AAA Expo 2026, the first of China’s two major annual arcade trade shows, begins on 10 May. Wahlap’s preview includes a major update to its successful racing series, a new light-gun shooter, card-based attractions and several established Japanese titles.
This has currently been announced by them in Chinese only, so some details remain subject to confirmation at the expo.
Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade Plus
The headline announcement is Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade Plus, a new version of Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade. Since its 2021 debut, the game has also appeared in Deluxe, VR and Premium forms, with reported sales exceeding 10,000 units. Most of those machines were placed in China, making a China-focused update a logical move.
The clearest hardware change is the use of 85-inch vertical screens. Wahlap’s Storm Racer 2 has already attracted attention with this format. The Plus edition also appears to add a competitive ticket-redemption feature, potentially reflecting the growing overlap between racing games and prize-based arcade play. Its exact operation has not yet been explained.
It is also not confirmed whether LAI Games will distribute this version in Western markets, as it has handled previous Asphalt arcade releases outside China. New cars and tracks would be welcome, but the available promotional material does not specifically confirm either addition. For readers comparing racing cabinets, RETROCADE’s racing arcade range provides useful context on the category.
Demon Hunter 1892
Wahlap’s other major new video-game announcement is Demon Hunter 1892, its first original light-gun shooter in some time. Early machine translation rendered the title as “The Witcher”, but the official name is now presented as Demon Hunter 1892.
This on-rails shooter uses a gothic, steampunk-inspired setting in which players battle demons, apparently through a mansion-themed scenario. The four-player cabinet has tethered guns and appears to share its basic layout with Kaiju Rampage, also known as Monster Eye 3 Unite. Multiple endings are promised, which could give the game stronger replay value. Its visual direction may remind arcade fans of UNIS’ After Dark from 2013.
NBA Superstars
Wahlap is also giving prominent billing to its official Chinese edition of Raw Thrills and Play Mechanix’s NBA Superstars. The game has already been available in Western markets since 2024, but this regional version includes additional changes, most notably a new card-vending feature.
The prominence of NBA Superstars in Wahlap’s preview suggests that the company considers the Chinese edition strategically important. The core game is expected to remain broadly similar to the Western release, while the expo should clarify how the card system affects play and operation.
Monster Eye 3 Plus
Monster Eye 3 Plus is an expanded version of an existing title rather than a completely new release, but AAA Expo 2026 will be its first major trade-show appearance. It belongs to the super-deluxe motion-theatre shooter category, a format previously used by attractions such as House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn and Deadstorm Pirates 3D.
Instead of a conventional cabinet, the attraction occupies a dedicated room with a large screen wall and several motion seats. Wahlap has promoted and installed it at selected Chinese venues since the second half of 2025, meaning promotional footage is already available to show its scale and presentation.
Card vending games
Alongside its video games, Wahlap is presenting a substantial group of card-vending attractions. The most prominent may be its Chinese version of Elaut’s The Smurfs, redesigned as a twin cabinet.
- Geeese! appears to use a cute Chinese cartoon property and incorporates video elements.
- Infinite Tower is a science-fiction-themed coin tower pusher.
- Card Storm is a more flexible card-dispenser game designed to support different card packs.
The breadth of this group shows how strongly Wahlap is pursuing the current card-game and prize-attraction trend. Operators considering different cabinet formats can also consult RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide.
Additional games on the booth
Wahlap’s Chinese trade-show stands typically include more than the newest announcements. Its wider AAA Expo 2026 line-up will feature officially licensed Japanese games including Sega’s Maimai DX, Chunithm and Initial D The Arcade, along with a recent update to Konami’s Jubeat series and the Chinese edition of Bombergirl.
Bandai Namco’s Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune Ignition is notably absent. Although its Chinese release was confirmed several months ago, it does not appear ready for this event, with another round of testing currently taking place in Japan. It may instead surface at the GTI show in September.
What to watch at AAA Expo 2026
Wahlap’s preview covers a broad mix of racing, shooting, motion-theatre and card-based arcade products. The most important questions for the show will be how Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade Plus handles its ticket competition, whether Demon Hunter 1892 delivers meaningful branching play, and how the Chinese editions of established licensed games differ from their Western counterparts.
For broader industry updates, visit the RETROCADE arcade news and gaming blog. AAA Expo 2026 opens on 10 May, with further information expected once the event begins.
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