Top 20 Greatest Arcade Games of ALL Time

#20: “Gauntlet” (1985)

This was one of the first multiplayer dungeon crawl arcade games. “Gauntlet” was designed for four players. There are four fantasy-inspired characters you can use: Thor, a warrior; Thyra, a valkyrie; Merlin, a wizard; and Questor, an elf. It’s nice to be able to mix it up, isn’t it? As for the enemies? Various monsters and such. In addition to defeating those, you have to navigate mazes and gather treasures. By 1986, “Gauntlet” was topping all sorts of charts. It was actually originally called “Dungeons,” partly inspired by “Dungeons & Dragons.” But the name “Gauntlet” certainly made its own mark.

#19: “Daytona USA” (1994)

Buckle up for this one! For racing game-lovers, it’s hard to beat “Daytona USA.” Sure, Sega’s 1986 game, “Out Run,” was plenty of fun and a significant checkpoint in racing game history. But eight years later, “Daytona USA” took things to another level. It was critically acclaimed from the start, for various aspects such as graphics, music, and driving mechanics. Obviously, it was a massive commercial success as well. After crossing the finish line, it’d be hard not to want to restart that engine at least one more time. Now, years later, “Daytona USA” remains not only one of the most iconic racing games ever, but one of the most iconic arcade games of any kind.

#18: “Metal Slug” (1996)

To the future we go with this run-and-gun game! “Metal Slug” is set in 2028. That’s over three decades after this game first popped up in arcades. Basically, this game centers on Peregrine Falcon Strike Force soldiers fighting to stop a coup led by the Rebel Army. There are a lot of enemies, weapons, and overall action. Some humor is sprinkled in, too, which fans can appreciate. It’s been known to be difficult, but if you’re up for a challenge and you like a side-scrolling shoot ‘em up, “Metal Slug” delivers.

#17: “Double Dragon” (1987)

In this co-op game, you’ll play as either Billy Lee or his twin brother Jimmy. Billy Lee’s name comes from Bruce Lee and his character Billy Lo in the film “Game of Death.” “Double Dragon” is one of the defining beat ‘em up arcade games, setting the stage for a “Golden Age” in the genre that occurred in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. In the game, you encounter a bunch of enemies who you fight using a variety of moves: punches, kicks, and some dirtier tricks. It’s not Bruce Lee’s style—or any real martial art style for that matter—but it sure is a blast in the arcade.

#16: “Dig Dug” (1982)

This maze game may have a weird premise, but it sure has a reputation for being addictive, too. In “Dig Dug,” you’re armed with an air pump, which you can use to inflate the enemies to the point of explosion. Yeah, it’s strange—but fun. Look no further than the arcade in Hawkins, Indiana, where “Dig Dug” is a meaningful game to both Dustin and the high-score-holder MADMAX. Good luck beating that. In addition to its gameplay, “Dig Dug” is known for its layered strategy. The memorable name lives on all these years after its introduction in 1982.

#15: “NBA Jam” (1993)

As far as sports arcade games go, how can it get more legendary than “NBA Jam?” Sure, it’s not by any means a realistic representation of basketball, but that’s actually what makes this game so awesome. You can make your player jump to superhuman heights before executing an extraordinary slam dunk or block. As for fouls? No such thing in this game. Elbows and shoves are fair game. Developed by Midway, the physics-defying “NBA Jam” allows for up to four players. In 1993, this game was setting records with its earnings. As time distances us from those days, the fact that “NBA Jam” features All-Stars who are now Hall of Famers only makes its legendary status feel as potent as ever.

#14: “Pong” (1972)

Simplicity can be brilliant. In essence, “Pong” is two players controlling their respective paddles on opposing sides of the screen, trying to make contact with the small ball to return it. If you miss and the ball goes beyond your paddle, the other player gets the point. The ball can bounce off the top and bottom of the screen and move with significant speed, so you gotta make sure your geometry, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination are on point. But it’s easy to get fully absorbed in this game—in the best way possible. Developed and published by Atari in the early ’70s, “Pong” became one of the earliest symbols of arcade gaming.

#13: “Defender” (1981)

It’d be difficult to defend not having this horizontally scrolling shooter game on our list. “Defender,” which came out in February of 1981, is considered the first side-scrolling shoot ‘em up. But it’s not just pioneering; it’s quite good, too. “Defender” is a game where you control a spaceship and protect astronauts on an unnamed planet from droves of invading aliens. With all the intense space action, quick reflexes and strategic thinking sure are important. Beyond the fun gameplay, “Defender” has a cool design with color graphics and explosion effects that stand the test of time.

#12: “The Simpsons” (1991)

Less than two years after “The Simpsons” first graced our televisions, there was a Simpsons-inspired arcade game. And all these years later, as the legacy of “The Simpsons” in the world of television has only grown, the arcade game has persisted as a memorable part of many people’s gaming journeys. This beat ‘em up game developed and published by Konami allows up to four players. Whether you’re Homer, Marge, Bart, or Lisa, you’re gonna have to fight your way past enemies to rescue Maggie. With iconic characters each with their own unique attack methods, along with good graphics and animation, “The Simpsons” arcade game sure can make you say “Woo hoo!” as Homer so often does.

