Independent arcade releases have become less common since 2020, but the scene continues to produce new machines and games. One example is Speglar, a fast multiplayer title designed for arcade venues and later released on Steam.
Speglar: the game
Created by Dexter Gramfor in the Godot engine, Speglar began as an arcade-first project before expanding to PC. The game was released in May 2024 and has been available for venues since the previous year.
In the intergalactic sport of Speglar, pilots ricochet bullets from mirrors positioned around the arena to eliminate their opponents. A shield can be activated when a player is trapped, sending incoming fire back towards its source. The result supports quick casual matches while leaving room for players who want to master its deeper mechanics.
Four modes give the single-screen action some variety: Free-For-All, 2v2, Mayhem and Waves. Its mirror-based combat may appeal to players familiar with Exidy classics such as TARG and SPECTAR, although Speglar applies the idea with modern hardware and presentation.
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Speglar: the cabinet
The dedicated machine is a tall cocktail-style cabinet built for four players. Each station uses a joystick and two action buttons, a control layout that suits the game’s competitive format. While the Steam version can be played on a computer or television, a dedicated arcade setup places all participants around the same machine.
Mark Kleeb of the Wonderville arcade in New York designs and sells the hardware. The cabinet uses Sanwa JLF joysticks, Industrias Lorenzo buttons and an IPAC-2 I/O board. Online connectivity allows updates to be installed.
An operator menu provides settings for coins per credit, main, sound-effects and music volume, attract-mode sound, the game-start countdown and free-play operation. Cabinets can be ordered in coin-operated or free-play configurations.
The listed price is $6495 plus freight. Prospective buyers can contact [email protected], with an approximate four-month lead time stated for cabinets.
Anyone comparing a dedicated machine with other home arcade formats can also explore RETROCADE’s Arcade Machine Buying Guide and browse upright arcade options. For owners planning custom controls or maintenance, the arcade parts range is another useful reference.
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