Currently im planning how to make my applet a bit faster, im looking new and more faster way to code Java2D, and yes there is still a change, some days a heavy change, that i go with JOGL or LWJGL with my project, but currently i like the idea of no signerated applet.
You should have a look at the
PulpCore library, its faster than Java2D, no signing required and provides the best java applet end user experience I've seen, so seems like a perfect match for the type of games you are making.