Update: The latest issue of Famitsu has confirmed 10 of the games that will appear on the upcoming Taito Egret II:

    1. Adventure Canoe (1982)
    2. Bubble Bobble (1986)
    3. Bubble Memories (1995)
    4. Bubble Symphony (1994)
    5. Cadash (1989)
    6. Chack'n Pop (1983)
    7. Dan-Ku-Ga (unreleased update to Kaiser Knuckle, 1995)
    8. Darius Gaiden (1994)
    9. Don Doko Don (1989)
    10. Elevator Action (1983)
    11. Elevator Action Returns (1994)
    12. Fairyland Story (1985)
    13. Growl (1990)
    14. Gun Frontier (1990)
    15. Halley's Comet (1986)
    16. Hat Trick Hero (1990)
    17. Kaiser Knuckle (1994)
    18. Kiki KaiKai (1986)
    19. The Legend of Kage (1985)
    20. Liquid Kids Adventure (1990)
    21. Lunar Rescue (1979)
    22. Lupin III (1980)
    23. Metal Black (1991)
    24. New Zealand Story (1988)
    25. The Ninja Kids (1990)
    26. Outer Zone (1984)
    27. Pirate Pete (1982)
    28. Puzzle Bobble 2X (1995)
    29. Qix (1981)
    30. Raimais (1988)
    31. Rainbow Islands EXTRA (1988)
    32. Rastan Saga (1987)
    33. RayForce (1993)
    34. Scramble Formation (1986)
    35. Space Invaders (1978)
    36. Steel Worker (1980)
    37. Tatsujin (1988)
    38. Twin Cobra (1987)
    39. Violence Fight (1989)
    40. Volfied (1989)
    41. Arkanoid (1986) - with the trackpad add-on
    42. Arkanoid Returns (1997) - with the trackpad add-on
    43. Arkanoid: Revenge of DOH (1987) - with the trackpad add-on
    44. Birdie King (1982) - with the trackpad add-on
    45. Cameltry (1989) - with the trackpad add-on
    46. Marine Date (1981) - with the trackpad add-on
    47. Plump Pop (1987) - with the trackpad add-on
    48. Puchi Carat (1997) - with the trackpad add-on
    49. Strike Bowling (1982) - with the trackpad add-on
    50. Syvalion (1988) - with the trackpad add-on

Original Story [Fri 4th Jun, 2021 10:30 BST]: If you like retro, arcades and awesome re-releases / re-imaginings, take a seat and a deep breath. Then click on the video above and behold the Taito EGRET II Mini. Soak it in, we'll wait...

In terms of cool factor, it has it. As you can see in the video it has a screen that you rotate from landscape to portrait, which should be fantastic for games in TATE. You'll also be able to switch the joystick from 8- to 4-direction, to match the game you're playing. In terms of games it'll have 40 built in, with another 10 that'll be sold in an expansion pack with a trackball controller; there's an SD slot, too, in which you'll be able to run other games that you purchase.

EGRET II Mini
Image: TAITO CORPORATION 2021

This is a Mini and modernised iteration of the original EGRET II, which was a rather neat full-size cabinet released back in 1996. In terms of combining nostalgia with style, it looks very tempting to us.

This'll be primarily released in Japan, of course, so most will need to resort to importing. Pre-orders are starting today at 18,678 yen (approx $170USD), though it won't release until 2nd March 2022. We've included Amazon Japan links below for those interested.

As you can see on the Amazon Japan pages below there are various add-on controllers should you want to jump into local multiplayer on the system.

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

[source game.watch.impress.co.jp]