IAAPA Expo 2025 in Orlando brought together three closely connected names in the international arcade industry: North American distributors Amusement Source International and Coastal Amusements, plus manufacturer Ace Amusement. Ace supplies games carried by both distributors, alongside content from factories including Wahlap and UNIS.
This report continues our IAAPA 2025 coverage. Earlier instalments examined Raw Thrills, Wahlap, Alan-1, TouchMagix, Blue Motion Games, Bandai Namco, Sega Amusements, LAI Games, exA-Arcadia, AVS Companies, JET Games, Andamiro USA, pinball and UNIS.
Games shown in bold were being seen at a North American trade show for the first time in this coverage.
Amusement Source International
Founded by former Dave & Buster’s manager and GameWorks CEO Cory Haynes near the end of the 2010s, Amusement Source International has quickly established itself as a significant US import distributor. Its catalogue is largely redemption-focused, although partnerships with mainly Chinese manufacturers, along with some European suppliers, have also brought a range of video and mechanical attractions to the market.
For operators researching different cabinet types and commercial arcade equipment, RETROCADE’s arcade news and editorial coverage provides useful wider context.
ASI’s IAAPA 2025 line-up
- Rooster N Bro 2DX
- Wild Hunting
- Fortune Zombie
- Skull of Shadow
- Space Travel 2
- Colour Star
- The Container
- Lucky Chicken
- Madball Fury Road
- Gem Master
- Balloon Fest
The most prominent new video game was Ace Amusement’s Wild Hunting, positioned as a competitor to Big Buck Hunter. Instead of concentrating on skill shots against three bucks, players shoot infected creatures pursuing ordinary animals. Targets can be hit anywhere, while shooting a normal animal reduces the score rather than ending the round. Ammunition is limited, with no reload or pump-action mechanic: players simply pull the trigger.
ASI displayed the four-player version, with AI-styled character representations at each station providing dialogue. The cabinet looked sound overall, although the software still needed refinement. The demonstration included a “FREE PALY” spelling error and an unexpected black screen.
Sunflower’s Balloon Fest follows the videmption tradition of titles such as Perfect Pour and Soda Slam!, but replaces drink filling with balloon inflation. Players must hold the balloon at a randomly revealed dotted limit to earn points without exceeding it and causing the balloon to pop. Because the target is not visible from the beginning, the mechanic can be confusing at first; showing the limit earlier would make the objective clearer.
ZS Cheer’s Rooster N Bro 2DX had been expected at Amusement Expo in March but did not arrive there. This colourful children’s shooter attracted plenty of play at IAAPA and performed smoothly during the demonstration, with gameplay broadly comparable to Ice Man.
Huatong’s Fortune Zombie stood immediately behind it. Its frame rate required more work, and the format differed substantially: players shoot creatures appearing on the screen rather than progressing through dynamic on-rails stages.
Ace’s Skull of Shadow returned in a two-player environmental cabinet, replacing the four- and three-player versions previously displayed. The unit combines a motion seat with wind effects, making it an unusual environmental arcade option.
Several other ASI exhibits were redemption titles where the video display was secondary. The distributor also showed new mechanical redemption games, merchandisers and vending equipment, including The Container, which appeared well suited to the category.
The returning Print Cases vending machine was joined by DIY Souvenir Coins. Both offer personalised products, although the newer machine places a user’s chosen photograph on a souvenir coin rather than a phone case.
Two additional ASI titles were displayed elsewhere at the show: Trick Pong, which uses thrown ping-pong balls and illuminated targets, and Box Stack, a screen-assisted mechanical redemption game.
Coastal Amusements
Coastal Amusements has operated since 1988 as a manufacturer, importer and distributor. Its own development work has reduced over time, with the company now concentrating more heavily on imported games, particularly Chinese titles localised for North American venues. Redemption remains its core area, and even its video games commonly include a prize or ticket element.
Coastal’s featured titles
- All Star Golf
- Justice League (pusher)
- Hot Wheels: Ultimate Speedway
- Roll-N-Win
- Sports Legends
- Vortex
- Wave Riders X-Treme
- Wild West Shootout 2
- Zombie Invaders
- Cranes and merchandisers
The centrepiece was Hot Wheels: Ultimate Speedway. Five units stood prominently together, and the game received 1st place in the coveted IAAPA Brass Ring Awards for Games & Devices. The title had entered the industry earlier in 2025.
