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

Available in a variety of classic game titles, this four-foot-tall, 2-player machine from Arcade1Up is the perfect way to relive the glory days of arcade gaming.
Best Overall

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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

Sporting the first three Mortal Kombat games, this pick from Tastemakers is the perfect pick for anyone looking for the ultimate arcade fighting experience.
Best Fighting Arcade Game

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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

This Tiny Arcade Tetris game is hilariously small and, thanks to its equally-tiny price, it's the perfect gift for any lovers of arcade games.
Best Micro Size

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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

With a whopping 3,160 pre-installed retro games, this console from HAAMIIQII offers endless hours of arcade gaming for a value price.
Best Variety of Titles

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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

This premium pick from Prime Arcades offers luxury arcade entertainment, with 412 pre-loaded games, two sturdy stools, and an awesome table-top design for going head-to-head with your friends.
Best Premium

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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.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

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