IAAPA Expo Europe 2025 is set to take place in Barcelona, Spain, with the exhibition floor open from 23 to 25 September. Although the European event traditionally acts as a lead-in to the larger November show in Orlando, it has developed a launch calendar of its own. European distributors may also use the event to present products intended specifically for this market.
This preview focuses on arcade video games, pinball, redemption equipment and immersive attractions. For Australian operators and enthusiasts following international developments, it offers an early look at products that may influence the wider arcade industry.
Readers interested in the home market can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage, along with the arcade machine buying guide.
Key arcade exhibitors
TouchMagix — Booth 2-1667
TouchMagix returns with its family-focused skill and redemption range, including Pop It!, Pudgy Penguins Polar Challenge and Minions Bullseye Mania. The company positions these games around licensed characters, timing and precision-based play, repeat visits and operator returns.
Its stated IAAPA line-up is designed for broad, family-friendly appeal, with colourful presentation, recognisable animation and sound, competitive scoring and increasing challenges. The company’s founder, Anup Tapadia, said the portfolio combines licensed properties with original concepts such as Pop It!.
Wahlap — Booth 2-580
Wahlap is making a notable appearance under its own name at a European show, presenting Asphalt Moto Blitz DX, Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade DX, Monster Eye 3 Unite, CyberHoop Basketball, Taito’s Getter Spin D prize game and the Track-X crane.
The recently revealed Storm Racer 2, Rider X and Phantom Vanguard are also expected to reach Western markets, although their distribution arrangements were still being resolved after GTI Asia China. November’s Orlando event may be their first major Western showing.
Ace Amusement — Booth 2-1057
Ace has steadily increased its presence at the European exhibition and also plans to attend IAAPA in November. No formal product preview was provided, but the booth could include games shown at AAA and GTI Asia China that have not yet been adopted by distributors.
Bandai Namco Amusement Europe — Booth 2-1576
Bandai Namco Amusement Europe has not confirmed any surprise product, but its advertised European showcases appear to be Raw Thrills and Play Mechanix titles Top Gun Maverick and Wizard of Oz. The company will also display Pac-Man Street Range, GoldStorm Pirates and products from other partners. Details of the two European debuts are available from Bandai Namco Amusement Europe.
Wangan Midnight Speed Ignition and Taiko no Tatsujin would attract considerable attention if they appeared without warning. However, there was no confirmation of either: Speed Ignition had not been reported since its Japanese tests, while issues surrounding the United States launch of Taiko no Tatsujin were still being addressed.
Bitronic — Booths 1-1630 and 2-1218
Bitronic is a Spanish company best known for darts and casino equipment, although it has also handled unusual electromechanical products. Its previous catalogue included Quetzal Pinball’s rare Super Hoop and the compact two-versus-two football game Pin Shot.
ELAUT — Booth 2-661
ELAUT will present redemption products from its own range as well as Benchmark Games and Coast-To-Coast Entertainment. Its preview revealed little new beyond a Benchmark Smurfs soccer game.
Electrocoin — Booth 2-1060
Electrocoin continues to represent Stern Pinball in Europe and has previously distributed Konami and Taito products across the region. Its current preview is more heavily focused on redemption, although a surprise arcade announcement cannot be ruled out. The show should also coincide with the European release of Stern’s latest Star Wars pinball machine.
Flamestone and Leon Amusement
Flamestone, listed under several names in recent industry material, occupies Booth 2-1105. Its expected headline is the four-player shooting game Master Hunter, which uses realistic metal guns and a horizontal widescreen rather than a vertically mounted TATE display. The company may also clarify European distribution plans.
Leon Amusement is listed at Booth 2-274, although it is unclear whether its display will duplicate Flamestone’s products. A United States company reportedly acquired FlameStone Cannon after its GTI appearance, potentially creating a separate European licensing opportunity.
Kalkomat — Booth 1-1246
Polish manufacturer Kalkomat remains one of the strongest names in boxing and punch-machine equipment. Its Barcelona presentation is expected to include its latest products, including a boxing machine combined with prize vending.
Magic Play — Booth 2-935
Magic Play built a strong North American presence before 2020 but has concentrated on European exhibitions in more recent years. The company now operates largely as a distributor, and its preview does not confirm a complete product list. Jump Master is a reasonable possibility because the UNIS game is already listed on the company’s website.
Sega Amusements International — Booths 2-1555 and 2-1260
Sega Amusements’ main new arcade attraction is expected to be LAI Games’ Ubisoft All-Star VR, supported by LAI’s Cyberpunk 2077: Turf Wars. The distributor also represents ICE and 501 Fun, and is expected to show Subsoccer Arcade plus smaller versions of Apex Rebels and On Target.
Speed Rider 4DX may not be present because it was not included in the European announcements, with shipping and a recent GTI distribution agreement possible factors.