#11: “Mortal Kombat II” (1993)

The whole “Mortal Kombat” franchise is well-known for a reason. But if we’re picking just one of its arcade games, we’re going with “Mortal Kombat II.” Following the first one, which was certainly good in its own right, the 1993 sequel enhanced the gameplay and added more when it comes to the mythology, characters, and fighting moves. The lead programmer even said that “Mortal Kombat II” included “everything [they] wanted to put into [the original] but did not have time for.” With striking graphics, eye-catching animation, and intense action, Midway’s “MKII” was an instant success financially, culturally, and critically. The violence and gore brought controversy—but that notoriety really just added to its legendary status.

#10: “Galaga” (1981)

A sequel to the successful 1979 game “Galaxian,” “Galaga” introduced a few new features to the well-established formula, creating a bigger and even better game. New to the sequel was the ability for players to become captured by the boss Galaga via his tractor beam. Hot off the heels of Space Invaders, “Galaga’s” success led to many copycats looking to get in on the Shoot ‘em up craze, and with its legacy still being felt today, “Galaga” earns its spot in gaming history.

#9: “Star Wars Trilogy Arcade” (1999)

“Star Wars” is no stranger to the arcade scene, even with the first arcade game going as far as being a pioneer in 3D gaming. “Trilogy Arcade,” though, is the game that capped off the ‘90s in style, and is considered one of the decade's best. It’s a rail shooter in which the player reenacts major scenes and battles from the film trilogy, including the popular Battle of Hoth and the Endor speeder bike chase. No matter what world we’re battling on, or what ship we’re flying, “Star Wars” is more important to gaming than we realize.

#8: “Frogger” (1981)

George Costanza may not be able to accomplish a real life version of the game on the New York streets, but we’ll never beat his high score. Considered a classic from the golden age of arcade games, “Frogger” has been played by pretty much everyone. The player controls a frog as it makes its way across a road and river, avoiding fatal obstacles. “Frogger” was a sensation, becoming one of the most popular arcade games of the ‘80s, and when it made a transition to home consoles it sold twenty million copies. Still enjoyed today in its various ports and remakes, “Frogger” will always be a video gaming icon.

#7: “Asteroids” (1979)

One of video games’ most popular titles, “Asteroids” was a true pop culture phenomenon. Using hardware previously seen in “Lunar Lander,” the object of the game is to control your spaceship and shoot oncoming asteroids while trying to avoid the resulting debris. The game was immensely popular upon release, earning arcade operators roughly $500 million, and some even had to install larger coin boxes in order to accommodate the game's demand. Even with its simplistic graphics “Asteroids” is a timeless classic.

#6: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time” (1991)

This badass beat ‘em up game based on the popular ‘80s cartoon series came to us when Konami was still cool. Yes, we’re still harping on that joke. The game allowed up to four players to control the popular Turtles as they beat up enemies in the sewers and other various memorable settings set throughout time. Praised for staying true to the characters, the game was also a blast due to its exciting co-operative gameplay and its memorable soundtrack.

#5: “Centipede” (1981)

In this classic fixed shooter game, you control the Bug Blaster and shoot the segments of a centipede while avoiding enemy fleas, spiders, and scorpions. Oh yeah, and be aware of those mushrooms! The trackball—that ball controller you roll with your fingers—just fits so well for this game, allowing you to control quick and precise movements in all directions. Combine that with the fantastic graphics and responsiveness onscreen, and you got a really interactive and engaging arcade game. That’s what “Centipede” is. Of course, the unique—and honestly kind of bizarre—concept is a significant element of its brilliance as well.

#4: “Space Invaders” (1978)

“Space Invaders” almost singlehandedly launched the video game industry from a niche entertainment product to a worldwide phenomenon. The player controls a spaceship as it shoots attacking alien ships from above, and this simple concept changed the industry forever. The aliens have since become synonymous with video gaming in general, and it soon became the highest-grossing entertainment product of its time. Suffice it to say that “Space Invaders” helped secure video gaming as a global industry and changed the world forever.

#3: “Donkey Kong” (1981)

Created by famous video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, “Donkey Kong” was Nintendo’s first breakout hit, and is one of the most influential video games of all time. “Donkey Kong” introduced both the titular villain and the gaming juggernaut Mario to the world. Thanks to its challenging and exciting platforming gameplay, it’s now known as an early example of the now-famous genre. Spawning numerous sequels, spin-offs, and even inspiring a whole documentary movie, “Donkey Kong” was a major influence in video gaming and a pop culture marvel.

#2: “Street Fighter II” (1991-94)

If there’s a gamer out there who doesn’t know what a Hadoken or a Sonic Boom is, they probably shouldn’t be called a gamer until they’ve played this. A true masterpiece in every sense of the word, “Street Fighter 2” was a major game changer, with iconic characters, competitive gameplay and complex combos for pros. It’s also more notable for having more re-releases than any other arcade game, bringing in new characters and refining the character balance with every new iteration. All in all, “Street Fighter” revolutionised the fighting game genre, and redefined the arcade scene as we know it.

#1: “Ms. Pac-Man” (1981)

“Pac-Man” may be one of the most popular video game characters of all time, but it’s his wife that not only has the better game, but the best arcade game ever. The goal of these games, as we’re sure you know, is to get the character to eat the dots while traversing a maze and avoiding the famed ghosts. However what sets “Ms. Pac-Man” apart, is that her game has multiple mazes, forcing the player to quickly change and adapt new strategies as they progress. Because of these new mazes, the game is still incredibly fun to play today as it was decades ago, making it our pick for the best arcade game of all time.

Which of these arcade games ate up the most of your coins—or your parents’ coins? Let us know in the comments!