In the age of video games, the best home arcade games are arguably the classics. In this article, we’ll examine some of the classics that can be enjoyed without having to step into an actual arcade. If you love the feel of the arcade, consider getting one of these classics for your home. There are also new versions of older favorites, including arcade classics like Street Fighter II, Big Buck Hunter, and Pac-Man.
Midway Games
Midway is one of the most iconic companies in arcade gaming history. The Midway Legacy Edition from Arcade1Up features some of the most iconic Midway games, including the Mortal Kombat series, Gauntlet, Rampage, Rootbeer Tapper, Toobin, and Wizard of Wor. This particular version doesn’t have Sinistar, Robotron: 2084, or the other classic arcade games that Midway is famous for.
Time Crisis
Time Crisis is another classic home arcade game that’s worth considering. This arcade classic was released in the late 90s and became an instant hit. One of the most popular shooters of all time, Time Crisis is a definite must-have if you love shooters. Unfortunately, Time Crisis is more difficult to find than many on this list and may require you to resort to shopping for an original version of the real arcade instead of a more affordable modern version.
Space Invaders
Another popular classic that is currently available at an affordable price is Space Invaders, which was originally released in 1978. It’s a space shooting game wherein you must shoot aliens to make them fall into the spaceship. The aliens get progressively more challenging as the game progresses. The game ends when the aliens reach the bottom of the screen.
TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
For those with an affinity for superheroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a good choice. The arcade version of this game can be played locally or online via Arcade1Up’s network, and is a great way to spend an afternoon. This popular series was adapted to home consoles by Konami in 1989. While you can still find some classic arcade games for consoles, you can play them on a home arcade machine for an even better experience.
Atari Classics, Centipede
If you’re looking for an arcade game, the Atari’s Centipede is a classic. The game features a centipede crawling across the screen. Using a bug blaster, you shoot the centipede to kill it before it kills you. Fleas and mushrooms were obstacles that caused problems for your centipede-killing ship. The game also featured scorpions and spiders for added challenge. The different behaviors of each of these monsters added an extra level of difficulty and fun. Arcade1Up has an Atari Classics model that includes other Atari classics in addition to Centipede such as Tempest, Crystal Castles, and Missle Command.
Galaga
Galaga was another classic that is currently available for home play at a reasonable price. This Taito game was more challenging than its predecessors and has aged far better than most fixed shooters from the classic arcade period. It was also re-released several years later as Galaga ’88. Many home arcade cabinets have this game, including the 40th Anniversary Edition from Arcade1Up. Unlike most classics, this classic has been re-released over the years on different platforms.
Frogger
Another popular arcade game is the frog-based game, Frogger. It was even available for home use, as early versions were compatible with the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo 64, and PC. This game requires the player to use their quick reflexes to guide a frog across a busy street with cars buzzing by. Despite the simplicity of these games, they can be extremely challenging to master. While there are plenty of available systems you can buy that include Frogger, there are also free options. This is where emulators come in handy. If you have a computer, you can download emulators and play a wide range of classic games you love.
NBA Jam
For sports enthusiasts, NBA Jam is always a hit. One of the most advanced basketball games of its time, NBA Jam was a classic in the 90s as gamers Boom-Shaka-Laka’d their way through opponents. Featuring a lineup of your favorite players from the 90s (except Jordan of course), NBA Jam will provide hours of enjoyment for many players. Fortunately, there are many options to purchase a version of NBA Jam on a stand-up arcade cabinet for home.
