika and Yonao Keishi, original and arranged soundtrack options, key visuals by Yo-co and low-latency controls supported by exA-Arcadia technology.
Daemon Bride exAgain
Daemon Bride exAgain is scheduled for release within fiscal 2024. The upgraded fighting game adds a training mode, extensive balance changes and low-latency controls.
Tomomi Saito is handling the key visuals, and the opening movie has been remastered in full HD.
What to expect at the shows
exA-Arcadia is scheduled to exhibit at both Japan Amusement Expo and IAAPA Expo 2024. The events are positioned less than a week apart, requiring the Japanese team to make a reported 22-hour journey from Japan to Orlando after the first show.
Further titles were expected to appear at the events without being included in the exALive presentation. At least two additional games were anticipated, with the possibility of four, including another EXA Label release. Those games were due to be revealed through event coverage rather than another livestream.
For Australian collectors and operators following new arcade hardware, this line-up is notable for its mix of four-player action, vertical-screen support, training modes, competitive ranking features and dedicated trackball control. Readers comparing display layouts and control options can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse upright arcades or consider arcade parts for control-panel projects.
For more industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE arcade blog.
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