Kotaku: arcade gaming

These Fighters Are In The King of Fighters XII

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MDT

We've heard that King of Fighters XII has been dated for Japanese arcades new April, and now we hear about the game's ever expanding line-up. There are 11 playable characters in the show floor demo: Terry, Kim, Athena Asamiya, Leona Heidern, Ralf Jones, Kyo Kusanagi, Shen Woo, Ryo Sakazaki, Benimaru Nikaido, Robert Garcia and Ash Crimson. Three characters were announced as well: Iori Yagami, Andy Bogart and Raiden.

Arcades Outside Japan "Practically Dead"

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:30:00 MDT

There are lots of arcades in Japan. Hell, there is a book's worth of arcades in Japan. But elsewhere? Hrm. The head of SEGA's AM2 arcade division, Makoto Osaki, calls the arcade market outside of Japan "practically dead" in an interview with game site Kikizo. Here's Osaki:

Let’s not even go into the overseas market... it’s practically dead... The market there is entirely redemption [prize] machines now. The users in America just don’t go to arcades anymore, because they don’t see why they should invest the effort when they have games at home... In Japan, you’ve got arcades near train and bus stations that the vast majority of the people have to pass going to and from work, so they get a lot of traffic.

Definitely worth checking out the full interview. That, and feeling bad for the death of Western arcades.

Virtua Fighter 5 R: The ONLY Interview [Kikizo via VG247]

First House of the Dead EX Screens

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:00:00 MDT

As foretold, here are the first screens of zombie love, zombie bowling, zombie rock and roll, zombie sumo, zombie apple picking Ai sareru yori ai shitai: House of the Dead EX. The game looks more causal and more crazy. It's jammed pack with mini-games that are controlled by the gun and the foot pedal — mini games, and that's not in a pejorative sense! This series spin-off looks fun and totally fitting for arcade play. We approve, SEGA, we really do.

SEGA PRIVATE SHOW 2008 -SUMMER [IT Media]

Capcom USA "Investigating" Tatsunoko vs. Capcom

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:00:00 MDT

We're excited about Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. The game seems like a fun arcade cross-over. Sure, there will be Western arcades that import the game, but will it get an official release outside Japan? Capcom USA is looking into it. No doubt the American licensing issues for the Tatsunoko Productions characters is sticky. Capcom USA's Christian Svensson points out:

We haven't discussed any home console plans for the title yet, so platform discussions are a bit premature. All that's been anounced is arcade... There are a lot of licensing issues around the title given that those properties are held by different companies across the West and they vary by territory greatly. It was created as a Japan-only project but we're investigating.

That's sure nice of Capcom.

Quick Question on Capcom vs. Tatsunoko [Capcom via Siliconera]

Two New Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Characters Revealed!

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:00 MDT

The recent location test announcement for Capcom arcade game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom hinted at new fighters. Well, impatient people, today we bring you new Tatsunoko vs. Capcom fighters! Pictured is Street Fighter III main character Alex, complete with droopy overalls and everything. Joining wrestler Alex is genius mechanic Gan-chan from Tatsunoko Production anime Yatterman. Check out the screens below.

『タツノコVS. CAPCOM』に「ヤッターマン」が参戦だ、ヤッター！ [Dengeki]

Let's Dress Up Chun-Li

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:00:00 MDT

As we previously posted, the Japanese arcade version of Street Fighter IV will feature Taito's NESYS Card System to save and track data — plus a cell phone site, too. During arcade play, players can win and save "Battle Points" on their NESYS Card. The Battle Points are weighted, so, for example, if you defeat a player with a high ranking, you'll get more Battle Points. Besides BP, players can also earn "zeny" when winning and then take that saved zeny to the SFIV cell phone "Zeny Shop" where players can purchase outfits and different colored costumes like Chun-Li's new threads (pictured). What's more, players are able to receive a stamp at the cell phone contents shop (one stamp a day), and those stamps can be traded for ringtones, ring voices and cell phone pics at the "Stamp Shop."

