Whereas we await Amusement Expo 2026 to get getting into Las Vegas, there have been a number of arcade happenings over in Japan to kick off the month, so now could be as a great a time as ever to spherical these up. Certainly one of them is far greater than the others, with the latter two being video games that most likely gained’t come to places outdoors the nation, however are nonetheless worthy of some consideration right here. Let’s dive in:

Resident Evil 2/Biohazard RE:2 Arcade

Chief among the many three titles right here, we’ve got an replace on probably most anticipated arcade recreation of the 12 months, as it’s quickly to seem in Japan for the primary time. Initially examined final 12 months within the UK and US as Resident Evil 2: Lifeless Shot, Bandai Namco’s Biohazard RE:2 Arcade lightgun shooter was then formally revealed at Tokyo Recreation Present 2025 to even be receiving some Japanese location assessments someday in Spring this 12 months. Lower than one week into the season, these have now been confirmed as a part of certainly one of Capcom’s Highlight streams for the Resident Evil franchise and their different authentic IPs, alongside some additional particulars on the sport in a press launch and an official web site (which curiously has an English language possibility – as Ted identified within the AH Discord, not each Japanese arcade recreation website will get that).

The Japanese location assessments are scheduled to occur someday later this month; the venues and actual dates are unknown at this time limit, however must be made clear very quickly. Many of the advertising materials on the market signifies they need to start a few week away from now, nevertheless there’s additionally a submit from Bandai Namco that oddly states late March, so we will simply have to attend and see when it occurs. Till then although, there’s this new promotional trailer to take a look at, notably that includes the primary footage of the three ranges that weren’t but carried out within the UK and US take a look at builds (which had solely two):

Total the sport is wanting constantly nice presentation-wise, simply being some of the spectacular arcade video games of current occasions. There have been some qualms with its gameplay problem on the UK and US assessments final 12 months, the place harm was typically harshly dealt to the extent of taking well being bars down from full to 20-10%, however hopefully that has been tweaked, or can be fastened by means of suggestions from this take a look at.

Lastly, it’s price saying it will likely be very stunning if we see this at Amusement Expo this month, given Bandai Namco’s current actions with their different video games (GoldStorm Pirates didn’t make a Western commerce present look till IAAPA 2024 after being examined in 2023)… however we are able to at all times hope in any other case.

Cotton Rock With You

Subsequent up is a recreation that has taken a surprisingly lengthy path to releasing, and even now remains to be solely within the location take a look at stage. Some might recall that again at Tokyo Recreation Present 2023, Success introduced a sequel to Cotton Rock ‘n’ Roll, which was initially as a result of launch the next 12 months for residence platforms and arcades on each exA-Arcadia and Sega’s APM3 service in Japan. 2024 got here and went with no additional signal of the sport, however it immediately re-emerged on the 2025 Tokyo Recreation Present below its new identify of Cotton Rock With You. It was then not too long ago introduced that this might be seeing assessments in arcades, which commenced on APM3 cupboards on the finish of February at Taito HEY in Akihabara and Mikado.

Sadly it has additionally now been confirmed that this gained’t be gracing exA in any case, which means that the one arcade launch it should obtain is formally locked to Japan and APM3. Nonetheless, the house ports are imagined to be coming alongside it, which means that this gained’t have a lot/any unique content material or high quality upgrades like an exA model would’ve. HEY and Mikado bought their early glimpse as a part of that although, in order that they most likely aren’t complaining. HEY have a number of gameplay streams up, together with the one beneath:

It’s price mentioning that exA do have loads of different video games of their pipeline apart from giving this one a miss, so keep tuned for extra info on these in our Amusement Expo protection.

StarHorse Celebration

Lastly, a title that isn’t in testing however has really simply launched in Japan. Horse racing arcade video games and Sega have been synonymous over there for many years, significantly after Derby Homeowners Membership got here round, and for a short while now the principle illustration of that has been by means of the StarHorse sequence of medal video games (successfully Japan’s ticket redemption for these unfamiliar). These are maybe most well-known for his or her gigantic, multi-seater setups (with the newest model even having recliners), one thing that Sega has now moved away from with this curious new spin-off, StarHorse Celebration.

As could be seen from the above picture, these pare issues again significantly, utilizing three smaller participant stations back-to-back with a double sided important recreation monitor and massive LED show between them. In line with this, the sport itself has additionally been simplified, aiming extra for an informal/household viewers with the cutesy horses. The press launch additionally mentions some new recreation modes, together with a quiz-based one compered by somebody resembling none aside from Takenobu Mitsuyoshi. Although this type of factor usually doesn’t depart Japan, it’s good to see some good touches in it from Sega

That concludes this replace on a number of tales within the Japanese arcade scene; when Biohazard/Resident Evil 2: Arcade does go on take a look at there later this month, we are going to make sure to present extra info as and when it turns into out there. Which of the above video games curiosity you most?

Uncover extra from Arcade Heroes

Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your electronic mail.

In regards to the writer: Arcadian View all posts by Arcadian

I am a lifelong fan of video video games and I’ve been working my very own arcade, Arcade Galactic in West Valley Metropolis, Utah since 2008. Comfortable spots in my coronary heart for Atari, Sega, and Nintendo.




Twitter

-

Fb