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Best Classic Retro Games & Arcade Machines of all time
The history of retro gaming traces back to the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s when industry giants like Atari, Capcom, Midway, Namco, and Sega mass-produced arcade machines and distributed them to bars, movie theaters, and local shops.
While we now look back at these machines and games with nostalgia, the reality is that they were primarily seen as revenue generators. Little thought was given to their long-term fate once they’d outlived their popularity and players moved on to newer titles
Sadly, most cabinets were designed as single-game machines, so operators would typically scrap or convert the machine once that game stopped generating income. The preservationist mindset of today’s arcade hobbyists wasn’t common back then. Few considered that these machines might become highly collectible, so the love and maintenance you see today was a rare sight.
Fortunately, some operators chose to store their arcade machines. Lucky enthusiasts have since had the opportunity to purchase these untouched pieces of retro gaming history.
Many who grew up playing these arcade games can only dream of owning an original machine be it price, space, or logistics. It’s no surprise when you hear old-school gamers state the emotions and memories associated with these cabinets from childhood to teenage years can’t be matched. While newer consoles may boast superior technology, they often struggle to compete with the enduring appeal of an era that’s often referred to as having the best arcade games of all time.
So like everything else around us, video games and consoles have evolved rapidly to the point where your mobile phone is now more powerful than the original arcade machines. These newer consoles and games bring benefits like playing with friends at home or online whenever and wherever you like. The uptake of in-home gaming has undoubtedly reduced the appeal of arcade game centres.
Last we checked arcade centres open included Timezone, Playtime at Crown, Fortress Melbourne, General Public Dingley, and a few FunLab brands including Archie Brothers Docklands, Strike Bowling, and Lucky and Sons. Archie Brothers has since expanded to Chadstone Shopping Center and Morris Moor in Moorabbin.
So it’s not all doom and gloom for the treasured arcade machine as there’s a very powerful upside that cannot be challenged. Many hold fond memories of playing old-school classic arcade games during the 70s, 80s, and even 90s, however, it goes deeper than that. Many retro games are referred to as classics or best of all time because aside from simpler graphics, the design, interaction, and engagement was exceptional. Retro gaming in many cases gets the whole family involved in ways that single shooters cannot. Given the lower cost of modern retro gaming consoles, it’s no surprise we’re seeing a retro gaming resurgence.
Retro gaming somehow brings a different dynamic and experience – in many cases, families and friends have had more fun enjoying older arcade games together than playing far more advanced consoles like the Xbox, PS4 or PS5.
A bonus is that nostalgia and fond memories of the past can be relived and shared with family members, passing on the experience to today’s kids.
So if you’re a fan of retro games, you’re in luck. And if you’re not a fan of retro games, you may want to consider whether you need to be. After all, research suggests that video game nostalgia can make people feel closer to their past, their friends and family, and even themselves. Nothing beats a feel-good moment – even better when shared.
So without any further delay, let’s get into some arcade game favourite’s which without doubt include some of the best retro arcade games ever! Yes, you read that right and make sure to check out the pics for an extra hit of nostalgia as we travel down memory lane…
Space Invaders – 1970
Being the first of its kind, Space Invaders is a shooter that tasks you with the job of defending the Earth from a screen full of aliens. 48 per level to be exact as they move side to side and closer to your defending ship at an increasing speed. You have 3 lives along with 3 shields the alien missiles break down slowly.
Space Invaders was released as a traditional stand-up upright arcade cabinet and a 2 player sit-down cocktail tabletop machine. The cocktail table used the plastic barstools that are now synonymous with retro arcade machines.
Ported to consoles
Amiga, Amstrad CPC , Atari ST, C64, NES and ZX Spectrum
Manufactured and distributed by
Taito Japan. Midway managed distribution to America, Australia, and the UK.
Pong – 1972
Asteroids – 1979
Galaxian/ Galaga – 1979 – 1981
Galaxian is a fixed shooter which was similar to Space Invaders where you would need to clear each round of aliens with a difference – they would dive and shoot towards you.
You then have the alien ship beam that can capture your fighter. If you shoot accurately you end up with dual fighter ships side by side, but if you shoot wrong, you’ve just lost your ship. Delivered in true RGB colour the bright and vivid colors brought Galaga to life. It was very successful sitting just behind Space Invaders in earnings for 1979.
Spin-offs include Galaga in 1981, Galaga ’88, and Galaga ’90.
Ported to consoles
Atari 7800, Game Boy, MSX, NES, PC, PlayStation 1, and the TurboGrafx-16 as Galaga ’90.
Manufactured and distributed by
Namco. Distributed in America by Midway.
