Part three of our IAAPA 2025 coverage examines three exhibitors with a strong video-game presence: exA-Arcadia, AVS Companies and JET Games. AVS represents several brands, including Alan-1, DSM Arcade and Dark Escape Games, while JET combines video games with videmption, redemption and kiddie rides.
For readers catching up, earlier coverage covered Raw Thrills, Wahlap, Alan-1, TouchMagix and Blue Motion Games, followed by Bandai Namco, Sega Amusements and LAI Games. Games shown in bold below were appearing at a North American show for the first time.
This article is dedicated to the memory of Nick Thorpe, who passed away shortly before publication. Rest in peace.
exA-Arcadia
For operators and enthusiasts seeking dedicated arcade video games rather than redemption equipment, exA-Arcadia remains one of the key IAAPA stops. In 2025, the company moved to the south-west corner of the convention centre and presented six ARC-32 Japanese cabinets, all fitted with optional risers.
The show marked the public debut of both a four-player control panel and a trackball panel for the ARC-32. The latter had previously been shown in Japan. The company had displayed only two ARC-32 cabinets the previous year, alongside four larger red ARC-1 machines. A look at last year provides a useful comparison.
Although six cabinets were visible, the available software line-up was much larger. Several mid-development builds were playable privately, so prototypes are identified below. Early software, particularly Toxic Crusaders and Neon Inferno, remains subject to substantial change.
- Asuka 120% Burning Fest EXALLENT
- Axel City 2: The Final Storm
- Baki Hanma Blood Arena Clash
- BAYANI
- Blazing Strike AC
- Bunny Bomber Blast
- Cambria Sword AC
- Chaos Code: Nemesis Experiment
- Cyberblocker R
- Daemon Bride exAGAIN
- Earthion EXA Label
- Jamjam’n Jelly EXA LENTE
- Jitsu Squad Feat. The Samurai Pizza Cats
- Hunter X Hunter Nen X Impact
- Neon Inferno EXA LABEL
- The Rumble Fish 2 Nexus
- Toxic Crusaders
- Vanguard Princess R
exA says it is the primary developer of the arcade versions where home releases exist, and several versions now contain changes not found on console or PC. The platform also has more games without home ports than at any point since coverage began in 2018. Prototype impressions should therefore be treated as an indication of direction, not a final review. Jitsu Squad demonstrates how substantially a game can evolve, gaining changes and extra content after its home release.
Fighters and action games
Baki Hanma Blood Arena Clash was close to completion but still due for improvements before its planned launch in 2026. Its fast, smooth combat combines the timing-oriented feel of Punch-Out!! with violence approaching Mortal Kombat, making it one of the standout surprises of the show.
Fighting games dominated the exA presentation, accounting for nine titles. Hunter X Hunter Nen X Impact was shown for the first time at the event, with console DLC included and enhanced graphics. Its accessible design appeared suitable for newcomers, while the modern presentation and licensed characters could help it attract attention.
Axel City 2: The Final Storm expands the arcade-exclusive fighter with 10 characters and additional stages, taking its roster to 50. Its visuals are less polished than some rivals, but the larger character selection supports repeat play.
Chaos Code: Nemesis Experiment is another exA exclusive without a console port. It develops the original game with improved graphics, sound, moves, systems and character options. Early performance was described as positive, with stronger numbers than competing titles such as Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade.
Vanguard Princess R was played through on easy difficulty. It should appeal to venues with an audience for all-female fighting games, as should the upcoming Asuka 120% Burning Fest EXALLENT. Blazing Strike AC was more demanding, while The Rumble Fish 2 Nexus was enjoyable despite being based on NESiCA code and assets rather than the 2020 HD release. Daemon Bride exAGAIN was also present and was described as its best available version.
BAYANI was a welcome return after not being seen publicly since 2021. The build had received additional polish and was nearing release, although it was not expected to reach the market until 2026.
Shooting and puzzle games
One cabinet grouped several shooting games: Earthion EXA Label, Cambria Sword Another Cry and Jamjam’n Jelly EXA LENTE. Bunny Bomber Blast is not a shooter, but its retro design combines ideas associated with Bomberman and Dig Dug. These games were already available earlier in 2025, while the arcade versions of Cambria Sword and Jamjam’n Jelly had no equivalent console versions. Earthion was also presented as the superior version of its game.
Cyberblocker R blends shooting with block-breaking. It supports two simultaneous players and can be played with joysticks, though trackballs are the preferred control method. Its combination of shooting and Arkanoid Returns-style play gives exA another distinctive arcade-focused release.
