Arcade games have a long history that dates back roughly half a century. From Pong to Pac-Man, the ’70s and ’80s pioneered the games that would eventually become console classics. Games like Donkey Kong predated the successful juggernaut the series would become on Nintendo consoles only a decade later.
With that being said, the ’90s took arcade gaming to a new level. Thanks to the popularity of titles like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, fighting games had a spot alongside the beat ’em ups like Konami’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The ’90s heralded some impressive classic titles, some of which would go on to be among the best arcade games of all time.
Updated February 27, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The 1990s was unquestionably the peak for arcade gaming, at least in terms of popularity. Once console gaming caught up in terms of technology, arcades lost quite a bit of momentum, and they are fairly difficult to find nowadays. Still, the best ’90s arcade games are eternal.
26
Air Combat (1993)
A Technical Achievement For Its Era, But It Has Aged Poorly
Air Combat
- Released
-
August 12, 1993
- Developer(s)
-
Namco
Considering how much time has passed, most of the best ’90s arcade games have aged shockingly well. Even all these decades later, their gameplay and visuals can be appreciated and enjoyed beyond their historical significance. That said, exceptions naturally exist, and Namco’s Air Combat is one of them. In 1993, the game’s 3D presentation and immersive arcade boot provided arguably the best flight simulator on the market, writing the playbook that would go on to inspire the genre’s future.
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Nowadays, Air Combat probably will not keep all that many people’s attention beyond a few minutes. The controls, presentation, and gameplay are all quite frustrating, and there is little reason to play the original when the PS1 Air Combat or Ace Combat is available. Nevertheless, it was an impressive achievement.
25
X-Men: The Arcade Game (1992)
A Beloved Beat ‘Em Up That Is Primarily For X-Men Fans
- Released
-
January 31, 1992
- Developer(s)
-
Backbone Entertainment, Konami
X-Men: The Arcade Game is rightfully hailed as one of the franchise’s best efforts of all time, and while its age shines through in places, the beat ’em up title holds up as a fun, albeit repetitive entry in the genre. Released at a time when Konami actually created games, the title’s strongest feature is its playable character roster, with six mutants coming along for the ride. With great attack animations and authentic specials, each character stands out as their own entity and comes with a fairly steep learning curve.
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X-Men‘s visuals are generally impressive, particularly the character designs and backgrounds. While the standard fodder enemies get old quite quickly, the bosses are another story entirely, with the campaign covering a few heavyweights like Mystique and Magneto. While very good, X-Men does struggle a bit when compared to later beat ’em ups, particularly Capcom’s.
24
Alpha Mission 2 (1991)
A Classic Shmup That Can Still Be Enjoyed Today
Alpha Mission 2
- Released
-
March 25, 1991
- Developer(s)
-
SNK
Alpha Mission 2 is a lesser entry in SNK’s arcade catalog, but that has more to do with the developer’s proficiency than any perceived lack of quality concerning the vertical shooter. When it comes to shoot ’em ups, this 1991 title does not do anything too out of the ordinary, and it should strike a chord with most fans of the genre.
Boasting great visuals and music, Alpha Mission 2 was a looker back in the day, and age has done little to hamper the game’s presentation. Gameplay-wise, SNK’s release offers a satisfying selection of weapons and an upgrade system that rewards skill. As these types of games can be inescapable to newcomers, Alpha Mission 2 is somewhat of an acquired taste, but the game is a good representative of the shmup genre.
23
X-Men: Children Of The Atom (1995)
Not The Best Capcom Marvel Fighting Game, But Pretty Great
- Released
-
January 5, 1995
- Developer(s)
-
Capcom, Probe Entertainment, Rutubo Games
Capcom’s first Arcade Marvel title introduced the gameplay later seen in the VS. series. This X-Men title featured gorgeous animation, memorable music, and the X-Men taking on Magneto & the Brotherhood. Children of the Atom introduced the launcher combos, high jumps, and flashy action that would set the tone for the sequels.
