Another of China’s amusement industry trade shows is coming along, and following the major showcase they had at AAA in May, Wahlap are bringing an even bigger lineup of new arcade games to GTI Asia China Expo 2025. AAA saw them generally host Chinese debuts for existing games that we’d seen previously in overseas markets, but this time around, they have several new-new titles that are sure to make a big splash, as well as a reinforced partnership with another company. Let’s check them out…
As a note, Wahlap provided the visual content for this post, and they are an Arcade Heroes advertiser. We thank them for their support!
Storm Racer 2
Let’s start things off with one that we have had an inkling for a little while behind the scenes. Around this time last year, rumors circulated among some circles that Wahlap would be making a sequel to their Storm Racer arcade driving games with Hong Kong’s 3MindWave (the studio that several of the game’s creators set up in the latter half of the 2010s). It seemed a little soon given that both had not long ago put out new racers on the market at that time, but fast forward to now, and Storm Racer 2 is indeed a reality. This does for Storm Racer what Storm Rider 2 did for its motorbike counterpart, bringing the series into the 2020s with more refined Unreal Engine graphics and a flashy new motion cabinet design.
As one might tell from the above cabinet render though, the biggest difference with this one is its use of 85 inch vertical screens, and a blend of newer racing game elements mixed in with the Storm Racer base. Given 3MindWave’s involvement, you can feel a lot has been carried through from Apex Rebels in a visual sense, whilst as can be seen from the below official Chinese trailer, there are shades of Asphalt 9 too:
We would also note that Wahlap has confirmed that this game will be shipping internationally, however, distribution parterns have yet to be named at this time.
Storm Rider X
Even more of a surprise is another game in the Storm Rider series, which as previously mentioned Wahlap and 3MW returned to not that long ago with its own sequel. They have clearly thought that they could do even better than that though, as it returns again here in the form of Storm Rider X. Not sure why they skipped seven entries here other than for the reason of “X” sounding cool (perhaps Elon Musk could sue :P), but it follows in Storm Racer 2’s footsteps by also using vertical screens. Unlike Storm Rider 2, the ride-on bikes no longer have motion bases, but are new lightcycle TRON-like designs. According to a few translations, that would be down to this version taking a more sci-fi influenced stylistic direction:
Other than that, it will most likely build off the previous entry in the series. One translation of the flyer blurb we got from Maximus in our Discord mentioned what sounds like 4-Player online play, but that isn’t fully confirmed – Storm Racer 2’s didn’t say anything of the sort, so it may just be a misinterpretation. Either way, like Storm Racer 2 we have got an official Chinese trailer for it sent through from Wahlap:
Like with Storm Racer 2, this is also destined Westward, but again we don’t know through who for certain at the moment.
Phantom Vanguard: Modern Combat
Moving away from the racers now, we have another big surprise. One of Wahlap’s most successful product lines in recent times has been the Asphalt range, comprising Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade, Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade VR, and Asphalt Moto Blitz DX (all carried by LAI Games out West). That was borne out of a collaboration between them, Taiwan’s IGS, and the original Asphalt app developers Gameloft, and now the three are looking to repeat that success with this new adaption of their Modern Combat first person shooters called Phantom Vanguard. While some may hope for a true arcade FPS game in the style of those for Valve’s works that came out in Japan, this is another on rails lightgun adaption – albeit with a few twists.
The official trailer below (in English on Wahlap’s own channel, unlike the above two) lays out the game’s trappings and unique features; while one might recall other lightgun games like Raizing Storm from the overall setting and style, where it differs is in its use of the two combined vertical screens (once again), and its new “gun combo” control scheme. This entails using both the tethered and fixed format – whilst some areas of the game accommodate the first of those, others require you to attach the gun to two yoke-like gun holsters, fixing them in place. This is a neat new addition to the formula, and one that Wahlap say they have a patent out for, though hopefully they’ve engineered out any potential faults:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwxCdWxBZI
Like the Storm games, this one is also supposed to launch out West, but we’ll have to wait and see who wants to carry it.
