IAAPA 2024 offered an unusually strong look at the video-game side of the amusement industry. Alongside established manufacturers, the show featured a broad selection of independent developers, new Japanese-style hardware, driving games, dance machines and experimental arcade concepts.
The increased independent presence was particularly notable after the disruption caused by the 2020 pandemic, which slowed many smaller arcade projects. This fourth IAAPA 2024 report focuses on exA-Arcadia, Ace Amusement, DOF Robotics, MonkeySplash Studios, Step Revolution, Unico USA, Yuto Games and several independent developers.
For Australian collectors comparing formats, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide is a useful starting point before choosing a full cabinet, bartop or custom setup.
exA-Arcadia brings the ARC-32 and a packed game line-up
exA-Arcadia is not a small developer, having operated in the market for around six years and sold thousands of games across its platform. However, many of the PC and console projects it adapts into arcade releases originate with independent creators. The company continues to present more new arcade video games at major shows than most other exhibitors.
The most significant hardware arrival at the booth was the ARC-32 Japanese-style cabinet. It had been intended for Amusement Expo 2024 but was delayed by overseas shipping problems, eventually appearing at EVO Japan and Japan’s Amusement Expo before reaching IAAPA.
The ARC-32 invites comparison with Taito’s Viewlix range and appears comparable in quality to the Diamond Black series. It supports changeable monitor orientation, includes a riser, independent volume controls and LED lighting beneath the control panel. A trackball panel shown previously was not present at IAAPA, but it is planned for worldwide availability with both the ARC-32 and ARC-1.
The cabinet should appeal to collectors and venues showcasing Japanese-style games. Buyers considering a permanent home setup can also compare it with RETROCADE’s upright arcade cabinets.
Highlighted exA-Arcadia releases
- Airgallet EXA Label — shoot ’em up, shipping in 2025.
- Asuka 120% Burning Fest. Exallent — fighting game, shipping in 2025.
- Axel City 2 — fighting game, available now, with Season 2 shipping in 2025.
- Bunny Bomber Blast! — retro-style game, shipping in 2025.
- Chaos Code Nemesis Experiment — fighting game, shipping in 2025.
- Daemon Bride exAgain — fighting game, shipping in 2025.
- Donut Dodo Do! — retro-style game, available now.
- Earthion EXA Label — shoot ’em up, shipping in 2025.
- Fixeight EXA Label — run ’n gun game, available now.
- Jamjam’n Jelly EXA LENTE — shoot ’em up, shipping in 2025.
- Jitsu Squad Feat. Samurai Pizza Cats — beat ’em up, available now.
- Vanguard Princess R — fighting game, shipping in 2025.
Earthion EXA Label is an enhanced arcade version of the new Mega Drive and Genesis shoot ’em up led by Yuzo Koshiro and his family-owned company Ancient. exA-Arcadia has secured the arcade version exclusively and is assisting with development. Its chiptune soundtrack is a major attraction, although the release was still planned for 2025 at the time of the show.
Asuka 120% Burning Fest. Exallent is a definitive arcade edition of the cult 1990s fighter from FamilySoft and Fill-in-Cafe. The cancelled earlier arcade attempt has been revived with the series’ previous characters, arcade and training modes, a new theme song by Reika and Yonao Keishi, plus original and arranged soundtrack options. The IAAPA build was unfinished, with release planned for 2025.
Jitsu Squad Feat. Samurai Pizza Cats was close to launch, with shipping expected the following week. Its polished arcade version adds optional blood effects and a new Master Mode designed for the highest difficulty. The game also features the three cartoon warrior kittens from Samurai Pizza Cats.
Another exA title could not be revealed because licensor approval was still pending. Cambria Sword AC Another Cry was accepting pre-orders but missed the booth because of a technical issue. Trackball titles including Cyberblocker R and Wild Guns Rawhide were also omitted without the trackball control setup. Further announcements were expected at Amusement Expo 2025.
Ace Amusement expands its international arcade range
Chinese manufacturer Ace Amusement occupied a larger booth than in 2023, although several games were displayed elsewhere or not distributed overseas. Wave Riders X-Treme was carried by Coastal Amusements and Skull of Shadow by Amusement Source International. Air Combat, a larger and less child-focused follow-up to Air Strike, and the two-screen motorcycle racer Bikers Madness were not shown at IAAPA.
Rush And Catch combines safari animals with racing mechanics reminiscent of Final Furlong, Jambo! Safari and, in places, Mario Kart. It attracted attention at the show, though its frame rate still needed work and the game is strongly aimed at children.
Fierce Chase updates the formula associated with Lucky & Wild through a third-person viewpoint, motion seating and stylised animations. It had first appeared at AAA 2024, and a more refined version had since been demonstrated, but overseas distribution had not been announced.
