The modern gamer lives a pretty blessed existence when we compare the haves and have-nots to those who called themselves gaming fanatics decades ago.
Believe it or not, there was an era where only the very select few had access to home consoles, and most folks who wanted to play games would need to frequent an arcade.
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It’s a nostalgic and iconic era, and the games that garnered the most attention back then, likePac-Man, Space Invaders, and the like, still remain relevant today. However, you could be forgiven for thinking that arcade gaming is a relic of a bygone era.
In fact, arcade gaming is alive and well. It just looks a little different these days and requires less loose change. But if you don’t believe me, then I’ll do my best to show you some modern games that could easily exist as arcade machines in your local arcade.
What we are aiming for here are games with an inherent arcade format and feel. So games with high scores, or games that feel like they should have ‘insert coin to play’ on screen are prime candidates.
10TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
Heroes In A Half Shell
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
If you think back to the genuine arcade era, you’ll probably remember how games likeStreets of Rage, Double Dragon, and various otherside-scrolling Beat-Em-Upswere super popular.
After their time in the spotlight, they faded into relative obscurity, but in the past few years, we have seen a bit of a resurrection of these games. We were torn between hits like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Streets of Rage 4, but for me, the best of the bunch isTMNT: Shredder’s Revenge.
This title is a love letter to the old TMNT arcade classic, allowing you to control the heroes in a half-shell as they aim to take down Shredder once and for all.
It’s accessible, addictive, and co-op friendly, meaning this game ticks all the boxes for arcade fans everywhere. So, don’t delay; you’re able to eat pizza after the world is saved!
9Hotline Miami
It Was Acceptable In The 80s
Hotline Miami
Just in case you were struggling to place it, the arcade phenomenon was in its pomp in the eighties. So, if you want to honor this period in gaming’s rich history, then you should check outHotline Miami.
This surreal 80’s shooter is a beautiful bloodbath, allowing you to work through a series of levels where you’ll need to burst into each stage like a bull in a china shop and murder everyone in sight.
This isn’t always a walk in the park, though. You’ll need to use the environment, plan your route carefully, and improvise with what weapons are available to avoid becoming another ‘Florida man’ headline in the morning papers.
It has a pulsing soundtrack, fast-paced, engaging gameplay, and an addictive loop that encourages ‘one more try’—in short, all the staples of an arcade classic.
8Rollerdrome
Last Skater Standing
Rollerdrome
This may feel like a bit of a cheat entry, as many traditionalists would argue thatRollerdromeis perhaps a little too up-market to be considered an arcade hit. After all, where are all the pixels?
I get that—I really do—but it would be criminal not to include at least one Roll7 game on this list. They have produced some stellar modern arcade classics, such as theOlliOlliseries, but for me, their BattleRoyale roller Disco title is the pick of the bunch.
This one casts you in the role of Kara Hassan, and wearing your snazziest fruit boots, you’ll need to zip around the arena,doing THPS-esque comboswhile pumping your fellow combatants full of lead.
It’s a wonderful mash-up of extreme sports and third-person shooter mechanics, making for a wonderful indie darling where you’ll constantly be chasing a new high score.
7Shovel Knight
Can You Dig It?
Shovel Knight
When it comes to pixel platformers, there’s an argument to be made that all of them could be labeled as arcade titles begging for the ‘insert coin’ text in the corner. However, of all the popular options out there, it would be hard to argue againstShovel Knightstanding out as the best candidate of all.
This title offersSNES visuals and vibes, making this a game plucked from the arcade era, albeit with the modern refinement you would expect from contemporary hits.
It’s a stellar, challenging, and addictive platformer worth its weight in gold, so grab a shovel and learn to pogo. After all, your life might just depend on it.
Falling With Style
The Endless Runner may be a format made most famous thanks to mobile gaming. However, it could have been a real moneymaker if that format had been around in the arcade era.
