It’s finally time to continue our after-show coverage of IAAPA 2024 with its second part, now tackling the likes of Bandai Namco Amusement, Sega Amusements, LAI Games and UNIS. This does not complete everyone, but will continue to get you caught up on all of the biggest news and announcements on the new games that will be gracing the Western arcade scene during 2025. We will endeavor to have parts 3 & 4 up next week; I want to get this news out before it’s too far removed from the event.
Note that shipping statues below are to the Best of Our Knowledge; for anything we haven’t been able to confirm yet, we’ll put TBA and update as and when that does come (do check back later just in case). We are working to get exact statuses ASAP, but there are many people still on vacation after Thanksgiving or busy with the end of year Christmas rush, so it’s all a little bit delayed.
Bandai Namco Amusements
Let’s start with the house that Pac built, which as always involves both the American (BNAA) and European (BNAE) sides. In case you are new to the arcade scene, they combine their forces together for IAAPA, due to the international mix of the crowd that attends the show. A lot of BNAE’s business is as a distributor of others’ equipment into various parts of the world – mainly Europe, but also some locations such as the Middle East. Because of this, you’ll find numerous products from Adrenaline Amusements and Raw Thrills on hand, as BNAE is the official source for those titles in their sales regions.
Two major video games were unveiled by BNA at IAAPA 2024, both of which have been on the testing circuit for a while: the USA version of Taiko No Tatsujin, and GoldStorm Pirates. Taiko’s launch at long last garnered perhaps the most amount of hype, not just at the Namco booth, but also of the whole arcade pavilion at IAAPA 2024 in general. This marks the first time in 20 years that the company is officially selling the game into North America, and as I learned, Europe might not be far behind it either. We don’t have a date just yet on when TnT may find its way over there, but next year is a safe bet.
One thing to note about TnT is that the game requires an online connection and there is a 20¢ fee for every song played. Like others there, I had to get some clarification on this, and here is the official word (which also counters a video I had posted to YT): it’s 20¢ per song, and the location can choose if they want the game to be playing 1, 2 or 3 songs a credit. I heard that one Round1USA location that got the game already had it set to 3 songs per credit, but I wouldn’t expect most locations to do this. Not just due to the fee, but also how long that might take to play. Most FECs want throughput, meaning quick games; if people are spending 10-15 minutes on a single credit, then the game is going to have a harder time earning its keep. That becomes more prominent when there’s a per song fee being charged.
That said, pretty much everyone had the expectation of this being a $20k+ game, yet it is just under $15k. This puts it into a similar realm to Pump It Up. Having a bunch of US pop and anime songs are sure to help Taiko stand out… aside from the fact that you’re hitting giant drums. The game is shipping now as well, however, a caveat: the first production run was “very limited in scope” and they already sold most of it out to Round1USA. I’m not completely certain how many units that was (some say 100~), but it sounds like quite a lot. The next batch won’t be available until Q2 2025, though if you are interested in this one, don’t let that stop you as you can place an order and not have to miss out on run #2 in case that is also limited.
For BNA’s other big game, we have the long-awaited successor to Deadstorm Pirates, GoldStorm Pirates. Most AH readers should be pretty familiar with this one by now, with it being in testing since May 2023 and already going out to some Namco locations in Japan last month, but this was my first time seeing the game in person. One thing you immediately notice with it is that instead of using an enclosed ‘environmental’ cabinet, it has a pretty big open design – sort of like a larger Let’s Go Island. This may price and size out smaller locations somewhat, though with DSP getting a standard you’d hope this one will too.
Other than that though, the controls and basic gameplay are all much the tried and tested same as the popular original game, with the slight addition of more gold collecting (that doesn’t expand out into an ‘item shop’ in the vein of HOTD Scarlet Dawn, but it’s not necessary). I also didn’t realize this when playing, as it has been several years since last I saw Deadstorm, but the first level in GSP is a remaster from DSP. However, all the others are definitely new. This makes Bandai Namco preferring not to call this a sequel a little odd – but that could have something to do with them not being responsible for much on the software side of it this time (Japanese subcontractor Xeen Inc did heavy lifting, though BNA still oversaw everything).
