In 2012/13, Highway started working on a variety of cabinets and designs for the home market. The design needed to have great functionality, to include regular arcade game boards/play as well as home gaming. It means that you can operate the latest arcade games, or, game consoles in your arcade machine.
Highway started to experiment and field test versions of the Game Wizard machine. During this phase, we asked gamers what they found important and also what experience levels they had. We wanted to provide a product that was the highest standard possible but at a price more affordable than imported Japan cabinets – a machine that would outlast other cabinets, and provide long life and support changing technology.
Game Wizard Arcade Machine in 2013
Why We Built The Game Wizard Xtreme
Game Wizard started to take shape, firstly with whiteboard layout, then functions, then a completely new wiring system to support Highway’s new IO board. We then added USB, mouse and various new options.
Game Wizard Xtreme Panel Whiteboard
Australian Test Panel Prototyping
China office Prototyping with IO board testing
We wanted our machines to support arcade, but we also wanted the machines to support PC/consoles.
Well before competitor products arrived into the marketplace, Highway had already developed an all in one controller IO board for console/arcade gaming. Previously, home users needed to dismantle hand controllers and modify onto Jamma biscuit for inclusion in their arcade cabinets. One modified adapter for PC, another for XBOX, another for Playstation…
XBOX to Arcade Adapters
With Game Wizard machines, it was one controller PCB that plugs into a regular JAMMA wiring harness and give you power to “do what you want”.
Highway IO Board
By the time we finished, we had tested the machine at various locations, game events, trade shows, street locations and with home users.
Newcastle University Gaming Tournament
Newcastle’s Bar on the Hill in 2015
Mancave Expo, Sydney Australia
2019 – Pinfest Newcastle Day 1
IAAPA Florida 2016
And, years later, these cabinets are still as relevant as when they were released. As new consoles are being released, we offered firmware upgrades to keep your cabinets current.
Nintendo Switch Announcement for Game Wizard
Is Game Wizard Really the Best?
We believe so.
Recently, the #1 software games company in the world, Tencent, contacted us to cooperate for cabinet designs for their game software. The starting point was Game Wizard Xtreme…..
When we say Game Wizard is the most advanced joystick cabinet in the marketplace, we mean it. If you wonder how all our competitors products have started to look similar to ours, you will understand have we have invested heavily into R&D to release products well before they are mainstream.
Game Wizard Xtreme Tencent
Are you ready for Game Wizard 2.0?