The Top 5 Arcade Games
Sure, consoles and PCs have dominated the 21st century video game industry. But has the Golden Age of arcade games ever really died? Many of us still bear an eternal love for those clicky-clacky buttons and commanding joysticks. And although full-fledged arcades are becoming rarer and rarer as the years tick on, there are still ways to play arcade games at home. Thus, we've scoured the market for the best arcade games that quarters can buy. Here, we list our top five favorites, from the best gift item to the premium pick.
Arcade1Up Street Fighter, Classic 3-in-1 Home Arcade, 4ft
Arcade1Up for the win
To those that just can’t live without the full arcade machine experience, we recommend getting something from Arcade1Up. This company offers a variety of different arcade titles hosted on sturdy, four-foot machines. The size of the cabinet is compact enough to fit in any entertainment room and large enough to emulate the real arcade experience. Better yet, the available titles are the best of the best. Choose between Asteroids, Pacman, Street Fighter II, Galaga, Final Fight, Joust, Rampage, Gauntlet, and more… or just get them all to start your own arcade. Each machine hosts a 17-inch screen, volume adjustments, colorful original artwork, and multiplayer controls. And for the serious arcade gamers out there, don’t worry: the buttons and joy sticks are sensitive and super clicky-clacky.
Pros
- Multiplayer
- Original artwork
- Responsive controls
- Numerous different titles available
Cons
- Pretty pricey
Arcade 1Up Mortal Kombat At-Home Arcade System
The torso-tearing, spine-ripping classic
When Mortal Kombat games first came out, they caused a worldwide uproar surrounding what was perceived as gratuitous violence. Indeed, Johnny Cage’s final fatality (deemed “the torso rip”) sends a gushing stream of blood sky-high. However, the pixellated animations are hardly offensive in this day and age of high-def video game violence. Thus, the original Mortal Kombat games are remembered not for their gore but for their wicked combos and balanced competitive characters. That’s why we recommend this option from Tastemakers to anyone looking for a fighting arcade game. Perfect for any entertainment room, it’s another four-foot-tall cabinet with a 17-inch screen. The controls are responsive, the artwork is awesome, and the screen is bright and colorful. If you’re looking for a stylish fighting game for your entertainment center, here it is.
Pros
- Quality hardware
- 3-in-1 Mortal Kombat
- Cool, retro aesthetic
Cons
- Expensive
- Too short to play standing
Tiny Arcade Tetris
Tiny Arcade, tiny price
It’s difficult to convey just how small this Tetris arcade machine really is. In fact, we think it should be called “microscopic” rather than “tiny”. And yet, even at such a small stature, the cabinet still manages to host functional hardware. Featuring responsive controls and a colorful, high-res screen, this machine stands at just 3.75 inches in height. Heck, this lil’ guy even sports tiny speakers that emit all the classic Tetris sound effects and music. Best of all, the price is about the same as a pizza, so it’s the perfect gift for any friends that appreciate the itty-bitty. Cute, fun, cheap, and hilariously small, the Tiny Arcade Tetris earns its tiny crown.
Pros
- Cheap
- Functional
- Other game titles available
Cons
- Powering off erases high scores
- Not for farsighted folks
HAAMIIQII Pandora Treasure 9s Arcade Game Console with 3,160 Games Pre-Loaded, HD, 4 Players Online Game, 2- Player Game Controls
One machine to play them all
The Pandora Treasure 9s isn’t exactly a full arcade machine. There’s no cabinet and there are no quarter slots. Thus, you’ll have to provide your own TV to get it up and running. However, that’s a small price to pay for the massive array of game titles that this thing has pre-loaded. With 3,090 retro games and 70 modern games ready-to-go, the Pandora Treasure is guaranteed to host your favorite arcade game of yore. Better yet, it’s super adaptable and compatible. It supports HDMI, USB, and VGA cables, so you can project your games onto all sorts of different monitors and even plug in two extra controllers. And with a quad-core processor, 2 Gigs of RAM, and 16 Gigs of expandable storage, the performance of the Pandora Treasure 9s is nothing short of phenomenal.
Pros
- Pre-loaded with 3,160 games
- Compatible and customizable
- Top-tier buttons and joysticks
- Up to four players
Cons
- May require a little tech-savviness
Prime Arcades Cocktail Arcade Machine, 412 games in 1 Commercial Grade with Set of 2 Chrome Stools, 5 Year Warranty
A prem-o machine for a prem-o price
Before you look at the price on this option from Prime Arcades, we suggest taking a seat. Woof. However, considering the entertainment value of this luxurious machine, it’s a justified price tag. For starters, the hardware is commercial-grade and built to withstand those late-night, beer-infused Joust tournaments. Plus, the 412 pre-loaded games cover all hits and all the classics. Also, the controls are durable, responsive, and well-placed. Actually, we especially commend Prime Arcades for the structural design of this table-top machine, since going head-to head with your friends has never been more literal. So whether you want something to generate quarters in your cocktail lounge or just want a “statement piece” in the living room, we suggest splurging on the Prime Arcades Cocktail Arcade Machine.
Pros
- All the best titles
- Can accept quarters
- 5 Year company warranty
- Super durable construction
Cons
- Premium price
Frequently Asked Questions
What game titles are included in this arcade gaming console?
Several of the options on our list host multiple game titles, such as the 412-games-in-1 premium pick. You can find a full list of the games on the manufacturers’ websites. For those hunting for a particular title, we suggest searching the webpage for your game of choice rather than reading through the list. Also, some games go by different titles, so scanning the list alphabetically isn’t ideal.
Are arcade games appropriate for my young child?
Since their inception, video games were met with fears that such activities were rotting the brains of young kids everywhere. However, various studies have demonstrated that video games can actually help develop fine motor skills and reflexes. As with everything, moderation is important. Nonetheless, an hour or two of arcade games can actually be beneficial to cognition.
As far as content is concerned, there’s no need to worry. Some arcade games may have cartoonish violence, but their pixellated animations are considered tame in this day and age. That being said, we encourage parents to monitor any new games their child picks up.
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