春麗に待望の新コスチュームが！？ [Famitsu]

Street Fighter IV To Feature Data Cards, Personal Cell Phone Site, Guilds

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:00:00 MDT

Starting July 18th, Street Fighter IV will be playable in Japanese arcades. To save your arcade achievements, the game will use Taito's NESYS Card System. (Makes sense as the game runs on the Taito Type X2 arcade system board!) The NESYS Card will come in four patterns, all of which are pictured. This saved player data contains the player name that appears on-screen in versus mode. The player data can also be accessed individual cell phone SFIV player webpages, which feature stats and ranking as well as news about SFIV events. Via the cell phone site, it's possible to create and name SFIV guilds. Players can then collect "guild points" and compete with other SFIV guilds to improve their ranking to boot!

Street Figher IV Arcade Data Cards [Famitsu]

First Details About Sega's New Arcade Racer

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 MDT

After its recent location test, details about SEGA's new arcade racer R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing have hit. Before the race starts, players select their car and its neon lights. There are unlimited super boosts — be careful as using it causes the steering wheel to shake and possibly lose control. Players can win money that's used to buy new cars. Racing locales include New York, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Hong Kong. All this wrapped in the same cabinet AMPlus is using for SEGA Race TV. Kind wish the cabinet's bottom was neon lit!

Hummer Game Looks Cool, Too [Sega Nerds Forums via Sega Nerds]

New Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Fighter (We Don't Know!)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:00:00 MDT

We sure hope that upcoming Capcom arcade fighter Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is good. So far, it looks good! But we won't know until we give it a whirl at one of the location tests for the game. The game will be playable next month (soon) in locations in both Tokyo and Osaka — Taito Hey! in Akihabara and Ikebukuro GIGO from July 10th to the 13th and Osaka's SEGA Avion from July 25th to the 27th. Announced fighters for both the Capcom side and the Tatsunoko side include Batsu Ichimonji from Capcom 2-on-2 fighter Rival Schools, Chun-li, Ryu, space knight Tekkaman, Gatchaman and Casshern. In the flier for the arcade location test, it says there will be a new character announced. So there's that to look forward to, too.

カプコン、ロケテストを東京と大阪で7月10日より [Game Watch Impress]

Test Out SEGA-AM2's New Arcade Racer

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 MDT

This Friday (today!), SEGA is location testing new street racing game from its famed AM2 division. Dubbed R-Tuned: Ulimate Street Racing, the arcade game runs on SEGA's Lindbergh arcade system board and supports up to four players. Apparently there is also a home version in development, but that's unconfirmed. The location test kicked off today at 10:00AM Japan Time at the Shinjuku Club SEGA and will wrap up next Monday. Stop by, check it out. Tell 'em Kotaku sent cha!

R-Tuned [Official Site via Game Watch]

Beatmania Gets Pink. Really, Really Pink.

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Konami has announced location tests for new Bemani title beatmania IIDX16 EMPRESS. Starting next month, the arcade location tests will be at Round One in Osaka's Umeda and another one in Tokyo (more details in the link). Okay, that's fine and all, but you know the current theme for beatmania IIDX15 DJ TROOPERS? If not, it's pictured. DJ TROOPERS clearly has a militaristic vibe going on. Empress does not. It's an about face! Hit the jump to check out the beatmania EMPRESS theme and brace yourself.

Oh yeah, I'd could play this arcade game. In front of other people, even.

Location Test [Konami Thanks, Riyu!]

Konami Rocks Out New GuitarFreaks, New DrumMania

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:00:00 MDT

Before there was Guitar Hero, there was GuitarFreaks! Konami's rhythm game has been shredding up Japanese arcades since 1999 and is still going strong. Check out GuitarFreaks V5 Rock to Infinity, the latest cabinet (and 16th entry!) in the franchise. And after the jump? After the jump is Konami's drum title DrumMania V5 Rock to Infinity, which links to GF. Both hit arcades last week, feature over forty new songs (500 total!) and online play. Rock it.

ビーマニ最新作が絶賛稼働中 [IT Media]

London Getting Sticker Picture Specialty Shops

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:40:00 MDT

Cute, glossy and girly. Yep, sticker pictures! Back in the mid-1990s, game developer Atlus (along with Sega) introduced the world to Print Club. The arcade machine let gals take snaps with buddies and printed them out on glossy sticker paper. Huge trend throughout the rest of the decade! That pic up there? That's not Japan, that's London. Arcade industry report The Stinger Report reports (look all at those reports) that London's popular Covent Garden shopping area is getting a print club smorgasbord called "Flora Print Club." The space is dedicated to importing sticker picture machines from Japan for Londoners to pose and picture take. All that's missing are schoolgirls squealing kawaii~!

