The 2025 version of ShooterFes, a yearly Japanese occasion that’s specifically targeted on the “shoot ’em up” style of video games (also referred to as “shmup” or “STG;” I’ll use the latter on this article), has wrapped up and as common, exA-Arcadia was there to supply up some gaming goodness and make some bulletins. Whereas they don’t have as many titles to showcase as they did at EVO Japan 2025, they’re remastering some previous classics and bringing some new titles to arcades for the primary time. In addition to that, there are a few different updates to do with the platform to speak of whereas we’re right here too.
With out a lot additional ado, let’s have a look at what new arcade titles and updates had been proven off at ShooterFes 2025…
exA-Arcadia @ ShooterFes 2025
The livestream with the bulletins and previews is discovered on this video, timestamps between 2:19:40 to three:12:50. Under is the place you’ll discover the information all distilled so that you don’t should be taught Japanese to determine it out. The stream begins out with a number of minutes of trailers specializing in launched and already-announced trailers of their STG video games, then will get into the “meat” of it:
Additionally they have introduced that they are going to be attending EVO and SDCC; the latter they are going to be asserting extra titles.
Bunny Bomber Blast Is Accessible Now
Earlier than we get into the shooters, I do need to point out these different two exA updates talked about. One is a recreation that you would be able to really seize proper now to your exA-Arcadia, in case you will have it. Bunny Bomber Blast is a Dig Dug meets Bomberman kind recreation. This joins exA’s worth video games that promote for beneath $1000 a equipment, and whereas it’s a brand new recreation, it makes use of retro model graphics that appear to be they got here out of 1982.
exA {Hardware} Replace
For one thing that isn’t a recreation however nonetheless regarding exA, one level that was talked about on the prime of their stream slot is that they’ve a brand new variation on the EXA Board that they’ve been transport out since final yr. This addresses one of many extra annoying points with the system, that of the CR2032 battery. When it fails, the entire system craps out and needed to be shipped in to service, which was a ache – particularly for such a small factor. Now, the battery is on the skin of the board, in order that operators can swap it out themselves when it dies. Current exA homeowners will have the ability to benefit from an improve program to get this taken care of, though particulars haven’t been launched on that fairly but.
Additionally they mentioned the brand new ARC-32 cupboard (which we now have lined beforehand), including that they’re now going to ship a 4-player mannequin. These can be obtainable exterior of Japan, in case you’re coveting one.
EARTHION EXA LABEL UPDATES
This week, Yuzo Koshiro and his firm Historical introduced launch dates for the assorted console variations of their new STG, Earthion. Upon seeing that, I used to be curious to know if something concerning the arcade model can be introduced, and fortunately it has been.
We now know that it is going to be getting a location take a look at in Japan quickly (6/25-7/2 on the Taito Hey), with the sport launching on July thirty first alongside the console releases. exA moreover unveiled a number of the variations that the arcade model may have that aren’t going to be current on the console, together with the EXA LABEL mode, and in-game devices which are distinctive to the exA model. The EXA LABEL mode can also be the place the sport will stand out from the console releases.
One other attention-grabbing be aware is that there are 5 variations of the soundtrack. These are current in all variations, however nonetheless value noting. While Earthion began life as a “homebrew” for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Yuzo tailored his audio design to completely benefit from the SG/MD {hardware} (he has said on Twitter/X greater than as soon as that this recreation will push the audio {hardware} of the platform past what has ever been achieved earlier than). This consists of profiting from the totally different audio outputs (on the chip stage) from the assorted fashions of the system: Mega Drive 1, Genesis 1, Mega Drive 2, & Genesis CDX. They spent a while discussing this and right here’s a graph displaying a number of the sound variations between fashions:
exA tells me that Yuzo wasn’t conscious of this till they let him learn about it, then he went loopy on what was potential; he likes the CDX output the perfect. This allowed Yuzo to create some distinctive variations; gamers will have the ability to decide from these, together with the choice to pick an enhanced soundtrack with out distortions.
TRIGGERHEART EXELICA EXA LABEL
For the primary title on the checklist of a new-new recreation that was introduced, we now have a 2006 arcade launch from Warashi that a few of you may need performed earlier than. Launched to the Sega NAOMI platform, then varied consoles through the years, now Triggerheart is getting the “EXA LABEL” therapy of the last word director’s lower. No gameplay was demonstrated right now, however we now have a title:
ASURA THE STRIKER EXA LABEL
Right here’s one that may be a little little bit of a shock, not simply because of the recreation, however because of the revealed {hardware} that can management it.
Asura The Striker is a brand new recreation, created by an organization referred to as LeftOver, which is as near a contemporary House Harrier as you may get. Gamers management “ASURA, a humanoid fight weapon”, whom they see from behind, and may fly everywhere in the display screen whereas blasting and/or punching enemies, and turning into extra highly effective.