GoldStorm will be swashbuckling its way to the West during Q1 2025, following its full release in Japan this month. Hopefully it will be a big enough hit over here to get rolled out to most locations of chains like D&B and R1USA, plus maybe even pave the way for more new arcade shooters from Bandai Namco again – though whether that will happen still remains to be seen over the coming months.
Besides the twin stars of Taiko and GoldStorm, Bandai Namco also had very nice interactive kiddie rides based on the former title and their classic Gator Panic whacker. Glimpses of these were first seen at the Chinese trade shows earlier this year, but it wasn’t certain whether these would come over… turns out they both are. Check out the below video for footage of those and some more of Taiko itself:
Then the rest of the booth was dedicated to existing pieces they sell into America and Europe, plus the new Jumpin’ Jupiter redemption game to follow up Jumpin’ Jackpot. For a full list of those (omitting titles that BNAE simply distribute and will be covered elsewhere):
- Animal Kaiser Plus [Now shipping]
- Crab Rush [Now shipping]
- Dead Heat Unleashed [Now shipping]
- Gator Panic Kiddie Ride [TBA]
- GoldStorm Pirates [Q1 2025]
- Jumpin’ Jupiter [TBA]
- Lolly Crush [Now shipping]
- Looney Tunes Red Zone Rush [Now shipping]
- Pac-Man Baller [Now shipping]
- Pac-Man Power Pellets [Now shipping]
- Pac-Man Roller [Now shipping]
- Pac-Man Slider [Now shipping]
- Pac-Man’s Pixel Bash [Now shipping]
- Pac-Man’s Pixel Bash For Charity [Now shipping]
- Taiko No Tatsujin [Now shipping; next shipment Q2 2025]
- Taiko No Tatsujin Kiddie Ride [TBA]
- Tom & Jerry Kitchen Chaos [Now shipping]
- Tower Island [Now shipping]
There are a few more new developments known to be going on from them in Japan right now, such as Bike Dash Delivery, but those weren’t here yet – in terms of Bike Dash at least, we’re still waiting to hear back some kind of word on whether or not it will heading West after all. That said, there is this Japanese trailer of it that was recently posted to Twitter/X which we’ve modified with a translation.
Sega Amusements
Sega Amusements International didn’t quite have as impressive an IAAPA 2024 booth as Bandai Namco, but still made a pretty solid showing, with a lot of big machines packed in and some centerpiece space to spare for good old Sonic (whose new prize ranges could be found on display in the cranes on their booth):
The new game of interest for us is of course Alpha Ops VR Strike, their motion seat follow-up to the successful VR Agent also made with 3MindWave from a few years back. Using similar hybrid HMD/gun controllers, this is even better than that title, which was already a favorite among the attendant-free VR pieces out there. The build here was 70% done, so final judgements should be reserved for later, but besides some slight glitches that will be fixed its 4K Unreal Engine 5 graphics look pretty sharp, and the cabinet’s 4.1 surround sound mix is really good. I also felt a strong vibration through the seats – that stood out from most games now, and was a cool touch. Its targeted shipping and price is April/May + $39,995.
For some more 3MindWave fun, their previous collaboration with them, Apex Rebels, also took pride of place again in a four player set up after being unveiled here last year. This time the game was available in full, unlike the build that was shown off at IAAPA 2023 and Amusement Expo in March, so here’s some new footage of its fourth track, the ancient Japan-inspired Motorland Sakura for expert players:
The rest of SAI’s booth was more focused on the videmption/redemption side of things, with a big corner dedicated to their prize machine offerings. Away from those, one electro-mechanical game that took up a bit of space was the new four-player On Target shooting range last seen at IAAPA EU. This comes from Leon Amusement with the same great guns as JET Games’ Mega Shot (which Leon seem to have originally made as Master Sniper). It should be shipping during February/March, at $28,995.