A Look Inside The Flora Print Club [Arcade Heroes]

Konami Arcade Game Promotes MGS4

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:30:00 MDT

The Metal Gear Solid 4 publicity machine keeps on trucking! Konami's even using its arcade games to publicize MGS4 Hobby Blog's Frankie points out. He tells us:

Few days ago I found that the arcade game Magical Quiz Academy, while in demo mode, promotes METAL GEAR SOLID 4.
Basically, while everyone is talking about in-game advertisement, Konami has made a "game's in-arcade game promotion". I think this is a pretty smart move to reach hardcore users without speding a yen...

Clever, Konami, clever!

First Details About Xbox 360 Raiden IV Home Port

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:00:00 MDT

The upcoming issue of Japanese gaming mag Famitsu has the first details about the Raiden IV home port. The game will be hitting the Xbox 360 and will feature the standard arcade game, plus two new stages, LIVE and the ability to share replay saves with online buddies. There's even an option for vertical ("tate") for those with swivel arm HD TVs who want that true vertical shooting experience. Game shoots up Japanese Xbox 360s this September.

First Raiden IV 360 Details [Arcade Renaissance]

Square Enix's New Japanese Arcade Game

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:00:00 MDT

Bust out the fancy hats! Square Enix honcho Yoichi Wada held the opening ceremony for card-based arcade game Lord of Vermilion at Shinjuku Taito Station. The game isn't Square Enix's first entry into card-based arcade games, which are very popular in Japan, as previously the company released a slapped Dragon Quest on a kiddy card game. In LoV and other similar card-based games, players moved cards around on a sensor field, which corresponds to their on-screen movement in real time. These arcade games are a tad on the pricey side, forcing players to not only pay-per-play but also for the actual cards themselves. It goes without saying that the cards are collector's items themselves! Click through the gallery for some screenshots.

Lord of Vermilion Launches [Game Watch Impress]

Street Fighter IV Arcade Cabinet Dated For Japan

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:00:00 MDT

Via game site Insert Credit comes info that Street Fighter IV will be getting a Japanese arcade this summer as we had previously posted. Apparently, the cabinet set will be released July 18th, and the PCB-only release is supposedly August 10th. This is unconfirmed by Capcom, and no word on outside Japan arcade releases.

Random Thread [mmcafe via Insert Credit]

Magical Segata Sanshiro Mullet Makes Rambo Return

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:40:00 MDT

Forget the Sega Rambo arcade game for a moment, look at that mullet! Look!! That business-in-the-front party-in-the-back belongs to none over than Hiroshi Fujiioka, the Sega Saturn's human mascot Segata Sanshiro. In the late 1990s, that character went around telling people to play the Sega Saturn — and had a truly amazing theme song. A Rambo arcade game makes this press conference cool. That mullet makes it even cooler. But that mullet belonging to Segata Sanshiro? Jeez, that pretty much seals this as the press event of 2008, hands down. Oh, that lady with him is Maomi Yuuki.

Rambo Game [Game Watch Impress]

Fashion Model, Sticker Pictures, Infrared

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 26 May 2008 03:30:00 MDT

*Sigh* Yes, that's a sticker picture of me and Koakuma Ageha fashion model Rina Sakurai. Interviewed her in late April for work! Nice girl, very smart. Her blog is here.
Wondering what the latest purikura (sticker pictures) trend hitting Japanese arcades is? Click over to Wired for a blink-and-you'll-miss-it short piece I wrote about downloadable sticker picture machines.

Downloading Sticker Booth Pics [Wired]

Shirtless Man, Bin Laden Basher

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Wac-A-Bin-Laden! Creative Engineering, the folks behind Showbiz Pizza's Rock-A-Fire Explosion, has created this one of a kind prototype. According to Creative Engineering:

We built one prototype of this unusual, politically motivated game in the tradition of "Wac-A-Mole". While we have no plans to go into production, we will sell the prototype to a collector of unique games.

Besides the Bin Laden mole, the cabinet also features Hitler and Hussein moles. Shirtless man not included.

Wac-A-Bin-Ladin [Robots And Games via GameOfTheBlog]