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GLBThe Top 20 Greatest Arcade Games of All Time
1Article by Ion Hatzithomas
There's an unmistakable glow, a unique clatter of buttons, and a hum of anticipation at every great arcade cabinet. Whether you remember hunched afternoons spent perfecting your high score, or you've only experienced retro bliss through re-releases, arcade games have played a pivotal role in gaming's history, and in pop culture at large. Here's our countdown of the twenty greatest arcade games ever made, based on their impact, gameplay innovation, and the sheer fun they delivered (and still deliver):
#20. Tempest (1981)
An electrifying, vector-graphic shooter with trippy visuals and intense, increasingly frantic gameplay. Tempest's unique spinning control and 3D tubes stood out in the arcades of the early 80s.
#19. Joust (1982)
Who could have guessed that flying armored ostriches while battling lava trolls could be so fun? Joust's blend of simplicity and competitive multiplayer made it a unique staple.
#18. Dragons Lair (1983)
Don Bluth's animated adventure wasn't just technically groundbreaking, it was a coin-devouring phenomenon. Press the right direction at the right moment, and you lived to see more of the cartoon splendor.
#17. Star Wars (1983)
This vector-graphic wonder transported players right into the Death Star trench run, complete with authentic dialogue and revolutionary controls. Still, one of the most memorable movie adaptations ever.
#16. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)
Sun, pizza, and four-player co-op beat-em-up action; TMNT let you and your friends save NYC from Shredder, side by side, quarter after quarter.
#15. Tron (1982)
Inspired by the film, Tron offered several game modes, all lit by vivid, neon-drenched visuals and clever cabinet design. The light cycle sequences became instantly iconic.
#14. NBA Jam (1993)
He's on fire! NBA Jam turbocharged basketball with outrageous dunks, hidden codes, and two-on-two competition. Its arcade-perfect blend of sports and silly excess still thrills.
#13. Double Dragon (1987)
Walking the mean streets never felt better. As the progenitor of the side-scrolling fighting game, Double Dragon was all about teamwork, elbows, and the thrill of saving the damsel in distress.
#12. Frogger (1981)
Simple, addictive, and totally unforgiving; help a fragile frog cross highway traffic and treacherous rivers. Froggers basic premise inspired countless imitators and sequels.
#11. Pole Position (1982)
The benchmark for racing games, Pole Position introduced realistic controls, scaling graphics, and thrilling time-based circuits, making it the king of the arcade racing scene for years.
#10. Mortal Kombat II (1993)
Brutality and spectacle, dialed to eleven. MKII improved on the infamous original with better graphics, smoother play, and even wilder Fatalities; electrifying fighting fans (and stirring controversy).
#9. Galaga (1981)
Galaga refined the formula of the original Space Invaders into an elegant, addictive shooter with swooping enemies and bonus stages. Perfectly tuned and lightning quick.
#8. Centipede (1980)
Trackballs, mushrooms, spiders, scorpions, and relentless, snaking centipedes: this classic shooter was equally loved by casual and expert players, especially for its approachability.
#7. Defender (1981)
Hardcore even by todays standards, Defender demanded quick reflexes and multitasking. The frantic action, scrolling landscape, and tight controls defined the shooting genre for years.
#6. Donkey Kong (1981)
Here's where Mario first leapt into our lives, dodging barrels and saving Pauline from the titular ape. Nostalgic, challenging, and charming, its a platforming masterclass.
#5. Asteroids (1979)
An early vector classic where Newtonian physics met perfect gameplay. Asteroids set the pace for shooters, and its minimalist design still feels timeless.
#4. Ms. Pac-Man (1982)
Pac-Mans spouse proved even better, with smarter ghosts, varied mazes, and more dynamic gameplay. It remains the most beloved of all maze-chase games.
#3. Street Fighter II (1991)
The true king of one-on-one fighters. SFIIs deep roster, precise controls, and balanced combat ignited the fighting game boom and spawned countless tournaments.
#2. Space Invaders (1978)
The primordial blockbuster; filling arcades with its simple, addictive shooting and that inexorable, creeping tension. Space Invaders is gaming history in purest form.
#1. Pac-Man (1980)
The face of arcades, Pac-Man transcended games themselves, eating pellets, dodging ghosts, and spawning merchandising fever. Its appeal is truly universal, cementing its status as the greatest arcade game of all time.
These Games Defined A Generation
These arcade machines ignited global gaming fever, offered social connections long before the internet, and provided unique, in-person thrills no home console could rival at the time. Many of these games are still played-and fiercely competed over-today, their simple controls and deep mastery making them ageless. Whether you're revisiting lost afternoons or discovering them for the first time, these twenty cabinet classics prove that good gameplay never goes out of style.
DonkeyKong is infinitely more substantial because it spawn the entire Mario Bros Universe.
A few glaring ommisions that were revolutionary for the video game arcade are Atari's Pong and Breakout, and either one is more relevent for the discussion than say Tempest or Joust.
