Here is a round-up of notable arcade, pinball and amusement news from around the world, including a rescued Seattle venue, game conversions and unusual hardware developments.
GameWorks Seattle plans a summer comeback
The closure of the wider GameWorks chain at the end of 2021 was a significant blow to the modern family entertainment centre model. Employees were reportedly informed through social media rather than internal communication, making the transition especially difficult.
Greg Stevens and Howard Brand have partnered to reopen the Seattle location during summer 2022, with a target of July. Geekwire reports that the pair want to preserve the venue’s character, games and community role, while retaining existing staff wherever possible.
The games were not sold during the closure, which leaves open questions about the future of other former locations. For Australian operators and collectors, the story is a reminder that a venue’s equipment and local identity can be just as important as its branding. Our arcade news coverage follows developments across the industry.
Dave & Busters reportedly changes its game line-up
The following Dave & Busters updates were based on reports from visitors rather than official company announcements, so details may vary between venues.
Spider-Man Homecoming may be converted
Adrenaline’s Spider-Man Homecoming videmption game has been a Dave & Busters exclusive since 2017. Reports indicate that some or most of the cabinets could be converted to Andamiro’s Bobblehead Baseball using a dedicated conversion kit.
The original hardware’s eventual destination remains unclear, as does whether Adrenaline will release the game more widely. Converting an underperforming title to extend the life of an existing cabinet is a long-established arcade practice; older machines have often been repurposed for entirely different games.
Super Bikes 3 receives a venue-exclusive version
A new Dave & Busters software version of Super Bikes 3 has also appeared. The latest SB3 changelog mentions the release, and the updated game has reportedly replaced a Maximum Tune 5 cabinet at one location.
The reported additions include a new track and the unicorn featured in the console version of Cruis’n Blast. Confirmation from the game’s developer was not available at the time.
NeoTRIS arrives on Neo Geo MVS cartridge
NeoTRIS, a Tetris-inspired game created for SNK’s Neo Geo AES and MVS hardware, is now available as a proper MVS cartridge. The game was developed by Chips on Steroids and expands on the familiar formula with features including piece storage and a caravan mode.
The kit costs 180€ plus shipping: 35€ within Europe or 50€ outside Europe. Orders must be placed by emailing the creator directly.
Golden Tee PGA Tour cabinets ship without televisions
Component shortages and steep cost increases have changed the way Incredible Technologies is shipping its new Golden Tee PGA Tour cabinets. Distributors were told that the GTPGA units would no longer include the 55-inch 4K Samsung television, allowing cabinets and kits to leave production more quickly.
Before the pandemic, the company could ship thousands of kits and cabinets around September. For this release, shipping did not begin until January 2022.
The cabinet shroud was designed around a 55-inch television but should accept any 55-inch 4K TV. The stand and bracket support screens weighing up to 77 pounds, while the universal VESA mounting should suit major television brands.
A 4K television is required. The software will not operate without one, reflecting the presentation standards agreed with the PGA TOUR and the design of the new courses.
Operators considering a unit should ask their distributor for recommended screens. The official Golden Tee PGA Tour page still described the cabinet as including a monitor, so its information may need updating. For general cabinet maintenance and replacement hardware, see RETROCADE’s arcade parts range.
Rare Taito Vertexer footage surfaces
Vertexer is an exceptionally scarce Taito title designed for installation in the company’s IDYA motion cabinet. Its production run was very small, but the game did reach production rather than remaining a cancelled prototype.
With no known emulation release and very few clear images available, documentation of the game has been limited. Newly circulated footage offers a much better look at this unusual motion-arcade release.
https://twitter.com/higenekodo/status/1522193070271639552
Ninja Baseball Batman becomes a comic
Irem’s Ninja Baseball Batman remains one of the more distinctive beat ’em ups of its era. Although it arrived during the genre’s peak, competition from better-known licences meant that many arcades passed on it.
The game is now continuing in comic-book form through the work of original creator Drew Maniscalco, current president of Andamiro USA, writer Dave Cook and artist Steve Gregson. More information about the comic is available here, alongside a newly established Patreon.
Jersey Jack discusses pinball with Indie Arcade Wave
Jersey Jack Pinball has not yet revealed its next game, although the company has indicated that a new project is in production. A recent teaser suggests an announcement may eventually follow. The accompanying interview focuses on Jack and the history of the company.
Operator insight and industry headlines
Further operator-focused video coverage was planned, including material about Atari’s approaching 50th anniversary and an unreleased Atari arcade project for which only limited new information was available.
- LAI Games is moving to a larger location, with possible shipping delays during the move.
- Somniacs and Barron Games have formalised their Birdly VR partnership.
- One project demonstrates a combination of arcade play and VR.
- The SEA Expo was scheduled to begin on Monday.
- A 2001 E3 demo of Duke Nukem Forever has leaked.
- Gunlord 2 is in development, although it was not expected to be an arcade release.
- The Nintendo Switch has outsold the PlayStation 4 in the United States.
For readers planning a home setup, RETROCADE’s arcade-machine buying guide covers the key considerations before choosing a cabinet.
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