Welcome as soon as once more to Newsbytes, the sequence of posts on Arcade Heroes that goes over byte-sized items of stories from across the arcade and pinball worlds. There’s a lot to get via from over the course of June, so let’s get straight into it with Bowl Expo 2025:

Bowl Expo Preview

Summer season is a comparatively fallow interval for arcade commerce reveals earlier than Fall brings forth the massive ones, however there’s all the time one or two smaller examples taking place in-between. Chief amongst these is Bowl Expo, which is getting underway in Washington from June twenty ninth to July third (with the primary present half on the first and 2nd); we do usually have extra protection up for this, however in addition to it typically that includes only a few new-new titles, the present’s present insistence on being held so near July 4th has misplaced it some help, so this can function a quick preview. A put up protecting it and sure the following IAAPA Expo Asia taking place in Shanghai on the identical time might be up as soon as each reveals are over, and now we have media from our sources to work with.

By way of website sponsors showing at Bowl Expo 2025, you’ll have already seen TouchMagix’s preview mentioning their slate of present video games (Pop It, Pudgy Penguins, Loopy Prize) up on the prime of the positioning. I might think about Minions Bullseye Mania will equally be a part of that, until there merely isn’t sufficient area to deliver it. Additionally providing their vary of present main releases like Godzilla, Wizard of Oz and High Gun Maverick might be Uncooked Thrills, as regular forming the primary foundation of Betson’s sales space. It’s attainable one or each of them may need a shock in retailer, however given Bowl Expo’s smaller standing it wouldn’t be something enormous.

As for a confirmed new reveal taking place, the primary one that’s already recognized to us is coming from Andamiro USA. Given their current take a look at of Star Wars Demise Star Assault you may’ve thought that might be showing, however their preview as a substitute teases one thing completely totally different in form. After some detective work on their Summer season 2025 catalog by Jdevy, it seems that that is Marksman, a taking pictures vary recreation by the Chinese language firm Superwing (of Ice Man and Smash DX fame). This has proven up a few times earlier than, together with on take a look at at Round1USA and at IAAPA Europe final 12 months, however not a US commerce present till now.

From the appears to be like of issues, that is merely one other taking pictures gallery piece within the vein of Fast Shot. Nonetheless, it’s a slight shock; it’s not extraordinary for Andamiro to hold different builders’ video games, however they haven’t achieved it in a short time. Elsewhere, Sega Amusements have additionally posted a preview of their lineup, and although it isn’t talked about it but there’s a risk that they may have a brand new Customary mannequin of Apex Rebels. Point out of this popped up on a transport information web site again in March, and extra not too long ago it has been noticed on take a look at within the UK (though a great photograph has not appeared but), so we’ll simply have to attend and see on that one.

AVS Firms will even deliver titles from just a few names not attending straight, together with Alan-1 and Bandai Namco (of these, GoldStorm Pirates is trying seemingly). LAI Video games and Sensible Industries have moreover shared previews, although theirs principally revolve round redemption (LAI could have NASCAR Pitstop for the primary time after it missed Amusement Expo). JET Video games USA will exhibit a brand new redemption recreation known as Unlock Mania and are bringing their Speaking Tom GoldRush again.

The total listing of Bowl Expo 2025 exhibitors might be discovered right here; different names embody Adrenaline Amusements, although there is no such thing as a indication they may have something new like Scorching Wheels. Talking of that recreation…

Dave & Buster’s Leaderboard

Now that the majority of their new arcade video games have rolled out, the parents at Dave & Busters have been busy including one thing else to shore up extra engagement with them. Applied over the previous month, the Leaderboard system consists of a cross-chain set of card readers for a nationwide excessive rating desk. These have been added to a collection of video games, together with a number of new additions and some present titles. Alongside displaying up on the official D&B web site, gamers who use it may be in with an opportunity of profitable large prizes, together with a Lamborghini (which ties into Scorching Wheels and Quick & Livid Arcade being featured).

