Nearly 30 years after its 1996 arcade debut, Namco's tank-battling game Tokyo Wars is launching on modern consoles. The revival, handled by Hamster's Arcade Archives, arrives on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms starting November 6, 2025. It includes options for four-player split-screen multiplayer on newer hardware.
Background on Tokyo Wars
Tokyo Wars originally hit arcades in 1996, featuring immersive racing car-like cabinets where players could steer tanks through downtown Tokyo. The gameplay focused on simple destruction: driving tanks to battle computer-controlled enemies or other players, ramming over cars, and even collapsing tunnels. It was a hit for its time, showcasing impressive arcade action.
Bandai Namco later produced a spiritual successor, Tank! Tank! Tank! in 2009, though reviews were mixed. The game's influence extended to titles like Sony's 2016 online multiplayer game Hardware Rivals, which drew clear inspiration from its vehicular combat style.
Release Details
This first-ever console port comes via Hamster's Arcade Archives series, known for reviving classics like the original Ridge Racer, King of Fighters '98, Splatterhouse, and Galaga. The release offers two versions, with the key difference being the inclusion of four-player split-screen multiplayer in one edition. This multiplayer feature is available only on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles; it's not supported on Nintendo Switch 1 or PlayStation 4.
Priced at $15 for the standard version and $17 for the multiplayer edition, Tokyo Wars launches on November 6, 2025. More details are available on the Arcade Archives website.
For fans of retro revivals, this joins efforts like Digital Eclipse's restorations of Atari, Mortal Kombat, and Karateka games.