Two arcade stories are worth a closer look: a new exA-Arcadia shoot ’em up is available now, while Raw Thrills’ Fast & Furious Arcade is preparing to make the jump to home consoles.
Jamjam’n Jelly EXALENTE is available now
Fans of shoot ’em ups—also known as shmups or STGs—now have another “cute ’em up” to try. Jamjam’n Jelly EXALENTE has launched in arcades through the exA-Arcadia platform after four years of development.
The game is currently an arcade-only release. Having played it several times, I found plenty to enjoy, although it creates a difficult choice alongside Earthion EXA LABEL, another strong exA-Arcadia title. Both should appeal to players looking for a fresh arcade shoot ’em up.
For operators and collectors, the game can be ordered through an authorised exA sales source. Its manufacturer’s suggested retail price is under $1,400, and orders are shipping now. For context on arcade developments and new releases, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.
Fast & Furious Arcade is coming to consoles
Fast & Furious Arcade is the latest Raw Thrills production to receive a home-console adaptation, following the console releases of Cruis’n Blast, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Big Buck Hunter. The new version is titled Fast & Furious Arcade Edition.
This release will be available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation, unlike the previous Cruis’n Blast console release. Its timing is notable because the production arcade version remains available and the console edition is arriving relatively close to it.
Arcade-to-console conversions can affect different genres in different ways. In my view, driving games generally retain more of their appeal than joystick-based games when adapted for home play. There can still be an effect on arcade earnings, but it does not appear to be as severe when the game is a racer.
A release such as Super Cars might have been easier to separate from the current arcade product. It is also important to note that Raw Thrills is not handling this conversion; GameMill Entertainment is the company responsible. GameMill’s catalogue is not exclusively port arcade games to consoles.
It would be useful to see the additional console content—such as extra tracks, vehicles or levels—made available for arcade versions as well. A reasonably priced downloadable-content option for operators could help keep the production cabinets current.
What the console release could mean for operators
Fast & Furious Arcade Edition will launch on October 25 for Xbox Series S and X, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The announcement does not list Switch 2 or PC. Those versions could potentially arrive later, but no such release has been confirmed.
The arcade cabinets still offer hardware features that home systems cannot reproduce in the same way, including dual screens and, in the DX model, a motion base. A console release might introduce more people to the arcade game and potentially support earnings, although that effect is difficult to measure and has not been personally observed here.
For businesses weighing the difference between home and commercial play, RETROCADE’s racing arcade machines provide useful context on the dedicated driving format. Operators can also compare cabinet options in the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.
These announcements cover two very different sides of the arcade market: an arcade-exclusive shoot ’em up and a driving game expanding into living rooms. Which one would you most like to play?
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