High Fun’s Zombie Invaders had previously received attention at Chinese trade shows and was now appearing in North America. One member of its development team previously worked at Wahlap before going independent. The game recalls the basic idea of Spider Stompin’, but shifts much of the action to a video display, where players stomp zombies across multiple levels. Its presentation was colourful and inviting for younger players.
Ace’s All Star Golf takes a different path from Sega Amusements’ Putt It! Par-Tee. A small mechanical golfer strikes a real ball down a ramp towards a rotating target. Accurate shots can raise the target and reveal additional possibilities. The screen supports the experience but is not the main attraction.
Roll-N-Win, positioned nearby, used a similar mechanical approach without the golf theme. Both games demonstrate why operators should compare play mechanics, footprint and maintenance requirements before choosing an upright or dedicated commercial unit; RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide is a useful starting point.
Ace’s Wild West Shootout 2 also returned. Coastal had been preparing the game for launch but held it back while prioritising other products. The title had appeared at Amusement Expo 2025 before being delayed. The most visible change at IAAPA was the use of black guns at every player position instead of differently coloured guns; the gameplay was otherwise unchanged.
The mechanical Sports Legends game shown in Coastal’s booth appeared to share visual and functional similarities with All Star Golf, although its manufacturer was not confirmed. The baseball version seemed to need adjustment, as the demonstration appeared to make it difficult to reach more than one target.
Coastal’s Freeze 5 merchandiser used a timing mechanic that is becoming increasingly common. Players stop a rapidly moving timer at a precise moment to win a prize. Similar concepts appeared in Zooom Studios’ Space Race and Bay Tek’s Perfect Pump. Rather than awarding one large prize or tickets, Freeze 5 offers five prize positions, although ticket cards or rolls could potentially be fitted to the spindles.
Ace Amusement
Ace Amusement also maintained its own IAAPA booth, despite many of its games being represented by distributors such as ASI and Coastal. The stand was smaller than Ace’s displays at major Chinese shows including AAA and GTI, and it contained fewer games than the previous year. Some absences may be explained by US distributors already carrying more of the company’s catalogue.
- Bikers Madness
- Crossbow Fishing
- Dragon Kingdom
- Racing Xtreme
- Ace Striker
- Rush And Catch
Racing Xtreme delivered the strongest software presentation among the racers, drawing on the style of Cruis’n and Fast & Furious Arcade. Its twin cabinet uses a motion base, two screens and 60fps graphics. Bikers Madness follows the same twin format. Standard versions, including vertical-screen alternatives, are also available but were not exhibited here.
Dragon Kingdom was considerably less polished in this build, with the frame rate struggling to reach 20fps. That was surprising after the presentation of Skull of Shadow. With further technical work, its character interaction could make it a stronger competitor to Adrenaline’s Drakons: Realm Keepers. Its visual designs suggested a blend of the Eragon novels and How to Train Your Dragon, but the performance issue would need to be resolved for wider Western interest.
Crossbow Fishing offered a polished interpretation of the fishing-game format. Its visuals compared favourably with Racing Xtreme, despite the calmer pace, and a scene transition provided a welcome flourish. Fishing games often arrive with modest frame rates or 2D presentation, so Ace’s result stood out. Its absence from the catalogues of ASI, Coastal and other Western distributors was notable, although the market may already be crowded.
Two newer Ace titles seen at recent Chinese shows were not present: Hover Rush and Dino Attack. Their omission may simply reflect the amount of Ace content already represented elsewhere at IAAPA. Distributors and manufacturers must balance variety against the risk of spreading sales attention across too many products.
For Australian operators and home enthusiasts comparing dedicated cabinets, racing systems and service considerations, RETROCADE also covers racing arcades and arcade parts for repairs and maintenance.
This instalment concludes the coverage of ASI, Coastal Amusements and Ace Amusement. The final IAAPA 2025 report will focus more heavily on redemption, including Bay Tek and Elaut, along with other LBEXR attractions. It will also examine pixel floors, an emerging format that may offer an alternative to the VR arenas that have largely disappeared.
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