Whether you spent your teenage years in the 90s holed up in a neighbourhood arcade or a dingy LAN shop, one thing’s for sure: it’s hard to imagine those times without the colourful bright lights of arcade cabinets, the smash of clacky buttons, and the classic beep boop sound effects. Feeling nostalgic now? Here are 10 arcade games that will take you back in time, from the exhilarating Pac-Man to the complex Tekken.

1. Pac-Man (1980)

Pac-Man is a legend in the world of video games. First released in 1980, it introduced a simple but addictive gameplay concept: guide Pac-Man through a maze, munch on pellets and dodge colourful ghosts. This maze video game was the first of its kind in capturing the public’s imagination like never before. Even decades later, Pac-Man’s charm continues to be celebrated. 

2. Street Fighter II (1991)

Street Fighter II is the iconic sequel to the original Street Fighter, which was released by Capcom in 1987. Often hailed as a forefather in the fighting game genre, it helped spark the 1990s fighting game boom. With a diverse roster of characters and innumerable advanced mechanics, including special moves and combos, Street Fighter II is loved for its engaging gameplay and competitive nature, whether you’re facing off against the computer or engaging in head-to-head combat with friends.

3. Galaga (1981)

Galaga took everything great about its predecessor, Galaxian, and cranked it up a notch. Putting players in a starship affixed to the bottom of the screen, there’s only one mission: wipe out the Galaga forces while evading their attacks. Among its many improvements, what made Galaga really stand out was its new, cool twist—enemies could grab your ship with a tractor beam and turn it into a “Boss Galaga”. If you manage to defeat it, you’d upgrade to a “dual-fighter”, making the game even more thrilling.

4. Donkey Kong (1981)

When Donkey Kong burst onto the scene in 1981, it was a lifeline for unsold arcade machines from Radar Scope’s flop, before quickly becoming a worldwide hit. Despite its name, the game’s real star is Mario, who has to scale a construction site to save Pauline from Donkey Kong—a gorilla character’s—clutches. Donkey Kong’s challenging gameplay set the stage for its partial evolution into the addictively difficult Donkey Kong Country series. 

5. Metal Slug (1996)

Metal Slug is a beloved run-and-gun arcade game created by Nazca Corporation and published by SNK. In this action-packed game, you take on the role of soldiers from the Peregrine Falcon Squad, battling a variety of unique foes including rebels, aliens and zombies. This game stands out not just for its challenging levels, but also for its detailed graphics and quirky slapstick humour, making the whole experience unforgettable, especially for a small but dedicated fan base.

6. Asteroids (1979)

Asteroids was a massive hit—so much so that arcade operators had to set up huge boxes to manage the flood of coins it generated back in the day. Most notably, in 1980, it became the highest-grossing arcade video game in the United States shortly after its release. The game challenges players to navigate a spaceship through an asteroid field, refraining from colliding with both asteroids and flying saucers, while blasting away at them and their projectiles in a multi-directional screen. The increasing accuracy of enemy attacks makes Asteroids not only highly interactive but also intensely thrilling.

7. Mortal Kombat (1992)

The Mortal Kombat franchise has amassed legions and generations of fans over the years, even though it received lukewarm reception when it first launched. Known for its intense violence, it introduced the iconic “fatality”—a dramatic finishing move that delivers a crushing final blow to defeated opponents. The distinctive feature helped cement its reputation as one of the most memorable, albeit controversial, video games of all time. 

8. The King of Fighters (1994) 

The King of Fighters made its debut in 1994, bringing together characters from SNK’s Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting series in a groundbreaking crossover. What set it apart was its team-based fighting system—you have to choose three characters to go up against another team. This added a fresh layer of strategy, as players are to consider the unique power dynamics of each iconic character to come up on top.

9. Tekken (1994)

The longstanding legacy of Tekken is hard to miss. A cultural icon, Tekken boasts rich storylines and memorable characters, with a disruptive 3D design that offers a new perspective to fighting hand-in-hand with its robust combo attacks. Over the years, Tekken has moved beyond arcade cabinets to game consoles and PCs, with Tekken 8 being the latest in its storied franchise. It’s no wonder the series has also made a splash in film and print. 

10. Space Invaders (1978)

This trailblazing shoot ‘em up tasks you with defending Earth from endless hordes of aliens. The game’s high score-based format keeps players coming back, displaying your score once defeated. Armed with a shield to block enemy fire and a laser cannon to take down invaders, the game might seem straightforward, but its increasing difficulty makes it a crowd favourite. Its allure lies not in competing against others, but surpassing your own previous records, making each game a new personal challenge.

Revisit the Good Old Days with The Arcade People’s Retrocade Collection 

The Arcade People boasts the largest collection of arcade games in Singapore, featuring dedicated retrocade machines loaded with the classics you love. Step back in time and enjoy these games with a premium, custom-branded arcade cabinet you can call your own. Reach out to us today to make it happen!