We recently had something of a slow summer for major arcade releases, with several of the new titles seen back at Amusement Expo 2026 in March experiencing delays in releasing to much of the world. However, as Fall creeps up on us, we are finally starting to see more than just the leaves change, as we have some game release news. Funny enough, both are motorcycle based racers out of China’s big two in arcades, and both have IP attached to them. Who will dominate the market? Time will tell, but let’s start those engines and delve into the details on Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome Rush and Asphalt Moto Blitz DX Plus.
Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome Rush
Let’s start with the game that we have been waiting the longest for, Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome Rush. This should need little introduction, given the franchise at hand here; the chances are that if you are a fan of the property, then you already know about LAI Games’ interactive shooting gallery based on the series that hit the arcade scene in 2025. While that one similarly had the blessing of CD Projekt Red, the people behind this one are different, being UNIS Technology (one of the largest arcade companies operating out of China) and a company they have been frequently working with on racers of late, Leads Games. This one actually began development around the same time as Turf Wars, but different games come with their own timelines.
Chrome Rush puts you into the Cyberpunk 2077 universe with a focus on racing motorcycles and fighting your opponents along the way. That latter part may remind you of the occasional combat bike racer from years gone by like Road Rash, or more pertinently for arcades, Sega’s Motor Raid. This all comes with settings (four tracks), bikes, and characters that will look familiar to CP2077 fans.
The game comes in a twin cabinet, which is two linked machines with a unified billboard marquee. Each station has a 65″ 4K screen, a detailed swivel bike controller on a motion base that is a life-size reproduction of the Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X from the games, wind effects, and some additional little details on the cabinet to make it feel like something you’d come across in the Cyberpunk universe:
Asphalt Moto Blitz Goes Plus
Next up, it was a surprise last month when LAI Games had suddenly announced the availability of Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade DX Plus, given that they had originally indicated it would be shipping around September. They have now done the same here with Moto Blitz DX Plus after implying it would be at the end of the year, as its motorbike counterpart is shipping now (although this is hardly something to complain about). This one is a half-update, half-sequel to IGS/Wahlap’s Asphalt Moto Blitz DX that had been released back in January 2024. While that was only available in a twin cabinet, this update is available in a single, linkable deluxe cabinet with a portrait screen.
Like the previous version, it comes with a detailed swivel bike controller that sits atop a motion base, and has wind effects. You can link four of these together, or link up with up to four Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade DX Plus units for car vs. bike pla y(reaching up to eight units). The software adds more tracks (now 23 tracks across seven locations), bikes (two new licensed bikes added to the roster + future ones to be added via updates), graphical and gameplay improvements, making it well and truly the ultimate version of the game.
I am not sure what the pricing is on either of these, although I do recall hearing that Cyberpunk 2077 was supposed to be in the mid-20Ks. It comes in the Twin setup though, so at least you’re getting two for that cost. Contact your preferred distributor for that.
Also, if you’re a new op and considering either of these games, keep in mind that any motion game using an air compressor is going to require a lot of extra power. Most of these requires around 20A per station, and so many places are not wired for that, so you may need to hire an electrician to expand what your venue can handle.
As a plea to all manufacturers – you really should all be putting the total amperage required to operate your games up on your websites instead of burying that info in a manual somewhere that may or may not be available online, due to the need of venues to make sure they’ve got the juice. Same goes for distributors. Electrical draw info is oddly still a mystery for most and it’s the easiest thing to add. We don’t live in the age of only print anymore.
Operator issues aside, for you players out there, which of these two motorbike racers appeals most to you?
Discover more from Arcade Heroes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You must be logged in to post a comment.