Bandai Namco’s NFLPA Red Zone debuts; new game is powered by Andamiro design and engineering
Updated: Aug 8

LAS VEGAS -- Bandai Namco Amusement America Inc. offered a first look at its brand-new card-dispensing redemption game during the Bowl Expo, which took place late June in Las Vegas. NFLPA Red Zone Rush, a four-player arcade centerpiece, challenges players to rush the ball through the “Red Zone” to score big.

NFLPA Red Zone Rush is manufactured by South Korea’s Andamiro Co. Ltd. and marketed sold exclusively by Bandai Namco. It’s the second major arcade attraction on which the two amusement machine giants have partnered. The first was DC Superheroes, which is widely operated in arcade destinations around the world. Both games character cards, while the new Red Zone Rush leverages Andamiro’s licensing agreement the NFL Players Association.

In gameplay, patrons choose their NFL player, get their timing right and push the button. The NFL player mechanism will push forward through dozens of mini footballs on a rotating playfield. When a patron pushes a ball into the end zone, they win. When they push through a ball with a letter on it, they win a ticket value. When the patron gets in all the balls required to spell T-O-U-C-H-D-O-W-N, they win the super bonus.

Andamiro USA's Min Lee (l.) and Bandai Namco's Steve Ignarsky show off NFLPA Red Zone Rush at Bowl Expo.

Red Zone Rush also allows arcade-goers win and collect cards. When they push a designated “card ball” into the end zone, they win an NFLPA player card. The NFLPA cards also carry ticket values, including mega card bonuses, which can be added to a patron’s redemption account. Bandai Namco’s new football game rolls out with a 16-card set feature eight offensive and eight defensive superstars.

“The NFL Players Association license is a big deal for us, giving guests the opportunity to collect cards with the top stars of the NFL,” said Bandai Namco national sales manager Steve Ignarski. “We have received an amazing reaction to Red Zone Rush at the Bowl Expo. Initial testing has [also] been outstanding and it is not even close to football season yet. I can’t wait to see the in-season collections.”

The game title Red Zone Rush may sound a little familiar to some amusement industry members and followers. It’s derived from Bandai Namco’s 2014 redemption hit title Goal Line Rush, which plays with dozens of mini footballs labeled with varying ticket values that are situated on a rotating football field. Goal Line Rush’s rotating field and mini footballs are key features in the similarly named new Red Zone Rush.

NFLPA Red Zone Rush is expected to reach arcades at the beginning of football season.