In videmption, there was also their recent original effort Zombies! Ready, Deady Go! again, and the first showing of Big Sea Fishing from SEA Animation (who previously made the successful kiddie driver Hot Racers sold by SAI here). This initially looked like it would be another 2D fishing game ala UNIS’ titles, but does have some neat things that make it stand out more, with fishes popping out of the screen in 3D here and there. Like On Target it will be landing around February/March, priced at $12,795.
To sum their whole IAAPA 2024 booth contents up and the release status of it all, here’s the list:
- 501 Fun AR Darts [Now shipping]
- Allstars Air Hockey [Now shipping]
- Allstars Basketball [Now shipping]
- Allstars Ultimate Disc [Now shipping]
- Alpha Ops VR Strike [April/May 2025]
- Apex Rebels [Now shipping]
- Bop It! Arcade [Now shipping]
- Big Sea Fishing [Feb/March 2025]
- Capto Cranes [Now shipping]
- High Five [Dec/Jan. 2025]
- Hyper Cross [Now shipping]
- On Target [Feb/March 2025]
- Sync Pong [Now shipping]
- Skill Fall Revolution 1P/2P/4P [1P now shipping, others Jan/Feb. 2025]
- Zombies! Ready, Deady, Go! [Now shipping]
EAG in January should bring forth more new announcements from the sounds of things, where they will have a big booth. For now, to see some overviews of their booth out of Sega Amusements themselves check out these IAAPA 2024 videos they posted – Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; the wrap-up.
LAI Games
LAI Games had their biggest trade show booth ever at IAAPA 2024, in part thanks to their team up with a crane and toy manufacturer called Seasons. Even without them though, they really set out to impress this time, setting up a huge walled display that was possibly the tallest booth wall of the show. Since they were almost up against the convention center wall, I don’t think this affected those behind the wall as it could in the past, since people often just go check out what’s in the corner anyways.
In video games though, the main new product from LAI this time is naturally Kaiju Rampage, their release of IGS/Wahlap’s Monster Eye 3 shooter which we’ve talked about a bit since Spring. Again, besides the name change (down to the first two not getting major sales in the US), pretty much everything about the game is the same – though unlike GoldStorm, it retains its original enclosed theater cabinet design (GoldStorm’s is only being sold in Japan, after initially being tested with it in the States).
LAI’s full list of games on display and shipping status looks like this (much of the rest of what they showed was redemption, particularly their suite of three new pushers from Playmore):
- Air Strike [Now shipping]
- Asphalt 9 Legends VR [Now shipping]
- Asphalt Moto Blitz DX [Now shipping]
- Galaxy Hunter [Jan. 2025]
- Hyper Pitch [Now shipping]
- Hyper Shoot [Now shipping]
- Kaiju Rampage [Late Jan/Early Feb. 2025]
- Lost Pirate [Dec. 2024]
- Mount Shabang [March 2025]
- Pearl Fishery [Now shipping]
- Smash DX [Now shipping]
- Tornado [Jan. 2025]
- Virtual Rabbids UHD [Now shipping]
- Seasons Range [Toys now shipping, Wonder Claws TBA]
It was also reported in IAAPA 2024 previews on here and in RePlay Magazine that they would have an as-yet unannounced mixed reality shooting gallery using projection mapping tech and a big IP, but that was nowhere to be found on their booth. When asking about it, there was apparently some miscommunication, and it will debut at Amusement Expo 2025. It also involves VR, not MXR, although it is still common for the two to get mixed up (for anyone wanting to figure out the Rs, I’d suggest this post 🙂).
UNIS
Similar to LAI, UNIS well and truly came out swinging at IAAPA 2024 with a bigger than ever presence and lots more new products than expected – that goes for all areas and genres, not just prize redemption (though that did inevitably take up a sizable chunk of space). Whilst an entire other booth was taken out by them to only focus on promoting their big redemption-heavy location based entertainment tie-up with the Emoji company, UNIS’ own area did have some new video titles that can all be found in the below full tour.
