Raw Thrills has revealed new card releases for two of its card-vending arcade games: Minecraft Dungeons Arcade and Marvel: Contest of Champions. Neither update was shown at IAAPA or previewed beforehand, making both announcements a surprise for operators and collectors.
Chicken Jockey arrives in Minecraft Dungeons Arcade
Minecraft Dungeons Arcade Series 4 only shipped in May or June, so Series 5 follows relatively quickly. However, this release differs from earlier expansions: it adds just one new card.
That card is the notorious Chicken Jockey. In practical terms, Series 5 functions like Series 4 with an additional super-rare card.
The Chicken Jockey brings the Minecraft Dungeons Arcade card total to 144. Raw Thrills describes it as “the most powerful pet available in the game” and identifies it as the first “Legendary” card. The number being printed to establish its overall rarity has not been confirmed. You can find the official Media Kit for it here.
Series 5 does not include the physical floor poster supplied with previous releases. Raw Thrills has a digital one that you can use online or print yourself.
The package does include a translite, which operators can replace on the cabinet. Series 5 is available to order now through a preferred Minecraft card supplier. For venues planning wider upgrades, the Arcade Machine Buying Guide offers useful context on selecting and maintaining arcade equipment.
Marvel: Contest of Champions reaches Series 3
The more unexpected announcement concerns a new card series for Marvel: Contest of Champions. The Raw Thrills title was exclusive to Dave & Busters for five years before becoming available to the wider arcade market. It has remained on Series 2 cards since then, while this release helps bring its collection closer to Injustice Arcade.
Series 3 adds 40 brand-new cards, taking the complete set to 240 cards. That matches the total available for Injustice Arcade, which reached Series 4, and puts Marvel almost 100 cards ahead of Minecraft Dungeons Arcade.
Operators can request a new card banner if they fill out a form. Purchasing a card kit also includes new translite artwork. The Media Kit for the new series can be found here.
A substantial software update for Marvel
The Marvel card kit arrives alongside a significant software update, rather than simply adding new cards to the existing collection. It introduces a “Single Player Story Mode” with multiple game paths and Boss Battles, giving players more reasons to return when playing alone.
The addition also makes Marvel: Contest of Champions feel more like a conventional fighting game, where a solo campaign or story mode is common. The available information does not confirm whether the core game mechanics have changed.
One notable feature of Marvel’s existing design is its joystick-based character movement, which gives it a point of difference from Injustice Arcade and may help the game appeal to a broad audience. Whether Raw Thrills has made further gameplay adjustments with this update remains to be seen.
What the updates mean for operators
For venues running either cabinet, the new card releases and software update offer a straightforward way to refresh player interest. The impact will depend on how fans respond to the Chicken Jockey, the 40 Marvel additions and the new solo mode.
Operators planning broader arcade improvements can also explore arcade parts for repairs and maintenance, as well as arcade machines for future venue or home installations.
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