This jogs my memory of the by no means releases Strike Blazinger that Chris Tang was engaged on years in the past, however appears to have been deserted. Those that had been eagerly awaiting that recreation needs to be excited to see Asura coming to arcades, however there’s one different facet to this launch that can stand out – it’s the primary exA recreation that can use an analog flight stick controller.
Due to the modular management panel design that each the ARC-1 and ARC-32 cupboards have, consumers can simply swap these out, though with this being the one recreation to help it for the time being, you’d should hold the cupboard on a single recreation. That’s not a foul factor although, in that usually gamers are drawn to a devoted cupboard anyhow. I additionally really feel that this and the trackball video games will get some additional consideration, since they’re the forms of controllers which have a really feel recreated by residence gamepads.
It needs to be famous that you do not want the flight stick module to play the sport – it really works with customary digital joysticks as properly. I do assume that this is able to make it extra engaging although.
Again to the sport, this isn’t a title trying to recreate House Harrier’s or an 1980’s look; it’s all 3D, trendy, and it seems stunning. The exA model additionally provides the distinctive EXA Mode, and has a particular soundtrack association obtainable. It’s listed as a single participant recreation; in my opinion, it’d be an excellent candidate for doing a 2-player VS linked recreation. They confirmed footage of it, however the trailers haven’t been posted to YouTube or X but, so we’ll use a trailer of the Steam model till then:
Jamjam’n Jelly EXA LENTE
I’ve performed this subsequent one just a few instances, and have been in a position to see it progress into a very superior shooter. For Jamjam’n Jelly EXA LENTE, they confirmed off a brand new trailer (which incorporates new sound results that weren’t current the final time I performed the sport), and detailed another modifications that this enjoys aside from the console variations (except for plenty of redesigns within the gameplay that they’ve applied). Right here’s video of the final time I’d seen it, however be aware that the sport has modified since I performed it at IAAPA 2024:
Different additions embody selectable branching (assume Darius or OutRun), huge modifications to the boss battles, and Japanese voices. This one wasn’t given a exact launch date, however can be obtainable in July.
Dragon Blaze EXA LABEL
This EXA LABEL ought to flip some heads, as it’s thought of by many to by Psikyo’s finest STG. Initially launched to arcades in 2000, then ported to consoles not lengthy after that, Dragon Blaze is a bullet hell shooter the place you management dragons as an alternative of area ships.
It will embody the EXA Mode, “different modes” (along with the unique JAMMA recreation), and a selectable soundtrack (authentic and association).
MUGENDAN INFINITY BULLETS
Right here’s one other authentic recreation that has been in growth for cellular gadgets, however like Asura may even have the ability to stand out on the arcade model due to the controls (amongst another additions, notably the extra highly effective {hardware}). The sport itself is just like Capcom’s 1988 coin-op launch Forgotten Worlds, and has graphics that need to push a late 80s, early 90s look, whereas with the ability to push extra sprites on the display screen than something on the time might have achieved. A number of ex-Capcom staffers are engaged on this one, therefore the similarities.
For the controls, this one is appropriate with each exA’s trackball controller and customary joysticks; I’ve usually thought that correctly calibrated STGs would play higher with trackballs over sticks. I hope to see extra (if not all :P) exA STGs get the choice so as to add trackball help. One other benefit you’ll get with this model is that it helps as much as 4 gamers (both on one cupboard, or two 2p cupboards linked VS. model), and an extra recreation mode.
TRUXTON II EXA LABEL
Final however definitely not least, is one other EXA LABEL for a Toaplan recreation (exA has beforehand given Toaplan video games like Batsugun the EL therapy) – the well-loved 1992 arcade launch, Truxton II. It will embody each the unique and new EXA Mode, a brand new association soundtrack, and one different mode, though I’m undecided what it’s referring to per my translator.
Total
Although EVO Japan 2025 had plenty of bulletins to look ahead to for arcade fighters, ShooterFes undoubtedly has introduced the arcade STG onto the radar as properly. As I usually want to emphasise, the exA shouldn’t be restricted to Japan, so regardless that this livestream was held in Japanese, all of those video games may be bought and operated in any a part of the world.
The ultimate tease… what would possibly or not it’s?
Out of those, Asura The Striker piques my curiosity essentially the most, partially because of the trendy look, then additionally because of the flight stick. I nearly grabbed a working Planet Harriers as soon as upon a time, however misplaced the bid; that model of recreation has been one thing that I’ve needed to have for a protracted whereas.
As for the others, I might see any of them doing all proper at my place, though not one of the STGs I’ve grabbed have achieved exceptionally properly in comparison with the fighters. I’d lean both in the direction of Earthion or Jamjam’n Jelly, as I actually loved each video games from what I’ve performed; Jamjam’s colour scheme is one which would definitely draw consideration to it (I’ve seen that with something 2D, vibrant colour appears to, carry out higher than drab).
Which of the brand new exA-Arcadia video games previewed and revealed at ShooterFes 2025 pursuits you most?