Pac Man – 1980
Being one of the most iconic arcade games ever created, Pac-Man is a maze chase game that tasks you with eating all the dots in a maze while avoiding four colorful ghosts. Each maze contains 240 dots and 4 power pellets enabling Pac-Man to eat the ghosts for bonus points.
Pac-Man was released as a traditional stand-up upright arcade cabinet and also as a cocktail table version for two players. The cocktail table allowed players to sit down and play face-to-face, with the screen flipping orientation between turns.
Ported to consoles
Atari 2600, Atari 5200, NES, Game Boy, various mobile phones, and included in numerous compilation releases for modern consoles.
Manufactured and distributed by
Namco in Japan. Midway handled distribution in North America and Europe.
Centipede – 1981
Defender – 1981
Donkey Kong – 1981
One of Nintendo’s earliest hits, Donkey Kong is a platform game that tasks you with rescuing the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the giant ape. As the hero Jumpman (later renamed Mario), you must climb a series of platforms while avoiding obstacles like rolling barrels and fireballs. Each level presents a different challenge, with 4 unique stages that repeat at higher difficulties. You start with 3 lives and can earn bonus lives by scoring points.
Donkey Kong was originally released on traditional stand-up upright arcade cabinets to salvage unsold Radar Scope machines from 1980. This was followed up with cocktail table versions, allowing two players to compete for high scores in a sit-down format.
Ported to consoles
ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Intellivision, Famicom/NES, and later included in various compilations and digital releases for modern systems.
Manufactured and distributed by
Nintendo developed and manufactured the game. Distributed by Nintendo in Japan and North America, while other companies like Falcon and Ocean Software handled distribution in Europe.
Frogger – 1981
Without a doubt, Froger is one of the most recognisable arcade games of its time. An action game that tasks you with guiding frogs to their homes at the top of the screen. You must navigate your frog across a busy highway, dodging traffic, and then across a dangerous river by jumping on logs and turtles. The game features increasing difficulty levels, with faster traffic and sinking turtles as you progress. You start with 3 lives (frogs) and can earn bonus lives by scoring points. The game also includes bonus prizes like flies that appear in the frog homes.
Frogger was released as a traditional stand-up upright arcade cabinet. A popular cocktail table version was also produced, allowing two players to compete for high scores in a sit-down format, which was ideal for bars and restaurants.
Ported to consoles
Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, IBM PC, Apple II, and later ported and remade for numerous modern systems including PlayStation.
Manufactured and distributed by
Konami developed the game. Sega-Gremlin manufactured and distributed it in North America and Europe, while Konami handled distribution in Japan.
Ms. Pac-Man – 1981
Scramble – 1981
Scramble was one of the earliest side-scrolling shooters, where you pilot a jet fighter through enemy territory. Your mission is to destroy a series of enemy bases while managing your limited fuel supply. The game features six distinct stages, each with unique challenges and enemies. You must navigate through caverns, avoid obstacles, and bomb fuel tanks to replenish your fuel while shooting down enemy missiles and UFOs. After completing all stages, the game loops back to the beginning with increased difficulty.
Scramble was released as a traditional stand-up upright arcade cabinet. Some cocktail table versions were also produced, allowing players to enjoy the game in a sit-down format, which was popular in bars and restaurants of the era.
Ported to consoles
Vectrex, Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, and later included in various compilations for modern systems like the PlayStation Portable.
Manufactured and distributed by
Developed by Konami, it was manufactured and distributed by Stern Electronics in North America, while Konami handled distribution in Japan. Taito distributed the game in Europe.
Q*bert – 1982
Xevious – 1982
Zaxxon – 1982
Pengo – 1982
Elevator Action – 1983
Track & Field – 1983
Released in 1983 at the Arcades, Track & Field, also known as Hyper Olympics, quickly gained popularity and saw ports to various personal computers and consoles. The game featured the 100m dash, long jump, javelin, hurdles, hammer throw, and high jump. Its sequel Hyper Sports released the following year was also a huge success. This inspired several competing Olympic-themed games including Summer Olympics, and Winter Olympics. Any machine featuring Track and Field was guaranteed to receive a good workout.
Ported to consoles
Amstrad CPC, Apple IIe, Atari 2600, and C64, Game Boy, MSX, NES, Nintendo DS and ZX Spectrum
Manufactured and distributed by
Konami globally, Centuri in the UK.
Dragon’s Lair – 1983
One of the first arcade games to use laserdisc technology, Dragon’s Lair is an interactive movie game that tasks you with guiding Dirk the Daring through a series of animated scenes to rescue Princess Daphne from the evil dragon Singe. The game features stunning hand-drawn animation by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth. Players must make split-second decisions to move the joystick or press the sword button at the right moment to progress through the castle’s hazards. Incorrect moves result in comical death scenes.
