ARCADE WATCH
Keeping an eye on the coin-op gaming scene
It was only last issue that we were ruminating on how few games seem to take risks with their controllers nowadays, and then Sky Riders hoves into view, asking the player to pedal it like a bicycle in order to propel a winged vehicle through a selection of colourful stages, popping balloons to accumulate points along the way. If you frequented arcades in the mid-’90s you might well recall the concept from Prop Cycle, from which Sky Riders borrows unashamedly, and we’re hoping that this new iteration is as robust as Namco’s original, examples of which are still in operation, despite all the pedal-harder-to-go-faster beatings they’ve taken over the years. Created by Chinese company Ace Amusement, the game has been installed in an increasing amount of venues since its introduction to the UK a few months ago, so there’s a good chance it’ll turn up at a bowling alley near you soon.