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Video takes you inside Star Wars Battle Pod arcade cabinet

What weighs 1,200 pounds and is packed with awesome? The new Battle Pod arcade game, that's what! This new video takes you behind the scenes.

Michael Franco
Freelancer Michael Franco writes about the serious and silly sides of science and technology for CNET and other pixel and paper pubs. He's kept his fingers on the keyboard while owning a B&B in Amish country, managing an eco-resort in the Caribbean, sweating in Singapore, and rehydrating (with beer, of course) in Prague. E-mail Michael.
Michael Franco
2 min read

Just released in select arcades across the country, the new "Star Wars" Battle Pod game (featured in the video above) looks like it packs in all the fun of the franchise's original arcade shooter, with a fresh coat of 21st century technology slathered all over it.

The 1,200-pound machine provides an immersive experience with "a unique dome screen enveloping your entire area of sight," according to a press release.

Plus, there are bass speakers behind your head and a seat that rumbles in all the right places. Best of all, when you plunk in your cash, "you can play as an X-wing at Yavin. There's a snow speeder on the battle of Hoth. Step into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon to take down the Death Star II. You can play in Darth Vader's TIE Advanced, and you can race on a speeder bike through the forests of Endor," according to the video.

The game was created by Bandai Namco, publishers of lots of cool games, including the open-world Dark Souls series.

I'm kind of glad it took this long for the arcade game to come out, because if it were around when I was a kid, I would have had to resort to selling my organs to get enough quarters to play.

I've reached out to Lucasfilms marketing manager Matt Shell to get more information on where the pods of perfection have been installed. I've also asked how much gameplay costs. When I hear back, I'll update this post. Until then, start saving your quarters, kids!