The educational programme at IAAPA 2024 had finished, with the main trade-show floor scheduled to open the following day. Several seminars were still running, but the early access period offered a useful look at the arcade releases and attractions being prepared.
Most exhibitors were still setting up, and many machines were switched off. A camera problem also interrupted coverage: several minutes of footage from LAI Games’ Kaiju Rampage were lost when the recording stopped and the file became corrupted. The hope was that the fault would not affect the rest of the week.
This was an early preview, not a finished show-floor report. More complete impressions would come once the booths were operating normally.
A first look around IAAPA 2024
There was not enough time to edit every photograph taken during the day. A selection was shared through social channels, while additional images and videos were planned as time allowed.
Taiko no Tatsujin arrives in the United States
Namco’s Taiko no Tatsujin USA model was running when the show was first visited, but there was no opportunity to play it immediately. By the time the schedule cleared, the Namco booth had been shut down for the evening. The display included two machines and a children’s ride.
A later look showed the cabinet switched off.
The drumsticks were also photographed separately.
GoldStorm Pirates
GoldStorm Pirates made a strong impression visually, and one visitor was seen playing it. The game was turned off soon afterwards, leaving detailed gameplay coverage for a later visit when the BNA booth reopened.
Sega Amusements
Sega Amusements was located near the area visited most often during the day. Unlike some exhibitors, the team left the booth available after departing, making it possible to take pre-show photographs and capture a short gameplay video.
The prize machines were among the brightest and most prominent attractions on the stand.
Alpha Ops VR Strike
For arcade video-game fans, Alpha Ops VR Strike was a more compelling stop. Described as a spiritual successor to VR Agent, the game could be played through the first level while seated. The show software was approximately 70% complete, with bugs including objects becoming stuck in mid-air, and the cabinet on display was not the final design. The finished version was expected to be more elaborate.
The seated format helped maintain headset focus more easily than VR Agent, where movement could sometimes disturb the player’s view. VR-related discomfort still lingered after the session, and the gun became tiring enough to require a hand change near the end of the first level. Its button is used to reload.
Visually, the title looked sharp and demonstrated the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. Its launch was planned for early the following year.
Other Sega titles
Apex Rebels had all four tracks installed, including a final track still waiting to be tried. On Target was also present, featuring rifles resembling those used by JET Games’ Mega Shot, although there was no chance to play it during this visit.
exA-Arcadia and the ARC-32
The exA-Arcadia team arrived at IAAPA shortly after Japan Amusement Expo, following a 22-hour flight. The company had enjoyed a particularly strong showing in Japan, where its collection of stick-and-button arcade games attracted substantial attention.
The new ARC-32 cabinet was the centrepiece of the IAAPA display. Its appearance suited both candy-cab collectors and commercial locations. The model shown used a base to bring the controls to standing height, although the cabinet could also remain in a seated configuration without it.
exA-Arcadia was placing greater emphasis on presenting individual games. Both ARC-1 and ARC-32 displays used a single-game marquee, while still allowing operators and players to access other titles through the menu. The reasoning was that machines presented as one clear game appeared to earn better than those marketed as four-game systems.
The ARC-32 used artwork printed on acrylic rather than paper marquees. White LED lighting sat beneath the control panel, while each player had separate volume controls and a headphone socket. A red indicator showed that the headphone connection was active; no light indicated a problem.
The rapid turnaround between events meant the trackball controller and its games could not be brought to the show, so Wild Guns: Rawhide was not available to view. Other exA-Arcadia titles were on hand for visitors.
NBA Superstars update
The latest NBA Superstars software update gave the game a faster, more exaggerated arcade character. The players had larger, stylised proportions and the overall presentation recalled the broad, playful approach associated with NBA Jam.
That direction suited an arcade environment better than a serious basketball simulation, even though both styles have their place.
Angry Birds Fury Road
DOF Robotics’ Angry Birds Fury Road was positioned at the northern side of the convention centre, meaning visitors entering from the south had a longer walk. The cabinets were already powered down when they were found, but the themed booth was an impressive addition to the show.
Chef It Up
MonkeySplash Studios was exhibiting in a compact space within the Games & Arcade Pavilion. The designers were away during the visit, so the game was recorded rather than played. A more detailed assessment was best left until the developers could explain how it worked.
Subsoccer Arcade
PrimeTime Amusements was showing three games: Killer Queen Arcade, StepManiaX DX and Subsoccer Arcade. The new Subsoccer model used a special glass surface that appeared frosted while inactive, making the playfield difficult to see before a credit was inserted.
After payment, a 90-second timer made the view visible for two players. The display technology could potentially have useful applications in other social arcade tables, including foosball.
IAAPA 2024 Day 0 wrap-up
Several other attractions had already appeared at the event, including LAI Games’ booth, Jersey Jack Pinball’s Pinball XP setup and a RollerCoaster Tycoon VR game. More coverage was planned once the main trade-show day began.
For Australian arcade fans following new releases, IAAPA’s early setup offered a useful reminder that many cabinets change between preview and final presentation. Readers interested in choosing equipment for a home or venue can explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse arcade machines, or compare specialised racing arcades. Compact spaces may also suit bartop arcades.
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