Arcade and Pinball News: GiGO Expo 2026

Arcade and pinball news has been arriving in smaller bursts recently, but there is still plenty for Australian players, collectors and operators to follow. This round-up covers GiGO Expo 2026, upcoming rhythm-game updates, Jersey Jack Pinball’s Sonic project, a Tales of the Arabian Nights remake, and a significant change to South Carolina’s pinball law.

GiGO Expo 2026 brings new and classic arcade games together

Japanese arcade chain GiGO, operated by GENDA, has grown into a major enough business to stage its own annual expos. The 2026 event is being held in Akihabara and includes the latest version of Konami’s Jubeat, following Japanese location tests and an appearance at PlayX4 in South Korea.

The expo also features miniature models based on Konami rhythm games, including Beatmania IIDX and Sound Voltex. For readers interested in arcade hardware and game-room planning, RETROCADE’s arcade news and editorial coverage offers more industry updates.

GiGO is not limiting the event to new releases. Exhibition tournaments have been held for established games such as Sega’s Initial D The Arcade and Virtual On Force. The latter first reached arcades more than 20 years ago, yet still has a committed Japanese following. GiGO continues to operate cabinets at selected venues, including a major Akihabara location that hosted part of the expo.

A similar event in a Western arcade chain would be welcome. Tokyo is a natural central meeting point for Japan’s arcade community, while possible United States locations could include Chicago, with its manufacturing and pinball history, or Dallas, which has hosted Amusement Expo and sits near several major amusement companies.

Rhythm-game updates span Konami, Sega and dance machines

Beatmania IIDX Zinrai

Konami is preparing the next annual version of Beatmania IIDX. Named Zinrai, it will be the series’ 34th update. Two rounds of testing are planned over the following weeks, while a final release date has not yet been announced. The update is expected closer to September for cabinets in Asia and the United States.

Chunithm Mate

Sega has also revealed Chunithm Mate, the first major refresh of its touch-slider rhythm series since 2024’s Chunithm Verse. The title is scheduled to launch in Japan on 2 July 2026, alongside a promotional livestream.

Chunithm remains officially restricted to Asia for now. However, the recent performance of Maimai DX in the United States could make an eventual international release more plausible.

Dance-game developments

Andamiro is preparing to launch Pump It Up Phoenix 2 worldwide. Meanwhile, StepManiaX has released content update #78 and is continuing its renewed promotional activity in Japan, including a special gathering at the venue that recently tested a deluxe cabinet.

For home players considering arcade hardware, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide is a useful starting point before comparing a full cabinet with a more compact setup.

Jersey Jack Pinball teases Sonic the Hedgehog

Pinball has produced some of the month’s larger announcements, particularly for collectors. Jersey Jack Pinball has begun teasing its official Sonic the Hedgehog machine with a countdown, close-up images and footage believed to come from a high-quality promotional trailer.

Several teaser images offer partial views of the game. One appears to show a topper with toys travelling along a track, although the final design and model differences have not been confirmed. Another short clip shows the pinball moving down a lane.

A further image appears to show the Collector’s Edition, including holographic foil decals and a distinctive shooter rod. Another early glimpse features a Sonic sticker positioned near the start button. A distributor email also indicated that three versions are planned: Arcade, Limited and Collector’s Editions. No pricing or further specifications were provided.

The machine’s location potential remains an open question. High-priced pinball commonly struggles to earn consistently in many venues, although exceptions include Stern’s Godzilla, Pokémon and Jersey Jack’s Toy Story 4. A machine priced around the $10,000 mark can be difficult for operators to justify when crane machines may offer a faster return.

That commercial concern does not reduce pinball’s appeal to collectors, who continue to account for a substantial share of sales. Sonic has a strong, multi-generational audience, so it may have a better chance than many licensed titles of performing well on location. Jersey Jack Pinball planned to reveal the complete game on 23 June 2026, with a dedicated livestream.

Pedretti remakes Tales of the Arabian Nights

Pedretti Pinball has announced an official remake of Williams’ 1996 machine Tales of the Arabian Nights. The release is aimed primarily at collectors, and the 399-unit 30th Anniversary Edition had already sold out at the time of reporting. Availability of that version and the Legacy Edition Remake may therefore be limited.

The remake offers a choice between version 1.0 software and new version 1.5 software. Version 1.0 retains the original game while adding bug fixes, improvements, updated technology and visual enhancements. Version 1.5 expands the game with additional goals connected to its tales.

Pedretti also lists several lighting upgrades:

RGB lighting built into the Magic Lamp
Internal RGB lighting inside the Genie
GameSync RGB sidebars that respond to gameplay events
An illuminated playfield back panel designed to create a deeper atmosphere

The starting price was reported as $11,000. Development, licensing and manufacturing costs help explain the figure, but that level remains difficult for most operators unless their venue performs well above average for pinball. Collectors are the more obvious audience, particularly as the title is not often requested in general arcade locations.

RETROCADE also covers home pinball options, including virtual pinball machines for players who want access to digital tables in a dedicated format.

South Carolina removes its youth pinball ban

South Carolina has removed a pinball restriction dating back to 1959. The law prohibited minors from playing pinball, although venues could still own and operate machines provided they monitored younger players.

The rule appears to have survived largely as an unenforced blue law. Its removal means children can now legally play pinball in South Carolina without venues having to navigate that outdated restriction.

Arcade and pinball releases from the first quarter of 2026

A video guide rounds up several of the major arcade and pinball releases from the first quarter of 2026.

More industry headlines

TouchMagix announced its Bowl Expo 2026 line-up.
Taito marked the 48th anniversary of Space Invaders.
Stern Pinball celebrated 40 years in the industry, commemorating its purchase of assets from the failed Chicago Coin and Chicago Dynamics businesses.
A RePlay Magazine podcast discussed game designer Eugene Jarvis.
The 2026 Golden Tee World Championship was streamed for 12 hours.
Raw Thrills promoted Big Buck Hunter: Undisputed King of Content.
Konami is releasing Demon Slayer in Japan on 9 July 2026.
Monster Eye 3 Plus received a promotional video featuring short interviews.
Dave & Buster’s reported lower revenue for the first quarter of 2026.
New Pokémon Pinball accessories and version 0.83 gameplay were shown.
American Pinball advertised a junior pinball designer position.
Amusement Connect received private-equity investment.
Starcade released its first episode, featuring Time Pilot, Tutankham, Swimmer and Burgertime.

Additional gaming headlines

Game musician Bobby Prince, known for work with id Software, 3D Realms and Apogee Games, died at 81.
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot was killed in a small-plane crash.
Sega unveiled Crazy Taxi World Tour.
Square Enix revealed Kingdom Hearts IV.
ROKR launched a Dinosaur Lab Pinball Kickstarter campaign.
A recent Nintendo Direct announcement was recapped.
Space Cyclone and Rack ’Em Up became available through Arcade Archives.

For Australian arcade owners working on a new venue or home setup, RETROCADE’s arcade repair and maintenance service and arcade parts selection can help keep machines ready for play.