Newsbytes: Scaled Down Edition

July 21, 2026

This week’s arcade and pinball roundup is shorter than usual, but it still covers preservation, new releases, custom pinball, and several noteworthy industry and gaming stories.

Arcade history gets a refreshed archive

Arcade flyer preservation remains a specialised field, with only a small number of dedicated online collections. The longest-running archive in this roundup has now received a substantial redesign.

The Arcade Flyer Archive has been associated with KLOV.com for many years, where its flyers are linked from individual game listings. The collection was acquired from the operator of Flyer Fever, but had seen little development until this recent update.

The revised homepage makes it easier to browse flyers by decade, manufacturer and region. It also includes newer material than Flyer Fever generally hosts. Check them out, here.

For collectors building a reference library or restoring a cabinet, flyer archives complement practical resources such as RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and range of arcade parts.

A new 300-page guide to coin-op games

Readers interested in the history and design of coin-operated games may want to explore you might like this new 300-page book by Darren Doyle. The guide examines more than 100 games across several genres and contains over 60,000 words.

It offers a substantial reading project for anyone interested in arcade game history, beyond simply playing the machines.

New arcade releases and hands-on videos

Donut Dodo gets an unboxing

Donut Dodo is one of the latest exA arcade releases. It was already enjoyable when first seen in March, and the game has since received further polish. A full review may follow, but this unboxing provides an early look.

House of the Gundead captured on video

A House of the Gundead machine was also unboxed, with gameplay recorded separately. A complete playthrough was being considered for the following Monday or Tuesday. The initial capture was brief because filming took place during work, and getting this title running was more involved than some other setups.

Junkyard Rumble brings two-player action to one screen

Amusement Source International has introduced Junkyard Rumble, a game that may appeal to players who enjoy the style of Touch Magix’s Mega Blaster. Its key point of difference is two-unit gameplay presented on a single screen rather than across separate displays.

Custom pinball machines from Southern Fried Gaming Expo

The Southern Fried Gaming Expo featured several home-built and custom pinball machines. Although licensed custom projects becoming commercial releases are uncommon, some creators of these experimental tables have later been recruited to design professional machines.

The following videos come from 904 Pinballzine. There is also this walkthrough by Retro Ralph for another look at the custom pinball scene.

For Australian players considering a modern alternative to a physical table, RETROCADE also covers virtual pinball machines.