Downwellisn’t exactly an endless runner, but more accurately, an endless faller, as your goal is to fall deeper and deeper down the well, surviving the barrage of perilous enemies and projectiles that await you deeper within.
It’s an incredibly simple game both in terms of design and art style, but thanks to this simple approach, the game is easy to pick up and play and devilishly addictive as you chase a better score than your last run.
You could call it falling to your inevitable death, or you could call it falling with style. Either way, it’s a lot of fun.
Modern Space Invaders
You could argue that Space Invaders and Asteroids were the first ever bullet hell games, which is why bullet hell cult classics likeResogunfit the bill here so nicely.
Resogunis a modern re-imagining of the Space Invaders model, asking the player to occupy a looping stage, save civilians, and fire endless lasers at targets, all the while trying to avoid being blasted yourself.
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It’s such anamazing bullet hell titlethat it was likely what ensured Housemarque would get the nod to produce Sony exclusive,Returnal, later down the line.
Yet somehow it’s still one that is criminally underrated, so if you are like the many who haven’t heard of this one, take your snazzy little spaceship out for a spin.
4Vampire Survivors
So Many Projectiles
Vampire Survivors
This one may feel like a bit of an oddball entry, asVampire Survivorsis a game that takes pride in making the player feel overpowered, all the while taking a lot of the skill-based elements that you would associate with arcade hits out of the equation.
However, if you put that to one side, the idea of pushing to see if you can achieve a higher level, clear, tough stages, and get neat upgrades is very arcade-centric.
Vampire Survivors is easily the most accessible game on this list due to the low-effort gameplay. However, it also gives youthat ‘numbers go brrr’feel that a high score will provide.
It’s a game with tons of content, fantastic replay value, and it’s cheap as chips. For all these reasons, we suggest that arcade fans give this one a blast.
3The Messenger
The Mark of the Ninja
The Messenger
Whether you’re a fan ofWonder Boyor more of aGhosts N Goblinskind of person, the fact is thatarcade platformers are bountiful experiencespacked with fun, challenging gameplay. This is why we feel that Sabotage Studios’The Messengeris a perfect candidate for this list.
Granted, it may be a little more in line with games that came a little later, likeContraandNinja Garden. However, you’re able to’t deny that, due to the quick restarts after each death, the fast-paced and fluid gameplay, and the excellent level design, this one feels like an arcade classic that you’d happily let gobble up all your coins.
Plus, this is actually set in the same universe as Sabotage’s popular JRPGSea of Stars.So, if you’re a fan of that title, this one should be the next one you check out.
Cartoon Chaos
It’s a tale as old as time when it comes to arcade classics. You get through some skirmishes, find some awesome Power-ups, and feel truly invincible. Then, as if on cue, a gargantuan boss pops up and promptly puts you in your place before asking you to put in another coin to continue.
Well, due to the sheer difficulty of the Vaudeville-inspired hitCuphead, that’s the exact experience you’ll have playing.
This game is a visual marvel that perhaps makes it feel a little far removed from the pixellated greats of the arcade era. But despite the up-market production value, this one more than makes up for that with arcade-style run and gun gameplay.
It’s easy to understand but a true test to master, which is the arcade gaming sweet spot.Don’t let the cute visuals fool you,this one won’t pull any punches, but if you’re willing to punch back, this is a great one to try out.
1The Binding of Isaac
IDon’tWant My Mommy!
The Binding of Isaac
The Binding of Isaacis a game that ticks a lot of boxes regarding the arcade format. It’s a game that has a predictably from one run to the next, yet no one run is completely the same.
The game has loads of Power-ups but never informs the player what each one does, offering a sense of whimsy with each new pickup. Plus, the game is a pixel-art indie darling.
It ticks all the boxes, offering a gameplay loop that is rewarding, addictive, and well-paced with a series of bosses and stages that will test your mettle.
It’s a game that many constantly return to for a few quick sessions, and that’s no coincidence, as this game is probably the most brilliant arcade-adjacent indie you could ever wish for.
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