Star Wars Battle Pod Arcade Machine by Bandai Namco Games
Bandai Namco Games officially released the Star Wars Battle Pod on January 23rd in the US, and has also released a slew of new details about the game!
This latest Star Wars arcade adaptation has been highly anticipated since it's announcement in October, with excited Star Wars fans eagerly awaiting their chance to play, and who could blame them when you'll be driving every famous flying vehicle from the franchise inside a cockpit cabinet, with flight simulation controls, motion seats and a 180 dome screen!
With the game now available throughout the US, Bandai Namco also released new game and mission details in the following media release:
Star Wars: Battle Pod features a special dome shaped screen that surrounds a player’s field of sight, controller and seat vibration synced with the action taking place on screen, special air blast technology that simulates wind that’s felt during flight, and 5.1 surround sound. All these features come together to provide the most cinematic Star Wars™ arcade gaming experience possible to fans.
Today additional information is revealed about the HOTH and VADER’s REVENGE stages in Star Wars: Battle Pod. The HOTH stage is taken directly from Star Wars™: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back™ and places players on the icy planet with an impending attack from Imperial forces. Players will find themselves in the pilot seat of a snowspeeder; their mission, to repel an Imperial forces attack on the Rebel Alliance base and provide air support to ally cargo ships as they escape to safety. The action in this stage is frantic and exciting filled with sights and sounds that Star Wars fans are sure to recognize and enjoy.
The VADER’s REVENGE stage presents an original storyline exclusive to Star Wars: Battle Pod. This special level places players in the role of Lord Darth Vader himself as he pilots a TIE Advanced fighter, a special variant of the famed TIE fighter. In this special mission, players are tasked with preventing the Rebel Alliance from seizing a secret superlaser from the remnants of the destroyed Death Star. Players will feel the visceral challenge of flying through the debris of the destroyed Death Star while engaged in intense battle.
The official release of Star Wars™: Battle Pod™ begins today, January 23, in the United States.
This is a very exciting release, not just for the West but for the industry, and to showcase why Disney Interactive and Bandai Namco Games have released a trailer introducing the game.
Editor's Note: Bandai Namco Games America have announced on their website that units will be shipping in March. Due to the limited release, sales representatives urge interested customers to place their orders NOW to ensure a spring delivery as pre-orders for the game have been coming in quickly and often since the game made its debut at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo in November 2014.
You can see some of game footage here from inside the cabinet and there is also commentary from the Lucasfilm and Bandai Namco teams. You can check out the video below (courtesy of Star Wars channel):