Bandai Namco Updates: Pac-Man Baller Jr; One Piece Dawn Strike; GoldStorm Pirates

As many of you will know, the folks over at Bandai Namco have got numerous new arcade games in their pipeline, plenty of which we have seen on test this year. Those with the most interest in them (e.g. Resident Evil 2 Dead Shot, Wangan Midnight Speed Ignition) will have to wait longer for more details, but today there are some quick updates on a few others that have been seen previously.

Pac-Man Baller Jr.

For the first of these, we have a new addition to the Pac-Man Street Range. Our recent interview with Steph from Bandai Namco teased more titles for this product line, and now one of those is close to release. We originally saw this new version of Pac-Man Baller back at the AAA 2025 trade show in May, and now it has appeared on Australian distributor Zax Amusements’ website, making it already available for Asia/Oceania regions (Zax has it listed as “Jnr,” but the cabinet itself says “Jr.,” so we’ll go with the latter). Their site helpfully has shipping dates, which places its release at next month. The game has also been spotted on test in the States recently, so that should be a good sign for it coming out West soon too.

As one can tell from the name and cabinet, it is a downsized, kiddie-oriented iteration of Pac-Man Baller. This places it alongside similar products of that type like Sega’s Sonic Sports Kids Basketball (which it shares numerous design similarities with) and ICE’s Double Dribble. The smaller form factor that comes with it is utilized well though, allowing for two players with twin hoops, and the overhead marquee is a nice touch. While this is cool for the kid-tainment crowd, hopefully Bandai Namco have got some more Pac-Man Street releases for everyone (or even a new Pac-Man arcade video game proper) up their sleeves…

One Piece Dawn Strike

When it was announced earlier this month, Bandai Namco’s new One Piece Dawn Strike video puncher was yet to go on location test in Japan, with its first of those announced to be going underway in a few weeks time. That has now happened, and we have a slightly better look at the game as a result. This primarily comes from perhaps the biggest ever arcade punching game fan @fWeQMYbzWKQiJsm (their entire profile is dedicated to the genre!), and location test reporter Ariesu.

As expected, the gameplay looks much the same as previous video punchers; according to that above post, the punching feel is close to that of Genda GiGO’s recent Breaking Down game, whilst the scoring system is similar to Sonic Blast Heroes. The pricing on the test has been an unusually high 300 yen for one credit (i.e. $3), although more and more games have been costing that much in Japan too of late. Certain larger games have always adopted that too, so it’s not that big a leap.

As to the question of it releasing outside of Japan, it’s still hard to call. Part of the reason why operators haven’t been so keen on video punchers is down to matters of liability and maintenance. Liability seems to be less of a concern in Japan, but out West, people are more lawsuit happy, which can cause friction. The One Piece license, though more viable these days, would also add more numbers on its price tag.

That said, boxing games have really skyrocketed in interest in the past few years and are often found in the top 5 for FEC earnings reports. Good income does tend to smooth over rough issues.

If it doesn’t see big support outside of Japan, it doesn’t stop Bandai Namco from sending it out to locations where they’re pushing their own One Piece Card Game for a synergistic effect, of course, but who knows if it’ll even get that…

GoldStorm Pirates

We did previously post about this one earlier in the summer too, but with Bandai Namco now releasing more on it, it is worth a quick mention while we’re at it here. GoldStorm Pirates‘ first cabinets outside of Japan started shipping out in July, and this month has seen plenty more get out there, with the Bandai Namco production line busy with them. They have recently posted a press release mentioning how it will be at both IAAPA shows in the coming months, and of course all its great features.

Some of our US readers have also now had their chance to play the game at the first Stateside arcades that have had theirs delivered; below is the one that Jdevy got to enjoy at the Scandia Family Fun Center in Rohnet Park, CA. The game can additionally be found at Arcade Time’s big new Orlando location (more on that very soon in a Location Watch…).

Whether it will eventually get a cheaper stand-up or non-motion cabinet down the line remains unknown; rumors did circulate for one, but they appear to have been unfounded. Until then, GoldStorm will remain one of the more premium games available on the market, but still among the best new shooters to have out there right now.

As mentioned before, it would be great if we had more on the new pieces from BN that have been taking up more mindshare of late, but patience is the key on those, as something will most likely come eventually. Until then, what are your thoughts on the updates for these Bandai Namco arcade games?

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