New Sonic the Hedgehog arcade cabinets revealed by Arcade1Up

Sonic is heading back to the arcade. Sort of. Sega and Arcade1Up have announced two new full-size Sonic the Hedgehog cabinets for the home market, both built around classic games, physical controls and the sort of upright design that demands more space than a console under the television. There are two versions to choose from: the Sonic the Hedgehog Deluxe Series and the larger Supreme Series. Both are expected to arrive in autumn 2026, with pricing set at $599.99 in the United States. That isn’t cheap. Then again, this isn’t really about getting four old games for the lowest possible price. It’s about buying a dedicated piece of gaming hardware that looks and feels different from a standard console setup.

Four classic Sonic games included

Both cabinets come with the same four titles: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3D Blast and Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine. The first two need little introduction. They’re fast, direct and still capture the basic appeal of Sonic better than many of the games that followed. Sonic 3D Blast changes the pace with its isometric view, while Mean Bean Machine brings puzzle gameplay and proper two-player competition into the mix. It’s a decent selection, though not a complete one.

The absence of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles is hard to ignore. Those games would’ve rounded out the line-up and made the cabinet feel much closer to a complete Mega Drive Sonic package. With only four titles included, the collection feels selective rather than comprehensive.

Still, there’s enough variety for quick sessions. Mean Bean Machine should also make better use of the cabinet’s two-player layout than the main Sonic games, which remain largely solo experiences.

Two cabinet sizes, one game line-up

The biggest difference between the Deluxe and Supreme models is their size. The Deluxe Series stands 60 inches tall and comes with a 17-inch BOE colour LCD display in a 5:4 format. The Supreme Series is taller at 67 inches and uses a larger 19-inch screen with the same aspect ratio.

That extra height could make the Supreme model more comfortable for taller players. It should also look more convincing in a dedicated games room, although the larger cabinet will naturally take up more floor space. Both versions feature two eight-way joysticks, six action buttons, a light-up marquee and a moulded coin door. There are also separate controls for power and volume.

Stereo speakers are included on both machines. The Deluxe model uses two-inch speakers, while the Supreme version steps up to three-inch units. That won’t turn it into a home cinema system, but the larger speakers should give the bigger cabinet a little more presence.

The 5:4 displays also make sense here. Classic Sonic games weren’t designed for modern widescreen televisions, so using a squarer panel should help avoid the stretched look that often appears when older games are forced into a 16:9 frame.

The price is about the cabinet, not the games

At $599.99, neither model is an impulse purchase. You can already play classic Sonic games on modern consoles and PCs for a fraction of that price. Some collections include more titles, save features and display options, all without requiring a permanent corner of the room. That isn’t what Arcade1Up is selling.

You’re paying for the cabinet, the artwork, the built-in screen and the physical controls. It’s a complete unit that you assemble, place in a room and switch on whenever you feel like playing. There’s no need to connect a separate console, pair a controller or choose an input on the television. For some buyers, that convenience and presentation will be the whole point. For others, four games won’t feel like enough.

The Deluxe model is expected to appear through major retailers, while the Supreme Series is planned as a Costco exclusive in the US. European pricing and availability haven’t been confirmed, so buyers on this side of the Atlantic may have to wait for local details.

Who is it actually for?

These cabinets suit people with a dedicated games room, home office or entertainment space. They’re much harder to recommend for a small flat, where a full-size machine can quickly become an obstacle. The Deluxe version looks like the safer choice for most homes. It’s shorter, easier to place and offers the same four games as the Supreme cabinet.

The Supreme model makes more sense when screen size and cabinet height matter more than space. It should feel closer to a traditional arcade machine, particularly for adults who find smaller home cabinets uncomfortable. Neither machine is trying to replace a console. They’re built for buyers who want a focused Sonic setup and don’t mind paying for the format.

Launch expected in autumn 2026

Arcade1Up plans to release both Sonic the Hedgehog cabinets in autumn 2026, although there’s no exact launch date yet. The game selection could be stronger, especially at this price. Even so, the two cabinet sizes give buyers a clear choice, and the hardware offers something a normal game collection can’t: a self-contained Sonic machine with physical controls and a design made to stand out in the room. It’s expensive. It’s also very specific. For the right buyer, that may be enough.

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