In recent times, one company that has looked to their past catalog for new arcade titles has been Bandai Namco. This year we received Time Crisis 5 and the year prior was a return to Alpine Racer with Super Alpine Racer. Now another Namco classic is on its way back to the arcade scene with a new version of Point Blank in the works – currently titled Point Blank X.
For those unfamiliar with the original Point Blank arcade titles, it was a collection of shooting gallery style mini-games. The first title in the series was released back in 1994 with a sequel (Point Blank 2) released in 1999. Then in 2000 Namco released Gunbalina aka Point Blank 3. Out of those three, PB2 would be the most common to find here in the US.
In regards to the 4th installment of Point Blank, the breaking source for this was Highwaygames.com, who has unveiled information on upcoming Bandai Namco games in the past. I have confirmed with Bandai Namco Amusements America that this is legitimate although the screenshots they show on the Highway site are from the ’94 version and not the upcoming game. According to Namco, “the gameplay is virtually the same as the previous titles, just in HD”.
Early Prototype cabinet for Point Blank X
The cabinet is otherwise accurate for the time being but as mentioned, that is a prototype model and is subject to change for the final release. It is still within the testing period to see which territories it might end up in so TBA for now. As you can see above, the new game features the same idea of having two pistols, one pink and one cyan. The players will be able to select from 40 stages, with each stage taking between 20-30 seconds each with a goal in mind when you begin. The game can be played in Kid Mode (bigger targets) or Adult mode (smaller targets = bigger challenge). Highway states that it will have a 32″ screen, which isn’t seen very often these days with most games going to 55″ but that could mean that this game in having a smaller footprint will also have a price tag that appeals to game operators out there. At the moment, one aspect I am waiting to find out more about is whether or not the ticket redemption side of it is optional. Being able to turn the ticket dispensing off would be great for a non-redemption venue.
This style of play hasn’t been completely lost in the modern industry – America’s Army, Sharpshooter and bonus levels in Frightfearland come to mind – but it has been a while. What are your thoughts on this potential upcoming release?
Used to play this game series for hours. Btw arcadehero namco released Aim 4 cash back in 2004 which was basically the same as the third game but this allowed you the chance to win money.
Glad to know that this is just the prototype cabinet as the appeal looks awful. will there be new levels and some new feature like a foot pedal?
Right now they aren’t saying much else about the features other than HD graphics. I am also pretty sure this isn’t the final cab 😛
I’ll just say it’s about goddam time lol was wondering when this’ll get the hd treatment next I’ll be seeing galaxian3+sollavu +starblade remastered c’mon Namco classics come on back?
Plus I do hope this is not going to be that stupid android version >:( 500 odd repetitive pay to progress missions.
I used to win at least £60 per week playing Point Blank but they stopped it at the two arcades i went to.
Does anyone know a website that tells you where arcade games are located so that i can find other places that have this game?
Hi G Mo – there used to be a few sites that tracked locations although at the moment it looks like only one remains. They always have to rely on user input to keep up-to-date on so many locations but the one site that remains has done an excellent job at the tracking:
Check out
http://aurcade.com