Neon Rush was among the first of those new video titles covered on AH, being the only major one without a photo ban on their initial showing of them at the GTI 2024 expo in September. Following in the footsteps of their Bigfoot Mayhem and Raw Thrills’ F&F Arcade (which UNIS sell into China), this is the first big two-screened motorbike racer to hit the US market (Ace Amusement showed off one at GTI too, but it didn’t make it over here – yet). If you don’t get a TRON Legacy vibe from this one, then you must not know what that is… perhaps UNIS made this in thinking about the upcoming TRON Ares film?
Monster Kart is another new UNIS motion racer, this time paring the size right down to a mini kart with a single screen. Mario Kart comparisons are abound here, though it does still stand out from that with the motion and original IP. UNIS saw a big, positive reaction out of the game, enough that they sent out an email this morning entitled “IAAPA Expo Recap: Monster Kart Steals the Spotlight!”. It also calls it the “Top Family Racing Game of 2025” while sharing a bunch of other details. You can see the game’s flyer here.
Dino Storm may not sound like a watercraft rowing game, but a watercraft rowing game it is. This takes the concept behind Rapid River and does make some original changes to it, with paddle stick controls at either side of you and a competitive racing nature, instead of the co-op rowing gameplay seen in Namco’s game and the recent Wahlap take on it that Sega Amusements sold here.
For videmption, UNIS’ big new title was Carnival Shot. This puts a spin on video shooting galleries by vending toys; a long time ago, Namco did do a version of Point Blank that dealt cash in the UK, and some of Leon Amusement’s shooters also have toy vending versions, but this is the first example of the latter seeing wider sales right now. There is going to be a straight ticket redemption edition of this available too.
Also, whilst UNIS has scaled back their VR developments from where they were five or six years ago, they haven’t dropped them completely. That was borne out with the appearance of Sailor’s Quest VR 2 here, although I imagine that its development was partially driven by the advent of GoldStorm Pirates (which has been an open secret since last year), and the success of Godzilla VR from Raw Thrills. I bring up the latter as Sailor’s Quest had been the only big mounted gun VR motion shooter on the market, until Kaiju Wars came along and had more success. Unfortunately the footage I captured of this one wasn’t the best, so stay tuned to the YouTube channel for when/if I get something figured out. In the meantime, check out this earlier report on it and Bigfoot Smash (which was also on hand at the booth).
An almost-full list of what UNIS had at IAAPA 2024 and when it ships follows (there’s so much of it that it’s easier to just group the whole Emoji range into one, and redemption isn’t our big thing here at AH anyways):
- Addams Family 1P [Now shipping]
- All About Tickets [TBA]
- Bigfoot Mayhem [Now shipping]
- Bigfoot Smash [Now shipping]
- Capsule Station [TBA]
- Carnival Shot [TBA]
- Dino Storm [TBA]
- Dynamic Orbs [Now shipping]
- Emoji Range [Various]
- Funko Funcade [Now shipping]
- Godzilla Vs. Kong Smasher [Now shipping]
- Prize Dome [Now shipping]
- Quack King [TBA]
- Neon Rush [TBA]
- Monster Kart [TBA]
- Raccoon Rampage [Now shipping]
- Sailor’s Quest VR 2 [TBA]
- Toy Box 1P/2P/4P/8P [Now shipping]
- Toy Box Capsule [Now shipping]
UNIS have also been posting their own coverage of their IAAPA 2024 booth online, including Instagram.
I’m still waiting on more answers from both UNIS and Bandai Namco regarding shipping windows and pricing, so if you are interested in that, do check back on the site over the coming days for it – plus the final two (maybe three) parts of our coverage. Some more videos are still going up on the AH YouTube channel too. Until then, which of the new games seen at IAAPA 2024 here interest you most?