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Several of the X-Men would later appear in various crossover titles until Marvel vs. Capcom 2 brought them together once again. Even so, Children of the Atom maintained a significant legacy as even Sentinel would get his theme remixed in 2011’s Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
22
The Simpsons (1991)
Right Up There With The Best Simpsons Games Ever
- Released
-
March 4, 1991
- Developer(s)
-
Konami, Novotrade, Backbone Entertainment
Primarily known as The Simpsons Arcade Game, this 1991 delight stands out as one of the most entertaining beat ’em ups of its era, even if it is somewhat streamlined compared to other genre greats. When Maggie finds herself kidnapped by Smithers, the rest of the Simpsons must go on an epic adventure to save her, which means punching everything that moves and visiting various iconic locations from the TV show. All four characters have unique moves that set them apart from each other, and their attacks lean into the source material’s slapstick humor. As with most of these classics, The Simpsons Arcade Game can also be played in co-op, which allows the gameplay to shine even brighter.
As fun as it is, this release does require players to be fond of the cartoon. That’s not to say that its beat ’em up mechanics have nothing to offer the uninitiated, as they are generally solid, but there are superior arcade options for those who are not captivated by the license. Nevertheless, Konami’s 1991 romp is still among the best Simpsons games.
21
Smash TV (1990)
Chaotic Twin-Stick Mayhem
Smash TV
- Released
-
April, 1990
- Developer(s)
-
Williams Electronics, Probe Software, Beam Software
A dual-stick shooter that used to soak up all of someone’s coins, Smash TV was painfully difficult to put down once the mayhem started to flow. Split into levels that throw wave after wave of enemies at the player, Smash TV descends into pure chaos almost immediately, creating an action-packed experience with no dull moments.
Power-ups, thousands of disposable foes, and cheesy announcements are all things that define Smash TV‘s legacy. The game’s console versions are not quite as good as the arcade title, but they are still decent fun.
20
The Punisher (1993)
Awesome Beat ‘Em Up With Great Weapon System And Fantastic Visuals
The Punisher
Capcom knows a thing or two about crafting addictive and gorgeous arcade games, and that goes beyond just 2D fighters. While perhaps not as decorated as Street Fighter, the publisher was responsible for a few of the 1990s’ best beat ’em ups, some of which have aged like a fine wine. 1993’s The Punisher serves as a prime example of Capcom’s genre mastery, expanding on ideas introduced in classics like Final Fight to create a kinetic, visceral, and unforgettable Marvel-themed romp. As either Frank Castle or Nick Fury, players go on a blood-soaked rampage through America, taking on a few recognizable villains from the source material.
While the core melee combat was not too far removed from other Capcom beat ’em ups from the era, The Punisher pushed the envelope by emphasizing weapons. From guns to bats and throwable knives, Frank can wield a wide assortment of death machines, most of which are dropped by enemies. And, like most arcade games, The Punisher is extremely difficult, so players will need to make smart and constant use of all the tools at their disposal.
Except for a mediocre Genesis port, The Punisher remained exclusive to arcades, causing it to become one of the more sought-after Capcom projects. Well, in 2024, the publisher finally answered those pleas by including the game in a Marvel vs. Capcom compilation.
19
Ninja Baseball Bat Man (1993)
Stunning Visuals For The Era
Ninja Baseball Bat Man
- Released
-
September, 1993
- Developer(s)
-
Irem
An underappreciated gem that didn’t make much of a splash in Western arcades, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is silliness captured in video game form. A beat ’em up about four robot heroes striving to retrieve a statue of Babe Ruth, Ninja Baseball Bat Man takes players on camp-fueled adventures with accessible combat, unforgettable villains, and charming visuals.
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In a decade overstacked with beat ’em ups, Ninja Baseball Bat Man struggled to stand out; however, the game has aged better than most of its contemporaries. It is simply fun.
18
Windjammers (1994)
Clever Twist On The Sports Genre That Works Perfectly For Arcades
Windjammers
- Released
-
March, 1994
- Developer(s)
-
Data East Corporation
A contender for the most surprising ’90s game to be revived more than two decades following its release, Windjammers was ported to the PS4 in 2017 and even received a sequel in 2022. The sports game challenges players to win an intense match of frisbee; yet, frisbee. On the surface, that might not sound particularly exciting, however, Windjammers hides an impressive amount of depth.
Windjammers is a delight whether played in arcades or on home consoles. Players have their pick of six characters, all of which come with unique stats and special throws. Matches are quite straightforward – two players battle it out to see who can score 12 points first – but the shots come with little tricks that make a huge difference in bouts.