Dragon’s Lair was released primarily as a stand-up upright arcade cabinet, featuring a large 22-inch monitor to showcase its revolutionary graphics. Some sit-down cabinets were also produced, providing a more immersive experience for players.
Ported to consoles
Due to its advanced graphics, early home ports of Dragon’s Lair were significantly altered to accommodate the limitations of contemporary hardware. As technology progressed, more faithful adaptations became possible. The game has been ported to a wide range of platforms over the years, including the Amiga and Sega CD. It later found new life as an interactive movie playable on DVD players. In recent years, Dragon’s Lair has been made available on modern consoles such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, as well as on various mobile devices, allowing new generations to experience this arcade classic.
Manufactured and distributed by
Cinematronics manufactured and distributed the game in North America. In Europe, it was distributed by Atari. The game’s creators, Rick Dyer of Advanced Microcomputer Systems and Don Bluth, were also key figures in its production and success.
Spy Hunter – 1983
Kung-Fu Master – 1984
Bomb Jack – 1984
Tetris – 1984
Commando – 1985
Gauntlet – 1985
Paperboy – 1985
Space Harrier – 1985
Being one of the earliest 3D rail shooters, Space Harrier is a fast-paced action game that has you controlling a jet-propelled humanoid character through a surreal fantasy world. While flying at high speed, you must shoot enemies and dodge obstacles. The game is known for its colorful, checkerboard-patterned stages and bizarre enemies, including alien pods, one-eyed mammoths, and dragons. You start with three lives and can earn more by reaching score milestones as you battle through 18 stages, facing a boss at the end of each level.
Space Harrier was released in two primary arcade cabinet designs. The standard upright cabinet featured Sega’s advanced sprite-scaling technology on a 20-inch monitor. However, the game is most famous for its deluxe sit-down cabinet, which moved hydraulically in response to the player’s controls, providing an immersive experience that simulated flight and dodging.
Ported to consoles
Space Harrier has been ported to numerous home systems over the years. Early ports to systems like the Master System, NES, and various home computers struggled to recreate the arcade experience due to hardware limitations. More faithful ports were later released for the Mega Drive/Genesis and 32X. In recent years, the game has been included in various Sega compilations for modern consoles and has seen releases on digital platforms, allowing new generations to experience this classic. Mobile versions have also been developed, adapting the game for touchscreen controls.
Manufactured and distributed by
Sega developed, manufactured, and distributed Space Harrier globally. The game was designed by Yu Suzuki, who would go on to create many other Sega classics. Its success in arcades helped establish Sega as a major player in the gaming industry and influenced many future games in the rail shooter genre.
Out Run – 1986
Bubble Bobble – 1986
Bubble Bobble as the name implies was based around blowing bubbles that capture the enemy which you can then pop while capturing fruit and finishing special levels. Designed by Fukio Mitsuji, Bubble Bobble was initially pitched as a game that couples could enjoy together. This lead to the cute characters, sound, and overall appeal of Bubble Bobble along with a co-op mode. Unlike most 2 player games of its time that were based on combat, challenging and levels of violence, Bubble Bobble took a softer approach where you would need to work together to get to the end. To top it off the music was super catchy and yes there were many spin-offs including Everybubble for the Nintendo Switch in 2023.
Ported to consoles
Amiga, Amstrad CPC , Apple II, Atari ST, C64, Game Boy, NES, Sega Master System, X68000 and ZX Spectrum.
Manufactured and distributed by
Taito. Distributed in America by Romstar and Europe by Electrocoin.
1943 : Battle of Midway – 1987
The sequel to 1942 introduced different bosses and a lightning attack while keeping the defensive loop from 1942. It continues as a vertical scrolling shoot em up.
While harder to play as it only gave you one life, you did get a fuel meter and the ability to pick up power-ups. The game consists of 16 stages and is based on historical events that played out off the coast of Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean between Japan and America.
Ported to consoles
Amiga, Amstrad CPC , Atari ST, C64, NES and ZX Spectrum
Manufactured and distributed by
Capcom
Double Dragon – 1987
Operation Wolf – 1987
R-Type – 1987
Street Fighter II – 1992
What favourite game list would be complete without SF2? Calling this arcade game iconic would be an understatement as it set the benchmark for fighting games to come. Street Fighter II was the first to introduce versus mode, player selection and give each player a unique set of moves including combos.
Ported to consoles
Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, C64, PC, SNES and ZX Spectrum
In the following years due to the Street Fighter franchise’s popularity, it was ported to several newer gaming consoles including Game Boy, PlayStation, Sega Master System, Xbox, and more..
Manufactured and distributed by
Capcom – Headquarters are located in Osaka, Japan. Capcom maintains operations in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, the U.K., and the U.S.
