A new year means new video games, and arcades are just as busy as ever. With a continuous stream of releases from major and indie manufacturers — as well as the launch of an entirely new development platform, Exa-Arcadia — 2020 will boast a notably full slate. Many of these titles were announced in November at IAAPA 2019 (the amusement industry’s largest trade show), meaning we already have a good idea of what’s in store.
Especially enticing is the sheer variety of content we’ll be able to play — in my eyes, an improvement over 2019. Here’s a look at five upcoming arcade games of 2020 in particular that may deserve some coin drops upon release.
1. Enter the Gungeon: House of the Gundead
Developers: Griffin Aerotech, Devolver Digital, Dodge Roll
Publisher: Griffin Aerotech
Release date: Early 2020
Enter the Gungeon: House of the Gundead is a two-player rail shooter/dungeon crawler hybrid set in the Enter the Gungeon universe, first unveiled at E3 2019.
Players must traverse and shoot their way through a series of floors guarded by the “dangerously adorable” Cult of the Gundead. Along the way, keen-eyed gamers can collect weapons, powerups, and hidden secrets to aid them on their journey.
Devolver Digital unveiling an arcade game at E3 was a bold move — and one I deeply respect. Let’s hope the “early 2020” release window means we’ll get to play House of the Gundead soon.
2. Crazy Ride
Developer: UNIS Technology
Publisher: UNIS Technology
Release date: TBA 2020
Crazy Ride is a spiritual successor to Sega’s Crazy Taxi, this time placing players in the role of a ride-share driver, a la Uber or Lyft.
The solid foundation laid down by Sega’s forebear will be enhanced with modern graphics, 8-player online competition, a motion seat, and a 7-inch navigation touch screen, as well as minor alterations such as nitro boosts and jump pads.
When I spoke with UNIS U.S. Sales Manager Debbie Gonzales in November, she said CrazyRide was still undergoing various development changes. We may not see more on this title until later this year.
3. Pong Knockout
Developer: UNIS Technology, Calinfer
Publisher: UNIS Technology, Dave & Buster’s
Release date: Q1 2020 (Dave & Buster’s), TBA 2021 (wide release)
Pong Knockout is an enhanced four-player follow-up to the original Atari Pong Table, a two-player electromechanical rendition of the table tennis classic released in 2018.
Knockout takes everything about the previous iteration and amplifies it considerably. Each player is now granted five points to start and must survive the longest to claim victory. If the ball hits certain corners of the playfield, the game will enter reverse mode (inverting everyone’s knob controls) or speed mode (increasing the velocity of the action).
While not a video game, it’s an interesting concept that’s sure to be a lot of fun. Pong Knockout will roll out as a Dave & Buster’s exclusive this year, followed by a mass-market release in 2021.
4. Mission: Impossible Arcade
Developer: Sega Amusements
Publisher: Sega Amusements
Release date: TBA 2020
Mission: Impossible Arcade is a new rail shooter from Sega Amusements based off Paramount’s long-running spy movie franchise looking to shake up the genre.
In a gargantuan cabinet designed to resemble an Impossible Mission Force (IMF) safehouse, players assume the role of IMF trainees and compete 2v2 to tackle three missions (containing three stages each) and thwart enemy plans. Each team has their own 55-inch monitor, and each player commands his or her own set of dual pistols.
“This new hardware synergizes perfectly with game software, allowing us to create fun new elements to the way players eliminate enemies,” said Sega R&D Game Producer Shinichi Ogasawara in a November press release. I hope his words ring true when Mission: Impossible Arcade drops later this year.
5. Gimmick! exAct☆MIX
Developer: Team EXA AM1
Publisher: Exa-Arcadia
Release date: TBA 2020
Gimmick! exAct☆MIX is a ground-up remake of Gimmick! — Sunsoft’s ill-remembered 1992 Famicom 2D platformer — designed exclusively for the Exa-Arcadia system.
According to a tweet by Exa-Arcadia, this iteration will feature native 1080p HD support, reworked scoring systems, new artwork, and an arranged soundtrack by Manabu Namiki. (Players will be able to switch between modern and classic presentation on the fly.) Gimmick! exAct☆MIX recently concluded its first public location test at Takadanobaba Game Center Mikado in Japan, indicating it may be nearing completion.
Whereas the original Gimmick! struggled to find distribution outside of Japan, the impending Exa-Arcadia release may bring new appreciation to this forgotten gem. Let’s hope EXA AM1 is putting their all into this retro recreation.
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