Arcade Heroes EVO Japan 2026 Day 3: Different EVO Arcade Happenings

EVO Japan 2026 is now utterly over and executed with, and as is custom by this level, day 3 means it’s time to run down all the things else in arcade gaming that appeared on the occasion, exterior of exA-Arcadia’s choices. They’re at all times the one ones to unveil new arcade video games there, although a couple of sadly couldn’t be revealed on this event as a consequence of licensing approvals not approaching time. On the intense aspect, there’s at all times different issues occurring within the aggressive aspect of the present – which is what as we speak’s put up is right here for.

In case you missed day 1 and a couple of, discover them right here and right here; now onto the remaining items of arcade curiosity:

Bandai Namco

One of many main supporters of EVO is Bandai Namco, whose home-focused Tekken collection continues to obtain loads of match focus on the present (regardless of current fan displeasure with the video games). That apart, they’ve been utilizing EVO Japan to advertise their widespread Cell Go well with Gundam EXVS collection, going so far as organising a devoted demo sales space to expertise its newest version, Infinite Increase. It’s value saying that that is nonetheless a strictly Japan-focused affair although; they did set up cupboards on the Bandai Namco Cross Retailer in Brooklyn that opened final yr, however apparently these had been eliminated not too way back.

Curiously sufficient, EVO and Bandai Namco did additionally make an English language video to indicate off all of the motion from the exhibition, although all that has executed is make Western followers of the collection sad once more. The truth that the EXVS cupboards acquired faraway from the NYC Cross Retailer appears to recommend they didn’t use and thus misplaced them, nonetheless given the quantity of complaints that at all times appear to come up from gamers about its availability (or lack thereof) over right here, maybe there actually must be a means for it to succeed in extra folks:

Taito

One thing we’ve been beginning to see creep in at EVO Japan not too long ago has been the extra presence of arcade rhythm video games; a pair years in the past there was a Taiko no Tatsujin aspect match (extra on this yr’s quickly), and this time, Taito have been selling their devoted “Tradz” esports workforce for the style by bringing alongside one of many new Pop’n Music cupboards alongside from Konami (in addition to a Getter Spin prize sport). These have been seeing some curiosity out West too, because of Konami lastly opening orders for it as much as different North American arcades than Round1USA and those who acquired first dibs on Bemani titles final yr.

As could be seen from the monitor within the sales space picture, Taito moreover did a few livestreams for Pop’n:

Sanwa Denshi

Out of the businesses that don’t make the preventing video games themselves however at all times have a presence, Sanwa Denshi are among the many largest for his or her many high-grade stick and button wares. Alongside being proven off right here, these after all find yourself in lots of a cupboard and private fightstick, although the opinion warfare rages on with the latter of these because of the newer leverless hitboxes, which had been even being provided as prizes for some tournaments. No matter means you play although, you may’t do significantly better than SD for the components.

Blaze Professional

One thing that’s new and arcade-adjacent however not meant for precise venues was revealed at EVO Japan too, that being one other retro-flavored Neo Geo piece of {hardware}. While Plaion are making their new AES+, Blaze Professional are producing a brand new tabletop MVS cupboard, which was proven off on the occasion in all its glory. It appears that evidently this wasn’t truly playable but, with an indication on it particularly declaring that the cupboard design remains to be going by way of ultimate licensor approval, nonetheless it’s straightforward to guess that this shall be working off emulation and never a real MVS setup. Could be good if that wasn’t the case although…

Facet Tournaments

One factor that EVO Japan is known for now’s the quantity of aspect tournaments on random, generally extraordinarily area of interest titles, with quite a lot of them not even being preventing video games. The prime instance of that this yr when it comes to arcade video games needs to be the looks of StepManiaX, scorching on the heels of it receiving a location take a look at elsewhere in Japan (which Kyle Ward went to go to this week). SMX’s rolling content material updates even meant they’d their 77th to coincide with this, that includes a music by former Bemani maestro NAOKI. Step Revolution additionally has one thing else coming quickly, however when that reveal will occur is unknown.

In the event you’re keen on seeing how gamers acquired on with SMX in EVO, there was a livestream for this too. Right here’s hoping this spark from the take a look at and EVO aspect occasion lights a flame for the sport out in Japan:

Again to the fighters, and one of many arcade preventing sport releases of current occasions that didn’t come out on exA additionally had a aspect match – specifically EN-Eins Perfektewelt: Anastasis, which got here out for Taito’s NESiCAxLive platform simply over three years in the past by way of the bizarre technique of being crowdfunded by followers (one thing that hardly ever occurs within the arcade business). That does sadly additionally imply it’s utterly locked to Japan in an official capability, nevertheless it’s good that the sport continues to get love over there.

Lastly, for a match that was most positively not one on the aspect, Capcom’s practically 30-year-old Vampire Savior impressively acquired a foremost stage competitors, regardless of them not doing something main with the Darkstalkers collection in years now. It was additionally featured within the EVO Museum. May this be an indication to them that there’s nonetheless loads of love on the market for it? One will surely hope so, however its aggressive efforts had been nonetheless dwarfed by Road Fighter 6’s, which even earned a Guinness World Document for probably the most contributors in a single preventing sport (7,168, for individuals who could also be questioning – the 4Gamer article linked has extra).

That marks the tip of all the things we might discover in arcades at EVO Japan 2026, however keep tuned to the weblog and Arcade Heroes social media channels this month, as in a single week’s time there shall be one other occasion of three-day-spanning present protection within the type of this yr’s AAA Expo out in China. This can usually provide up bulletins and divulges very completely different to EVO, with a lot fewer (if any) fighters, however there must be tons to speak about and stay up for when it comes to the large deluxe machines and curiosities from Asia. Till then, what you most from this third and ultimate day of EVO Japan?

Associated

In regards to the creator: 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. Gentle spots in my coronary heart for Atari, Sega, and Nintendo.

Twitter

-

Fb