You can grab Tokyo Wars now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series.
Retro arcade fans, fire up your tanks — Namco’s 1996 armoured brawler Tokyo Wars has rolled back into action. Hamster Corporation is adding the classic to its Arcade Archives lineup, with launches confirmed for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series consoles on November 6, 2025.
That’s a broad front for a game that was originally best known for its twin-cabinet setup (often in pairs for four players) and rumbling seat feedback, so the question is: can Hamster’s emulation deliver that big, industrial arcade feel at home?
A return to Namco’s System 22 firepower
Originally running on Namco’s System 22 hardware — the same platform behind Ridge Racer and Time Crisis — Tokyo Wars was an ambitious 3D tank combat game. It supported up to eight linked cabinets for chaotic multiplayer, with players divided into red and blue teams battling for control of a stylised, semi-destructible Tokyo.
For 1996, it was quite the spectacle: textured 3D environments, thundering explosions, and seats that shook with every hit. The physics were simplistic by modern standards, but the immersion was undeniable.
The record-breaking Arcade Archives edition aims to preserve the games it releases, with quality of life improvements like configurable difficulty, online leaderboards, and screen filters that simulate CRT displays. What you won’t get, obviously, is the physical rumble of a full-size tank cabinet — though with a decent subwoofer, you might get close.
Will it hold up on today’s hardware?
We’ve seen plenty of 3D mid-’90s arcade ports that haven’t aged gracefully. Polygon counts were low, textures were muddy, and frame rates inconsistent. That said, Tokyo Wars has a certain charm precisely because of those limits, and is a window back to when Namco was experimenting with large-scale 3D arenas.
OK, here’s the big question: Do I remember playing Tokyo Wars? Unfortunately, while I recognize the in-game footage, I don’t believe this is a title I ever played. There is a good chance that a unit was in a local retail park (in four player configuration), but I don’t think Tokyo Wars ever made it to my town’s amusement arcades.
(Happy to be proved wrong!)
Experience Tokyo Wars place in arcade history
For younger players, Tokyo Wars might look crude next to modern tank shooters, but for those of us who haunted arcades in the ’90s, it’s a nostalgic blast of diesel fumes and polygonal chaos.
The game’s arrival on current-gen consoles ensures that one of Namco’s most overlooked experiments finally gets the recognition it deserves.
Arcade Archives: Tokyo Wars launches today, November 6, 2025, on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series. Head to the Arcade Archives website to find your local store links.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