This technique additionally curiously makes use of Play Mechanix’s little-known Arcade Hyperlink expertise as a base. That has been a going concern for them since no less than 2021 when the identify was first trademarked by the corporate, however hasn’t been utilized a lot (or talked about on the positioning in any respect) till now. Whether or not different areas will acquire entry to it sooner or later sooner or later is unknown… however it might be cool to see.

Maimai DX Heads To Anime Expo

Extra occasion information now, as simply after Bowl Expo wraps up it will likely be Anime Expo over in LA. Usually this doesn’t get talked about on right here, as in years passed by it has had solely a small collection of arcade video games, however because of sure corporations making waves out West that’s altering. Again in 2023 we noticed Taiko no Tatsujin make an look there by way of Bandai Namco, and now with Maimai DX additionally formally releasing in North America very quickly, it’s now Sega’s flip to deliver the arcade enjoyable. The Japanese arm of the corporate could have it and a few UFO Catchers on their very own sales space, separate from the Western shopper aspect’s area for issues like Yakuza. Followers attending can seize some unique gloves, in addition to playing cards from Round1USA.

It’s cool to see Sega be so proactive in participating with the followers, following their method at Amusement Expo the place a number of have been recruited. Additionally, in case you missed it, Sega Amusements have put up a brand new trailer for it on their channel upfront of their North American launch of the sport, that includes footage of the aforementioned gamers at that present. From what was beforehand stated to us, this could nonetheless be coming someday across the begin of Fall, with a lot of the preliminary wave of cupboards going to Round1.

Konami Appears to be like To The West Once more

Shortly after the put up on Dance Dance Revolution Stomp Arrows went up (which garnered a ton of curiosity), one of the heavily-rumored actions within the arcade sphere in current instances was lastly introduced: Konami are set to return to the broader US arcade market outdoors of Round1. After phrase began to unfold like wildfire about it, Ikigai Arcade have been the primary to substantiate, being one of many first beneficiaries of the technique (they and some different indie arcades are set to obtain video games from them round late 2025/early 2026).

Usually main information like this could be shouted extra from the rooftops on right here, however there’s an enormous motive why it isn’t (for now). Konami at present need this saved low-key – as talked about, they’ve already inked particular offers with just a few indie arcades to promote on to them, and within the meantime are nonetheless sorting issues out on the way to get into the market extra broadly. They’ve been interfacing with some distributors, however not all; one was trying into including a web page for DDR, however was expressly instructed to not in the mean time.

There has additionally already been affirmation that their releases will include income share on prime of e-Amusement. That might be a troublesome capsule to swallow for some operators, however offline DDR apparently can be going to be provided… albeit at the next upfront price, very like in Europe with Electrocoin.

(On one other Konami observe, as of penning this put up they simply yesterday introduced a obscure location take a look at for one thing new within the Pop’n Music sequence. Hypothesis and a handy current survey says it could be a model new cupboard design… however all might be revealed on the take a look at itself.)

Harry Potter Pinball And The AI Artwork Controversy

Now to a subject that’s now rearing its head in pinball and arcades – AI art work. Any energetic pinball discussion board has been discussing this, ever since a person by the identify of Bumpergeist alleged that the art work in Jersey Jack Pinball’s new Harry Potter recreation is AI generated. Not all the dialogue on boards about this recreation has been helpful or insightful, however total it has been boiling sufficient that an worker at JJP concerned within the art work (Jesper) did reply to the allegations on this now locked thread. There was no direct response to the varied particular person examples that have been offered within the allegations nonetheless.

As such, that didn’t settle the difficulty, as per this quote from Jesper:

To be clear, we did use AI instruments sparingly and deliberately, as a solution to help the visible mixing of sure components and create concord between complicated property. Each occasion of AI use was guided by my very own creative imaginative and prescient and layered onto hand-crafted designs. It was by no means about changing the human ingredient it was about enhancing it.

First off, what does “sparingly” imply right here? Lots of the examples do appear to be extra AI and fewer handcrafted. Provided that pinball has all the time been about handcrafted artwork, and this explicit recreation was marketed as utilizing that versus AI, it has understandably been a disappointment. I don’t know if that’s making anybody not purchase or play one, however I might recommend to future pinball artists that you just wish to keep away from utilizing such instruments, or if they’re used, present the method from the bottom up in order that customers can see for themselves if it was all AI, or if it was merely used for easy duties.

