Japan Amusement Expo returns this weekend as one of the major arcade events on the international calendar. Once known as JAEPO, the exhibition remains an important showcase for Japanese amusement manufacturers, although its November timing places it close to IAAPA 2025 and makes it harder for overseas visitors and exhibitors to attend both events.
The organisers are reportedly considering a move to summer next year, which could improve attendance and reduce the scheduling conflict. For 2025, however, the show still offers a look at several new arcade games and attractions from Bandai Namco, Konami, Sega and Taito.
International release plans remain unconfirmed for many of the products below. Readers interested in the wider arcade industry can follow the latest updates through the RETROCADE arcade blog.
Bandai Namco
Bandai Namco arrives with several notable projects, even though Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot will not be shown at the Japanese exhibition or at IAAPA in Orlando yet. The company’s main attractions include Wangan Midnight Speed Ignition, a substantial revision of its long-running racing series that has been tested during 2025.
The other major showcase is One Piece Dawn Strike, Bandai Namco’s interpretation of the physical punching-game format previously associated with Taito. A related One Piece coin pusher will also be presented.
Bandai Namco will also display Penlalive, an original rhythm game built around pen lights, alongside Tekipaki Kitchen. The cooking title has received relatively little attention until now and could provide another arcade alternative to games such as Chef It Up if either product receives a Western release.
Konami
Konami has maintained a stronger arcade presence this year through new location tests, company restructuring and a gradual return to the United States market. Japan Amusement Expo continues that activity with a broad group of new titles.
The line-up includes a new Pop’n Music cabinet, Super Punch Mania, Gashaaaan! and Demon Slayer: Nichirin Battle Slash. The latter is a card-based arcade game drawn from the popular anime franchise and marks the first arcade game based on Demon Slayer. Its overseas appeal could make an international release a strong possibility, although no Western availability has been confirmed.
Sega
Japan is celebrating the 60th anniversary of crane games in 2025, and Sega is giving the milestone considerable attention. The company helped popularise the modern Japanese crane-game format with UFO Catcher during the 1980s, and will present a museum-style display covering earlier machines.
The stand will also feature UFO Catcher Immersive, a group attraction designed to simulate the sensation of being raised by a crane without actually lifting players. Its concept resembles a “floor is lava” challenge built around the crane-game theme.
Sega is additionally preparing a large-screen version of Chunithm for the rhythm game’s 10th anniversary. The company may also promote the current North American expansion of Maimai DX.
Other announced products appear aimed primarily at the Japanese market, including StarHorse Party and new children’s prize-game ranges based on Paw Patrol and Curious George. A Western release for those products has not been indicated.
Taito
Taito’s exhibition presence has been more modest in recent years, but the company still has a varied collection of products for the show. Its most recent major original arcade launches included Music Diver at Round1 venues and Street Fighter 6 Type Arcade around 2022 or 2023.
This year’s programme includes Enter the Death Game, a horror attraction created for Taito’s immersive projection-box system. The company will also show Getter Spin D, a prize game being marketed internationally by Wahlap. Taito has assembled a substantial enough programme to fill its exhibition space.
Taito is also looking ahead to the 40th anniversary of its mascot, Bubble Bobble. The celebration will include a historical display and a new game. There is some suggestion that Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons, recently released for home platforms, could receive an arcade version, but it is not yet clear whether that would run through NESiCAxLive or arrive as a dedicated cabinet.
exA-Arcadia sits out this year
exA-Arcadia attended the event last year but will skip the 2025 exhibition while concentrating on IAAPA. The company has recently started shipping Chaos Code NEXT and Axel City 2: The Final Storm, with further coverage planned. Unlike many Japan-focused announcements, both titles are expected to be available overseas.
When is Japan Amusement Expo 2025?
The show is scheduled across Friday, the business day, and Saturday, the public day. A full event recap is expected shortly afterwards, alongside coverage of the major IAAPA 2025 announcements and additional Japanese media reports.
For Australian operators and home collectors, the event is a useful reminder that arcade development continues across dedicated cabinets, rhythm games, prize machines, attractions and racing platforms. Anyone comparing formats for a home setup can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse arcade machines, or consider racing arcades and compact bartop arcades.
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