17
The House Of The Dead 2 (1998)
A Straightforward But Classic Lightgun Shooter
- Released
-
September 9, 1998
Locking and loading with a light gun shooter is almost a requirement when visiting ’90s-era arcades. While there’s no shortage of games in the genre, Sega’s famed House of the Dead series remains the pinnacle for many. This is especially true with the series’ ’98 sequel, which leans on the appealing traits of its predecessor while refining and fleshing out some areas.
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The game ramps up the action, difficulty, and mechanics while polishing the graphics, improving the narrative, and adding nuance to the unique system of branching paths. This series would serve as the foundation and inspiration that would help spawn various other action-packed zombie romps.
16
Alien Vs. Predator (1994)
Beat ‘Em Up Perfection
Alien vs. Predator
Another ’90s Capcom beat ’em up, Alien vs Predator comes across as the spiritual successor to The Punisher, including a similar weapon system. While there is not all that much difference between the two releases in terms of quality, the 1994 game feels like a natural progression of its older sibling, delivering even better attack animations and a far superior roster of playable characters. Unlike Frank and Fury, Alien vs Predator‘s fighters are unique, with each one coming with their own specialized weapons. The Predator will almost certainly be most people’s first pick, but the rest of the humanoid characters are fun in their own right, and they greatly amplify the campaign’s replayvalue.
Compared to most other beat ’em ups, Alien vs Predator absolutely packs the screen with enemies, particularly during the final few stages. At points, the game seems to throw a genuine army of aliens at players, challenging them to survive the onslaught through the use of creative weapons like a flamethrower. And, speaking of the latter, the game’s armory is a blast to cycle through, with the weapon selection blending conventional and sci-fi elements. Great stuff.
15
Tekken (1994)
While Not As Great As The Sequels, Still A Landmark Release In The Fighting Game Genre
- Released
-
December 9, 1994
- Developer(s)
-
Namco
The 3D fighting game became one of Namco’s treasured masterpieces. This fighting game consists of fighters from around the world who compete using different martial arts styles. The 3D fighting system included side-stepping mechanics as well as a heavy emphasis on juggling.
Tekken would later be followed by six sequels and two Tag Tournament spin-offs. The roster would expand dramatically over time. Later Tekken sequels even included a bench to go with the arcade cabinet, so players could sit down while playing together.
Tekken 3 is the better overall game, but the arcade version never made it out of Japan. That said, Tekken 2‘s arcade iteration was released in North America.
14
Cruis’n World (1996)
Great Driving Fun
Cruis’n World
- Released
-
November, 1996
- Developer(s)
-
Midway Games, Eurocom
A distinct charm of ’90s arcade games is the sense of immersion experienced by interacting with more tactile, true-to-form control devices. This is the case in this classic racer from the mid-’90s, which lets gamers literally take the wheel and put the pedal to the metal. Even beyond this fun setup, however, Cruis’n World decks out and revs things up on the gameplay front, building on the ’94 hit Cruisn’ USA.
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As the game’s title indicates, a greater diversity of new, colorful landscapes can be traversed this time, including Australia, Africa, Egypt, Mexico, and Japan. Not only this, but the game fleshes things out with new stunt mechanics that reward players with extra seconds of time. And in this fast, exhilarating racer, every second counts. Like its predecessor, Cruis’n World proved influential, as racers like Forza Horizon would further roll with this concept of flashy, stunt-focused racing.
13
Gauntlet Legends (1998)
Impressive Attempt To Deliver An RPG-Style Arcade Experience
Hack and Slash
RPG
Adventure
Fighting
Shooter
- Released
-
October 1, 1998
- Developer(s)
-
Midway Games, Midway Home Entertainment, Atari
Arcade romps are often known for their entertaining co-op gameplay that allows multiple players to huddle up on a single cabinet. This was particularly the case in the ’90s, as machines grew more robust and advanced. Gamers often point to Gauntlet Legends as one of the best examples of a cooperative game that’s both rich and enjoyable.
On the one hand, the game adheres to a “pick-up-and-play” style of hack and slash excitement, enticing players to grind away and slay countless baddies. But on the other hand, Legends offers a surprising amount of depth with its RPG-esque gameplay and rewarding progression. It even implements a unique system of passwords and savable characters. This neat feature encourages prolonged dungeon-crawling rather than regularly starting over.
