UNIS is preparing a substantial presence at IAAPA 2025, with two exhibition spaces at booths 1035 and 1335. Each area appears to be approximately 30 by 40 feet, although the company is known for fitting a large number of products into its floor space. More machines may be announced or revealed during the show, so this preview reflects the information available before the event.
Although UNIS is heavily involved in redemption, crane and prize products, its current video-game lineup offers several notable attractions for Australian operators comparing arcade machines. The main highlights are the oversized trackball racer Spin City and the motion-based hover-racing game Monster Jet Riders.
Spin City uses giant trackballs and turbo boosts
First shown at the GTI Asia China Expo in September, Spin City has now moved into a more prominent position in UNIS’s product promotion. The manufacturer has just listed this one on their website.
The attraction uses unusually large trackballs, with each player facing a 49-inch screen. A foot pedal allows the player to activate a turbo boost. Oversized trackball games have appeared from smaller developers and other manufacturers, but Spin City represents a major arcade supplier adopting the format.
UNIS describes this as a twin model: two single cabinets are sold and connected as one machine. It is designed to award tickets, although UNIS commonly offers the ability to disable ticket play for venues that prefer a video-only configuration.
Monster Jet Riders takes racing into the air
Monster Jet Riders is the latest addition to UNIS’s Monster range, arriving while the company continues to promote Monster Kart, including its larger deluxe format. This new title replaces the kart with futuristic hover or anti-gravity vehicles.
Players use a Jet Ski-style controller mounted to a motion base. It is not known whether the game shares characters or tracks with Monster Kart, but the available trailer points to a similar structure, with boosts, jumps and drifting included in the racing action.
For venues assessing motion-based attractions, this sits closer to the larger format covered by RETROCADE’s racing arcade range than to a conventional upright cabinet.
The trailer provides limited views of the gameplay screen, so the precise racing systems and cabinet experience will need to be confirmed at IAAPA.
Other possible UNIS video releases
Several games shown at GTI Asia China have not appeared in the IAAPA preview information available so far. The list includes Turbo Nova, Dino Dash and Jump Master, along with a few other titles that may remain exclusive to the Chinese market.
These games could still appear at IAAPA, but their presence is not certain. UNIS has since published a video about Jump Master, making it a stronger possibility than the other unconfirmed entries.
Ski Hero is an unusual wildcard
Ski Hero is another uncertain title. It appeared on an early IAAPA preview list before being removed, and only a photograph from a European distributor listing has been identified. The machine appears to combine familiar skiing controls with a vertical screen and a spring-loaded motion platform beneath the player deck.
The spring-loaded design appears to provide physical movement without requiring a fully powered electric motion base. Arcade skiing has a long history, reaching back to Allied Leisure’s extremely rare 1977 game Ski. Namco’s Alpine Racer remains the best-known example of the format, with a small number of comparable games from Sega and Konami, plus a 2014 revival from Bandai Namco and Raw Thrills.
That history makes UNIS’s return to physical skiing an unexpected development. Whether Ski Hero will reach North America, debut at another event or be shown at IAAPA remains to be confirmed.
Redemption and prize products
Redemption remains a major part of UNIS’s business, and much of the equipment across its two IAAPA booths is expected to target family entertainment centres and prize venues.
The preview points to several emoji-branded products, Franken Slam, Toy Box crane machines and possibly capsule machines similar to those displayed by UNIS the previous year.
Operators planning a mixed entertainment space can use RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide when considering cabinet types, floor space and venue requirements.
What to watch from UNIS at IAAPA 2025
UNIS’s known and possible video attractions span several formats: large-format trackball play in Spin City, motion racing in Monster Jet Riders and a physical skiing experience in Ski Hero. Redemption machines are likely to occupy a significant portion of the company’s exhibition footprint, with more products potentially appearing once the show opens.
For Australian arcade businesses, the most important details to confirm will be cabinet configuration, ticket settings, motion hardware and distribution plans. IAAPA should clarify which of these regional previews will become wider releases. Further industry updates are available through the RETROCADE arcade news blog.
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