Today, Japanese video game company Bandai Namco revealed "Star Wars: Battle Pod," an arcade game that puts players in the middle of the original trilogy's biggest battles. Thanks to Polygon for the tip.
At a press event in New York City, Bandai took the wraps off of three demo units. Bandai Namco Director of Communications Denny Chiu and Bandai Namco America president John McKenzie discussed the work their team had put into the game, the importance of what they called "panoramic optimization display technology," and the game's future availability. They also showed a trailer and several interviews with the Japanese developers who built the arcade game. Video for this can be seen below:
The game will include five levels: Yavin IV, Hoth, Endor, Death Star II, and a yet unknown fifth level. There will also be a special stage called "Vader's Revenge," where, you guessed it, you play as the Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. The demo units at the press event only included Yavin IV, Endor, and Death Star II.
The game has a wraparound screen for an immersive experience, and highlights the "panoramic optimization display technology" the execs spoke about. Gameplay is straightforward: it is an "on rails" shooter (you cannot stray from a predefined course), but there are twists in the action, such as throwing a impetuous scout trooper off your speeder bike while careening through the forests of Endor. The controls are straightforward as well: a throttle controlling speed is on the left, and a joystick (controlling up, down, left, and right movements) with fire buttons is on the right.
"Star Wars: Battle Pod" will hit arcades in the United States in January 2015. From now through November 2, the battle pods will be available to play at the Times Square Dave & Buster's in New York City.
