Namco’s most unusual racing game makes its console debut after nearly three decades.

Hamster Corporation is set to bring a unique arcade classic to modern platforms: Armadillo Racing. Originally launched by Bandai Namco in 1997, this quirky racing game featuring armadillos has never been available for home consoles until now.

In a recent announcement, Ryoichi Kaku from Bandai Namco Research Institute expressed his excitement about the re-release, highlighting its significance to him as a member of the original development team. The arcade version of Armadillo Racing utilized a trackball for controls, but the Arcade Archives version allows players to use a standard controller. For those looking to replicate the original experience, a USB trackball can be connected.

For a taste of the gameplay, Hamster Corporation describes it as follows:

Control an armadillo that rolls as it picks up speed, and head for the finish line through obstacle courses filled with unique events, or sprint courses designed for pure racing enjoyment. Finish in 1st place and you can enjoy a fun bonus game, too!

Armadillo Racing is a delightful addition to the gaming landscape. So far, Hamster Corporation has released eight titles from Namco’s System 22 and Super 22 arcade boards, including the iconic Ridge Racer. They’ve also successfully ported other Namco classics from various arcade systems to current consoles, such as the original Tekken.

Players can grab Armadillo Racing starting tomorrow, July 23, for $14.99 on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 as part of the Arcade Archives series. It will also be available as an Arcade Archives 2 release on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S for $16.99. Those who purchase the Arcade Archives version can upgrade to the Arcade Archives 2 version for a discounted price of $2.99.