Important: King Kong of Skull Island II and T-Rex Adventure VR were observed during location testing and had not been officially announced. Prototype software and hardware can change substantially, and either project could still be cancelled. Treat the details below as early observations rather than final specifications.
Two unannounced Raw Thrills projects have appeared in testing: a possible follow-up to King Kong of Skull Island and a dinosaur-themed virtual-reality experience. For Australian operators and enthusiasts tracking new arcade news, both projects offer an early look at where the manufacturer may be taking its recent platforms.
King Kong of Skull Island II
Raw Thrills does not comment on games in development, so there is no official information about the project beyond what has been seen on test. The title appears to be a sequel to the still-available King Kong of Skull Island, with testing reported at In The Game in Crestwood, Illinois.
The only observed artwork is difficult to interpret. Seaweed-like shapes suggest an underwater setting, while a possible sunken ship appears on one side of the image. It could instead depict an outdoor scene beneath a blue sky. There is also no confirmation that the sequel will contain three new chapters, or that the game will reach production.
Raw Thrills has released relatively few conversion kits in recent years, although the company has used the format before. If this project progresses, an upgrade for existing King Kong of Skull Island cabinets would be one possible route. That would follow the broader precedent of operators receiving upgrades for established machines, such as LAI Games’ Virtual Rabbids: The Big Ride Ultra HD.
T-Rex Adventure VR
Raw Thrills’ Jurassic Park Arcade has remained a strong performer since its launch eight years earlier, demonstrating the continuing appeal of dinosaur-themed arcade games. Its gameplay does not depend entirely on the film licence, which suggests that the subject matter itself has considerable audience appeal.
T-Rex Adventure VR may be an attempt to build on that interest, although there is no indication that it currently carries the Jurassic Park licence. A recognisable licence could potentially be added later, but that remains speculation while the game is still in development.
The test version is housed in a modified King Kong VR cabinet with purple artwork. The cabinet resembles an earlier presentation of King Kong VR, including the style shown when that game was first demonstrated in 2020. The available information suggests an interaction-focused VR experience in which players use their hands to affect the environment and strike enemies. It may also share technology with King Kong VR, allowing Raw Thrills to extend the VR platform it has already developed, though the final design is unknown.
This prototype was also reported to be testing in Illinois, at Enterrium. Its presence there does not confirm a wider release, Australian distribution or a final production configuration. Operators comparing the project with other immersive arcade machines should wait for confirmed details before making plans.
What happens next?
Both games remain early-stage projects rather than confirmed products. The displays, cabinet designs, software, licences and content could all change before any commercial launch, if either title passes testing.
For venues assessing new attractions, factors such as footprint, servicing and long-term reliability will matter alongside the gameplay. RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and information about arcade repairs provide useful context when evaluating unfamiliar hardware.
Have you encountered either prototype during testing? Early hands-on impressions can help clarify how these experimental Raw Thrills projects perform in a real arcade environment.
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