The return of Atari and Asteroids to arcades is upon us, as the former revealed today in a press release about orders opening for Asteroids Recharged Arcade on their website.
Note that Adam has recently been doing some consultancy for the developers of this arcade machine (Alan-1 Inc.), so Ted is taking this post and all future articles on Alan-1 instead to provide a transparent take on the story.
Asteroids Recharged: The Lowdown
As we have been covering this release fairly often on AH of late, Asteroids Recharged Arcade should be pretty familiar to most of you. However, for those who have simply missed the coverage or are new here, it is a brand new arcade version of the home game that was originally put out back in 2021. Brought to the original game’s birthplace by Alan-1, one of the newest names in the arcade industry, it debuted at Amusement Expo in March this year – we’ve said this before, but A1 did make quick work of it by only penning the deal to get the game out just six weeks prior to that event.
For some new information that has filtered through since the trade show appearance, Alan-1 are going to be releasing this first work of theirs on a model similar to Stern Pinball: three cabinet designs, PRO, PREMIUM & LE, although they haven’t mentioned anything on differences. The two player Premium edition will debut at CAX later this month, where AH will indeed have a presence; footage of it should be up on the YouTube channel shortly after the event. Until then, we already have some video coverage for the game above and below, from when pre-orders opened a few months ago:
As for when you, the players may get a chance to try Asteroids Recharged Arcade at a location nearby, Alan-1 have confirmed Dave & Busters will be testing it out at a couple of their places starting off from August onward. If these go down well enough, D&B could indeed start up a permanent, wider rollout to more US stores, which would of course be great for its accessibility.
These aren’t the first tests either, as Arcade Galactic has of course been hosting one. And, as seen in this post, Genda have evidently been interested in it and Avian Knights too, as both were spotted at their Enterrium location in Schaumburg, IL last month. If you come across a cabinet, whether on location or at CAX soon, be sure to let us know what you thought of the game 🙂
One last tidbit: this release will also mark the first time ever in history that any iteration of Atari will be selling arcade cabinets online. Pre-orders come with free shipping but are only open until August 26th. It should be noted that this is currently only for the United States though – Alan-1’s license for Asteroids and Atari does not cover Europe, so a release there is unfortunately not something to expect, despite the current Atari being in large part headquartered in France.
Still, if you are interested in Asteroids Recharged Arcade and hail from there or anywhere, here is the full press release:
Press Release
Atari and Alan-1 Unveil Arcade Cabinet Version of “Asteroids Recharged”
Tooele, UT – July 18th, 2024 – Following their recent partnership announcement, Atari® and Alan-1, Inc. are thrilled to unveil the arcade cabinet version of the beloved classic, now reimagined as Asteroids Recharged. First debuting at the 2024 Amusement Expo event in Las Vegas, NV, Asteroids Recharged is a remake of Atari’s smash hit coin-op classic from 1979. This new entry in the series is set to captivate arcade enthusiasts, family entertainment centers, and classic arcades by merging nostalgic gameplay with modern technological advancements.
The Asteroids Recharged 2 Player Premium Arcade Cabinet is a testament to both companies’ commitment to preserving the golden age of arcade gaming while propelling it into the future. Designed and meticulously manufactured by Alan-1, known for their passion for the classics, this officially licensed Atari cabinet reinvigorates the classic Asteroids experience with a suite of contemporary enhancements.
Key Features of the 2-Player Asteroids Recharged Arcade Cabinet:
- Retro Design, Modern Tech: The cabinet showcases a seamless integration of vintage aesthetics with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring an authentic arcade experience with the reliability and clarity of today’s advanced displays and audio systems. The high-definition screen and superior sound quality bring the game’s vibrant graphics and iconic sound effects to life like never before.
- Redesigned For Today’s Arcades: The core game has been developed with input from various arcade industry professionals and classic game enthusiasts. This is to capture the same feel that customers had with the first Asteroids, while fulfilling the needs and tastes of today’s market.
- Classic Dimensions: The dimensions of the 2-player Asteroids Recharged cabinet are the same as any classic arcade game, meaning it will fit right in with the games of the past and present! Its relatively small footprint will ensure there’s enough space for even more games! A larger form factor will be available later in the year.
- Multiplayer Experience: The new multiplayer mode transforms the classic solo asteroid-blasting action into a collaborative adventure. Players can now team up to tackle the challenges together, adding a dynamic cooperative dimension that enhances replayability and social interaction.
- Immersive Gameplay: Enhanced with a variety of haptic feedback mechanisms, including knockers, shakers, and force feedback, the Asteroids Recharged cabinet delivers an unprecedented level of immersion. Players will feel every explosion and impact, creating a deeply engaging and tactile gaming experience.
- Customizable Settings: Keeping different arcade environments in mind, the cabinet includes customizable game settings. Operators can adjust coin settings, redemption mode, card reader integration, and feedback intensity, ensuring a tailored experience for every location. Operators can also access these settings using the free operator MLeS app.
- MLeS Integration: Asteroids Recharged features integration with Alan-1’s Major League eSports System (MLeS). Drive more traffic to your venue and back to the game with Alan-1’s Major League eSports System (MLeS) app This optional and free mobile app allows players to compete across cities and states in the quest to dominate the high score leaderboard. Players can track their score, earn achievements and points within the app and the competition doesn’t stop there! If a player has their score beat on a machine, the app notifies them so they can return to reclaim their spot.
Luke Anderson, Chief Game Director of Alan-1, Inc., echoed this enthusiasm: “Bringing Asteroids Recharged into an arcade cabinet has been an exciting project for our team. We’re honored to contribute to the arcade renaissance and give fans a unique way to experience this iconic game. This cabinet is not just a product; it’s a celebration of gaming history and a beacon for the future of arcade entertainment that will be a perfect fit for any arcade.”
There will be an exclusive pre-order run from Atari until August 1st, after which all orders will be processed by distributors from around the nation. Contact alan-1.com for more information. If you are a distributor and would like to carry Asteroids Recharge, please contact us to request our distributor information.
For additional information about the Asteroids Recharged arcade cabinet and to place a preorder, please visit www.alan-1.com.
About Atari, Inc.
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit Atari online at www.Atari.com.
Atari shares are listed in France on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ALATA) and OTC Pink Current (Ticker PONGF). © 2024 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.
About Alan-1 Inc
Alan-1, Inc. is a forward-thinking game studio committed to creating innovative and immersive gaming experiences. By partnering with industry giants like Atari, Alan-1 continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of gaming and entertainment.
