15 Iconic Arcade Games Whose Legacy Still Lives In 2022

Vintage never goes out of fashion. The same goes for arcade games. It’s true that arcade games are not a household name anymore, they still have a huge and thriving fanbase.

Fans can’t get over the unique thrills associated with arcade games, which undoubtedly modern gaming devices lack. Besides, who doesn’t get charmed by the retro-vintage aesthetics reflected in both the visuals and audio?

Whether you’re an 80’s kid or you fall in today’s generation of gamers, these iconic arcade games are sure to get you hooked.

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1. Space Invaders

Space Invaders is a popular arcade game which was developed in Japan in 1978 by Tomohiro Nishikado.

The shooting game was created based on the all time classic – Star Wars and similar shooting games in rage around that time. It set the template for the fixed shooter game format since it was the first of its kind.

In this game, the player moves a laser cannon left and right to shoot at the aliens overhead.

2. Dig Dug

Dig Dug is a popular maze arcade machine game developed in 1981 and released in 1982. It was published by Namco and distributed in America by Atari.

The main objective of the game is to eliminate all the underground monsters by crushing or inflating them. The player can use the controls to burrow through the earth and move right, left, up or down.

A game like Dig Dug requires quick and powerful controls, something like the newly released RAC-T series. This TV console is the perfect union of the latest computer technology and the ever so good arcade games. Its design will remind you of the simplicity of the arcade game era, but its performance matches any other computer game console.

3. Pac-Man

Pac-Man remains one of the most popular and classic arcade games till date. Originally it was called Puck Man but then it was changed to Pac-Man during its release.

It was created by Toru Iwatani and released by Namco.

The player guides Pac-Man through the maze where he has to eat all the dots before any of the 4 ghosts BIinky, Inky, Pinky or Clyde gets to him.

While Pac-Man is available on almost every platform today, it is best played on the traditional arcade machine in order to get the retro arcade aesthetic. In fact you don’t have to go to an arcade entertainment center or get the full size commercial arcade machine to play the classic games.

Tiny Arcade is an online arcade shop which offers a range of small-sized arcade machines, arcade consoles, and tabletop arcade machines that fit beautifully in the smallest of spaces without taking up much room. The arcade machines live up to their retro aesthetics. Every machine is built from scratch and it has been this way since 1985.

Arcade game lovers have welcomed the two newly released gaming machines from Tiny Arcade. The Elite Arcade 117 RAC comes with top class hardware and features about 117 game systems, 24,000 arcade games including the classic ones like Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Sony Playstation. The Elite Arcade 127 RAC-PLUS has superior hardware and offers 48,000 games and 127 game systems.

4. Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II is a fighting arcade game produced by Midway in 1993.

In this game, the player must defeat the opposing human player. The first player to win two rounds is the winner and he gets to make a final finishing move on the losing character.

5. Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong was released by Nintendo in 1981.

The player must control Mario and use him to rescue Pauline from the gorilla called Donkey Kong. To get to Pauline, he must ascend a construction site which is filled with obstacles.

6. Asteroids

Asteroids is a classic space shooter game which was released in 1979 by Atari.

The player has to maneuver a spaceship through the asteroid field and avoid hitting the flying saucers.

7. Centipede

This classic fixed shooter arcade game was developed by Atari and also was one of the first games to have a big female player base.

The player moves the bug blaster to shoot darts at the centipede while avoiding other insects which can hurt the big blaster.

8. Double Dragon

Double Dragon is an iconic beat’em up arcade game which was developed by Technōs Japan.

The player can choose between the two martial artists Billy and Jimmy Lee and control one of them to fight the members of the Black Warriors Gang in order to rescue Billy’s girlfriend Marian.

9. Pole Position

Pose Position is a racing simulation arcade game which was released by Namco in 1982.

The player is supposed to race an Indy car around the entire Fuji course while avoiding obstacles and other cars before the timer runs out.

10. Street Fighter

Street Fighter, developed by Capcom was the first fighting arcade game to use the 6 button control pad which made certain command based techniques possible.

In this game you have battle rounds where you have to defeat your opponent in less than 30 seconds.

11. Mario Bros

Mario Bros is a popular action arcade game which was released by Nintendo in 1983.

The player can control either Mario or Luigi to punch and kill the enemies which come out from the underground pipes.

12. Frogger

Frogger is an action arcade game which was developed by Konami and released by Sega in America.

The player has to guide the frogs home while crossing a busy road and a river which is filled with obstacles.

13. Paperboy

Although Paperboy is not as popular as the other action arcade games today, it was huge in the 1980’s.

The player assumes the role of a paperboy who has to help deliver newspapers to customers on his bicycle.

14. Q*Bert

Q*Bert is a 2D action arcade game which was published by Gottlieb in 1982.

The player will use Q*Bert to solve the various isometric puzzles while avoiding

the whole crew of colorful enemies.

15. Punch-Out

Punch-Out is an arcade video boxing game which was developed by Nintendo in 1983.

The player takes on the role of a boxer and he must use the controls to avoid punches from the opposing player and defeat him.

Conclusion

Arcade gaming centers have nearly become extinct, but the passion for arcade games is still alive. If you’re crazy about arcade games too, an arcade machine is a worthy investment. Bartop arcade machines are an ideal option for modern spaces since they don’t take up much space.