Super Drill, previously shown at EAG 2024 and seen in Europe through UDC, blends Dig Dug and Bomberman. It was arguably Ace’s most enjoyable IAAPA release, despite needing additional polish. No US distributor had been confirmed.
Ace’s listed games were understood to be shipping, but availability and pricing required direct contact because no single distributor carried the full range.
- Ace Shooter Pro
- Balloon Carnival
- Fast Racing
- Fierce Chase
- Galaxy Rangers
- Rush And Catch
- Splash Fun
- Skull of Shadow
- Super Drill
More Ace projects were expected at EAG in London and Amusement Expo, including a sequel to Wild West Shootout.
DOF Robotics adds motion racing to Angry Birds
DOF Robotics entered the arcade market with Angry Birds: Fury Road, presented in a compact themed booth. The game updates the concept of Angry Birds Go! with modern graphics, a large sit-down racing cabinet and the company’s signature motion technology.
The demonstrated design placed action buttons on the control panel. Moving them to the steering wheel and adding a foot pedal were suggested improvements, even though younger players may not always reach or use pedals.
MonkeySplash Studios debuts Chef It Up
Sydney-based MonkeySplash Studios made its industry debut with Chef It Up, an innovative cooking arcade game. Founders Hadi and Vanessa presented the project in chef uniforms from a small booth positioned behind Jersey Jack.
The game completed testing at a nearby Orlando Dave & Busters location with assistance from Betson. Further information was expected during 2025.
StepManiaX gains ground across the show floor
Although Taiko No Tatsujin was the largest rhythm-game story at IAAPA 2024, Step Revolution’s StepManiaX was highly visible without having its own booth. It appeared across three distributor stands: PrimeTime Amusements, Player One Amusement and Moss Distributing. A new standard cabinet was also introduced, making SMX the show’s most prominent dance game; Pump It Up appeared only at Andamiro’s booth.
The updated standard cabinet uses a 55-inch screen, stronger LED lighting and the same base as the original. A raised logo appeared below the monitor on the show model, although it was absent from the official photograph. The revised cabinet was expected to ship soon.
Independent arcade games make a stronger showing
A difficult-to-find booth near the Games & Arcade Pavilion housed Armed And Gelatinous and KungFu Kickball, with a switched-off DIY Artcade title also present. The two playable games came from different developers but worked well together in a shared space.
Armed And Gelatinous uses a four-player, upright-style cabinet. Its arena deathmatch mode casts players as space blobs that collect guns, which attach where they make contact. Gathering weapons increases firepower and body size, creating a trade-off between strength and vulnerability.
KungFu Kickball is a fast four-player game built around two-versus-two matches. Characters kick a ball towards the opposing team’s large bell, with the camera and level structure recalling Soldat and the competitive action borrowing from soccer.
Alan-1 continues to grow beyond its independent roots. While its award-winning Asteroids cabinet attracted much of the attention, Avian Knights returned with a substantially refreshed visual skin. Its Joust-inspired arcade release was targeting March 2025, alongside another Alan-1 title.
Killer Queen Arcade, one of the best-known independent arcade successes, appeared at the PrimeTime Amusements booth with BumbleBear Games’ Mike helping visitors learn the game.
PrimeTime also showed the Arcade model of Subsoccer, which includes a scoreboard, ePayment system and polarised glass technology to prevent unpaid play. A DX version of StepManiaX was also present. VR was another major independent category, but was left for possible coverage in a later report.
Unico USA presents the production Nova Blast
Unico USA displayed the production version of its Nova Blast cabinet after showing a prototype in 2023. Like the MVSX concept, it can operate as a large bartop or be fitted with a riser to function like a Japanese candy cabinet. Compatibility with JAMMA and JVS allows existing boards to be installed.
The Nova Blast uses Unico’s 4:3 LCD Phoenix panel and Sanwa controls. Units were shipping, with another batch expected the following month. For smaller Australian rooms, RETROCADE’s bartop arcade range offers a useful alternative format.
Yuto Games shows large multiplayer concepts
China’s Yuto Games had a small IAAPA presence featuring Ocean Warriors, a substantial four-player fishing game. The booth also included a four-player sniping game, two redemption products and a VR Agent-style attraction. The status of some of the company’s original software remained unclear.
This IAAPA round-up highlights a healthier mix of independent development, Japanese-style hardware, motion attractions and multiplayer arcade ideas. From exA-Arcadia’s 2025 software pipeline to Sydney’s Chef It Up and the growing visibility of StepManiaX, the show suggested that the arcade video-game sector was continuing to broaden.
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