Jubeat
Alongside their original products, Wahlap are also continuing their partnerships with other companies to bring existing games to China, and here is a very notable example of that. Some readers may remember that at JAEPO 2020, Konami presented new cabinet designs for their Jubeat and Pop’n Music rhythm game series, both of which swiftly disappeared following the advent of COVID. Five years on from that, we have recently seen them strike back in a big way on various fronts, including a vastly different new revival for Pop’n, so the chance of Jubeat getting a reprieve too has been there – and that is happening now. Before anywhere else in the world, Wahlap and Konami are re-debuting Jubeat’s new revised cabinets at GTI.
As can be seen in the above image (and this one that leaked), the cabinets have been altered from what we saw in 2020, though the basic design remains. This move is interesting for two reasons: one is that it marks their first collaboration for China with Wahlap in a little while (Konami’s previous Chinese alliances have tended to be with UNIS, although not always), and the second is it being another example of Konami debuting new products away from their homeland, as recently seen with Contra Burst and Dance Dance Revolution Stomp Arrows appearing exclusively in the States. The question is, will this get a chance to come out in other territories? Presently, Wahlap is saying China-only, but if it’s a success there, that could always open doors down the line for Konami to sell it themselves elsewhere.
Bombergirl
Jubeat isn’t the only game that Konami and Wahlap are bringing to China – though not quite a new version this time, their distinctive female-fronted take on the Bomberman series is now going places outside of Japan. After a slow start over there on launch in 2018, Bombergirl ended up becoming something of a surprise hit and is still going strong (it got a Rainbow update in 2022, and PC version the previous year), so the two companies are clearly hoping to replicate that success elsewhere. Back at AAA 2025, Wahlap gave the Pokemon trading card game out of Japan got a big showcase, and this looks to be taking its place here.
It’s worth saying that with the game being what it is, and China’s censorship laws being what they are, it’s very likely some of the more risqué elements of it will be toned down. Aside from that, a new card-focused feature, WeChat online functionality in place of e-Amusement, and a different cabinet design to the one that Japan has seen (viewable here), it should be effectively coming over as-is. But it is interesting that Wahlap have gone for this game; though they worked with Konami previously it’s hard to imagine UNIS wanting it with their more family-friendly focus, so perhaps this is why it has ended up at their door (?).
Other Games
Those were the biggest new games that Wahlap will be showing off at GTI, but they will also have several returning titles that we either regularly see on their Chinese trade show stands or recent releases that debuted at AAA in May. Among the former, there will be showcases once again for their officially licensed China region releases of Taiko no Tatsujin, Initial D The Arcade, Maimai DX and Chunithm (which is getting its latest CN update launched here), whilst the latter sees Alpha Ops VR Strike, Cyberhoop Basketball, and Monster Eye 3 Unite (recently spotted on test in the US) come back. For the card game side of things there will additionally be their version of Raw Thrills’ Marvel Contest of Champions and Wahlap’s original Kingdoms Fantasy battler, whilst redemption will be well represented too with their Ultraman “Wa Game” electromechanical range and original coin pushers like Jaws and Rocket X. This is the English flyer they sent for the last of those; it does seem likely that it will be carried by a Western outlet.
As for who will release Wahlap’s three big new video games outside of China (putting Konami’s aside), as previously mentioned it’s not easy to call right now. Wahlap have typically put first exclusive distribution deals with the big manufacturers rather than direct sales, and these have been inked with a variety of players, including LAI Games, Sega, and Amusement Source International. Going off of their previous releases though, Storm Racer 2 and Rider X are probably poised to be picked up by Sega Amusements, whilst LAI could take Phantom Vanguard. We will almost certainly find out for sure over the course of the next trade show season…
Either way, the GTI Asia China Expo starts up tomorrow, and as usual we will have plenty of coverage. Which of these new titles from Wahlap interest you most?
