Next Gaming is bringing the legends back to life. Arkanoid, Asteroids, and Space Invaders will now be offered by Next, giving them a new skill-based game twist. Think casino floors, online battles, and way less “insert coin to continue.”
The first reimagined classics are set to land in 2026, but you won’t have to wait that long. This October, BUST-A-MOVE, a mobile game, will be released on the Skillz platform with real-money battles. Players can finally test their reflexes and puzzle skills against each other in tournaments where winning actually comes down to talent, not luck.
“We’re really excited about getting online. While our skill-based games didn’t resonate as well with the casino customer, the Skillz platform provides real-money tournament experience where you play head-to-head against other players. Our games are perfect for that platform. We have a quality game and a well-known brand,” said Mike Darley, the Chief Executive Officer of Next Gaming.
Why is Next Gaming reinventing classic arcade games?
Next Gaming’s got some serious arcade game royalty in its pocket. We’re talking Arkanoid, Asteroids, BUST-A-MOVE, Zforce, Space Invaders, Centipede, Missile Command, Bubble Bobble, and Tempest. Big names, and still just as fun to say out loud as they are to play. Darley’s betting they just need a bit of reworking to appeal more to today’s players.
The thing is, the first versions were a bit too “arcade hardcore” for casino players who really just wanted to hit a button and vibe. Instead, they got joystick-level chaos. Fun if you grew up in an arcade, overwhelming if you didn’t. So the plan is to keep the spirit of those classics, just make them easier to jump into.
And when next year comes, they’ll be releasing the games in two different batches of four.
Even though Next Gaming has long been known for pushing skill-based content, Darley says the company is entering a new chapter with this one.
“It’s the revitalization of Next Gaming. What we’ve learned from the past about skill based games and where we go now with our partners, especially an online presence, is where we’ve gone with our strategic direction. We still believe in skill based and are reimagining those to be friendlier to the player.”
If you grew up slamming arcade buttons and watching “Game Over” flash across the screen, you know the magic of games that test skill instead of luck. That old-school spirit is exactly what Next Gaming is trying to capture; only now the company is mixing it with modern mobile play, casino floors, and some of the most iconic brands in gaming history.
There’s more to come
Next Gaming is not just sticking to skill. It is also expanding with new traditional slots through new partnerships. Here’s what’s in store:
- In partnership with Pervasive Gaming, FrankenCash2 drops in Nevada in October 2025, and then Storm Relic and Endless Summer Nights roll in right after.
- In partnership with Probability Gaming, titles like Terracotta Warrior, Katana Warrior, and the super vibrant SugarBox (coming this October).
- In partnership with Jackpot Designs, already running with Celtic Gold, Mayan Thunder, and Sunken Treasure, and soon adding Eight Lucky Dragons.
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