Stern Pinball — Booth 2-278
Stern will exhibit independently as well as through Electrocoin. After debuting Uncanny X-Men at the previous European event, the company is expected to show Star Wars: Fall of the Empire alongside existing releases such as Dungeons & Dragons.
Superwing — Booth 2-715
Chinese manufacturer Superwing has become a regular at IAAPA events worldwide. Its previous European display included redemption machines and Marksman, later picked up by Andamiro USA. A newer video title such as Flash Rider may join this year’s line-up.
Triotech — Booth 1-913
Triotech spans amusement equipment and larger attractions. Although it released no formal preview, a two-player version of Super Blaster was recently shown through Betson and could appear in Barcelona. Its previously tested VR game is another possibility.
UDC
UK distributor UDC works with Ace Amusement on video games and with ELAUT, Wahlap and Playmore on redemption products. It has confirmed European availability for Step Revolution’s StepManiaX, and will also present Arccer’s Dance Show, a rhythm game with a hexagonal bezel and 120Hz display. Sega has not announced Maimai DX for Europe.
UNIS — Booth 2-1283
UNIS is expected to show products seen in its pre-GTI material, including Emoji-themed pieces, cranes and Monster Jet Riders. A major surprise remains possible, but little new hardware has been confirmed.
WIK — Booths 2-1139 and 2-1239
Polish manufacturer WIK is known for air hockey, skee-ball and basketball equipment. Its machines have also formed the basis for partner products such as Pac-Man Street Range. The company’s preview points to a redesigned air-hockey product as its main new item.
Yuto Games — Booth 2-1775
Yuto Games will display the Crazy Drift racing game, a new horse-riding machine and one of its VR Agent-style kiosks.
VR, AR and mixed-reality exhibitors
Dedicated VR has become far less prominent at amusement trade shows than it was a decade ago. This year’s list includes eight relevant exhibitors, only three of them exclusively focused on VR. The stronger direction appears to be mixed reality, interactive floors and projection-mapped walls that combine physical activity with digital content without requiring headsets.
DOF Robotics — Booths 1-600 and 1-900
Platinum sponsor DOF Robotics is a regular at IAAPA events. Its attractions can use VR or large dome screens, including the Hurricane 360 ride. The company has also shown Angry Birds Fury Road at several IAAPA events, although the title disappeared from view after United States testing earlier in the year.
Hero Zone VR — Booth 2-954
Following its acquisition of SPREE Interactive, Hero Zone’s major new presentation is Terminator Uprising VR. The company describes the attraction as a revenue-driving experience and has indicated that it will be part of a broader series of Terminator-licensed games.
Hologate — Booth 1-413
Hologate remains on the exhibitor list, although no new hardware or software preview was available. Its recent public updates have been limited, making the Barcelona display difficult to predict.
Holovis — Booth 2-190
Holovis will promote a new component for its modular 360Golf courses. It has also announced ApolloDomes, a United Kingdom project using themed, projection-mapped domes as a mixed-reality experience.
Movie Power — Booth 2-1265
Movie Power is one of the remaining Chinese manufacturers focused on VR. No confirmed line-up was available, but possible products include VR Neon Warrior and a larger attraction suited to its available booth space.
Neo Xperiences — Booths 2-988 and 2-1289
The French company traces its mixed-reality work back to the Scale-1 Portal, introduced in 2012. Its current Neo Xperience platform is available in several configurations, with the recently announced NEO-ONE expected to receive attention. The system can also be configured in a format comparable to INOWIZE’s QBIX.
VALO Motion — Booths 2-683 and 2-983
VALO Motion’s Jump, Climb and Arena products combine physical activity with digital content. Barcelona will host the debut of a four-player version of the award-winning Arena, alongside updated content such as Party Box.
VEX Solutions — Booth 2-974
VEX Solutions is moving further into mixed reality with VEX PartyDash, previously known as HyperDash. Its standard VR installation may also be present, but PartyDash is likely to be the main attraction.
X-Wall — Booth 2-688
Netherlands-based X-Wall presents a projection-mapped interactive wall with a catalogue centred largely on sports, while still offering other formats. Its available games can be viewed through the X-Wall game list.
What to watch in Barcelona
IAAPA Expo Europe 2025 presents a broad mix of redemption, racing, pinball, rhythm games, prize machines, VR and headset-free mixed reality. The most significant arcade developments appear likely to come from Sega Amusements, Bandai Namco Amusement Europe, Stern Pinball and Wahlap, while the immersive sector will show how operators are shifting towards physical, social and projection-based experiences.
Once the exhibition floor opens, the confirmed products may differ from these previews. For Australian readers considering equipment for a venue or home collection, RETROCADE’s arcade machine range, racing arcade selection and virtual pinball machines provide useful local points of comparison.
Leave a Reply