Overall, exA delivered one of its strongest IAAPA line-ups, with further projects planned for 2026 and 2027.
AVS Companies
Distributor AVS Companies brought an unusually broad selection to IAAPA 2025. The booth was crowded, but it brought several less familiar products together under one roof.
- Arachnid 360 Darts by Arachnid
- Clown Around by Dark Escape Games
- Dr Pepper Soda Slam! by DSM Arcade and Alan-1
- Perfect Pour: Pabst Blue Ribbon Edition by DSM Arcade
- Pyramid Scheme by Dark Escape Games
- Silver Strike: League Night by Incredible Technologies
Dark Escape Games attracted attention with compact, five-minute escape-room experiences designed for unattended arcade operation. Players pay for a short puzzle session, while the physical puzzle pieces are secured with strong spring-loaded cables. Clown Around had completed an FEC test without stolen or broken items; Pyramid Scheme had not yet undergone that testing. Replay value and a higher purchase cost are challenges, but these machines may suit busy tourist locations where visitors are less likely to be regular customers.
DSM Arcade presented the first public appearance of Perfect Pour: Pabst Blue Ribbon Edition, alongside the larger Dr Pepper Soda Slam!. The latter is based on the original Perfect Pour, but was mainly designed by Alan-1 and repositioned for FEC and videmption play. Its recognised soft-drink licence may help it perform in locations, and at least one cabinet had reportedly sold into the UK.
Perfect Pour: Pabst Blue Ribbon Edition retains the deeper serving-game structure of Perfect Pour, asking players to fill everything from shot glasses to pitchers for a stream of bar customers. It offers more than a simple Tapper comparison and could be a natural fit for an arcade bar.
Incredible Technologies displayed the latest Golden Tee PGA Tour and debuted Silver Strike: League Night in three locations: its own booth, Player One’s display and the AVS booth. The company’s booth was positioned away from the Games & Arcade Pavilion and was easy to miss.
The new Silver Strike adds the long-requested league mode, a redesigned cabinet, updated graphics and further content. The move to 4K looked welcome, while the cabinet’s footprint suited bar environments. It should also have potential in conventional arcades. Details were announced on IT’s site during IAAPA.
JET Games
JET Games mixed video games, redemption, videmption and kiddie rides at its booth. The company previously drew attention with Big Shot and Mega Shot, and this year highlighted large gun games from its principal Chinese partner, Flamestone/Leon Amusement. That partner also had a small nearby booth.
The JET display included:
- Big Six
- Cannonball Jam
- Cheddar Chase
- Cyber Boxer
- G.I. Joe
- Giga Shot
- JET Darts
- Mega Shot in standard and deluxe formats
- Stop The Prize
- Talking Tom: Gold Run
- Unlock Mania
- Various kiddie rides
G.I. Joe commanded attention with a huge artillery cannon attached to the twin-player cabinet. The air-powered guns create an experience that is difficult to reproduce outside an arcade. JET was targeting a spring 2026 release, with software changes still planned. The IAAPA build contained bugs and incongruous elements, including fire-breathing dragons, so the final version should not be judged from this showing alone.
Giga Shot extends the Quick, Big and Mega Shot concept with a metal shotgun controller and new shooting galleries. It supports up to four players, with two short-barrel guns and two longer-barrel versions. New scenarios include dinosaur hunting, giving it a different identity from the other Shot games.
Cyber Boxer combines a punching-bag game with a marquee screen and camera. After selecting a weight class, players strike the bag as normal, then watch a replay of their punch while the score is calculated. Sega Amusements offers the concept overseas as Cyberboxer with different artwork, while JET holds the North American rights.
Talking Tom: Gold Run is a large children’s videmption cabinet using a touchscreen rather than a trackball. Its two modes, Run and Shoot, are selected through the touchscreen, which also handles gift-box choices at the end of a run. The shooting mode was enjoyable, although the large display may be overwhelming for younger players.
JET also showed Cheddar Chase, a reverse take on Whack-A-Mole. Mice emerge from holes and players pull back spring-loaded plungers to stop them. The simple mechanic is distinctive and could suit a redemption venue.
Final thoughts
That concludes this section of the IAAPA 2025 round-up. Further coverage will examine pinball, Chinese manufacturers and companies distributing products in the region. For Australian operators considering equipment, our arcade machine buying guide and arcade repair service resources provide useful context beyond the show floor. You can also browse the latest arcade industry news from RETROCADE.
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