12
SoulCalibur (1998)
An Impressive Weapon-Based Fighter That Set The Stage For One Of The Best Games Of All Time
- Released
-
July 30, 1998
- Developer(s)
-
Namco
Namco’s SoulCalibur refined the 3D fighting engine from Soul Edge with better-balanced mechanics. Introducing more characters to the mold, the game brought a heavy emphasis on aesthetic detail. The gorgeous models and character designs looked ahead of their time, while the music transcended most contemporary video game soundtracks thanks to its orchestral arrangements.
The Dreamcast port of SoulCalibur added the single-player Mission Mode as well as several extras for players to unlock. These include art pieces, lore, and others. SoulCalibur is not just a successful, revolutionary 3D game that spawned multiple sequels but one of the best arcade games ever.
Soul Edge was also great.
11
NBA Jam (1993)
Nothing But Net
- Released
-
March 4, 1994
- Developer(s)
-
Midway Games
There will always be a market for the more nuanced brand of sims and flashier, grander basketball games. Still, the simpler, arcade-style variants – which include hits like NBA Hangtime and NBA Jam – have an addictive quality and distinct charm that’s rarely matched. Arguably the pinnacle of this subgenre, Midway’s NBA Jam proved this thrilling sport could be enjoyed in brief, chaotic stints of just a few minutes.
The game’s fast pace, two-on-two gameplay, and exhilarating “on fire” mode ensure non-stop action throughout. Fouls, free throws, and the general laws of physics need not apply here. While the series has carried on in some form since the ’90s, this breakout hit from ’93 remains the basketball champ for many arcade players.
10
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)
Culmination Of Years Of Brutal Success
Ultimate Mortal Kombat III
- Released
-
October 6, 1995
- Developer(s)
-
Midway Games
Mortal Kombat was one of several games that set off a fighting game boom in the ’90s. Unlike Street Fighter‘s competitive balance and tournament approach, Mortal Kombat was more about the style. The martial arts tale grabbed major references from movies such as Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon.
Besides the brutal, bloody Fatalities, Mortal Kombat contributed several arcade sequels and many memorable characters that appear in numerous sequels including the recent Mortal Kombat 11. Among them include Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang, Jax, Kitana, and powerful entities such as Raiden and Shao Kahn. The series also introduced intricate lore and mythos stronger than its contemporaries. To this day, the Mortal Kombat series is hailed for having among the best storytelling of fighting games.
9
Time Crisis 2 (1997)
The Definitive ’90s Arcade Shooter
- Released
-
December 13, 1997
- Developer(s)
-
Namco
Building on the momentum of 1995’s Time Crisis, the sequel’s core gameplay isn’t all that different from its predecessor. While there are some neat changes, Time Crisis 2 still comes down to timing: pick the right moments to step out of cover to score a few shots. Like most entries in the series, Time Crisis 2 plays out like an over-the-top action movie, and it does a splendid job aping that style.
The one thing that puts Time Crisis 2 above the original game is the inclusion of co-op. This addition brought a whole other dimension to the light gun experience.
8
Killer Instinct (1994)
Groundbreaking At The Time, And Still Solid Today
Killer Instinct (1994)
- Released
-
October 28, 1994
Striking something of a middle-ground between Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct is a very solid fighter, even if it hasn’t quite aged as well as its most highly regarded contemporaries. The 1994 game brought its share of innovations to the genre, and it had a combo system (including the landscape-changing combo breakers) that was a step above the competition at the time of Killer Instinct‘s release.
The fighter delivers fast-paced gameplay, satisfying finishing moves, impressive visuals for its era, and a brilliant soundtrack. Even today, the arcade version of Killer Instinct is still fun to play.
7
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time (1991)
The Best TMNT Arcade Game Ever, And Also Just One Of The Best TMNT Games
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time
Heralded as one of the greatest beat ’em ups of all time, Turtles in Time perfected a formula that began in the 80s. Succeeding The Arcade Game, which came to the NES, Turtles in Time featured a more robust system. Hit detection, controls, and combos felt much more fluid and improved.
Turtles in Time later came to the SNES as an improved port featuring more stages. While Konami stripped the co-op from 4-player to 2-player, the console classic was perhaps the best on the system. Turtles in Time also received a similar version of the game, largely reskinned on Genesis, as The Hyperstone Heist.