Thanks to developers realizing the pixelated beauty of retro gaming, bringing games from the cabinet to the console has never been easier. Big-name companies like Nintendo and Sony have been doing it more and more, much to players’ delight.
Nowadays, developers have made it even more simple to lay hands on several classic titles that used to be only available in arcades. Compilations and collections aplenty have brought new life to these old games and even a new legion of fans. With a click, an entire arcade can fall right into one’s pocket, and all of it without inserting a single token.
10 Atari Flashback Classics
One can never go wrong with the classics and Atari’s collection of games, while extremely primitive, laid the groundwork for the industry known today. While these games do feature icons like Centipede and Breakout, quantity doesn’t equal quality.
Yes, it covers the basics with favorite games, but many on this collection of 150 games are either clones of others or just didn’t improve with age. Even so, one can’t deny the addictive simplicity that these historic games have to offer.
9 Nintendo Switch Online
Free with the purchase of a Nintendo Online membership, players can have access to an ever-growing collection of games from the NES and SNES. Although most arcade titles like Donkey Kong and Ice Climbers will dwell on the former collection, there’s still something to be said for the latter.
There are plenty of classic titles worth the price of the subscription to play. Like the Atari collection, the virtual titles offered are pieces of gaming history.
8 Contra Anniversary Collection
Not only was Contra one of the most famous arcade titles in the history of gaming, but one of the most difficult as well. Thanks to this anniversary collection, gamers now have an opportunity to put their run and gun skills to the ultimate test of skill (and patience).
Before the days of Dark Souls, this was the prepare-to-die series. Not only does the compilation offer the original arcade title, but 9 other iterations of the series. Better have that Konami code handy.
7 Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection
Speaking of Konami, they’re not just some one-trick-pony with the Contra series. Along with the likes of both Nintendo and Capcom, they dominated the arcade cabinets with titles like Gradius and Life Force.
The only drawback with this collection is its lack of variety. Aside from Haunted Castle, an arcade port of Castlevania, the main point of this collection is its shoot-em-up titles. Gamers better have an appetite for spaceships with this collection.
6 SNK 40th Anniversary Collection
On the other end of the arcade spectrum, the SNK collection offers quite an array of different arcade titles and genres, ranging from tournament fighters to top-down shooters and even a Zelda-like thrown in for good measure. Variety is the spice of life, after all.
Ikari Warriors, P.O.W., and Vanguard are just a few of the titles the collection has to offer. SNK games are a bit of a rare find in many arcades, so it’s quite a pleasure to have them so accessible.
5 Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection
If there’s one thing no arcade should be without, it’s at least one fighting title. The Samurai Shodown series is one of the most underrated in the genre, and with a remake only recently introduced, it’s a perfect time to try the original arcade titles.
These titles go a little bit sharper than most of their kind, as one hit with a blade can mark the difference between victory and defeat. Talk about a cutting-edge game.
4 Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
On the other hand, tradition dictates there must be at least some exposure to the almighty Street Fighter, so why not go with all of them? From the 1987 original to Third Strike, it’s truly the cream of the crop of Street Fighter.
Perfect for single-player mode or the weekly game night with friends, this collection serves as a healthy reminder of how competitive the arcade scene can be. Still, it’s hard not to beat the good-old-fashioned Street Fighter IIs.
3 Namco Museum
Speaking of which, the Namco Museum offers a fine selection of traditional arcade titles, along with a few surprises sprinkled in as well. Pac-Man and Galaga will never go out of style, but Dig Dug and Tank Force have their charms too.
There are few names so famously associated with arcades and the ’80s than Namco, and this package offers some of their best material. And with the addition of lesser-known titles like Splatterhouse in the mix, it’s a perfect way to hook in new players.
2 Capcom Beat-Em-Up Bundle
Where would arcades be without the beat-em-up genre? While there are plenty on the Eshop, the best bang for one’s buck has to be the Capcom Beat-Em-Up Bundle. This collection has the perfect selection from the best of the genre.
From Final Fight to Knights of the Round, the collection has everything a beat-em-up fan could want, including street-set brawlers and futuristic robot fights. Who wouldn’t want a genre for all seasons?
1 Genesis Classics Collection
Sega does what Ninten-don’t as the saying goes. While Nintendo’s classics did include a few arcade titles, the Genesis Classics Collection is a slice of ’90s nostalgia that covers all the bases with some seriously heavy hitters. There’s more than just Sonic at work here.
The collection offers juggernauts like Golden Axe and Streets of Rage, but also a selection of side-scrollers and shooters to keep things interesting. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong with this incredible compilation.
NEXT: 10 Video Games That Didn’t Sell Well Upon Release (But Are Now Considered Classics)
