WWE WrestleFest Arcade Cabinet Returns: Basic Fun! Revives Technōs Japan's Classic for Home Arcade Market

The legendary arcade wrestling experience is making a comeback, as Basic Fun! announces the home arcade re-release of Technōs Japan’s 1991 classic, WWF WrestleFest, rebranded as WWE WrestleFest.

Originally developed by Technōs Japan and recognized as a hallmark of arcade wrestling games, WrestleFest delighted fans with its vibrant visuals and fast-paced multiplayer action.

Thanks to Basic Fun!—a company acclaimed for its expertise in electronic games and collectibles—this fan-favorite title is returning to living rooms this Fall. Best known for producing electronic miniatures of iconic titles like Tetris and Pac-Man, Basic Fun! has now set its sights on the emerging home arcade market, an area notably led until now by companies such as Arcade1Up.

This strategic move signifies Basic Fun!’s ambition to expand its footprint beyond handheld devices. "We have long been part of the handheld video game sector and identified a significant gap in home arcade offerings," explained Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun!, in a recent conversation with The Toy Book.

"Recognizing this need—and the interest from major licensors—we stepped in, and the consumer response has been very positive." Echoing this sentiment, Dan Westcott, Basic Fun!’s senior vice president of global marketing, emphasized the synergy between their new home arcade lineup and their current handheld classics catalog.

"Moving into the Home Arcade space was a logical progression for us," Westcott stated.

"It completes the full arcade experience for our customers." In addition to WWE WrestleFest, Basic Fun! is preparing to launch additional cabinets featuring vintage Atari games, including Centipede and Tempest, aiming to capture the interest of both families and dedicated collectors.

These upcoming machines are slated to retail between $179.99 and $599.99, reflecting multiple build options and sizes.

Each cabinet promises an authentic arcade feel, utilizing original game ROMs, true micro-switch joysticks, backlit marquees, crisp high-resolution displays, and robust construction with mixed plastic and wood hybrid materials. According to details published by The Toy Book, the new line will forego Wi-Fi connectivity at launch.

However, Basic Fun! has confirmed that online features are being considered for upcoming releases. With the revival of WWE WrestleFest and a planned lineup of other childhood favorites, Basic Fun! is poised to energize the home arcade market and bring a new wave of retro gaming experiences to a contemporary audience.

Stay tuned for further updates as these anticipated cabinets approach their Fall release window.

Japan arcade Technōs Technōs Japan WWF WWE WWF WrestleFest WWE WrestleFest Basic Fun Arcade1Up Atari Centipede Tempest The Toy Book Jay Foreman Dan Westcott