Newsbytes: PlayX4 2026, Pump It Up Phoenix 2 and More

South Korea’s PlayX4 2026 delivered several noteworthy arcade announcements, including new rhythm-game displays from Uniana and Andamiro. This edition also covers upcoming pinball titles from Jersey Jack Pinball and Stern, AAA Expo coverage, and a broad selection of industry headlines.

For Australian arcade fans following new releases, rhythm games remain a particularly active part of the market. The latest developments are also a reminder that arcade news spans everything from major amusement shows to cabinet design, redemption games and preservation projects. Explore more updates through the RETROCADE arcade blog.

PlayX4 2026 showcases new arcade games

Held in South Korea each May, PlayX4 covers the country’s wider game industry across arcade, console and PC development. Arcade manufacturers including Andamiro, Komuse and Uniana were represented in 2026. Uniana had one of the most substantial arcade displays, featuring current Konami games, selected UNIS titles and Maimai DX. Reports from the show indicate a strong Uniana presentation.

The biggest reveal was the first pre-release appearance outside Japan of Konami’s new Jubeat cabinets. The rhythm game has reportedly remained popular in South Korea, making PlayX4 a logical venue for the preview. Konami has not confirmed whether this version will reach Western markets, although it could potentially join the company’s other titles supplied to selected United States locations.

Pump It Up Phoenix 2 previewed in Korea

Andamiro’s next major update to its long-running dance series, Pump It Up Phoenix 2, was playable in preview form at PlayX4. Its arrival had already been signalled at Amusement Expo 2026 in March, and the new release is scheduled for next month.

The presentation uses a noticeably greener visual design and introduces another selection of songs. A US industry debut is planned for Bowl Expo 2026, following indications made in Las Vegas. A South Korean preview offered an early look at the game.

Dance Dance Revolution Stomp gets a revised cabinet

Konami’s Stomp Arrows, a Dance Dance Revolution-themed ticket redemption game tested at Round1USA last year, is now appearing under the shorter name Stomp. The revised machine replaces the earlier single, booth-like format with a twin-player cabinet and updated marquee artwork with a social-media-inspired look.

The underlying game appears broadly familiar, based on recent gameplay footage. Its wider release beyond Round1USA remains unconfirmed. The updated version is now reaching additional R1USA locations.

Jersey Jack Pinball prepares its next reveal

Jersey Jack Pinball is continuing to tease its next major machine. The title is widely expected to be based on Sonic the Hedgehog, while reports also point to Steve Ritchie returning as designer. Jersey Jack has not yet formally confirmed those details.

A complete unveiling is planned for next month, although the precise date and presentation have not been announced. One possibility is a surprise reveal during a Sega Sonic Central livestream, which would introduce the machine to an audience beyond dedicated pinball players.

Stern premieres Transformers gameplay

Following the game’s full reveal, Stern has presented its first substantial gameplay footage for Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. Video coverage has been published by media creators including Retro Ralph and PinballNews.com.

The software appears to be further developed than the alpha builds that commonly accompany Stern’s early announcements, giving viewers a more representative first impression of the finished experience. Pinball collectors can compare this development approach with the broader range of virtual pinball machines available for home play.

AAA Expo coverage continues on The LBX Collective

Coverage of the three-day Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo in Guangzhou does not end with the initial event reports. The LBX Collective’s weekly Arcade Corner programme has now revisited AAA Expo, including photographs that were not included in the original show coverage. The video reaches those additional images at approximately 20:50.

Kevin Williams has also shared a photo album containing repeat exhibits alongside a striking number of clones and bootleg products. Virtual reality remained present through companies such as Movie Power and FunInVR, although the category appears smaller than it has been previously. With Meta scaling back VR development, a rapid revival does not appear certain, though the market’s longer-term direction remains open.

Arcade and pinball industry headlines

• TouchMagix is highlighting SpaceWarp 66, Mega Blaster and Pickleball Toss, all listed as available now.
• Pac-Man’s 45th birthday was marked during the week.
• Sega Amusements International held its annual kick-off meeting, events that typically include new game proposals.
• Senior Sega Amusements figures have recently visited Japan, while Sega Japan is recruiting applicants with arcade-game direction experience.
• Marvelous is also seeking experienced arcade-game UI designers.
• exA-Arcadia hardware and games in Japan are scheduled for a price increase from 1 June 2026; the increase is expected to be lower in Western markets.
• The latest build of Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is being shown at MomoCon in Atlanta.
• Game Center Fantasia is testing Chaos Code and Breaker’s Revenge on exA-Arcadia.
• “VR Strike”, without the Alpha Ops subtitle, is testing again in Japan.
• Sega Japan is testing the medal game Korokoro Kurukuru Pii-Chans, while Bandai Namco is testing Tekipaki Kitchen and a goldfish-scoop medal game.
• Bandai Namco reported a strong FY2026 amusement performance, and Square Enix’s Taito division posted positive March 2026 amusement earnings.
• Wahlap has published an English product page for the shooter Demon Hunter 1892.
• Muse Dash 2 has received a tabletop arcade cabinet version at Bitsummit 2026.
• A pinball card dispenser has been promoted as a notable machine modification, while pinball historian and enthusiast Gordon Hasse has died.
• A one-hour compilation of arcade sounds is available for listeners.

Home and retro gaming headlines

• Sega has resumed teasing its new Crazy Taxi game.
• A prototype pitch influenced by Sega Rally has surfaced for a Nintendo DS project.
• M2 has cancelled Ubusuna, the project from Ikaruga creator Hiroshi Iuchi.
• Nintendo has presented Star Fox 64 again, while a Star Fox arcade game remains an appealing prospect for fans seeking something new.
• The Legend of Zelda movie is currently scheduled for 30 April 2027, although the date has already changed once and could change again.
• PandaMonium Reviews has published an eight-hour history of Digital Pictures.
• The Video Game History Museum has added 100 CDs of material from issues 201–300 of GamePro magazine.
• Atari has released Bubsy 4D on all platforms. An early demo suggested it may help distance the character from the reputation of Bubsy 3D.
• A port of Amstar’s Phoenix is in development for the Atari 7800.
• The digital board game Green Land is coming to Atari Lynx, with a feel likened to Carcassonne.
• An arcade port of Vindicators for Lynx appears to have been close to completion.

For readers considering a home setup, RETROCADE’s arcade-machine buying guide covers the practical decisions involved in choosing a cabinet, while arcade repairs and maintenance can help keep established machines operating reliably.