It’s an fascinating query although – would you actively keep away from a video arcade recreation or pinball machine that makes use of AI-generated artwork on the cupboard or playfield? What in regards to the video parts? We’ve seen some AI artwork utilized by some smaller Chinese language producers on the cupboards, so it’s on the market…

Additionally, in what must be non-controversial, Retro Ralph did stream taking part in the sport.

Some Classes I’ve Discovered In Working an Arcade For 17 Years

I’ll let myself do the speaking right here, however for paying members, I even have posted a way more in-depth video that offers with enterprise planning. I’ll be making extra of these movies for members right here sooner or later.

Headlines

Sega Amusements Have A New Official Fb Web page – That is going up prime simply to present it some traction. That they had one for over a decade till final 12 months, when it abruptly disappeared while their different pages stayed up… however there’s a new one now. Give it a like and comply with!

Sega Amusements Rejoice Sonic’s thirty fourth Birthday – Over in Japan, Tokyo Joypolis additionally had one in all their large birthday bashes for him

Sega Marks 65 Years With Daytonaaa… – We didn’t get a put up up for it sadly, so have this older one for the sixtieth

40 Years Of The UFO Catcher – This obtained plenty of media protection, one put up even dubbed it “King of Japan’s arcades”

June twenty seventh Was Atari Day – Commemorations got here in from Alan-1 in addition to the present incarnation of the corporate

Superior Paintings To Commemorate 70 Years Of Namco – Many large anniversaries of late… although you sadly didn’t see Bandai Namco themselves shouting about this one, given the merger (and their greater emphasis on Pac-Man’s birthday simply beforehand)

NBA Superstars Is Now Being Examined At A Round1 Over In Japan – It is a shock… surprise who will distribute it there

exA-Arcadia Hiring North American Regional Gross sales Supervisor Function – Wish to promote exA video games and {hardware}? Right here’s your likelihood

Win A Missile Command Recharged Arcade Cupboard At CAX 2025

Bandai Namco Sunsets Their Wincha On-line Crane After 2 Years

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe Crowns The Arcade Champion

Brad Pitt Performs Wangan Midnight Most Tune 6RR+ In Japan

Taito Holds Event On Densha De Go Regardless of It Going Offline

Arcade Video games Utilizing Unreal Engine 5 Want No Royalty Funds

3MindWave Attend CICAF 2025 To Present Off Alpha Ops VR Strike  – As Ted identified, this oddly has Jet Blaster amongst their video games, regardless that that was launched as a Wahlap work. Nonetheless, 3MW do have a variety of former Wahlap personnel of their ranks, and previous to its eventual launch as a standard expertise arcade recreation, that title was initially proven off by Wahlap as a VR piece in 2016 simply earlier than they broke off to arrange 3MW, so there should be some connection in all this

Stern Pinball Releases New 0.95 Code For John Wick + 1.02.0 For Metallica Remastered – Additionally New Expression Lighting Toppers… At A Value

Extra New Footage Of PREDATOR From Pinball Brothers

The Historical past Of Sega Pinball: Half 1 Covers Japan Roots

They Create Worlds Podcast Tackles Coin-Op Legends Of Japan

RIP Reggie Moultrie, Ex-VP Of D&B, Skee-Ball And Extra

[Home Headlines]

Sony Reportedly In Warner Bros. Video games’ Property – This consists of the outdated Halfway IP in fact… although whether or not something aside from Mortal Kombat can be utilized in such a deal is anybody’s guess.

The Commodore Model Has New Possession – and is trying to launch new “retro future” {hardware}.

Double Dragon Evaluate Trailer

The Sega Venus Would Have Been A Transportable Model Of The Saturn – Primarily a brand new model of the Nomad, and it even labored…

The Closing Nail In The Coffin Of Half-Life 3 Taking place Anytime Quickly

The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, If You Missed It

That’s it for this Newsbytes; which of the above tales (e.g. the Bowl Expo 2025 preview) you most?