The Blog Subscribe
Retro: My Fave Arcade Games
I’m sure you, as I do have fond, warm and fuzzy memories of the arcade games that you played in your youth as well as the arcade experience in general (my report here). So while we’re in the mood for reminiscing I thought that I’d share my top 5 favourite arcade games with you to see if they stir up some emotions.
Street Fighter 2
This for me and always has to be the king of games full stop. Back in the early 90s we had never seen the like. A one on one fighter that enhanced controller technology like you wouldn’t believe. Pit your might against the machine or an unwitting human opponent and kick the seven shades of shinola out of each other. To this day there is no game that sends shivers down my spine when you hear its theme music. Complete and unadulterated carnage. Do I need to tell you more? Of course not. You probably played it as much as I did.
Virtua Racing
When it comes to game changers this is also at the top of my list. We’d had the old day racers such as Outrun, Hang-On and Chase HQ but none of them were really immersive but then Sega blew us out of the water with 3D graphics, multiple playing views and kick ass soundtrack. For years I sought this game out just to burn some rubber. If I had the money this cabinet would most certainly be one I would want to own.
Daytona USA
Following on from the success of Virtua Racing Sega were onto a winner and the first fruits of this was Daytona USA. More ‘arcadey’ than its predecessor it was a freak load of fun.
Smash your way through your opposition in classic arcade style. And do you remember that you could play a fruit machine in the cliff on level one?
The game spawned sequels and console ports but nothing can recreate the experience of the original.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Not since the days of Gauntlet did we have a 4 player experience that TMNT gave us. Battle your way through level upon level of Foot Clan bashing, collecting pizza, riding skateboards and shouting ‘Cowabunga’ at the top of your voice.
Choose your character well as each turtle came with their own weapon and skills to allow you to vanquish your enemies with pinpoint precision. Other games spawned from this format included ‘The Simpsons Arcade Game’ as well as many more.
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker
This may not be on many people's list but I freaking loved this game. A 3 player extravaganza where you control the King of Pop and his clones across multiple landscapes zapping the minions of Mr Big into oblivion with your laser hands but the killer was the fact that you could destroy scores of enemies by transforming into robots but more awesomely with the power of dance! Charmone!
So what are you fave games?
Author
Paul Wright